It makes perfect sense to go with what feels familiar, like basic retouching or background removal. But we’ve learned from working with thousands of photographers and business owners that your photos often benefit from multiple services working together. Combining services gets you better results with less hassle, since you can handle everything in one order instead of juggling separate projects. Let’s show you how to pick the right edits for your photos.

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How to identify what your photos actually need

Before you start combining services, let’s figure out what you’re actually working with—it’ll save you time and help you get better results.

Photo diagnosis checklist

Take a look at your images and ask yourself if you spot any of these:

• Background issues: Is the background distracting, the wrong color, or inconsistent across your batch? Does it look messy or unprofessional?
• Subject problems: Are there imperfections, poor lighting, or color issues with your main subject? For apparel, does it need to show fit and drape without a model?
• Technical fixes: Is anything crooked? Are shadows missing or looking unnatural? Any dust, dirt, or glare issues?
• Brand requirements: Do you need multiple product colors? Specific formats? Transparent backgrounds for marketing materials?

Common photo problems and their solutions

Here are some scenarios we see all the time:

• “My product looks flat and boring” → clipping path + shadows
• “The background is messy and distracting” → background removal + retouching
• “I need to show this product in 5 different colors” → clipping path + color change
• “The model’s hair isn’t looking right” → image masking + retouching
• “My apparel needs to show shape without the mannequin” → ghost mannequin + retouching + symmetry

Most photo challenges need two to three services working together, not just one by itself.

How Path services work better together

Here’s why thinking in combinations instead of individual services makes more sense:

• Save admin time: Upload everything you need edited in a single order and get it all back together, ready to use. No juggling multiple orders or trying to keep track of which image versions are where.
• Speed up your workflow: Everything gets delivered together in the formats you need. Your designer handles all the edits for each image, so there’s consistency across the entire batch.
• Keep all photos consistent: When the same designer handles all your edits, you get cohesive results. Colors match, shadows look natural together, and the overall style stays consistent.
• Keep costs down: We offer discounts when you bundle multiple editing services together.

You can combine pretty much any of our services together—two, three, four, or more. What matters is understanding which combinations work best for your specific type of photography.

Service combinations by photography type

Every photography project has different needs, and you might even use the same image for different purposes. Here are some proven editing combinations that work well for different situations:

Sports photographers

When you’re dealing with high-volume shoots and tight deadlines, you need services that work fast and handle the most common issues in sports photography.

Your typical service combo:

• Image masking for complex backgrounds, hair, equipment details, etc.
• Background removal for clean, professional shots and official team photos, etc.
• Photo retouching for spot removal, color correction, skin touch-ups, etc.

There may be time-critical events such as championship coverage where you need polished images fast, or you might need to update and create consistent team roster headshots across an entire squad, just like this photographer does. You can choose different services depending on what each batch of images needs, whether that’s processing 200+ action shots or creating headshots with a uniform, professional look.

We offer turnarounds from 6 hours, so you can deliver images to your clients, magazines, or publications fast.

Product and ecommerce brands and photographers

For ecommerce, consistency is everything. Your product photos need to look professional, meet marketplace (like Amazon) standards, and convert browsers into buyers.

A standard combo:

• Clipping path for clean cutouts that meet marketplace requirements or create a clean website look.
• Shadow services add depth and dimension so products don’t look flat.
• Color change shows all available product colors without reshooting every single variant.

Advanced ecommerce stack (add these for even more polished results):

• Ghost mannequin is essential for apparel brands to show fit and drape.
• Symmetry shows perfect product alignment for a premium, professional look.
• Photo retouching removes any product imperfections (like wrinkles in fabric) and enhances details.

New ecommerce brands often start with the foundation combo (clipping path + shadows + color change) and add ghost mannequin as their apparel inventory grows. Established retailers may go with the full stack approach for complete consistency across their entire product catalog.

Portrait and headshot photographers

Professional portraits and headshots need to look polished but still natural. The goal is enhancing what’s already there, not creating something fake.

Typical professional edits for portraits and headshots include:

• Background removal/clipping path gives you versatile backgrounds for different marketing uses.
• Photo retouching helps with natural beauty enhancement, color correction, and flyaway hair fixes.

Corporate headshot scenarios may include:

• Basic combo of background removal + basic retouching.
• Premium package, adding advanced retouching and multiple background options for different brand uses.

Advanced portrait combination (for high-end clients or special projects) may include:

• Image masking for complex hair or clothing details.
• Color change for different outfit variations or brand color matching.
• Multiple background options so clients can use the same headshot across different marketing materials.

Wedding and event portrait combinations may include:

• Image masking for intricate dress details and flowing fabric.
• Retouching for flawless, natural skin and perfect lighting.
• Background removal for ceremony photos that need to work in albums and marketing.

How to choose your perfect edit combination

Use this simple framework to figure out which services make sense for any project:

1. What’s your end goal? Are these photos for marketplace listings, marketing materials, portfolio work, or client galleries?
2. What’s your biggest time constraint? Do you have a tight deadline, a high volume of images, or particularly complex edits?
3. What’s your budget priority? Are you focused on cost per image, or is premium quality and time savings more important?

Consider your photo use case

Sometimes the same photo needs different sets of edits depending on how you plan to use it. For example, a product photo might need:

• For marketplace listing: clipping path + white background + basic retouching.
• For social media: same photo but with different background + enhanced colors + shadows.
• For print: higher resolution + color matching + vector conversion.

How to mix and match your edits

Use this simple approach to figuring out which services work best for your projects:

• Start simple: Pick two to three core services that address your biggest pain points.
• Test combinations: Try different combos on smaller image batches to see what works best for your workflow.
• Scale up when it makes sense: Add more services as you see results and understand how they improve your final images.

When to add each editing service

Not sure which services you actually need? Here’s a quick reference for what each one does best.

Clipping path: When you need hand-drawn, crisp clean cutouts that you can use on any background.

Background removal: When you want clean white (or any color) backgrounds for product photos.

Image masking: For intricate shots with hair, fur, or complex borders that need precise, natural-looking cutouts.

Shadow: When products look flat or unrealistic—shadows add depth and dimension, and they actually help generate more sales.

Ghost mannequin: For apparel that needs to show natural fit and drape without models or mannequins, essential for consistent ecommerce catalogs.

Color change: When you have multiple color options and need to show true-to-life colors without reshooting every single shade.

Photo retouching: When imperfections distract from your subject—this corrects flaws and makes every element shine.

Multi-clipping path: When you need to select multiple areas within images for separate editing (like changing just the shirt color but not the pants).

Vector conversion: When you need scalable graphics and logos that maintain quality at any size.

Symmetry: When product alignment matters for brand consistency and that premium, professional look that converts better.

How to place your Path order

Ready to try combining services? Here’s exactly how to do it and how it works:

Getting started

1. Sign up for your Path account
2. Top up Path credits (optional but recommended—you get bonus credits when you top up)

The ordering process

3. Click “new order” to start your project
4. Select all the services you need for this batch—you can choose as many as you want
5. Upload your images using drag and drop
6. Get instant quote and you’ll see your total cost immediately
7. Set preferences like:
   a) File format for your edited images
   b) Additional comments or instructions
   c) Upload any supporting files if needed
8. Select turnaround time (longer turnaround means cheaper pricing, or choose rush for time-sensitive projects)
9. Review and approve your quote
10. Choose payment method and submit your order

If you need 1,000+ images edited a month, we offer bulk pricing with better rates and priority support.

Ordering edits with Path couldn’t be any easier

Now that you know which combinations work for your type of photography, placing an order is straightforward. Try Path free with 2 free edits and see how much better your photos look with the right services working together.

Let us look after your image edits, so you can get back to the fun stuff. Try Path free.

Learn more

The post How to Know Which Photo Editing Services You Need appeared first on Path Edits.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to fix blurry sports photos—including methods you can use to sharpen and fix out-of-focus sports photography, as well as tips to ensure your next sports photos are crisp and clear.

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How to fix a completely blurry sports photo

A completely blurry sports photo is when nothing in the frame is in focus. This often happens in action shots. If this happens to you, there are several filters you can use in Photoshop to sharpen the entire image.

Using the Unsharp Mask Tool

Photoshop has a filter specifically designed to sharpen images, known as the Unsharp Mask tool. A blurry image can never truly be “sharpened,” but Unsharp Mask attempts to detect the edges of your photo by looking for side-by-side pixels that are different in color. Then, the tool allows you to adjust the contrast of those pixels and create the illusion of a sharpened image.

To use this tool, open your blurry sports photo in Photoshop. Make sure you have the layer containing the image you want to sharpen selected (in a JPEG, this would be the Background layer).

Next, choose Filter > Sharpen > Unsharp Mask… from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window.

