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.

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.

Clothing doesn’t cooperate like rigid products do. But there are plenty of proven tips and tricks to help with the three stages—prep, shooting, and post-production—so you can consistently create balanced, professional photos that convert.

Why symmetry matters in apparel product photography

Put simply, symmetry is pleasing to the eye. It represents order that our brain likes. Like a bookshelf with perfectly aligned spines or evenly stacked towels. But if you look at a building that has every window perfectly aligned except one, you’d notice it immediately.

The same applies to your product photography. If your apparel shots are crooked, unbalanced, or asymmetrical, shoppers notice—and not in a good way. Symmetry triggers trust, which in turn can help boost your sales. 

When buyers see balanced, well-aligned product images—like The Wildlife Trusts online storefront—they perceive higher quality and professionalism. It’s a subconscious signal that you care about details, which translates to caring about your products.

Pre-shoot preparation: setting up for symmetry 

The right prep can save you hours of editing later and help you achieve that balanced, professional look from the start.

Choosing the right garments and prep

• Select quality samples: Choose garments in excellent condition without permanent wrinkles, stretched fabric, or damaged seams that can’t be easily fixed.
• Steam thoroughly: Remove all wrinkles and creases before shooting. Pay extra attention to sleeves, collars, and hems where asymmetry is most noticeable.
• Know your fabrics: Delicate materials like silk need gentle handling and may require clips to maintain shape (without over stretching). Heavier fabrics like denim hold their form better but need proper steaming.
• Arrange details evenly: Position buttons, zippers, and accessories symmetrically before shooting.
• Check seam alignment: Ensure shoulder seams, side seams, and collar edges are properly positioned and won’t create uneven lines.

Mannequin and display preparation

• Choose proper sizing: Select mannequins (or models) that fit your garments without stretching or bunching the fabric. You can turn images into ghost mannequins later.
• Align mannequin straight: Position mannequins facing directly forward. Shoot straight-on or at a slight up/down angle.
• Support flat lays: Use foam core boards or batting inside garments to add structure and eliminate wrinkles for flat lay shots.
• Add dimension: Stuff sleeves and body sections with batting to create natural-looking volume and shape.
• Pin invisible points: Secure fabric from behind using straight pins to keep symmetrical draping.

Some pieces won’t work symmetrical and that’s fine. Still apply all other prep and shooting tips to get high quality photos. For example, this cape on Project Cece’s online shop is asymmetrical and calls for balanced composition rather than forced symmetry.

During the shoot: capturing balanced apparel images

Photographing and arranging products isn’t quick work—even teams with professional stylists might max out at 10 items per shoot day, though dedicated studios with specialized workflows can typically process more.

Camera settings for optimal symmetry

• Choose longer focal lengths: Use 50mm, 85mm or longer to minimize distortion that can make clothing look uneven or warped. If you’ve got limited space, zoom lenses can come in handy.
• Set consistent aperture: Shoot around f/8-f/11 to keep the entire garment in sharp focus from front to back.
• Position camera center: Keep your camera dead-center and level. For top-down shots, ensure the camera is truly overhead to avoid skewing.
• Use a sturdy tripod: Essential for consistent framing, sharp images, and avoiding camera shake.
• Set up even lighting: Use two lights (ideally), positioned on either side to eliminate uneven shadows. Adjust angles based on fabric thickness.
• Enable camera gridlines: Use your camera’s grid overlay to align garments perfectly within the frame. You can also shoot tethered and connect to a monitor to catch any issues in real-time.
• Frame precisely: Frame your shots exactly as needed from the start. If you plan on removing background or doing other edits like drop shadow, you can always adjust canvas size during editing. Just make sure to fully capture your product so you have plenty to work with in editing.

Styling techniques for balance

Different garments will benefit from different arm positions—some look better with hands close to the body, others with arms slightly bent away. Whatever you choose, make sure both sides match for symmetrical posing.

• Use clips, pins, and even tape behind the garment to create perfect draping while keeping them invisible from camera view.
• Review each shot immediately to catch issues before moving to the next setup. What looks balanced to your eye may appear crooked in the photo.
• Make small adjustments between shots rather than major repositioning. 

Post-production: fine-tuning your symmetry  

Even with perfect shooting, most apparel photos need symmetry adjustments. Good clothing editing fixes natural flaws without making products look artificial and matches both sides, not copy-pastes half a garment.

Basic symmetry edits anyone can do

• Crop and straighten: Use your editing app’s grid overlays to align garments perfectly within the frame and correct any camera tilt. In Adobe Photoshop, you can select several grids when cropping, such as Rule of Thirds or Triangle (both great for quickly centering your shots) or Grids (for more precision).

• Make minor adjustments: Fix small imperfections like uneven hems or slightly askew collars using basic retouching tools.
• Address wrinkles: You can’t get true symmetry on wrinkled fabric, so make sure to smooth out any obvious creases.

Professional symmetry editing techniques

Professional symmetry editing involves complex, precise adjustments that require advanced skills:

• Sleeve alignment: Matching sleeve length, cuff positioning, and draping between left and right sides
• Side-edge corrections: Ensuring garment edges create perfect parallel lines and consistent silhouettes
• Curve refinement: Smoothing necklines, armholes, and hemlines for balanced curves
• Detail alignment: Positioning pockets, buttons, zippers, and decorative elements to mirror exactly

These edits involve reshaping fabric digitally while keeping realistic texture and natural draping. Our mirror image symmetry service handles these complex fixes so you can focus on shooting and growing your business instead of spending hours on detailed post-production. 

When to DIY vs. when to outsource

Not every symmetry issue can be fixed with editing. Major fabric distortions or non-mirrored patterns need to be corrected during shooting—no amount of post-production can create symmetry that wasn’t captured originally.

Some garments, like the patterned shirt from Omnes, look balanced in shape but have naturally asymmetric designs. For these pieces, focus on getting the overall structure right during shooting, then handle simple fixes like ghost mannequin effects, lighting adjustments, and wrinkle removal.

Basic edits like cropping and straightening work fine as DIY projects. But complex symmetry corrections can take hours per image. For busy photographers and ecommerce brands, professional editing usually costs less than your time while delivering better results. 

And with marketplaces like Amazon requiring high-quality images, professional symmetry editing gives you that polished result that DIY edits can’t always achieve.

Symmetry checklist 

Check all these before approving your images and you’re good to go:

• No obvious wrinkles (natural fabric draping is fine)
• Sleeves and hems are aligned and match in length
• Collar and necklines are centered and balanced
• Buttons, zippers, and pockets are positioned symmetrically
• Fabric drapes evenly on both sides
• Lighting is balanced with no uneven shadows

Consistently balanced shots for every product

Not only does symmetrical apparel photography help your products look appealing, it also meets the high standards that customers expect in ecommerce. Whether you edit in-house or outsource the tricky stuff, what matters is finding the approach that works for your workflow and quality needs.

Need help getting perfect symmetry? Path’s editors handle complex apparel fixes, saving you time while delivering professional results for any marketplace.

The post How to Take Symmetrical Apparel Photos for Ecommerce appeared first on Path Edits.

Here are some tips on taking photos of jewelry and then how to edit jewelry photos to maximize their sales potential on your online store, marketplace, website, or social media.

Why is editing important for jewelry photography?

Whether you shoot jewelry product photography in a professional studio or at home, editing your images is a crucial step before using your product shots online. Making jewelry images look realistic is crucial for shoppers to know what they’re investing in. Metal, gems, and stones can also be difficult to shoot because they have reflections, shine, and you need to show their intricate details. 

Once you get to the photo editing stage, you can enhance even professional jewelry photography by highlighting its features and preventing imperfections from diminishing the impact of your product shots. You might also need to make edits or resize your jewelry photos to make them compatible with third-party marketplaces such as Amazon, social media, and other commerce channels.

Photo retouching can transform your photos into appealing, professional jewelry photos that will impress your customers and lead to sales.

Correct the basics: exposure and white balance

The first step for improving any product photo is to adjust its exposure and white balance—it’ll show the true color of the jewelry so shoppers know what it looks like before they buy.

Exposure lets you change the brightness of your photo from underexposed (too dark) to balanced and over-exposed (too bright). You want to ensure the product is clearly visible when you adjust the exposure.

You’ll find the Exposure slider in Adobe Lightroom’s Basic panel.

Tip: Double-click on the slider pointer to reset it.

