Ghost mannequin services are an effective way to promote your brand and products. The products can hold their shapes with mannequins. This way your images appear more consistent and professional. Thus, the clients are more attracted to your products and as a result your sales increase. But mannequins can also distract your customers. So, creating a ghost mannequin effect is a great alternative to capturing images of your products. Over the next few lines, we will be discussing this in some detail.
How You Can Create the Ghost Mannequin Effect
1. Mannequin Selection and Posing
It is a common method to use mannequins or models in order to display the shape and fit of the different products. But it is not a good thing that your clients can actually see the mannequins in all the pictures. That is not very appealing. Thus, retailers sometimes choose to make the mannequins disappear. But small business owners do the majority of edits by themselves. For them, it is quite a difficult technique. And ghost mannequin services can help them out.
To create the ghost mannequin or invisible mannequin effect, firstly, you need to click multiple pictures of a model or mannequin wearing the product from many angles. A static pose is a must if you are using a real model. Your images should be clear so that the view is not obstructed. A mannequin may or may not have arms, hands, neckline or legs depending on your needs. Also, it is important to take care of the right size and fit of the product. So ensure that you have styled the product in the right way.
2. Setting and Equipment
A studio setting is essential in order to create high-quality pictures using the ghost mannequin method. Low-quality images will not be good enough to appeal to your clients. Here, the equipment you use, your camera technique, lighting setup and overall placement – all contribute to your setup. Of course, they vary with each product. But their overall significance cannot be doubted at all.
3. Photography
Photography is both an art and science. And it is not easy to click pictures of a product in a way that will make customers buy it for sure! It requires a lot of practice and dedication. For example, when you are displaying shirts, you must place the camera at the chest level. Similarly, with bottoms, the camera has to be at the level of the hips. Incorrect angles will give inaccurate images that will not make your items desirable. A telephoto zoom lens minimizes distortions and gives you certain flexibility to move closer or farther from objects of varying sizes.
Post-Processing Images: A Guide
If you own the right post-production software like Adobe Photoshop, creating a ghost mannequin effect is quite simple. Outsourcing this to professional editors who provide ghost mannequin services also gives optimal results within a short span of time. Outsourcing is time-saving and saves you from headaches and frustration in the long run. However, budget constraints can make you go the DIY way. In that case, follow the given steps to get the best results.
1. Opening Files and Creating Layers in Photoshop
The first task is opening the image of the mannequin and foam board in Photoshop. After the mannequin image has been selected, a new background layer must be created. A white background layer can serve as an overall background. Labelling different backgrounds also helps in remaining organized.
2. Selecting the Product
The next step is selecting the product in the image of the mannequin. Using a white background while shooting enables easy removal of the mannequin.
3. Refining the Mask
After the whole selection process, you must refine the product by using the “Refine Edge” tool from the “Select” menu. This removes the whole of the background and the mannequin. So now you just see the product, freely floating against the white background. Refining also gives the images a clean look, making them appealing.
4. Repeat the Steps Using Foam Board Image
This completes the illusion of a mannequin look by allowing you to photograph the product inside-out. Though a little odd at first, it creates a great look in the end!
5. Combining the Images
The mask of the foam board image is adjusted to the ghost mannequin image. It is adjusted in a way that the foam board sits in just the right manner behind the mannequin layer.
6. Removal of Unnecessary Parts
Now, it will be a good idea to hide the mannequin layer. Also, you must weed out the parts that are not needed. You need to check that you have clean layers and everything is in proper line – especially the shoulder and neck area.
7. Shadow and Save
Next, add shadow between the two layers. This gives your product the required depth. And then save a copy with all the layers intact. The next thing is to flatten all the layers and save a different file. This gives you a realistic image that is professional.
Final Words
This ghost mannequin effect improves product photography and the sales of your product increase. But if you have an adequate budget, check out our ghost mannequin services. A team of experts will ensure you have the best results so that your business blooms!