A dialog box with Unsharp Mask settings will appear. Within this window you can adjust the Unsharp Mask settings. These settings allow you to finely tune how much contrast Photoshop will apply to the pixels within your image. 

You’ll see a portion of your image displayed within the dialog box. You can use your cursor to drag until a critical portion of your sports photo appears in that image window. In the example below, we’ve positioned the cyclist’s face in the window.

Next, you’ll see three sliders: 

1. Amount: The Amount setting adjusts the increase in contrast between pixels. 
2. Radius: Radius adjusts the number of pixels along an edge that will be affected by the contrast increase. 
3. Threshold. Threshold tells Photoshop just how different those pixels must be from each other before they’re considered an “edge.”

Make sure Preview is checked so you can see how the image will change when you make adjustments within this dialog box.

Each image you adjust will have different settings for these three sliders, because no two images are identical. Play with the sliders until you figure out which combination of settings works best for your image without creating an overly contrasted result.

Once you’re happy with the final image, click OK.

So, it’s not perfect, but it is an improvement. 

Sharpen blurry sports images using High Pass Filter

Another Photoshop tool for sharpening blurry images is the High Pass Filter. In fact, you can use High Pass Filter and Unsharp Mask together to create an even sharper image.

To use the High Pass Filter, first duplicate the layer that contains the image you want to sharpen (most likely your Background layer). You can do this by clicking on the Layers panel menu (four little horizontal lines in the upper right corner of the panel) and choosing Duplicate Layer….

With the new layer selected, choose Filter > Other > High Pass… from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window.

Your image will go completely gray. You’ll only see the outlines of your edges in the image. 

In the High Pass dialog box that appears on the screen, move the Radius slider to the left to reduce detail or to the right to increase the details of the edges. Make sure “Preview” is checked so you can see the effects of moving the slider. In general, keep the radius at 7.0 Pixels or less so your end result will look natural.

Click OK.

Next, go back to your Layers Panel. Change the Blending Mode of the top layer to “Overlay.” (By default, the Blending Mode will be set to Normal.)

Your image will now appear sharper.

For an even sharper image, you could apply Unsharp Mask, and then a High Pass Filter on top of that. 

How to fix a specific area of a blurry sports photo

Sometimes, you want to capture motion blur and keep the visual effect, but you also want your subject’s face, or some other portion of the photo to be crisp. There are multiple ways to do this, including using selections, using layer masks, and using Photoshop’s Sharpen Tool.

How to use a selection and layer mask

Go back to the image you just sharpened using a High Pass Filter. Now, you’re going to remove the sharpened effects from every part of the image except the cyclist’s face—and then add additional effects to that area to create even more crispness.

Using the Marquee Tool in Photoshop’s Toolbar, draw an ellipse or a rectangle around the area of the photograph you want to remain crisp.

Next, choose Select > Modify > Feather… from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window.

In the dialog box that appears, type in a value between 100 and 250. This will give you the smoothest feather of your selection.

Now, go back into your Layers panel and choose the layer that contains your High Pass Filter. Click on the Mask icon at the bottom of the Panel. This icon looks like a black rectangle with a lighter circle inside of it.

Once you click on that icon, you’ll see a mask appear in your layer. It will look all black, except for the area of your selection, which will appear white.

You’ve now made it so the High Pass Filter will only appear on the area where you originally created your selection, or in the case of this example, on this cyclist’s face.

How to use the Sharpen Tool

You can sharpen the cyclist’s face even more by using Photoshop’s Sharpen Tool.

Select the Sharpen Tool from the Toolbar to the left of the application window. The Sharpen Tool may be sitting behind the Blur Tool or the Smudge Tool.

In your Layers panel, select your original laye—the layer that does not contain the High Pass Filter. Then, with your Sharpen Tool selected, “paint” over the areas of your image that you want to be a bit crisper. In the below example, we went over the cyclist’s eyes and mouth with the tool.

Like all tools in Photoshop, you have the option to adjust the strength and size of the Sharpen Tool in the Options Bar.

How to remove a blurry background from a sports photo

Sometimes a photographer will want a clear subject and a blurry background in a sports photo. However, there are times where a crisp background makes more sense. In these instances, it works best to remove the background altogether and replace it with a new image.

For the following examples, let’s use this image of a young woman holding a basketball.

Use AI to remove a background in Photoshop

The easiest way to remove a background is to use the “Remove Background” tool, which is part of Photoshop’s new AI tools. However, while fast, this tool isn’t always the best option, as you’ll see in a minute.

To use the tool, make sure the Contextual Task Bar is visible. By default, it is—however, if you don’t see it, make sure Contextual Task Bar is checked under the Window dropdown menu.

With the Contextual Task Bar visible beneath your image, you’ll see the option to Remove Background. Click on that option.

The result will be…okay. But not perfect. To really remove the background from an image, you’ll need to add a human touch.

Remove background using Select and Mask

Another option to quickly remove the background of your image is to use the Select and Mask feature in Photoshop. To do this, go to Select > Select and Mask… from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window.

A new window will appear. In this window, choose Select Subject. You can refine the subject by using the “Refine Hair” button and the tools on the left-hand side of the window, including the Magic Wand Tool.

Once you have your subject selected to your satisfaction, scroll to the bottom of the Properties tab at the right-hand side of the window. Change “Output to” to “Layer Mask.”

Click OK.

Back in your regular image window, you can now refine the subject more. For instance, Select and Mask didn’t do a very nice job of selecting the model’s hair, and parts of her left hand are cut off. You can fix this manually using Photoshop’s Pen Tool and Background Eraser Tool.

Refine selection using the Pen Tool

You can use the Pen Tool to refine crisp edges of your subject. 

First make sure you have the mask portion of your layer selected. Then select the Pen Tool from the Toolbar at the left-hand side of the application window and draw along the edge of your subject. Create a selection from your path, then delete or add portions of your image back in to achieve the desired edge to your subject. 

Use the Background Eraser Tool

Next, you can use the Background Eraser Tool to refine the hair of our subject. You can get to the Background Eraser Tool by clicking and holding down the Eraser Tool in the Toolbar.

It’s best to work in stages around the edge of the subject’s hair, so choose one side of the head to start on. Then, set your background color to the color of the background behind that portion of hair. Use the Background Eraser Tool to refine the edge of the hair and continue to change the background color as needed as you work around the entire head.

Once you’ve sufficiently removed the background from your subject, you can insert a new, crisp background into your image.

How to avoid taking blurry sports photos

While Photoshop offers many options to reduce motion blur, the best way to get a crisp photo is adjusting your camera and equipment settings for the scene you’re shooting. Take plenty of test shots before the event to get your setup close to perfect, based on subject speed and lighting conditions. Shooting in RAW instead of JPEG gives you more flexibility to rescue blurry or underexposed photos later. Even if you don’t have the time to spend on fixing photos, you can outsource photo editing to Path using your captured RAW images. 

Below are some simple but effective shooting tips to make sure your next sports photos are perfectly in focus.

Fast shutter speed

When you’re trying to capture a moving subject, you will need to use a fast shutter speed if you want the subject to appear clear, or “frozen.” How fast a shutter speed you need (and can use) depends on how fast the subject is moving, how much light you have to work with, and how wide or narrow the aperture of your lens is.

For subjects that are moving at high speed, such as running athletes, cyclists, or racing cars, you will need a shutter speed at least 1/1000 sec, and probably closer to 1/4000 sec. Different cameras offer different shutter speed options, and some new mirrorless options offer shutter speeds up to 1/64,000 sec.

If you want to create a blurry background with your subject still sharp, use the panning method. Reduce the shutter speed to create a blur and move the camera in the same direction as your subject when they move past you. It takes plenty of experimentation to get your settings and hand movement right, so don’t worry if you don’t get it on the first try.

Adjust light 

When you reduce your shutter speed (meaning you make it faster, such as going from 1/250 sec to 1/1000 sec), you reduce the amount of light that hits the sensor through the shutter. Therefore, in order to have a bright image, you need to compensate for the high shutter speed by raising the ISO, widening the aperture, or both. 

Taking photos with plenty of light is important to ensure that the photo comes out at the correct exposure, at the zoom level you need, without the increased film grain that can occur from high ISO values in low-light. Taking photos outdoors during the day will provide a lot of light, as will using a flash. Before you use a flash at an indoor sporting event, however, check the event’s rules for flash photography. Many sporting events don’t allow flash photography from professional photographers, unless they’re the official contracted photographer.

Reduce camera shake

Camera shake happens because even when you try to stand perfectly still, your hands naturally make tiny movements that can blur images. Using your camera’s neck strap pulled tight against your neck can add a bit of extra stability when shooting handheld. 