White balance adjusts two components: temperature and tint. Adjusting white balance refers to neutralizing any light cast during your shoot. Every light source has a different color temperature, measured in Kelvin (K). Depending on the light source you used during the shoot, the image may look cooler/bluer, neutral, or warmer/yellower.

The temperature slider helps you adjust the temperature for a neutral look. For creative purposes, you can go cooler or warmer, but for product shots, it’s best to aim for neutral ecommerce jewelry photography.

The tint slider helps you make minor tweaks by adding magenta or green tint to fix any color balance issues from some light sources like fluorescent or neon lights.

In Lightroom, you can use the following:

• Pre-built White Balance presets: Select one of the White Balance profiles based on your shooting conditions. For example, if you shot using natural light, select Daylight, Cloudy, or Shade. Lightroom will automatically adjust temperature and tint. 

• White Balance Selector: After selecting the tool (the pipette icon), click on a neutral-color part of your image (white, gray, or black areas). Lightroom will adjust both temperature and tint based on your selection to bring it as close to natural as possible. If you didn’t get it right the first time, repeat the process or adjust the sliders manually. 

• Manual temperature and tint sliders: Change both sliders to match the product’s true colors. 

Here’s an example of an unedited image with adjusted exposure and white balance in Lightroom, before any additional retouching: 

Fix colors: hue and saturation

Customers want to see realistic photos of products. Just under half of returns happen because the product doesn’t match customer expectations based on the description, and this could include your photos.

Even after you’ve adjusted the exposure and white balance of your photo, you may still need to change or enhance product colors. Gold, for example, has many hues, so the color in the photo should be spot on.

How to adjust hue and saturation

Here’s how to adjust hue/saturation in Photoshop:

You can change the hue and increase or decrease color saturation in Photoshop using the same layer. Create a new Hue/Saturation layer by selecting Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation from the dropdown menu at the top. 

To make local changes (ones that only apply to the parts of the photo containing that color), click on the color selector (finger icon) and click on the color you want to work on in the photo. In the example below, we would work with the yellows after clicking on the ring. 

You can also select colors using the dropdown menu, like Reds or Yellows. Move the Hue and Saturation sliders to change the color. 

In this example, we changed the hue of the ring from yellow gold to rose gold. A simple hue change but it can transform the photo. 

Sharpen the details

You may not always get the details perfectly sharp during the jewelry photoshoot but don’t worry—sharpening in Photoshop can help fix it. Sharpening the jewelry details will help it stand out in the photo, and elements like stones, gems, and engraving will be more prominent.

Tip: Don’t go overboard—and only apply local sharpening (not to the rest of the photo).

To sharpen the details in your jewelry product photos you can use these Photoshop tools:

• Unsharp Mask
• Smart Sharpen
• High Pass filter (our recommendation) 

Add a shadow for 3D effect

If you’re shooting white background jewelry shots, you’ll want to add some sort of shadow in the shot. It will add dimension to your photos and make your product photos and store listings look professional. Getting the shadow right during the shoot can be difficult to master, but you can add it in post-processing.

There are different ways to use shadows in jewelry product shots:

• Drop shadow: Adds depth to the photo with a subtle drop shadow seemingly behind or next to the product. This is a great choice for jewelry shot on a flat surface, like rings, bracelets, and watches. The drop shadow follows the product’s shape, like in the examples below. 

• Floating shadow: Gives the illusion of a product hovering above the ground. Earrings, necklaces, and pendants are a great choice for this effect because these products would naturally hang if worn by a model, and a shadow would appear. 

• Reflection shadow: The reflective shadow is a popular choice for jewelry photos, but the other types may also apply. A reflective shadow gives the impression the product is on a glossy, mirror-like surface and adds a touch of luxury. 

• Natural shadow: A natural shadow makes it look like your product has organically cast a shadow on its background or surface, even if there was no light source during the shoot. This would work well for most jewelry products placed on a flat surface. 

• Enhanced existing shadow: If your product already casts a shadow during the shoot, you may want to keep it even if you remove or change the background. This is where an enhanced existing shadow comes in. It will retain the shadow and its shape but let you use the products with a different background.

How to add a reflective shadow

Let’s look at how to edit jewelry photos by adding a reflective shadow in Photoshop (this effect will work best for jewelry shot head-on, not at an angle):

1. Open your jewelry photo in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Duplicate the image of the jewelry in a new layer by clicking Layer in the top menu and selecting Duplicate Layer or using the CTRL + J shortcut for Windows (Command + J for Mac).
3. Flip the photo vertically by choosing Edit > Transform > Flip Vertically.
4. Move the duplicated, flip layer to sit just under the original object, like a reflection. Reduce the opacity of the mirror layer to see its positioning better.

• Apply a very small Gaussian blur by selecting Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur in the top menu.
• Draw a selection around reflection using the marquee tool. Make sure the top of the selection sits just below where the two images connect.
• Feather the edges of the selection and delete it.
• Apply a small natural shadow to the space where the object and its reflection connect. 

Add lighting effects to make the jewelry shine

Add a spotlight effect to photos when you want jewelry to stand out from the scene. The spotlight effect slightly darkens the photo around the product, so all the attention goes to the jewelry—take a look at this step-by-step guide on how to do this yourself.

You can also create a lens flare effect to add sparkle to shiny jewelry and gems—but use it sparingly so the effect doesn’t overpower your photo.

How to add a lens flare

To add a lens flare:

1. Open your jewelry photo in Photoshop.
2. Duplicate the image in a new layer by clicking Layer in the top menu and selecting Duplicate Layer or using the CTRL + J shortcut for Windows (Command + J for Mac).
3. In the top menu, select Filter > Render > Lens Flare.
4. Select one of the four lens types (each creates a different effect) and adjust its brightness.

• Click OK and adjust the layer’s opacity if you want to reduce the effect further.

 Reduce distracting or overbearing glares

On the contrary, you can also reduce distracting or overbearing glares. For example, if you’ve caught the reflection of your camera (or something else that shouldn’t be in the photo) on a shiny surface, like metal or glass. The same goes for a powerful flash that may have created a glare on jewelry.

You can do this using various photo retouching methods like:

• Clone Stamp tool, which takes pixels from one part of your image and you can paint them over the glare.
• Brush tool lets you paint over the glare with precision—you can adjust the Brush size, hardness, opacity, and color. 

Retouch any scratches, smudges, or other imperfections

You can’t guarantee jewelry at the shoot will be spotless. You may come across the following:

• Smudges from fingerprints
• Scratches on the jewelry
• Unwanted reflections
• Dust or specks on the camera lens

One of the simplest and fastest ways to get rid of any of these imperfections is by using Photoshop’s Spot Healing Brush. 

Click on the Spot Healing Brush tool in your Photoshop sidebar. Select the type of healing you want to apply—we recommend starting with Content-Aware. 

Change the brush size depending on what you want to remove in the image by clicking [ or ] keys on your keyboard. If these keys don’t work for your device, head to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts in your navbar at the top. Select Tools in the Shortcuts For dropdown and scroll to the bottom to find shortcuts for Increase / Decrease Brush Size. 

When you use Spot Healing Brush, zoom in for a more precise result. Simply brush over any imperfections, and the software will remove the blemish or spot and replace it with pixels sampled around the area.

Using this method, we removed the photographer’s reflection in the necklace photo below. 

If it doesn’t look right the first time, repeat the process, change the brush size (or zoom in more), or select Create Texture or Proximity Match as the brush type. Remember that depending on the imperfection, you may need to use the tool several times to fix the photo.

You can also use the Clone Stamp tool to take an existing part of your image and “paint” it over another image area: 

1. Select the Clone Stamp tool and hover over the area you want to take a part of the image from.
2. Hold down the ALT key (OPTION on Mac) while you click over your selected section.
3. Move your cursor over to the area you want to paint the cloned part and paint as you would with the Brush tool. 

Change the background

There are a few instances where you might want to change the background of your jewelry photos:

• You’re selling on third-party marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Walmart and need white background shots to comply with the marketplace image requirements.
• You want an online store with a uniform look and give shoppers an easy, distraction-free product exploration.
• You want a transparent background for your jewelry shots to use for overlaying stock photos, graphics, or the brand’s website.
• You want different color backgrounds to fit a variety of marketing campaigns or to match the website’s color scheme. 

You can also put jewelry on a colored or creative background, like on the ethical jewelry brand SOKO’s website. With the background removed, your jewelry photos become versatile visual assets you can use for different marketing channels. 

To put jewelry on a white or colorful background (or add jewelry to stock photos in Photoshop), you have to cut it out first. Use clipping paths or image masking depending on object complexity.