When you zoom in to your subject, you increase your focal length, and you need to increase your shutter speed to compensate, or else you risk your image blurring from shaking. For a still subject, your shutter speed needs to be at least the inverse of your focal length, so if you zoom in to 400mm, you will need to set your shutter speed to at least 1/400 sec to avoid camera shake. And then you will need to increase your shutter speed from there, depending on how fast your subject is moving and the available lighting conditions.

Most sports action shots are taken with hand-held cameras or with monopods. You’ll often see sports photographers with large lenses use monopods to support the weight of their kit, which still allows them to quickly move the camera around.

Many modern cameras and some lenses also have powerful shake reduction capabilities. Look for terms like ‘In-Body Image Stabilization’ (IBIS) in camera bodies or ‘Optical Stabilization’ (OS/IS/VR) in lenses. This technology can help you shoot at slower shutter speeds while still getting sharp images.

Let us fix your sports photos

While not every blurry photo can be saved, with the right tools and techniques, you can rescue many of them—and capture crisp, clear shots moving forward. 

Shooting, organizing, and editing sports photos takes a lot of time and work. Wouldn’t it be great if you could outsource the most tedious, repetitive aspects? With Path, you can! Send us all your background removal, retouching, and image masking needs—so you can get back to the creative work that really matters. 

Ready to send your photo edits our way? Get started now—and get your edits back in as little as 6 hours.

Learn more

How to fix blurry sports photos FAQs

How do you make sports pictures not blurry?

To make sports photography less blurry, use a fast shutter speed—ideally 1/1000s or faster—to freeze motion. Set your camera to continuous autofocus (AI-Servo or AF-C mode) and track your subject. Good lighting, a higher ISO if needed, and steady panning techniques also help capture sharper images.

Why are my pictures blurry in sports mode?

Sports mode usually tries to select faster shutter speeds, but it can still struggle in low light or if the autofocus isn’t keeping up with the action. Your pictures might also be blurry if the camera is focusing on the wrong spot, or if there’s not enough contrast for the autofocus to lock onto the subject properly.

How do I get my sports pictures sharp?

Use a fast shutter speed, continuous autofocus, and a wide aperture (like f/2.8 or f/4) to let in more light. Track the subject carefully, and if possible, pre-focus on an area where you expect the action to happen. Shooting in burst mode can also increase your chances of getting a tack-sharp frame.

How do you take clear sports pictures?

Clear sports images start with the right camera settings: fast shutter speed, continuous autofocus, and an appropriate ISO. Also, practice good technique—like following your subject smoothly with the camera and anticipating the action. Using higher-quality lenses with image stabilization can make a big difference too.

The post How to Fix Blurry Sports Photos: Before, During, and After the Shot appeared first on Path Edits.

30,000 sales and marketing pros get our insights, tips, and best practices delivered weekly.

The contest

The Talent Hunt was created with a few goals in mind: 

• to identify exemplary photo editing techniques an
• to recognize the editors behind the edits—we do everything by hand here, no sloppy AI shortcuts
• to foster innovation and future leaders in the industry

We let everyone get in on the fun—our in-house folks, temp workers, and even our subcontracting team—to see who can make the best, the fastest, and the most accurate photo edits. And not only that, but how the rest of our organization can learn from them. It’s just another way we’ve found to continuously innovate and push ourselves to always do better.

We had three categories for winners:

1. Speedstar Editor: the person who can edit images in the least amount of time while maintaining quality standards
2. Quality Wizard: the editor who can edit images with extraordinary quality by using different techniques outside of their traditional quality within the defined timeframe
3. Technique Mastermind: for the most creative editing techniques that still deliver quality and speed

We also had a judging panel, made of:

Creative review

• Md. Ataur Rahman, Senior Manager, Production
• MD. Shahadat Hossain, Senior Manager, Customer Support
• Md Shaharia Kabir, Assistant Manager, Audit
• Rayhanul Islam, Senior Executive, R&D
• Abdullah Al Jasim, Executive, R&D

Overall organization and coordination

• Rifat Rahmatullah, Manager, Human Resources
• Shams Al Mujahid, Senior Executive, HR and Admin

Final decision

• Md. Atiqur Rahman Molla, CEO
• Rokaiya Yesmin, COO

The winners

Seven participants competed in the Talent Hunt, with two emerging as the top contestants. These editors displayed exceptional proficiency in all types of edits. Their techniques not only streamlined editing processes but also elevated the overall quality.

Get to know the winners—some of the very people who edit your photos:

Bishojit Sarker, 1st place

• Category: Quality Wizard
• Technique: image masking and photo retouching
• Prize: mobile phone

Mohammad Ripon, 2nd place

• Category: Speedstar Editor
• Technique: raster to vector
• Prize: tablet

What’s next?

Sure, the Talent Hunt was a lot of fun! But there’s also a business goal behind it. Our top editors have innovated to bring new editing techniques and workflows to their work.

By having this Talent Hunt, we can bring our larger team of editors together, identify top talent, and learn from them. The Talent Hunt winners can share their expertise, learnings, and techniques with the rest of the Path editing team to help continue to propel the quality of our services higher and higher.

Thanks for being a part of our family

We wouldn’t be able to edit images, innovate, and give back to our people without our customers. To us, Path is more than just a photo editing studio. It’s a family. And we’re happy to have you a part of that big, extended Path family. 

The post Putting People First: Congratulations to the Path Talent Hunt Winners! appeared first on Path Edits.

We know how much goes into creating stunning portraits, which is why we’re here to help you polish your portraits. From retouching skin tones to removing distractions in the background, our 24/7 virtual photo editing studio edits every portrait to look its absolute best.

30,000 sales and marketing pros get our insights, tips, and best practices delivered weekly.

Let’s learn more about portrait photography and what goes into creating amazing portraits.

What is portrait photography?

The portrait photography definition is that it’s a style of photography focused on capturing the personality, mood, and essence of a person or group of people. Portraits are usually close-up shots that highlight the subject’s face, although full-body portraits and environmental portraits—showing the subject in a meaningful setting—are also common.

The main purpose is to convey the subject’s individuality through expressions, poses, backgrounds, lighting, and sometimes even props.

What’s the difference between portrait photography and headshot photography?

Portrait photography and headshot photography both focus on capturing people, but they have distinct purposes and styles.

Headshots are tightly framed images that center on the subject, typically with a blurred or neutral background. They’re usually straightforward, clean, and simple, often used in professional settings to represent a person’s image on business platforms, resumes, and social media profiles like LinkedIn.

Portraits, on the other hand, are broader in scope and more flexible in creative approach. They capture not only the appearance but also the personality and mood of the subject, often using varied poses, expressions, and settings. Portraits can be taken in more contextual or dramatic backgrounds, offering a storytelling element. The style can range from formal to artistic.

Unlike headshots, portraits are often used for personal expression, editorial work, or creative marketing materials, allowing for more freedom in capturing the individuality and character of the person.

That being said, headshots are trending to showcase more personality, even for professional use. So we’re seeing lots of portrait-type approaches being used in professional headshots—including in the photos our clients ask us to retouch.

Types of portrait photography

Traditional portraits

Traditional portraits are classic, posed shots where the subject usually looks directly at the camera. Traditional portraits often have controlled lighting and a neutral background, focusing on the subject’s face and upper body. They’re commonly used for formal occasions like school photos, corporate headshots, or family pictures.

Environmental portraits

Environmental portraits capture the subject in a setting that provides context about their personality, interests, or occupation—like an artist in their studio or a chef in the kitchen. The background is an essential part of the composition, as it helps tell a story about the person.Taken in a location meaningful to the subject, like a workplace, studio, or natural setting, to add context.

Candid portrait photography

Candid or lifestyle portraits capture people in natural, unposed moments, often appearing they don’t realize they’re being photographed. Candid photos might show people in their everyday environments, participating in ordinary activities, like a family playing at home or friends sharing a meal.

The emphasis is on storytelling and showcasing real-life moments in a natural and relaxed manner. This style aims to show authentic emotions and genuine expressions, commonly used in street photography or lifestyle sessions.

Creative and fine art portraits

Creative portraits make use of artistic techniques like dramatic lighting, unusual angles, or unique styling to add a creative twist.

Under the umbrella of creative portrait photography, you have fine art portrait photography—highly stylized and artistic, with a focus on creative expression rather than realism. Photographers use unique lighting, props, and post-processing techniques to create images that often resemble artwork. The goal is to evoke emotion and convey deeper themes or concepts.

Conceptual portraits use symbols, props, and settings to represent an idea or theme, often surreal or abstract. They make viewers think or interpret a message and are commonly found in art galleries or editorial spreads.

Surreal portraits involve creative techniques such as unusual lighting, Photoshop manipulation, or abstract concepts. They create a dreamlike or fantastical scene, going beyond reality to express a specific vision.

Glamor and beauty portraits

Focused on making the subject look their best, glamor portraits often involve professional makeup, styling, and sometimes retouching to enhance features. These portraits are typically bold, polished, and can be seen in fashion, beauty, or modeling portfolios.

Self-portraits

A self-portrait is taken by the photographer of themselves, often used as a form of self-expression or exploration. It can range from simple selfies to highly stylized, planned shots that tell a personal story.

Portrait photography tips and best practices

Portrait photography really boils down to three core elements: lighting, composition, and poses. Let’s look at each:

Lighting

The ideal lighting setup for most styles of photography is natural light—whether you’re shooting indoors or outside. If shooting inside, look for places with access to lots of natural window light.

However, sometimes you’re shooting portraits in a studio setting without access to natural daylight. In this case, you’ll need to use studio lighting equipment.

A typical portrait lighting setup might include a three-point lighting setup with a key light, fill light, and hair light. However, portrait photographers can adjust this setup depending on the style and mood they want to create.

For instance, Rembrandt lighting involves positioning the key light to one side to cast a triangular shadow under the opposite eye, while butterfly lighting places the key light directly above and in front of the subject to create soft shadows under the nose and cheekbones.

Let’s get into the details:

• Main light (key light): Your primary light source, typically placed at a 45-degree angle from the subject, above and to the side of the camera. It defines the overall lighting pattern and provides the strongest illumination, creating depth and dimension on the subject’s face. You might use softboxes, umbrella lights, or beauty dishes.
• Fill light: The fill light reduces shadows created by the key light, providing balance. It’s usually placed on the opposite side of the key light, at a lower intensity. You can use reflectors or a second light source as fill light. It’s usually softer and positioned closer to the camera axis to keep the subject’s face evenly lit without eliminating all shadows, which would flatten the image.
• Background light: This illuminates the backdrop behind the subject, separating them from the background and adding depth to the image. You can put it behind the subject, aimed at the background. This light can help create a gradient effect or highlight specific areas of the background for a more polished look.
• Hair light or rim light: The hair or rim light helps separate the subject from the background, particularly if they’re wearing dark clothing or have dark hair against a dark background. Place this light above and behind the subject to add a slight glow to their hair and shoulders. Often, a small softbox or strip light is used to create a subtle, even light around the edges of the subject.
• Reflectors: Reflectors bounce light onto the subject, acting as additional fill without needing an extra light source. They’re typically placed below the subject’s face or on the opposite side of the key light to reflect light back onto areas where shadows might be too harsh. Reflectors come in various colors (white, silver, and gold) to create different effects: white for soft fill, silver for a brighter bounce, and gold for a warmer tone.
• Modifiers: Light modifiers like softboxes, umbrella diffusers, grids, and barn doors help shape and control the quality of the light. Softboxes and umbrellas soften the light, creating a more flattering effect on the subject’s face. Grids and barn doors can be attached to the lights to direct the light and prevent unwanted spill onto the background.
• Light stands and c-stands: Stands hold the lights in place and allow for positioning flexibility. C-stands are particularly useful for heavier lighting equipment or boom arms, as they provide added stability.
• Triggers and sync cords: Wireless triggers or sync cords connect the camera with the lights, allowing the portrait photographer to control the timing of the flashes.

This is essential for coordinating all lights to fire simultaneously with the camera shutter.

Composition

In portrait photography, composition is critical. The right composition allows you to create visually engaging and balanced images that highlight the subject’s features, expressions, and personality.

One popular approach in portrait composition is using a shallow depth of field, which keeps the subject sharply in focus while blurring the background. This technique isolates the subject, drawing the viewer’s eye directly to their face or specific details, and is particularly effective for creating intimate, focused portraits.

Beginners might also use the rule of thirds as a guiding principle. Essentially, the subject is placed slightly off-center, making the image more dynamic and visually interesting. Using leading lines or framing elements—like doorways, windows, or trees—can also help direct attention toward the subject. Considering the placement of the eyes in the frame is important—positioning them along the top third line tends to create a natural focal point.

In environmental portraits, the background plays an integral role in the composition—it adds context about the subject’s life, profession, or interests.

Portrait photographers often use elements in the surroundings to complement the subject, enhancing the story within the frame. Experimenting with different angles—like shooting slightly above or below eye level—can also add variety and make the portrait more visually compelling.

Poses

Posing is another critical element in portrait photography. Effective poses look natural, relaxed, and help the subject appear comfortable in front of the camera.

A common starting point for portrait poses is a relaxed posture, where the subject slightly shifts their weight onto one foot, helping create a more dynamic stance.

The angle of the head can also make a big difference—turning the face slightly away from the camera often adds dimension, while a slight tilt can convey friendliness or approachability.

For a more formal look, the subject might sit or stand straight with a dignified posture, while a casual pose might involve leaning against a wall or sitting on the floor.

The hands can also be expressive, so guiding the subject to position their hands naturally—resting on their lap, crossed, or lightly touching their face—can add sophistication or playfulness.

For candid or lifestyle portraits, photographers may encourage the subject to move around, talk, or even engage in a familiar activity, creating an authentic pose that feels spontaneous. Posing tips like “chin down” or “lean forward” can help avoid unflattering angles and make the subject look more engaged.

For group portraits, arranging people at different heights and angles can create visual interest and help each person stand out while maintaining balance within the frame.

Portrait photo sizes

Size-wise, portrait photos are taller than they are wide. But this is technically speaking. You’ll find lots of portraits out there which are shot in landscape—wider than they are tall—or square (popularized by Instagram).

A traditional portrait photo size is 1080 x 1350 pixels. Printed portraits may be the following:

• 4×6 inches: small prints, standard
• 5×7 inches: slightly larger, often used for portraits and group photos
• 8×10 inches: popular for family portraits or school photos
• 11×14 inches: focal point portraits
• 16×20 inches: high-impact, dramatic

Now it’s time to edit your portraits

Ready to take your portrait photos up a notch? Even if your photos are gorgeous, they’re likely to need some edits. You can fumble in photo editing software or outsource it to the pros who already know their way around in Photoshop.

Whether it’s smoothing out a blemish or getting rid of a pimple, you can outsource your tedious editing tasks to Path, your 24/7 virtual photo editing studio.

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Portrait photography FAQs

How do you take portrait photos?

Taking portrait photos involves several steps to capture the essence, personality, and mood of your subject:

1. Set up your lighting—natural light is ideal, but studio lighting works well for controlled environments.
2. Choose a background that complements the subject.
3. Set your camera to a wide aperture (low f-stop, like f/1.8 or f/2.8) to create a shallow depth of field, which keeps the subject in focus while blurring the background.
4. Direct the subject into comfortable poses that reflect their personality. Encourage them to relax, move naturally, and express a range of emotions for variety.
5. Pay attention to composition techniques, like the rule of thirds, framing, and leading lines, to create a balanced and visually interesting shot.
6. Experiment with angles, close-ups, and different focal lengths to add depth and impact.
7. Capture multiple shots to ensure you have options to choose from in post-processing, where you can make further adjustments to enhance the final image.

What makes a photography portrait?

A photography portrait is an image that captures more than just the physical appearance of a person—it reveals their personality, mood, and character. Portraits focus on the subject’s face and expressions, but can include other elements—like posture, body language, and even background settings—that add layers to the storytelling. The goal is to present a deeper, more personal view of the subject, often achieved by carefully choosing lighting, poses, and composition. Portraits can be formal or candid, artistic or straightforward, but they always center around conveying something unique about the individual being photographed.

What defines portrait mode photography?

Portrait mode photography is a technique used to focus sharply on the subject while blurring the background, creating a shallow depth of field effect. Many digital cameras and smartphones have a “Portrait Mode” setting that automatically adjusts aperture, focus, and depth of field to highlight the subject and create a professional look. Portrait mode isolates the subject from the background, making them the central focus of the image, which is especially effective for close-up shots of faces or upper bodies. This mode is popular for achieving the look of professional portraits with minimal manual adjustments.

What does a portrait photographer do?

A portrait photographer captures images that highlight the personality, mood, and essence of a person or group. They plan and set up shoots, scout locations, control lighting and backgrounds, and direct the subject to achieve flattering and expressive poses. They work with both technical skills (like understanding lighting setups, camera settings, and composition) and people skills, building rapport with the subject to get natural, authentic shots. A portrait photographer may also handle editing and retouching photos. Portrait photographers can work in various settings, including studios, on-location, or in natural environments.

What classifies a portrait photo?