Create a clipping path

Here’s how to create a clipping path:

1. Set up your Pen tool in Photoshop.
2. Draw a path around your product (zoom in to get a more precise path).
3. Save and name your path.
4. Create a clipping path.
5. Create a selection from your clipping path.
6. Create a clipping mask to isolate your product from its background. 

Crop for the right context

Some jewelry shots require cropping to get tight on the product, fill the frame, and showcase small details.

Generally, you want the product in the center, filling most of the frame. This is a common method for ecommerce marketplaces and stores. For example, jewelry brand Kendra Scott crops and fills the frame regardless of the jewelry type or size. This makes for an easy browsing experience. 

If you create a homepage banner, give plenty of blank space on one side so you can overlay text, a call to action (CTA), or leave it blank. Catbird jewelry store fills the space with promotional text and a CTA. 

To show the craftsmanship of jewelry pieces, cropping in even tighter for closeup shots will draw attention to the small details and design. Mejuri uses a closeup photo of a ring to share the brand’s commitment to sustainability and quality. 

For some jewelry model photography, consider cropping out the model’s facial features to direct focus to the jewelry, like Mejuri on its homepage. A customer’s gaze will naturally be drawn to the jewelry piece. 

Add filters for social media

Filters can add a unique, cohesive look to your social media feed, especially when they’re on-brand. While they’re generally not ideal for your website (you want to reserve that space for the highest-quality shots), social media is where you can be more adventurous with visuals to see what appeals to your target audience.

Some ideas you can use:

• Color filters (like a yellow filter to add warmth to the photo)
• Black and white layer (for a timeless look)
• Overlay with black and reduce the layer’s opacity for a muted look (works well for adding text copy over the photo) 

You’ll find these filters and presets in Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, or use photo editing or social media apps with editing features like Instagram.

Keep the edited photos aligned with your brand aesthetic to maintain consistency. A great example of this is the handmade jewelry brand Mountainside Made. All of the brand’s jewelry photos have a warm tone, muted shadows, and plenty of grain on the photo for an organic feel.

Change color for new variants

You may get a new color variant for your jewelry stock, or you may want to change the color of another element in your photo, like the background or props. You don’t have to worry about re-doing the photoshoot because you can easily change the color in Photoshop.

In the first example, we changed the color of the background flowers to blue, matching the gems on the ring. 

But you can also change the color of the jewelry. Here, we made color changes only to the gems from blue to red, without altering the flowers in the background.

How to change color

There are several ways to change the color of a product variant in Photoshop. A simple one includes adjusting the hue of a particular color in your photo:

1. Open your file in Photoshop.
2. In the top menu, click on Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation.
3. Select the color you want to change by using the pointer icon and clicking on the color in your photo or choose one from the dropdown menu, like Blues.
4. Move the Hue slider to create your new color. Use the Saturation slider to fine-tune its vibrancy.
5. To remove this effect on other parts of your photo, click on the layer’s mask and select the Brush tool. Make sure its opacity is at 100% and paint over sections that don’t need the color change.

For more complex items like multi-colored jewelry, repeat the steps above several times or use more advanced retouching methods.

Get the best jewelry photography with a pixel-perfect finish

Photo editing is an essential step before presenting your product photos online because shoppers will use them to decide which jewelry pieces to invest in. A few editing steps can go a long way to take your photos from good to great. If you prefer to leave it to professional editors, our team can assist you. 

Let our pro designers look after your most tedious image edits, from 25¢ per image

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How to edit jewelry product photos FAQs

How do you edit jewelry photos?

Start with a clean-up to remove any blemishes. Adjust image exposure and colors for a natural look. Add any extras like shadows and reflections, and export your photo for the platform you will use.

What is the best photo editing app for jewelry?

• Snapseed
• Photoshop Express
• Lightroom CC Mobile
• Afterlight 2

How do you make jewelry stand out in pictures?

• Adjust colors, white balance, and brightness
• Sharpen the small details
• Remove blemishes like fingerprints or scratches
• Crop for maximum impact

Is there an app for taking pictures of jewelry?

You can use your smartphone’s default camera app and turn on the macro setting. Alternatively, try camera apps with manual controls like Camera Zoom FX, Halide Mark II, ProCamera, and Camera+ Legacy.

What is jewelry photo retouching?

Jewelry photo retouching means enhancing a photo with professional editing tools. You can remove any specks or dust, correct the color to appear natural, and enhance the shine and sharpness of metal and gems.

How do you make jewelry sparkle in photography?

The best way to photograph jewelry so it sparkles, is to use good lighting. Diffused light will help avoid harsh reflections and soft shadows. Position the light source at an angle to create highlights, and use a reflector to add brightness. Macro jewelry photography with a dedicated macro lens or close-up mode enhances detail, and slight adjustments in post-processing can boost the sparkle.

The post How to Edit Jewelry Photos to Make them Shine (Updated 2024) appeared first on Path Edits.

But beyond the camera and lens, what other gear is essential? Below is a complete guide to help you gear up for your sports photography business and help you catch those game-changing moments.

Picking the right camera

Shooting CrossFit events up close and personal or capturing athletes on a large football field will require very different gear setups. Your kit choice will depend on the type of sports you want to cover and your budget. But remember, you don’t always need to buy new—you can also look for good quality refurbished and second-hand equipment.

Let’s explore some options:

High-end professional gear examples: Nikon Z9, Canon EOS R3, Sony Alpha 1

• Pros: Exceptional speed, superior image quality, robust build
• Cons: High cost, steep learning curve
• Ideal for: Professional sports photographers covering major events

Widely-published sports photographer Will Palmer opts for the Nikon Z9, which retails for around $5,500. The camera boasts 45MP resolution and 20 frames per second burst rate, which makes it suitable for large prints and fast action.

He often pairs it with a 400mm f/2.8 lens, which can retail up to $14,000. It’s a significant investment, but for Will, it’s been worth it. “[It] provides a beautiful depth of field, making the subject stand out sharply against a blurred background,” he says. “This combination brings the action to life and helps make your work stand out.”

Other options include:

• Canon EOS R3 (Mirrorless)
• Sony Alpha 1 (Mirrorless)
• Sony Alpha 9 II (Mirrorless)
• Canon EOS-1D X Mark III (DSLR)
• Nikon D6 (DSLR)

Higher-end gear will deliver results. However, that’s not to say it’s a necessity, especially if you’re just starting. It’s crucial to consider whether you can deliver a return on your investment and own any equipment you can use with your chosen camera system.

Mid-range examples: Lumix G9 Mark II, Sony A7 III, Fujifilm X-H2S

• Pros: Good balance of performance and affordability, lightweight
• Cons: Smaller sensor size may affect low-light performance
• Ideal for: Serious enthusiasts or professionals on a tighter budget

In the mid-range, you’ll find plenty of powerful alternatives to full-frame cameras and some full-frame options with smaller resolutions:

Crop sensor cameras:

• Fujifilm X-T4 (APS-C)
• Fujifilm X-H2S (APS-C)
• Panasonic Lumix G9 Mark II (Micro Four Thirds)
• Sony A6600 (APS-C)
• Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (Micro Four Thirds)

Full-frame cameras:

• Nikon Z5 (Entry-level full-frame)
• Canon EOS RP (Entry-level full-frame)
• Sony A7 III (Mid-range full-frame)
• Nikon Z6 II (Mid-range full-frame)
• Panasonic Lumix S5 (Mid-range full-frame)

These cameras offer a good balance of performance and affordability, which works well for enthusiasts and professionals on a budget. The crop sensor options often give you high-speed shooting and advanced autofocus systems, while the full-frame options offer better low-light performance and image quality. The downside? These cameras sometimes have lower resolutions or fewer advanced features than their higher-end counterparts.

Sports photographer and videographer Alex Wukowich from Aperture Sports Media favors Lumix G9 Mark II, a mirrorless micro four-thirds camera retailing around $1,800. Alex has captured numerous sports events, such as BMX racing, lacrosse and ice hockey, proving that you don’t always need a full-frame camera to be a professional sports photographer. The best part? His camera is light and portable—handy if you travel often or want to slim down your gear.

What else should you look for?