A portrait photo is classified by its focus on capturing the likeness, personality, and mood of a person or group, often through close-up shots that emphasize the face and expressions. Portraits can include a range of styles—from formal posed shots to candid or creative approaches—but they generally center on the subject as the main focal point. Other characteristics of a portrait photo include attention to lighting, composition, and background, as well as a thoughtful use of depth of field to keep the subject sharp while softening the surroundings. The intent behind a portrait photo is usually to reveal something about the individual, whether it’s a professional headshot, a family portrait, or an artistic exploration of personality.

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The post What Is Portrait Photography? Types and Examples (2025) appeared first on Path Edits.

Chris does most of his work on his own—but he shares the burden of photo editing with Path.

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Challenge

Chris has been a photographer for roughly 16 years. He started shooting portraits of dogs and children, and then started to branch out into family portraits, headshots, and eventually product photography.

Chris landed himself an awesome gig with a big box supplier that represents several brands. One of the main brands he works with is a fishing lure company.

“They need the images clipped out, and with an alpha channel and path,” Chris says. An alpha channel allows you to adjust an image’s transparency levels.

But not all the photo editing companies out there offer the option of an alpha channel. And Chris didn’t have the time to learn how to do it himself. “I had no idea how to do the alpha channel, and I was going to have to learn,” he says. “I hate doing computer work.”

“I had no idea how to do the alpha channel, and I was going to have to learn. I hate doing computer work.”

Plus, he still has to juggle shooting for other brands and vendors, as well as his local portrait clients.

Solution

About three years ago, when Chris received this request to put fishing lure product photos on a white background with an alpha channel, he began his search for a professional photo editing company that could help.

But many didn’t offer the option of the alpha channel—or they were too expensive.

That’s when he found Path.

“I went with Path because they were able to accommodate the alpha channel,” Chris says.

Outcome

Path fit seamlessly into Chris’s workflow. “Now, I take the pictures and I let Path handle the clipping, the retouching, the shadow, and the alpha channel,” he says.

“Path was able to do the edits real quick,” Chris says. And he has time to focus on the more advanced and creative edits to the headshots side of his business.

When you ask Chris about the biggest advantage of working with Path, it all boils down to one thing: time.

“Path handles the time-consuming tasks of clipping a product. And then when I realized Path also touched up photos, that has really improved my life. I don’t know how to clip an image as well as y’all.”

“Path handles the time-consuming tasks of clipping a product. And then when I realized Path also touched up photos, that has really improved my life,” Chris says. “Also, I don’t know how to clip an image as well as y’all.”

This time allows Chris to focus on shooting amazing photos and find a healthy work-life balance.

“I have more time,” he says. “The touching up has saved tons of time.”

“I have more time. The touching up has saved tons of time.”

You can save time on your photo edits, too. Give Path a shot with our free trial—no credit card, no commitment.

Let us look after your image edits, so you can get back to the fun stuff. Try Path free.

LEARN MORE

The post Find Out How This Pro Product Photographer Uses Path to Find Balance in His Work appeared first on Path Edits.

Headshots are essential for a variety of business and personal uses. Let’s dig in to learning all about headshots and how you can use them for your own needs.

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What is headshot photography?

Headshot photography is a specialized type of photography that focuses on capturing a person’s face, typically from the shoulders up. The primary goal is to highlight the subject’s features, personality, and professionalism in a clean and straightforward manner.

A headshot is typically used for professional or identification purposes. It’s meant to present the subject in a clear and focused manner, often for business, acting, or modeling profiles. The general goal is to convey professionalism, confidence, and approachability.

What’s the difference between a headshot and a portrait?

While many use the terms interchangeably—go for it!—there are some slight differences between headshots and portraits. If you want to get technical, portraits are actually a type of headshot. However, generally speaking, headshots are more professional and portraits are more creative. Both have a place in the business world, as well as non-corporate uses.

What’s the purpose of a headshot?

Headshots are commonly used in various professional contexts, such as on business websites, social media profiles, acting and modeling portfolios, corporate branding, and even personal branding.

Unlike traditional portraits, which might include more creative elements or a broader view of the subject, headshots are usually more focused and minimalistic, emphasizing clarity and detail.

Individual

Some headshots are meant to highlight an individual. There are tons of reasons for this—maybe it’s a founder or C-level executive, a LinkedIn profile photo, or a business owner. These photos could be used for profile pages, about us pages, and more.

The Who We Are Project, for example, has an individual headshot of its founder on its “our team” page. You can see the photo was clipped and/or masked, isolating the subject and putting it on a different background.

The Women’s Eagles rugby team also has individual headshots on its website. In this example, there are many individual headshots to showcase each of the players on the team.

Group

Team headshots involve multiple people. In some cases, the whole group is on-site to take the photo together. In others, the photos are taken individually and later clipped and composited to be one group photo.

For example, one sports photographer we work with on clipping paths and retouching takes both team and individual photos of 16 different sports teams for each season. That’s a lot of headshots!

Corporate and business

Corporate headshot photography is a very common type—think real estate agents, investors, and C-suite executives. They’re often on a simple plain background or with some sort of effect that makes them look impressive.

These headshots typically go on companies’ about us pages, on LinkedIn profile pages, and similar avenues. Here’s how marketing agency Salted Stone uses business headshots to showcase its team:

Actors and models

Actors and models also need headshots. These headshots vary a bit from the other types of headshots because you often want to see more personality and creativity here. Think about it this way: If someone is a comedian and they’re trying to land “funny” acting roles, their headshots are likely to showcase a more casual, smiley, and even goofy personality. Whereas professional corporate headshots tend to be more streamlined and straightforward.

Likewise, models going after beauty brands or fashion gigs will go for a headshot that casts them in that light, like in this example below:

Beauty and glamor shots

There’s a lot of overlap between beauty and glamor shots and actor or modeling headshots, but there are some slight differences. For example, beauty and glamor shots aren’t always necessarily to land an acting or modeling gig.

Beauty and glamor shots could be used by people for personal reasons—first day of school, graduation, dance recitals, etc. These are often for personal reasons rather than business purposes (though there are always exceptions!)

Dating profiles

Dating profiles are emerging as a key niche in the headshot industry as more people warm up to the idea of meeting a potential partner online. This means people are also putting more energy into what their dating profiles say and how they represent themselves. One great way to upgrade a dating profile is with a professionally shot and edited headshot.

Types of headshots + examples

We covered the different reasons for headshots, now let’s look at four core types:

1. Close-up headshot
2. Half-body headshot
3. Three-quarter headshot
4. Full-body headshot

Close-up shot

The close-up shot is arguably the most traditional type of headshot, and is likely the first type of photo that comes to mind when you think of headshots. It’s tightly framed, focusing on the subject’s face, often from the shoulders up. The background is usually simple or blurred to keep the attention on the subject’s features.

Here’s an example of a close-up headshot:

Half-body headshot

The half body headshot typically starts somewhere around the waist and covers everything from the waist up. You might see these in more casual headshots or photos that show context in the background, like in this half-body headshot example below:

Three-quarter headshot

A three-quarter headshot will start somewhere around the thigh. These are very common for models and actors in particular.

Full-body headshot

The full-body headshot shows everything—from the feet to the top of the head. This is often used when context is important. It’s rare to see a full-body headshot on a plain white or neutral background. Models definitely need all four kinds of headshots, with an emphasis on full-body shots.

Cost of headshot photography

Asking “how much does a headshot cost?” is similar to asking “how much does a car cost?” The prices vary depending on many factors, including:

• How many shots you want
• How many different looks you have
• Whether it’s on-site or at the photographer’s studio
• Whether edits and retouching are included
• Number of subjects
• Location and prices in that market

We researched many different photographers’ pricing and found the range is quite wide—typically anywhere from $75 to a few thousand dollars. According to this reddit thread, most expect it to be around $200–$400 for a standard headshot session with one or two subjects.

Tips for amazing headshots

Keep the following headshot photography tips in mind:

Equip yourself

When preparing for amazing headshots, it’s essential to equip yourself with the right gear and knowledge. While technically speaking, you can take your headshot photo with a smartphone, a mirrorless or DSLR camera will give you the best result. A smartphone headshots can appear pixelated or blurry if it’s stretched out to a larger size than the original file.

Here’s a quick-hitting list of equipment to consider for headshot photos:

• Camera (DSLR or mirrorless)
• 50mm lens
• Tripod
• Memory card
• Lights: studio light, speedlight, strobe
• Umbrella
• Diffuser
• Popup backdrop
• Posing stool

Get the lighting right

Proper headshot photography lighting can make all the difference. Natural light often offers a softer, more flattering look, while studio lighting gives you control and consistency. Both have their advantages depending on the setting and desired outcome. The way you use light depends on how you want your headshots to look.

Put the subject at ease

Often, the subjects in your headshot photos aren’t used to being in front of a camera. The photographer can play a key role in making them feel more comfortable, allowing you to shoot natural-looking headshots.

You don’t want to shoot someone who feels uncomfortable, as that discomfort will come through in the final shot.

Here are some ways to help your subject feel at ease:

• Talk about the poses to use before the shoot. Show examples if you can!
• Offer guidance for clients on how to style their hair, makeup, and skincare.
• Suggest wardrobe and accessories. Encourage them to bring a few options. Regardless of the style of headshot, you’ll want to stick with solid colors—patterns can render awkwardly and be distracting.
• Recommend your subject to rest and hydrate prior to the shoot.
• Talk to your subject to help them ease up.

It’s also important to get any signed photo release forms before you do the shoot, if needed.

Select the right wardrobe and setting

We’re going to expand on the wardrobe selection, as well as discuss backgrounds and props.

When offering guidance on attire, think about the goal of the headshot. If it’s a CEO, they might wear a neutral colored suit and tie. If it’s an actor, they might wear something more casual and timeless. There’s really no “best clothes for headshots” because it varies so much.

The same rings true for backgrounds. While neutral white, gray, and blue backgrounds were status quo for a while, headshots are getting more creative. You can use a bright color for more personality, black for drama, and real-life settings to give some context.

Here’s an awesome comparison of a great headshot vs. a not-so-great headshot of two different CEOs:

Make edits—but don’t go too heavy

While you want to do your best to capture the perfect shot, there are likely to be some required edits. Be careful not to go overboard here—you don’t want an overly edited photo that looks like AI or gives an obviously false impression of the subject.

Some headshot edits you might make include:

• Blur the background
• Retouch any imperfections that are temporary, like a hair out of place, a pimple, or bags under the eyes
• Remove the background so the photo can be used in a variety of ways
• Fix exposure
• Adjust white balance

Remember, it’s okay to fix imperfections, but the goal is to create a natural-looking headshot.

Know where you’re going to use the headshot

Perhaps this should be the first consideration: where and how will the headshot be used? Understanding context can help you get the perfect photo. A dating profile headshot, for example, will be more casual than a CEO’s headshot for the company’s about page.

You’ll also want to think about other elements where the headshot will be published. For example, is it going to be featured with other headshots? You might find some synergy with each individual, like on Humaan’s about page:

5 best headshot photographers to hire

There are tons of options to hire a headshot photographer. You’ll likely want to find someone local to you. Here are some of our top recommendations to help you get started in your search:

Alana Luntz

Chicago-based Alana Luntz offers corporate and business headshots in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. She also does engagement sessions, family portraits, dating profile headshots, and event photography.

Alycee Byrd

Alycee Byrd is a North Carolina-based fashion and portrait photographer who “uses her knowledge of natural light to create naturalistic and dynamic portraits.” Her love for fashion and creativity comes through in all her work. In addition to fashion, portraits, and headshots, Alycee also shoots live music and lifestyle photography.

Malena Vasquez

Based in the Miami area, Malena Vasquez is a professional photographer offering corporate and actor headshot. She also shoots branding photos and contemporary portraits.

Sarah Miller

Sarah Miller is a Philadelphia-based commercial photographer. She offers headshots in her home studio or at your location of choice (within her area). She also has an impressive portfolio full of all kinds of commercial photography—including branding sessions, food photography, product photography, and more.

Vanie Poyey

Vanie Poyey is a Los Angeles-based photographer who specializes in headshots for actors. She also provides professional headshots for businesses. She’ll provide guidance on what to wear so your shots land you the gigs you’re after.

Edit your headshots to perfection with Path

When fine tuning your headshots, a close eye for detail is important. You don’t want to leave your edits up to some faceless AI technology that requires manual review—and often further edits to refine its mistakes. That’s where Path comes in.

We carefully execute every single edit by hand. No shortcuts or compromising quality here. And we’re available around the clock, so you can get your edits back in as little as 6 hours!

Headshot photography FAQs

How to take a good headshot picture?

To take a good headshot, focus on the following:

• Lighting: Use natural light or soft artificial light. Avoid harsh shadows or direct sunlight.
• Background: Opt for a neutral background that doesn’t distract from your face.
• Pose and angle: Position the camera at eye level, and slightly angle your shoulders for a more dynamic look.
• Expression: A relaxed and confident expression works best. A slight smile can be inviting and approachable.
• Wardrobe: Choose solid colors or subtle patterns that complement your skin tone. Avoid busy patterns or logos.

How much is the average headshot?

The cost of a professional headshot varies depending on the photographer’s experience, location, and package offerings. On average, headshot sessions can range from $150 to $500. High-end photographers or those in major cities may charge more, while DIY or basic options could be cheaper.

What is the best pose for a headshot?

The best pose for a headshot is natural and relaxed. Angle your shoulders slightly away from the camera, with your head turned towards the lens. Keep your posture straight but not stiff, and ensure your facial expression is confident and approachable. Experiment with different angles to find your best side.

Do you smile in a headshot photo?

Smiling in a headshot can be beneficial, as it portrays warmth, approachability, and confidence. However, the type of smile depends on the industry and impression you want the headshot to make. A slight, natural smile is often ideal, while a more serious expression might be appropriate for certain professional contexts.

How often should headshots be updated?

You should update your headshot every 1–2 years or whenever your appearance significantly changes (e.g., different hairstyle, weight change, or new glasses). Regular updates ensure your headshot remains an accurate representation of your current self.

What should you avoid wearing in a headshot?

• Bright or neon colors
• Busy patterns
• Logos
• Overly casual attire
• Excessive jewelry or accessories
• Trendy outfits

How long does a headshot session typically take?

A typical headshot session lasts between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on the number of looks or outfit changes, and the photographer’s process. Quick sessions may take only 15-30 minutes, while more involved sessions with multiple backgrounds and wardrobe changes can take longer.

What’s the difference between professional headshots and DIY headshots?

Professional headshots are taken with high-end equipment, ensuring better lighting, focus, and overall image quality. DIY headshots may lack this polish. A professional photographer will also guide the subject on posing, expressions, and wardrobe to get the best shot, while DIY requires self-direction. Professional headshots also often include retouching to enhance the final image, whereas DIY photos may require you to edit them yourself.

The post What Is Headshot Photography? Cost, Types, and Examples (2024) appeared first on Path Edits.

We let everyone get in on the fun—our in-house folks, temp workers, and even our subcontracting team—to see who can make the best, the fastest, and the most accurate photo edits. And not only that, but how the rest of our organization can learn from them. It’s just another way we’ve found to continuously innovate and push ourselves to always do better.

30,000 sales and marketing pros get our insights, tips, and best practices delivered weekly.

The contest

The Talent Hunt was created to identify and acknowledge exemplary photo editing techniques and the editors themselves while also fostering innovation and identifying potential future leaders.

We had three categories for winners:

1. Speedstar Editor: awarded to the person who can edit images in the least amount of time while maintaining quality standards
2. Quality Wizard: the editor who can edit images with extraordinary quality by using different techniques outside of their traditional quality within the defined timeframe
3. Technique Mastermind: for the most creative editing techniques that still deliver quality and speed

We also had a judging panel, made of:

Creative review

• Md. Ataur Rahman, Senior Manager, Production
• Md Asaduzzaman, Senior Manager, IT
• MD. Shahadat Hossain, Senior Manager, Customer Support
• Rayhanul Islam, Executive, R&D

Overall organization and coordination

• Rifat Rahmatullah, Manager, Human Resources
• Shams Al Mujahid, Senior Executive, HR and Admin

Final decision

• Md. Atiqur Rahman Molla, CEO
• Rokaiya Yesmin, COO

The winners

Eleven participants competed in the Talent Hunt, with four emerging as the top contestants. These editors displayed exceptional proficiency in multi-clipping path, natural shadow, white balance, and wrinkle retouching edits. Their techniques not only streamlined editing processes but also elevated the overall quality.

We had a celebration at our corporate headquarters in Uttara, Dhaka on March 29, 2024 to honor these top editors.

Get to know the winners—some of the very people who edit your photos:

Md Ishak Rahman, 1st place

• Category: Speedstar Editor and Technique Mastermind
• Technique: White balance and wrinkle retouch
• Prize: mobile phone

Md. Kamrul Hasan, 2nd place

• Category: Technique mastermind
• Technique: Natural shadow
• Prize: tablet

Jahid Hasan, 3rd place

• Category: Speedstar Editor
• Technique: Multi-clipping path
• Prize: smart watch

Md. Momin Prodhan, 4th place

• Category: Speedstar Editor
• Technique: Multi-clipping path
• Prize: crest

What’s next?