Besides budget, here are a few camera-specific factors to consider when making your purchase:

• Burst rate: For fast-action sports, look for cameras with high frames per second (fps)
• Autofocus system: Advanced tracking capabilities are crucial for following moving subjects
• Low–light performance: Important for indoor sports or evening games
• Weather sealing: Essential for outdoor sports in various conditions

Chris Onuoha capturing a powerlifting competition. Photo by Anete Lusina

How to build your lens collection

Picking suitable lenses is just as important as choosing your camera body. You can rent lenses to test them out first, giving you a better idea of which focal lengths suit your preferences.

Here are some lens considerations:

• Zoom lens: Offers flexibility for various shooting distances, ideal for capturing both wide shots and close-ups in dynamic or time-critical sports environments
• Prime lens: Provides superior sharpness and wider apertures, perfect for low-light conditions and creating a shallow depth of field to isolate athletes.
• Reach: Longer focal lengths (200mm+) are crucial for field sports, allowing you to capture detailed action shots from a distance.
• Wide–angle options: Useful for indoor sports, close-up action shots, and capturing the entire scene for immersive and dramatic perspectives.

Having the appropriate lens can make a significant difference in capturing those split-second, memorable shots. Alex shares a perfect example. “At the British BMX Championships, we had a long-jump competition in the evening after racing,” he says. “My f2.8 lens allowed me to get the shots I needed without cranking up the ISO too high. I captured an atmospheric shot I love of a rider jumping head-on towards me!”

For photographer and videographer Chris Onuoha from ACMedia, upgrading from a kit lens to a prime lens meant a dramatic increase in high-quality detail capture, such as the chalk being illuminated during a powerlifting competition. Similarly, choosing the right focal length matters, too.

Will recounts a crucial moment from the Commonwealth Games at the Lee Valley Velodrome, “I captured a dramatic photo of Matt Walls as he crashed over the barrier. The wider shots I took, compared to colleagues on longer lenses, helped convey the scale of the crash. They showed not only Matt Walls, but also other riders colliding with the boards. Including branding and context in these wider images also added depth to the story.”

Above all, Alex advises investing in quality lenses. “There’s a saying, ‘date the camera, marry the lens.’ You’ll change cameras often throughout your career, but your lenses will go with you from camera to camera. Invest more time and money into selecting a quality lens suited to what you shoot instead of focusing on what the latest fancy camera can do,” he says.

For Will, a fast lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 is a top pick for beginners. “When you’re starting out, you often find yourself shooting in less-than-ideal lighting conditions—whether at indoor venues or during late afternoon events. A lens with a wide aperture allows you to capture clearer, more detailed images in these challenging conditions,” he says.

But don’t overlook budget options, such as 50mm lenses. Chris points out that beginners may feel inclined to shop for pricier options from the start. However, having a 50mm lens—costing as little as $125 for Canon DSLRs—can give an affordable entry into the industry with crisp results.

Do you want to learn more about choosing the right gear setup and shooting settings for different sports scenarios? Check out this guide to improving sports photos.

Supporting equipment

While the right camera and lens are necessary, supporting equipment can make or break your sports photography experience. From protecting your gear to ensuring stability and comfort during long shoots, these accessories are vital in capturing those perfect moments.

Here’s a list of items for you to consider, some more essential than others:

• Camera bags
• Rain covers
• Tripods and monopods
• Neck straps and harnesses
• Filters
• White and gray cards or ExpoDisc filter
• Extra batteries and chargers
• White balance cards
• Portable seats/stools
• Memory card readers and pouches
• Plasters, painkillers, and energy bars or gels

Pro tip: create a dedicated space for each piece of equipment. “I like to compartmentalize all my gear, so everything has its own bag inside my camera bag (also really handy for taking flights!). Where possible, everything is labeled, particularly SD cards, which I always need to keep track of,” says Alex.

Having labels on your equipment also ensures it doesn’t get mixed up with other photographers’ gear during busy events, Chris adds.

For extra weather protection, Alex recommends getting some weatherproofing spray and occasionally spraying your bag to increase water resistance. Inside, you can put a few silica gel bags to keep the air dry.

What else? Will adds, “One piece of unconventional equipment I always carry, which others might not immediately think of, is a collection of cable adapters. This includes a spare card reader. Even if you don’t end up using them, these items can greatly help fellow photographers or colleagues in need on match day, too.”

Lighting equipment

Are you planning on photographing individual or team headshots? If so, investing in lighting equipment, such as speedlights and other types of off-camera flashes, is a good idea. It’s not always possible to rely on natural light, especially in sports venues. That’s why having even a simple lighting kit will give you consistent, well-lit portraits.

Consider including:

• Speedlights for on-camera and off-camera use
• Light modifiers like softboxes or umbrellas for softer light
• Remote triggers for off-camera flash setups
• Reflectors for fill light in outdoor situations

But, if you’re stuck without any lighting equipment, reach for a lens with a wider aperture, like Will did whilst shooting an indoor hockey game in a poorly lit venue. “The lighting was uneven and dim, leading to high ISO settings on my Nikon Z9 that resulted in noisy images I wasn’t happy with,” he explains.

“To overcome this, I switched from my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to the 85mm Sigma f/1.4 ART lens. The wider aperture of the Sigma lens allowed me to gather more light, improving the image quality and reducing the need for excessively high ISO settings.”

Post-processing tools

For some sports photography assignments, you may not need to apply any post-processing, just culling the successful shots. However, it’s more than likely that you will need to build sports photo editing skills to deliver professional results.

Professional-grade editing apps like Adobe Lightroom or Capture One are popular for photo editing software. However, for efficient and high-quality editing, especially when dealing with bulk edits, many sports photographers outsource to editing services like Path. Outsourcing lets you offload the time-consuming task of editing, freeing so you can focus on shooting and client relationships.

But how does a professional workflow look in practice? Will emphasizes the importance of speed in post-processing, especially for high-profile events. “During Premier League and Champions League football matches, images are often sent live from pitchside to a remote editor,” he explains.

Will uses CameraBits’s Photo Mechanic for quick culling and organizing, followed by Adobe Photoshop for minor adjustments. This streamlined process allows him to deliver high-quality images promptly, meeting tight deadlines and client expectations.

Chris adds that post-processing not only helps enhance and color grade the images but can fix challenging venue environments with the help of tools like Denoise, found in apps like Lightroom.

Scoring the right equipment is just the beginning

Selecting the right sports photography equipment is crucial, but it’s only the first step. Great sports photos aren’t just about having the latest gear—they’re about capturing the emotion, energy, and decisive moments. Experiment with different equipment and techniques as you build your kit and level up your skills.

And if you want more time away from your computer screen, our expert team of editors at Path can handle your post-processing so you can focus on capturing the thrill of the game. 

Sports photography equipment FAQs

What equipment does a sports photographer use?

Sports photographers typically use DSLR or mirrorless cameras with fast autofocus, telephoto lenses (70-200mm or longer), wide-angle lenses, monopods, high-speed memory cards, and weather-sealed gear. Additional equipment may include speedlights and remote triggers.

What do sports photographers use?

They use professional-grade cameras like the Nikon Z9 or Canon EOS R3, or mid-range options like the Sony A7 III. Fast telephoto zoom lenses (70-200mm f/2.8) and prime lenses (300mm, 400mm) are common. Post-processing software or outsourced editing services like Path are also essential.

What brand is best for sports photography?

There’s no single “best” brand, but Canon, Nikon, and Sony are popular among professionals, while Fujifilm and Panasonic offer excellent mid-range options. The best choice depends on your budget, specific needs, and familiarity with different systems.

How do I get high-quality sports photos?

• Use a camera with fast autofocus and high frame rates
• Invest in quality lenses, particularly fast telephoto lenses
• Master your camera settings, especially shutter speed and continuous autofocus
• Understand the sport you’re photographing to anticipate key moments
• Practice techniques like panning
• Shoot in RAW format for better post-processing flexibility
• Develop post-processing skills or outsource to professional editing services like Path
• Experiment with different angles and compositions

The post Sports Photography Equipment: A List of the Gear You Need in 2024 appeared first on Path Edits.

Unlike apparel, cosmetic products are small. Their shine, shimmer, and color saturation might translate poorly from in-person to on-screen. That’s where photo editing comes in.

With some simple tweaks, you can enhance beauty product photography to showcase each item at its digital best. Whether you’re shooting products yourself or working with a photographer, we’ll walk through some editing techniques to make colors pop, fix reflections, and retouch surfaces for a spotless and ecommerce-ready look that converts.

How to shoot makeup products

Like other commercial photography, mastering makeup product photography can take years. But that’s not to say you can’t create product photography that stands out and drives sales. Putting a few shooting and editing tips into practice can make a big difference, even on a small budget or with a DIY approach.