Sure, the Talent Hunt was a lot of fun! But there’s also a business goal behind it. Our top editors have innovated to bring new editing techniques and workflows to their work.

By having this Talent Hunt, we can bring our larger team of editors together, identify top talent, and learn from them. The Talent Hunt winners can share their expertise, learnings, and techniques with the rest of the Path editing team to help continue to propel the quality of our services higher and higher.

Thanks for being a part of the team

We wouldn’t be able to edit images, innovate, and give back to our people without our customers. To us, Path is more than just a photo editing studio. It’s a family. And we’re happy to have you a part of that big, extended Path family. 

The post Putting People First: Congratulations to the Path Talent Hunt Winners! appeared first on Path Edits.

The process of smoothing wrinkles on fabric and clothing in Photoshop requires subtlety and skill to prevent your final photo from looking flat and overtouched. Therefore, you should always retouch wrinkles by hand rather than relying on AI to do it for you. However, when you’re working with many photos a day, you need to have methods you can use quickly.

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This Photoshop tutorial covers three different methods for smoothing wrinkles on fabric and clothing: the healing brush tool, the patch tool, and the frequency separation method. The best method depends on the photo and your needs.

We’ll use the following product photo—the wrinkles on the model’s pants are distracting. We’ll use Photoshop to smooth out these wrinkles. You can click the image below to open it in a new tab and save it to your computer if you want to follow along. 

Scroll down below the video for the full written tutorial.

Method 1: Healing Brush Tool

The Healing Brush method is the least automated method for removing wrinkles, meaning it might take the longest but it typically leads to the best results. If you only have a few wrinkles on a solid color to remove, the Healing Brush tool can do the job quickly.

Step 1: Select the Healing Brush Tool

Select the Healing Brush Tool from the Toolbar on the left column of the application window. If you don’t see it, the Healing Brush Tool might be hiding behind the Spot Healing Brush Tool or the Patch Tool.

Step 2: Set your brush size

In the Options bar at the top of your application window, set your brush size to about twice the size of the deepest wrinkle you want to remove. Set Hardness to 0% and Spacing to about 20%. Make sure the Source is set to Sampled and the Sample is set to Current Layer. 

Step 3: Sample smooth fabric

Take your Healing Brush tool and “sample” an area of the fabric where it’s not wrinkled by hovering the mouse over that area, typing the ALT key (OPTION on a Mac) and clicking the left mouse button. Then, “paint” over the wrinkle as if you were using the brush tool. You’ll see a plus sign symbol (+) over the area of the image you’re sampling from, and a circle over the area you’re fixing with that sample. 

Continuously grab new samples as you work so the smoothed fabric looks natural and not flat. In the photo below, we smoothed one leg but not the other so you can see the difference. 

If you’re only smoothing one or two wrinkles, the Healing Brush Tool can be a great option. But if you have a lot of wrinkles you need to remove, this tool can become very time-consuming. If that’s the case, you should consider using the Patch Tool.

Method 2: Patch Tool

The Patch Tool takes whole “patches” of pixels from one area of your image and merges them with another portion of your image. Use the Patch Tool when you have many wrinkles over a large area to fix, especially if the wrinkles are crisp and defined.

Step 1: Open the Patch Tool

To begin, grab your Patch Tool from the Toolbar. It might be hiding behind the Healing Brush Tool or the Spot Healing Brush Tool.

Step 2: Adjust your Patch Tool settings

Once you’ve selected the Patch Tool, you’ll see some settings for it in the Options bar at the top of the application window. 

For this exercise, set the Patch to Normal and also select Destination (instead of Source). The Diffusion option gives you the ability to determine how much the edges of your patch will blur with the original pixels. You can play with this setting to see what works best for the image you’re editing.

Step 3: Select smooth fabric

With the Patch Tool, draw a selection around an area of your garment where it’s not wrinkled. Then, holding down the mouse button, move that selection over an area you want to smooth. 

The patch of smooth material will replace the patch of wrinkled material in your image.

The patch tool does something similar to the Clone Stamp Tool, but in larger areas. It’s a very simple tool to use. Knowing how much of an area to select, and how much diffusion to apply, comes with practice and can change from fabric to fabric.

Step 4: Finalize with the Healing Brush Tool

Once you’ve “patched” your wrinkles, you can use the Healing Brush Tool to blend in the edges of the patch if necessary.

In the image below, you can see how a combination of the Patch Tool and Healing Brush Tool can help patch the wrinkles in the model’s pant leg. The whole process took just a few minutes. 

Method 3: Frequency Separation

The Frequency Separation method requires more setup than the other two wrinkle smoothing methods described in this tutorial. But once you set up your document for frequency separation, you’ll find this is a very quick and easy process.

The Frequency Separation method is good to use when you need to smooth wrinkles throughout the entire garment. With this method, you separate the color from the texture of the clothing, allowing you to smooth wrinkles quickly without losing the fabric’s texture and shading.

Step 1: Set up Layers

To begin, duplicate your Background layer three times. You duplicate a layer by choosing Duplicate Layer from the Layer panel’s dropdown menu—this looks like four tiny horizontal lines—in the upper right corner of the panel. 

If you like using Photoshop shortcuts on your keyboard, you can type CTRL + J (COMMAND + J on a Mac) to duplicate a layer.

Name your new layers Color and Edges, respectively. 

Step 2: Blur color Layer

Make the Edges layer invisible by clicking the eye icon next to the layer.

With the Color layer selected, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window. 

In the dialog box that appears, move the slider to the right until most of the wrinkles in your image are blurred out. 

Click OK.

Step 3: Prepare Edges Layer

Next, choose your Edges layer and toggle on the eye icon to make that layer visible again.

Go to Image > Apply Image from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window. 

In the dialog box that appears, choose your Color layer from the Layer: dropdown menu. Set your Blending Mode to Subtract, set Scale to 2, and Offset to 128. Click OK. 

Now, back in your Layers panel, set your Blending Mode for your Edges layer to Linear Light. 

If you’re not sure how to change your Layer blending mode, it’s the dropdown menu just to the left of your Opacity setting at the top of your Layers panel.

Once these layers are set up correctly, you’re ready to begin actually smoothing the wrinkles in your image’s clothing or fabric.

Step 4: Smooth wrinkles

To begin smoothing, make sure you’re in your Edges layer. Choose the Lasso Tool from the Toolbar. If you don’t see the Lasso Tool, it might be hiding behind the Polygonal Lasso Tool or the Magnetic Lasso Tool.

In the Options bar at the top of the screen, adjust the selection Feather to a number between 20 and 40—you can play with this number to see what works best for you depending on the image you’re working with. Select a wrinkle or an area of wrinkles you want to smooth out using the Lasso Tool. 

Next, choose Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur from the dropdown menu at the top of the application window. 

Note: You may see “Gaussian Blur” as the top option in the Filter dropdown menu. Do not select that, as its settings will be the same as the last time you used it. Be sure you select “Gaussian Blur…” from the Blur sub-menu.

A dialog box will appear. Move the Blur slider until the wrinkles dissipate. 

Repeat the process as necessary until you’ve obtained the smooth, wrinkle-free look you’re after. 

Smooth wrinkles, smooth sales

Smoothing wrinkles in clothing or fabric is a subtle art that really must be done by hand in order to get a realistic result. Once you master the tools and techniques outlined above, you’ll be able to smooth wrinkles in your product images in a matter of minutes.

Not enough time to master these techniques yourself? You don’t have to. We can take care of your trickiest or simplest wrinkles, be it apparel, furniture, or any other product. No AI or shortcuts here—every edit is carefully done by hand.

The post How to Smooth Wrinkles on Clothes and Fabric in Photoshop appeared first on Path Edits.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to combine multiple photo editing services in one order. Not only will this give you ideas on how to enhance your product photos in post-production, but also help you save time and money by helping plan ahead which combination of photo editing services to order.

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Background removal + drop or natural shadow

Clipping path is a popular method for removing the background from a product photo. You can then use the cut-out product with a different color background or repurpose it in other ways. But the problem is straightforward product cut-outs can look flat.

You can create a more enticing product photo with a natural or drop shadow. Electronics, accessories, furniture, food and drink, and many other products can benefit from the shadow effect to stand out against a white background.

There are other shadow types you might want to use, like a floating or an enhanced existing shadow—it all depends on the type of products you sell. Items that naturally hang, like earrings or ceiling lamps, work well with a floating shadow, and so do products with unique angles like the sneakers in the example below.

An enhanced existing shadow is great for keeping the shadow captured during the shoot, like in the example below.

Background removal + reflective shadow

If you sell products like jewelry, watches, perfume and cosmetics, you can add a reflective shadow after removing the background with a clipping path. With such a simple change, you can create a luxurious aesthetic.