And while photo editing certainly can do some magic, you’ll almost always get the best results if you have a decent original shot to work with.

Clean the product and background

It’s always important to work with clean products, and makeup in particular. This includes the exterior and the actual makeup product itself.

You can expect sticky, shiny, and liquid products to attract dust, hair, and dirt, so make sure your shooting space is as clean as possible too. Use cotton gloves to avoid leaving marks or sweat on products when you style your shots.

Reduce distracting reflections and glares in the studio

Shooting cosmetic product photography of items with matte surfaces will be easier because they reflect less light. However, many makeup products come packaged in reflective materials like plastic, metal, and glass.

To reduce unwanted reflections and camera glare when photographing these products, try these lighting tips:

• Clear the studio: Remove any other shiny or reflective surfaces and turn off any artificial lights and block any natural light you don’t need for the shoot.
• Remove unnecessary packaging: Unwrap solid products packaged in transparent plastic, such as beauty blenders, for a sharper, clearer photo with no reflections.
• Use diffusers in your lighting setup: Softboxes or white screens in front of a window produce softer light and help eliminate hotspots and light reflections.

A great example of capturing challenging cosmetic products in a pleasing way is beauty brand Minori. Its product bundle includes both matte and reflective packaging, but none of the surfaces have distracting reflections in the photo.

Include cosmetic swatches

Cosmetic swatches are small amounts of a makeup product like lipstick or eyeshadow. They’re common in makeup product photography because they show the true color, texture, and pigmentation of the product. Swatches make it easier for shoppers to compare different products or shades of the same product.

You can photograph swatches on a plain background, such as paper or cardboard. Your background doesn’t necessarily need to be white. For example, Annabelle Minerals uses a heavily layered swatch for its blush on a light peach background.

Showing swatches on the model’s skin, such as on the inner forearm, displays how the product looks on different skin tones, like on the lip and cheek rouge listing from Pure Anada.

For solid beauty products, like pencils, crayons, and eyeliners, you can get creative by drawing lines in varying intensities on a plain background, like The Detox Market which showcases Ere Perez’s lip crayon swatches.

Don’t forget to shoot close-ups

Adding to the variety of your product shots are close-ups. Shooting a product in its full size and cropping it later won’t result in the same look and quality as shooting it up close. Reason being that an intentional close-up will ensure the product is perfectly in focus, producing sharp details.

That’s not to say you need to use a close-up shot straight from the camera. You’ll likely consider cropping the photo to emphasize the product and remove any distractions, like in Elate Beauty’s brow and liner brush product listing below.

Style shots with props

Including your brand’s props and product styling during the beauty product photography shoot will help you avoid complex editing later on. For example, Pure Anada uses foliage elements in every eye shadow listing.

To recreate this in post-processing requires advanced skill, especially to make your props look realistic. So, if you already know props are a must-have for your cosmetic product photography, use them during the shoot if possible.

How to edit cosmetic product photography for a professional result

While you can take steps during the shoot to help you create a beautiful product photo, images straight from the camera are rarely publish-ready. This means editing is a necessary part of preparing your photos for use in ecommerce, on social media, and elsewhere online.

The purpose of editing for ecommerce and marketing is to enhance your products while keeping their true appearance intact for buyers. Read on for post production tips that make all the difference for your beauty and skincare product photography shots.

Remove background

Background removal eliminates any distractions around the skincare and cosmetics product—regardless of where you shot it—turning the cut out product into a flexible asset you can repurpose.

A popular method for beauty product photography is adding a white background. Marketplaces like Amazon require sellers to use it for all products, but doing so brings visual consistency to any online store. You can also use the product with other backgrounds, including transparent, combine several products to create item groups, and much more.

Color correct for accuracy

Accurately describing your products is just one part of giving customers all the information before a purchase. Photos also need to match what they’ll receive in their order. With over 64% of product returns happening because the item didn’t match what’s on the listing, it’s a simple fix that will save you from unhappy customers and money spent on refunds.

How do you put this into practice? Focus on minimal edits. Matching makeup products to the skin is already difficult, but accurate colors in photographs make it easier for online shoppers. Also, ensure image white balance is neutral—you can read more about it in this product editing guide.

Remove any blemishes or imperfections

You may notice some smudges, spots, or marks in your photos that you missed during the shoot. They may be on your products, in the background, or on the model’s skin or clothing, as in the example below.

But all it takes is a spot removal using Photoshop:

• Spot Healing Brush: use it to brush over any imperfections, which the software will replace with pixels sampled around the area.
• Clone Stamp: you can copy an existing part of your photo and “paint” it over the blemish.

If your cosmetic product photography needs more advanced editing or you’re tasked with a large volume of images to fix, you can outsource it to a team of experienced editors.

Create a lifestyle composite

We mentioned removing the background for your beauty products, but did you know you can create completely new images using lifestyle composites? The method involves taking a cut-out product and placing it on a contextual stock photo, like a makeup kit added to an image of a bathroom cabinet.

Lifestyle composites can save you time and money otherwise spent on organizing a new photoshoot. However, for the composite to look natural, you have to pay particular attention to:

• Shadows: For a beauty product to fit in a new scene, add shadows that match where the light source may be in the stock photo.
• Colors: You may have shot your entire product in neutral light, but the stock photo may have a warmer or cooler look. This means you have to correct the color for both separately.
• Perspective: If you photographed a product head-on, look for stock photos that match the angle of your product shot. For some images, you’ll be able to skew the product perspective using Photoshop.
• Size: A product that looks too large for the background will stick out like a sore thumb. Consider other elements in the shot to help you correctly size the product to match its real-life dimensions.

Lifestyle composites can be complex to create. However, you can outsource to product photography studios that specialize in them.

Design a collage for an advertisement

Like lifestyle composites, background-free product shots are perfect for creative marketing assets like collages. The difference is, collages don’t require advanced photo editing skills. You can easily create them in apps like Canva.

Using your brand’s colors and typography, you can design a simple collage like on Elate Beauty’s Instagram page. You can reuse your background-free product shots in so many different ways without ever having to repeat a design.

Create product infographics

Product infographics combine photography and graphic design elements to offer a playful and informative way to present product information. If you want a creative way to share your product benefits or ingredients without using walls of text, that’s where infographics come in. All you need is to pick a background, add a product with a transparent background, and include text.

Graphics like these are also popular in marketplaces like Amazon. Vegan beauty brand Ecco Bella uses an infographic in its own online store. In just a few seconds, infographics give buyers a convenient way to learn about products before reading descriptions.

Remove labels or logos

Some marketing visuals may call for logo-free product shots. You can remove the product label or logo using Spot Healing Brush or Clone Stamp in Photoshop—the same Photoshop tools used for removing blemishes.

Add brand labels or logo

On the flip side, if your logo has changed since the photoshoot or if the product sample used in the shoot didn’t have the logo-facing side towards the camera, you may want to add it.

Similar to creating a lifestyle composite, you’ll have to ensure the logo or label matches the surface you place it on. For example, if you’re adding it to a glass jar, you’ll have to bend or skew the logo for it to align with the shape and look natural. You can follow this video tutorial to learn how to create this effect.

Add shadows for a subtle 3D look

White background ecommerce shots may be fit for online stores and marketplaces, but they can also look flat if that’s all you use. To fix that, adding a shadow, like a subtle drop shadow, will help your products stand out from the background and look more realistic.

Create color variants

If your products come in different colors, you can create color variants of the same product. The result will be a uniform look in your store, apart from the color changes in each photo. You’ll also save time setting up a shoot whenever new color variants come in stock.

One method to do this in Photoshop involves adjusting the hue of a particular color in your product photo:

1. Open your product image in Photoshop.
2. In the top menu, click on Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation.
3. Select the color you want to change by using the pointer icon and clicking on the color in your photo or choose one from the dropdown menu, like Reds.
4. Move the Hue slider to select your new color. Use the Saturation slider to fine-tune its vibrancy.
5. To remove this effect on other parts of your photo, click on the layer’s mask and select the Brush tool. Make sure its opacity is at 100%, and paint over sections that don’t need the color change.

For more complex color changes, you can repeat the steps above several times—targeting a different part of the photo each time—or outsource to professional photo editors.

Crop to fill the frame

Close-up cosmetic photography often still needs manual cropping in Photoshop or any other photo editing app—this helps eliminate unnecessary details in the shot and takes focus straight to the product. Square crop is particularly effective for centering your product and filling the frame to grab attention, like in the example below by beauty and skincare brand Tower 28.