The reflective shadow gives an impression of a reflective surface beneath products, like in a store with a glass, metallic, or acrylic display.

Background removal + color change

In ecommerce businesses that offer multiple product variants, reshooting inventory every time a new product color comes in stock can be time-consuming and costly. You also have to be mindful about getting the lighting and composition consistent, so all products look the same.

However, you can streamline the process by ordering a color change in addition to background removal. All you need is a single photo that showcases your product.

Our editors will then carefully edit the different shades for a natural look so your customers can toggle between colors and pick the product variant most appealing to them. We complete every edit by hand, no automation or AI here, so you can rest assured your colors look realistic.

Product listings aren’t the only place to use color change shots—make the most of them in other parts of your marketing. For example, you can create a collage or a series of individual images for social media showing all color variations of your product. Or add all the different product color choices on a leaflet or brochure to distribute to potential clients.

Background removal + drop shadow

If you sell clothing and accessories, you already know how distracting price tags and hangers can be. With clipping paths, editors remove any distracting elements from the photo and cut out the background so all your product images are consistent.

Include a drop shadow in your order to add dimension and subtle product separation from the white background.

Camera glare + drop shadow

You may come across distracting camera glare in your photos, especially if you DIY your product photography. This happens when the light reflects off surfaces like glass and metal and shines into the camera lens. The effect may work for some creative lifestyle or product shots but not for professional ecommerce images.

There’s a simple fix—you can order photo retouching to remove camera glare and add a drop shadow for a pleasing photo ready for use in online stores and marketplaces.

Wrinkle removal (fabric) + drop shadow or clipping path

Getting your fabric products ready for the photoshoot is not an easy feat—packaging and transporting them can add wrinkles and creases even with the most careful preparation. Products like clothing, accessories, decor, and furniture may end up with various blemishes during the transit and shooting process.

A wrinkle removal will take care of any distracting imperfections. You can then combine it with a drop shadow or clipping path, depending on image use. In an ecommerce marketplace like Amazon, the clipping path removes the background, so you can use a white one to fit the listing photo requirements.

If you want to keep the original background, add the drop shadow to the wrinkle removal order and elevate the image further.

Photo retouching + color change

Photo retouching is the first step to removing imperfections like fabric wrinkles, tags, and blemishes on your product photos. Using photo retouching does not change the product’s appearance but enhances it to look professional and appealing to your customers.

For example, here, we first removed wrinkles from the model’s shorts while the rest of the photo stays the same. Then we added a product color change from brown to green.

Combining photo retouching with color change in the same order is useful if you have product variations in your inventory—it’ll save you reshooting the items.

With a lifestyle shot like this, it’s even more difficult to recreate the exact model’s pose and camera angle. In just a fraction of a second, the model’s facial expressions will change from one image to another.

But with color change, you don’t have to worry about that because all photos will look the same. You can order color change for products like clothing, accessories, jewelry, furniture, bedding, and others.

Ghost mannequin + drop shadow

Photos of clothing on hangers and mannequins don’t always do your products justice. To bring apparel to life, you can order a ghost mannequin service. Editors will remove mannequins or models (as well as the background) for a clean, cohesive look with an invisible model.

You can use ghost mannequin shots in different ways, but above all, this method will give cohesion to your apparel listings. To make the apparel look more realistic, add a drop shadow to your order, like in the example below.

Ghost mannequin + photo retouching (wrinkle removal)

You can’t always make products look perfect during the photoshoot, especially if you have a large inventory to shoot. If you order a ghost mannequin service to give the impression your clothing products are floating mid-air, you can also add photo retouching to make your apparel look its best.

Imperfections like wrinkles, seams, creases, stains, and loose threads can be hard to notice during the photoshoot, but editors can easily remove them.

How can you order multiple photo editing services for your products?

The combinations listed above are just some ways to mix and match product photo editing services from Path. To see the full list of editing services available, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Path account. Or if you’re already logged in, click the ORDER YOUR EDITS button at the top right.

2. Select your first editing service from the list.

Clicking on the v arrow will expand the subcategories of each service. For example, after selecting the Clipping path, you can choose the edit complexity based on the type of products in your photos.

3. Select your second service. If you pick shadow, for example, you can choose different types of shadow edits—natural, reflection, existing, floating, or drop shadow.

Some services may also have secondary subcategories with additional options.

4. Repeat step #3 for any additional services. Click the ADD INFO → button (bottom right) once you’ve added all the services you need.

5. You’ll be asked for editing turnaround time, any add-on services, and additional comments for your editor. Customize your order options accordingly and then upload your images.

Click UPLOAD IMAGES → to submit your image files, and then add contact information to receive the final edits. After you submit your order, you’ll receive your custom quote within 45 minutes—once approved, we’ll start working on them right away.

Read more about ordering multiple photo editing services on our help page or get a custom quote for your product photo edits now.

Professional photo edits for an ecommerce success

Without a doubt, photos are critical for selling products online. But achieving high-quality images takes time and effort.

Our Photoshop experts are all about saving you hours spent editing so you can get back to focusing on the things that move your business forward. Mixing and matching different types of photo editing services will speed up your workflow even more. No need to submit your order for each editing technique—we can do it all in one go and deliver them to you in as little as six hours.

The post From Flat to Fab: How to Use Multiple Types of Edits to Boost Your Product Photos appeared first on Path Edits.

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Let’s look at some key ways photo retouching can turn your product photos into sales tools. 

Fix minor product damage

Every pixel needs to be perfect in your product photos, regardless of the real-world condition of the product you’re shooting. Accidents are bound to happen, as are imperfections. You might get a scratch, dent, chip, or smudge on the surface of your product—especially if you’re transporting it to photoshoots and capturing lifestyle or contextual shots.

Sunglasses are bound to get the inevitable scratch, paint will chip, and threads may pull. Rather than stress yourself over perfectionism on shoot day, you can rest assured knowing those little spots can be touched up in Photoshop later.

Get rid of distracting lighting

While you want to get the lighting perfect during the shoot, this might not always be the case. You could capture unwanted glares from natural or artificial light, the flash of your camera, or other reflective surfaces—both in and out of the frame. 

If you capture small unwanted glares, especially on shiny products, you can often fix these up in Photoshop.

Smooth wrinkles on clothing

Many photographers bring a steamer to set when shooting apparel product photos, but you might not have one handy. Even if you do, your clothing isn’t completely immune to wrinkles. 

Wrinkles in clothing can often be smoothed out with retouching in Photoshop. You might also need to adjust shadows and lighting, as was the case in this retouching job we did: 

Fix smudges or wrinkles on non-apparel items

Just like fabric on clothing products may wrinkle, furniture and other related home goods may as well. You don’t want to give the impression that buyers will receive wrinkled, stained, smudged, or otherwise not-brand-new products—especially if it’s a high-ticket item like a couch. 

Remove tags

You might need to preserve the price tag on products during the photoshoot so you can later use that item to fulfill an order. Whatever the reason, you may be able to remove the unwanted price tag in Photoshop during your post-production process. It’s still ideal to do your best to hide the price tag during the shoot to minimize your editing workflow, but it won’t ruin the shot if you can’t.

Get rid of dust particles

Dust is nearly impossible to contain and control. No matter how clean your studio or space is, there will always be some fleck of dust. In many cases, this is invisible to the naked eye. But if you’re shooting highly detailed shots or close-ups, dust particles become a much larger problem.

Luckily, if you have a dust bunny flying through your favorite shots, you might be able to get rid of it with some photo retouching.

Remove glares from plastic-wrapped product packaging

If you have reflective plastic wrapping, it can create unwanted glare and lighting effects. This happens especially with cellophane, shrink wrap, and plastic packaging for things like electronics. 

Get rid of supporting objects

Oftentimes, product photos require some props and supportive objects to help position the product just so. Many product photographers use things like blu tack, fishing line, and other objects to help get the frame they want. 

Remove mannequins

Likewise, many apparel product photos rely on the use of mannequins. These can be retouched out of the photo to create an image with just the article of clothing. You might also remove distracting tags or hangers. 

Clean up the setting

It’s not always possible to maintain a clean space. You might have dirt or smudges in the setting, on the floor, or on the walls in the image. You don’t need a physical broom or mop to clean this up. In fact, retouching in Photoshop after the fact can be the fix you need.

Retouch your photos to boost sales

It’s not always possible to get the perfect shot. Luckily, post-shoot edits can take a good product photo and turn it into an amazing one that gets results. Photo retouching takes time, patience, and skill. You can outsource your tedious retouching projects to Path, your 24/7 virtual photo editing studio. 

The post Maximizing Sales: How Photo Retouching Can Improve Your Product Photos appeared first on Path Edits.