Photoshop’s Crop tool has built-in ratio templates and a grid to create pixel-perfect crops every time. First, select the Crop tool in your sidebar. Then, click the dropdown in the top menu and select 1:1 (Square).

You’ll see a crop grid overlaying your image. You can adjust it by moving the image or cropping it further to fit your photo. The middle square helps you find the center of each photo if you want your product to be in the middle.

Align products for a uniform look

Cropping and centering each product creates alignment in your online store, particularly when viewing all product ranges together. It helps guide the shopper to compare products rather than get distracted by odd, uneven framing.

Clean beauty brand Tower 28 has different types of products in its store, but all listings look central. How do you achieve this?

If you know the image dimensions used for displaying products in your online store, you can use those same dimensions to create visual consistency—centering each product in the frame evenly, even if the actual products are different sizes in real life.

You can also find the image size your store is using by right-clicking on any existing product image and choosing Save image as… to download it. Open the downloaded file and look at the image properties for the pixel dimensions. Make a note of this size.

For example, we’ll use 600 pixels as width and 700 pixels as height.

1. Open your product photo in Photoshop.
2. Click on the Crop tool in the sidebar.
3. In the crop dropdown menu, select W x H x Resolution.
4. Add the correct pixels in the two boxes to the right of the dropdown, starting with width.
5. In the same dropdown menu, click on New Crop Preset and give it a name.

Now every time you crop photos for your store, you can use the same crop template. Use the crop grid to help you center your products. This way, regardless of product size, you’ll be able to center them each time and create an appealing, uniform look for your store.

Improve your makeup product shots for growing sales

The beauty ecommerce market continues to thrive, with order volume up 10% in 2022 alone. To stand out from the competition, you need product shots that look professional and give shoppers what they want before clicking “buy.”

With some simple editing techniques, you can elevate your beauty product photography even on a DIY budget. But if you need something more advanced or want to save time and effort, our team of professional editors is ready to help refine your shots and let your products shine.

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

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Beauty product photography FAQs

How to photograph makeup products?

To photograph makeup products, focus on the following:

• Lighting: Use soft, diffused lighting to avoid harsh shadows and reflections. Natural light or a lightbox can work well.
• Background: Opt for a clean, simple background that doesn’t distract from the product. White or pastel-colored backdrops often work best.
• Angles: Capture different angles to highlight the product’s packaging and features. Flat lays, close-ups, and angled shots can add variety.
• Props: Minimal props that complement the product can add context without stealing attention from the makeup item itself.
• Editing: Post-process the images to adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness, ensuring the colors of the product are true to life.

How to do makeup photography?

Makeup photography involves capturing the application and effect of makeup on models. Here’s how to do it:

• Lighting: Use soft, even lighting to flatter the subject’s skin and bring out the makeup details. Ring lights or softboxes are great options.
• Focus on details: Highlight the makeup details such as eye makeup, lips, and overall complexion. Close-up shots can capture the texture and finish.
• Model preparation: Ensure the model’s skin is prepped and primed for a flawless look. Retouching may be necessary to remove blemishes while keeping the makeup intact.
• Angles and posing: Experiment with different angles and poses to capture the best aspects of the makeup. The model’s expression should complement the makeup style.
• Background: A neutral background helps keep the focus on the makeup. Consider using plain, complementary colors or out-of-focus backgrounds.

How to take pictures of skincare products?

Skincare product photography should emphasize the product’s packaging and ingredients. Here’s how to do it:

• Lighting: Use bright, natural lighting to create a clean and fresh look. Ensure the lighting doesn’t create unwanted reflections on the packaging.
• Background and props: A clean background (often white) works well, but you can also add elements like fresh leaves, towels, or water droplets to give a spa-like feel.
• Textures: Highlight the texture of the product by showing it on a surface or applied to skin, which can be done through macro shots or close-ups.
• Angles: Capture the product from multiple angles to show the packaging details and branding clearly.
• Editing: Ensure the colors are accurate and adjust the brightness to keep the images looking fresh and clean.

How to take cosmetics pictures?

To take cosmetics pictures, pay attention to the following:

• Lighting: Ensure soft, even lighting to bring out the true colors and textures of the products. Avoid shadows that can distort the appearance.
• Background: Choose a simple background that complements the product. Gradient backgrounds or solid colors work well for cosmetics.
• Composition: Arrange products creatively, considering balance and symmetry. Group similar products together or create a flat lay with complementary items.
• Props: Use minimal props that match the product’s branding, like brushes, flowers, or fabric swatches, to enhance the composition.
• Editing: Post-process to refine the image, adjust the color balance, and make sure the product appears as it would in real life. Avoid over-editing, as it can misrepresent the product.

The post How to Shoot and Edit Creative Makeup Product Photography appeared first on Path Edits.

But how can you get the best? Read on for practical tips to become a good headshot photographer—covering everything from pre-shoot preparation to post-processing.

Headshot photography tips to keep in mind when shooting

Headshot photography is a collaborative process. A professional portrait photographer will interact with subjects, help them feel at ease, and even capture spontaneous moments like a mid-laugh. Or you might be taking headshots on your own.

While photo editing skills are important, planning should also be a part of your process. Let’s break a headshot session down step-by-step so you can refine each stage and deliver results you’ll be excited to share.

Consider the style of the headshot

Start by understanding the purpose of the headshot. This insight will guide your decisions on location, styling, and composition, so the final image aligns with your needs.

Think about:

• Style: Do you need a polished corporate image or a more relaxed, creative one?
• Location: Would shooting outdoors, in a studio, or at a workplace best suit the vision?
• Destination: How will you use the images? Do you need a landscape photo with space for text on a website homepage or a shot that looks good as a square profile photo?
• Included elements: Should the images incorporate branded props, signs, or specific backgrounds?

Remember, even people in the same industry may need vastly different headshots. For instance, sustainable clothing brand Finisterre features its founder, Tom Kay, in a gritty, monochrome outdoor shot. In contrast, ethical clothing designer Ella Griffee opts for a relaxed, welcoming studio portrait. Understanding the purpose of the shot and learning about your client’s unique needs will help you plan the shoot.

Pick (or create) a neutral background

The subject should be the focal point of every awesome headshot, which is why neutral backgrounds are ideal. Here’s how to achieve this effect:

• Indoor shots: Use a neutral wall, fabric, paper, tablecloth, curtain, or sheet. No need for expensive backdrops.
• Outdoors shots: Look for simple, neutral backgrounds like walls, columns, or building steps. Avoid overwhelming elements such as brick walls, graffiti, or shop signage.
• Dynamic backgrounds: Cityscapes or nature can work as a background if they fit the shoot brief. Position your subject with ample space behind them to blur the background.

The National Women’s Law Center, for example, uses a mix of background styles for its board of directors’ headshots, all of which look equally professional.

Add props if needed

Less is often more when it comes to including props in professional headshots. The goal is to make the subject take center stage without overshadowing them or making the image look contrived. In some professions, props can add value to a headshot—like medical professionals, creatives, educators, chefs, craftspeople, athletes, and fitness experts.

Remember these key points when considering props:

• The prop should be an authentic part of the professional’s daily work
• It should be subtle and not dominate the image
• The prop should be in good condition and high-quality
• Avoid clichéd or overused props that might make the image look dated or unoriginal
• When in doubt, take shots both with and without the prop to give the subject options

Set up your light source

Natural light or a studio setup? Your choice of light source will depend on the type of headshot, location, photography style, and technical experience. But as a general rule, don’t overcomplicate it. Unless you’re going for a dramatic, creative shot, focus on creating a natural, flattering look.

If you opt for natural light:

• Aim for diffused lighting to avoid harsh shadows on the subject’s face. You can diffuse light using white or sheer fabric in front of a window or use the transparent part of a multi-use reflector.
• If needed, add a reflector to reduce shadows. Use it on either side or angled in front of the subject to reduce under-eye shadows.
• Experiment with head-on light from the window or outdoors when the sun is lower and slightly angled from the side, or place the subject in front of the sun.

You’ll find plenty of setups for artificial lighting, depending on your budget, skill, and available equipment. Remember, artificial lighting can be harsh, so soften it using modifiers. Softer light works for most business scenarios—like in the headshot below—but some clients might request harsher light for a more dramatic look.

Use a tripod for taking your own headshots

Do you want to create your own headshots on a budget? No problem—just make sure you’ve got a tripod and either a remote release or a timer on your camera or phone.

However, a tripod can also be handy for photographing clients. How does it work? Position your subject, for example, on a stool, and set up your camera focused on the client. Then, plug in a remote release or connect a wireless one. Now, you can freely interact with your subject, talk to them, and press the shutter button when their expression is just right.

Change poses and expressions

Getting the setup right is half the challenge. The next step is posing your client and giving them gentle cues, which will take your photo from good to great. Guide your client through poses and facial expressions to create various images. Start with simple poses, like a slight head tilt in different directions, to help clients relax their bodies.

Many people feel self-conscious when asked to smile or laugh, so gradually ease into more complex expressions. As you change poses and expressions, vary your compositions too. This is particularly important if your subject needs different images from the same location, giving you a set of options.

Review images as you go

It’s easy to get caught up in the shoot without checking any images on the back of your camera. But make sure you take brief pauses to review what you’ve shot. Zoom in to see if the subject’s eyes are in focus. Also, check for any unwanted reflections if your client wears glasses. Handling reflections for headshots is similar to photographing reflective products.

Reviewing your photos and test shots allows you make minor adjustments you may otherwise miss, such as changing light position, client’s pose, or your composition. It’s better to shoot a few more photos than not have enough.

How to edit a headshot to look professional

You’ve done your best to get the light right, and your client looks great in the photos. What’s next? Photos straight from the camera might have all the necessary elements, but editing headshots will add that final touch for a professional result.

Apply basic edits

To get started, apply lens corrections. This will fix any distortions or vignetting your lens might create. Then, adjust the exposure and white balance settings for a neutral look. Check if your image needs to be cropped, too.

In the example below, we applied lens correction and slightly reduced the exposure so the subject had more facial definition.

If something still doesn’t look quite right, try fine-tuning other settings. Adjust sliders for highlights, whites, shadows, and blacks. For more precise control, manipulate the tonal curve. Most professional editing apps, like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One, offer these adjustments.

Reduce blemishes and enhance skin texture

You don’t need to be an expert retoucher to edit a great-looking headshot. When retouching your photos, use Photoshop tools like Spot Healing Brush Tool or Lightroom’s brushes to apply local adjustments to the subject’s face.

For example, you might want to remove temporary blemishes and stray hairs, brighten eyes, lightly soften skin texture, or fix unwanted shine, like in the image below.

But remember, everyone has skin texture, which is entirely normal. Sharp lenses and unflattering lighting can make it more prominent, so keep your edits natural. And before you edit any permanent features, such as moles or scars, always consult your client first. Removing those could drastically change their appearance.

Check for reflections on glasses

Reflections can be an artistic choice, but not when visible on your subject’s glasses and covering their eyes. If your headshot has reflections you didn’t notice during the shoot, you might be able to rescue the image. As long as the reflection doesn’t fully cover the subject’s eyes, you can use a mix of Photoshop’s Spot Healing Brush Tool and Clone Stamp to remove it.

Smooth any clothing wrinkles

Even with the best intentions, some clients may still arrive with an outfit that needs an iron. Or there might be a slight wrinkle on their shirt that neither of you noticed. Either way, you can fix clothing wrinkles in Photoshop using the tools mentioned above. You can also outsource the task if you don’t have time to work on it.

Remove background imperfections

Are you shooting outdoors? The buildings or walls in the background may not be as polished as indoor backdrops. You might encounter some spots, dirt, scratches, or small graffiti or stickers.

But it’s a relatively easy fix! Use the Spot Healing Brush Tool or Generative Fill in Photoshop, and you can remove any background imperfections.

Remove or change background color

Does your client want a different background color for their new LinkedIn profile photo? Or maybe they need a few on-brand color variations for headshots across different marketing channels? You can change the background color with no need to reshoot.

For same-color backgrounds, you can easily change the color in Photoshop or remove the background entirely, using clipping path or masking.

Add more blur to the background

It’s not always possible to blur the background as much as desired—it could be because of the lens used or the subject and background distance. But sometimes, it might be the one thing that’s missing from your photo to make the subject stand out.

You can fix this in Lightroom using a couple of methods:

• Masking tools: Head into the Masking section and click on Select Background. Lightroom will automatically create a mask for the background, which you can use to reduce clarity, sharpness, and texture to soften and blur the background.
• Lens Blur: If you have the latest app version, try the new AI Lens Blur tool in your Develop module. The app will analyze the image and apply smart lens blur. You can control the blur amount and bokeh style or refine it further using brushes.

For more precise blur, you can use Photoshop and work with layers.

Headshots that boost careers and land sales

Commissioning a professional headshot is a business investment for your clients. So, it’s crucial to develop all the skills needed to create a professional result—from technical understanding to artistic vision and even soft skills to build rapport with your subjects.

You’ll improve each one with time. But if you need help with post-production, you can outsource the tedious editing tasks to our experienced retouchers at Path. 

How to make a headshot look professional FAQs

How do you make a headshot look good?

To make a headshot look good, opt for a neutral, simple background. Ensure proper lighting (natural or artificial), and focus on the subject’s eyes. In post-production, focus on natural edits: lightly soften skin, brighten eyes, remove any temporary blemishes, flyaway hair, or wrinkled clothing.

How do you look professional in a headshot?

• Wear appropriate, non-distracting clothing
• Ensure neat grooming
• Maintain good posture
• Vary between different expressions, from neutral to smiling
• Make eye contact with the camera
• How do you make a good professional headshot?.
• Understand the client’s needs and industry
• Choose appropriate lighting and background
• Guide the client to relax and express themselves naturally
• Take multiple shops with slight variations
• Apply professional editing techniques

How to turn a photo into a professional headshot?

1. Crop the image to draw focus on the face
2. Adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance
3. Remove blemishes and shine
4. Enhance eyes
5. Blur or replace background if necessary
6. Make sure the image looks natural and not over-edited

How to pose for a professional headshot?

Stand or sit up straight with shoulders back. Angle your body slightly away from the camera and tilt your chin down slightly to avoid unflattering angles. Relax your facial muscles for a natural expression. Make eye contact with the camera as you go through different expressions (smiling, serious, approachable). Don’t be afraid to express your personality.

The post Headshot Photography Tips to Make Your Portraits Look Professional appeared first on Path Edits.

But if they come across a listing with a poorly edited product photo, it could make or break their purchase decision. They might be distracted by the glare of plastic product wrapping, spot a necklace with visible scratches, or a kitchenware set with photographer reflections on the metal surface. Those products will stick out like a sore thumb for all the wrong reasons.

Many products have challenging shiny, reflective, or transparent surfaces, so it helps to know how to shoot and edit them for a professional result. Look at some tips and tricks to help you create high-quality product photos that lead to sales—even on a DIY budget.

Examples of reflective products

Not sure which products can create unwanted reflections? There are actually more than you might think. Shiny, reflective, or transparent products might include:

• Jewelry
• Watches and other accessories
• Glassware and kitchenware
• Electronics
• Cosmetics and skincare products
• Sports equipment
• Office stationery
• DIY tools for gardening, painting, and other activities
• Fabric or materials such as leather, transparent polymers, and others
• Packaging and containers
• Labels and stickers 

How reflections and shine affect your product photography

There’s no doubt that shiny, reflective, and transparent products can be tricky to photograph and edit. But there’s more—some products also have unique shapes, which makes photographing and editing even more challenging.

For example, long-lasting product retailer Buy Me Once has a listing for a stainless steel garlic press. 

Even though the garlic press is reflective and has a complex, uneven shape, the photo shows no unwanted reflections, and you won’t find any scratches or fingerprint smudges on the metal. The product photo may look simple, but creating a picture-perfect finish like this takes careful consideration.

A few things to keep in mind when shooting and editing photos that feature shiny or reflective products are:

• Prevent unwanted reflections
• Watch out for blemishes, dust, and scratches (or remove those during editing)
• Avoid light spots that are either too bright or reflect on the product surface
• Retain any important product detail, such as a brand logo on a container or the transparency of a glass product
• Use just the right amount of reflection so the effect looks natural without being distracting 

When to use reflective lighting

Sometimes you want a reflective lighting setup. There are instances where adding shine can enhance the image. Look at clean cosmetics brand RMS Beauty. Light reflects on the cream in the brand’s product photo, emphasizing its texture. It’s appealing because all product details are still visible, despite the added shine. 

Similarly, an intentional sheen can add a sense of freshness to food and drink products, like in the example below from London Fermentary, a fermentation specialist. The effect is subtle but adds dimension and vibrancy to the glass bottles, as does the reflection on the white surface. 

Look at some image samples online before you shoot your products to have a better idea of what the outcome will be. It will help you prepare and set up your composition and lighting equipment.

How to prepare your studio setup for shiny or reflective products

First, organize your studio space and have the right tools handy to avoid complex photo editing later on. Some things to look out for include:

• Reflections of unwanted light, color, people or objects around your studio setup
• Harsh light that changes the look or color of your product
• Missed key parts of your product, such as labels or other details that have become blurry or obstructed because of a reflection or bright light
• Smudges, fingerprints, and scratches on the product surface

Clear the set

Start with a clutter-free setup for your product photo session. 

Only allow the people you need on the set. Otherwise, they may unintentionally block light, appear in product surface reflections, or even add light reflections of themselves. For example, if someone is wearing a watch or using their smartphone.

Remove or turn off any other light sources in the room. You might also need to block natural window light if you work with studio lights and want precise control over your light sources.

Clean the setup and your products

Make sure your products are clean after styling and positioning them. Shiny surfaces like metal or clear or colored glass will quickly pick up fingerprints, and dust will be easily visible in your photos. Microfiber cloths are handy for this.

You can also use a pair of cotton, microfiber, or latex gloves to handle your products and keep them stain-free. For electronic components, use anti-static gloves to avoid built-up static charges.

Take off the plastic packaging

Does your product come in cellophane or other similar transparent packaging? Consider taking it off for the photoshoot so shoppers can see the product without obtrusive material getting in the way.

For example, if you sell gift baskets, you should take pictures after you assemble them but before you wrap them in cellophane—the shiny material can make your products look less sharp in a photo.

You can do it like the eco-friendly product retailer Peace With The Wild. It has two photos of its grapefruit bath bomb. One shows the product up close (with added styling using petals), and the other photo displays the bath bomb in its transparent, branded packaging. 

Use basic product photography equipment

You don’t need an expensive studio setup to create professional photos that look great online. DIY your lighting setup with some of these basics in your photo kit:

• A sturdy tripod
• One light as a minimum, such as a studio light or a flashgun (if you’re on a tight budget, you can shoot using natural window light)
• At least one light modifier to diffuse the light, like an umbrella or a softbox (the larger the modifier, the more diffused the light, lessening the chances of glare)
• A modifier (such as a beauty dish or a grid spot) that creates a small, concentrated area for a strong, contrasted result
• A reflector and bounce cards or boards in black and white—you can start with an affordable, multi-use kit like this 5-in-1 reflector set
• A white backdrop for ecommerce product shots, a colorful backdrop for more creative photos, and something to place beneath your product—a board, plexiglass, fabric, or paper
• A level surface—such as a chair, desk, table, or floor—on which to place your products

How to photograph shiny products like metal and glass

With your studio kit ready, it’s time to start planning your equipment setup and compositions.

The main thing to remember is that it takes patience to build up to that perfect shot—from setting up your composition to adjusting your lights and camera settings. But the good thing is it becomes easier the more you do it, especially for similar products requiring the same type of setup each time. Consider taking a photo of your setup or drawing it in a notebook so you can recreate it next time.

Find the right angle

For reflective products, start by finding an angle that eliminates—or reduces to a minimum—any reflections of you, the camera, and any other equipment or people on the set.

You may need to tilt or move the product to get the right angle, or you can use props or craft putty to prop up an item like a ring or a watch.

For products with a mirror, such as this makeup palette by RMS Beauty, you can angle the mirror to reflect the product itself or a plain white background (or both). 

Position lights above the products

If you’re working with metal products like cutlery or jewelry, try positioning your light directly over them. This is a simple but effective method to create a soft light that works with various metal products of different shapes. 

• Set up a large softbox face-down directly above your products—look for lay flat or overhead boom stands or arms to hold your softbox
• If the dark edges of your softbox end up reflecting on the product surface, add a large, translucent diffuser (or white fabric) over the light to eliminate them
• You can also use a light with a diffuser at an angle for a more dramatic effect and shadows. For example, put the light on the opposite side of the camera, facing down at the product at around a 45-degree angle, like in this tutorial

A single light on the side of the product

If you have a plastic, acrylic, or glass product, like a bottle container, you can create a professional look with just one continuous light. You can even use your smartphone to shoot this setup if you’re on a budget.

Start by adding a softbox or a strip box facing the product on one side and a white foam board or a large V-flat on the opposite side of your light, like in this video. The trick is to move the light so its reflection on your product complements it, not obstructs the label or other details. Continuous lighting makes this easier because you can see the result instantly.

Experiment with different side lighting and angles to see what works for your product’s shape and design so you don’t obstruct essential elements like the brand logo. DASH Water, for example, has the light run across the left side of its sparkling water bottle. 

If your light is too strong, add a white material, like paper, fabric, or diffuser, between the light and the product. And, if you’re losing too much detail on the opposite side of the light, set up a white board or reflector on the other side, like in this video guide. It will reflect light and brighten your product’s opposite (dark) side.

Light on both sides of the product

If you have two lights, you can add a modifier, such as a softbox or a grid, to both and place them on the opposite sides of your product. You can start with both lights mirroring each other directly and then turning them slowly to find a result that works.

For example, turn the lights slightly towards the camera or angle them facing down towards the product, like in this video. Ultimately, you’ll get a result similar to the Gentle Folk Wines Rainbow Juice below. 

This setup works well to illuminate both sides of your product while keeping any central logos or labels visible. Do you need extra light in the center of your product? To get an evenly lit image, take another shot with a light facing the product’s front and merge all photos in Photoshop.

Illuminate transparent products

For any transparent products, such as perfume or beverage bottles with translucent liquid, it’s just as important to light what’s inside. You have a few options to try in a situation like this:

The first setup is to add a light behind the product (facing the camera) and two black boards—one on either side of the product. You can use a flash strobe, continuous light, or even a window light with white paper or fabric in front of it.

The two black boards on either side will add dark edges to the silhouette, like in the example below. 

The second option is to add a white background, like a white board big enough to cover your product. Then add a continuous light that shines a narrow beam towards the center of the board, like in this video. Add two black boards on either side of the product to create a silhouette similar to the setup above.

If you shoot products with a rim like a glass bowl, wine, or cocktail glass, lower your tripod and tilt up your camera. Doing so will create an appealing rim shape, like in the example below. 

For a more advanced setup, illuminate the product from behind using a flashgun, a studio light, or a softbox, and another light at the front. Add a white sheet between the product and the backlight for additional diffusion.

You don’t even need an extra stand for the frontal light, as shown in this tutorial because you can hold it in your hand and shoot using a remote or a timer. Then, all that’s left is to merge all photos in Photoshop.

Set up bounce cards or foam boards

You’ll inevitably come across surface reflections when photographing metal products or metallic packaging. Use cards, foam boards, and reflectors to correct or enhance your shots:

• Use a black card or reflector in front of the product to bring out any silver logo or text on the product or its packaging—experiment by changing the angle of the card or reflector.
• Use a white or black foam board (depending on which color complements your product) to avoid reflections. Cut a hole in it to fit your camera lens, and place it in front of your camera. This way, you will avoid reflecting your clothing or anything else behind the camera.
• Try a silver or gold reflector to add extra sheen to your products, depending on your metal type. Move the reflector around the product to find a complementary result.

Adjust your camera and light settings

It takes several test shots to get your camera and light settings spot on. During your test shots, consider the following:

• Lowering your light intensity level to reduce hotspots or blown-out highlights on your products
• Setting your camera to a smaller aperture between f/5.6 to f/16 to capture your products in full and avoid blurred-out labels or other details
• Changing the distance between the lights or diffusers and your products—this will create varying degrees of light intensity and softness

Give your camera an object to focus on

Shooting transparent or translucent products may make setting your camera focus difficult. A quick tip to solve that is to put something inside the product, such as a pen. Set your focus on the pen manually and remove it before you start shooting.

Show product transparency in lifestyle shots

In cases where product transparency is a key selling point, a lifestyle shot can make it easier for customers to see the product’s characteristics. Take the example of the Buy Me Once transparent speaker. Putting the speaker in front of the curtain makes it easy for customers to recognize the product is made of glass and to better envision how it’ll look in their home or office. 

Use a dulling spray to reduce shine and glare

If you want a more matte look for your shiny products, consider a dulling spray like the one from Krylon. It’s designed to add a temporary dull finish that reduces shine, and you can easily wipe it off after your shoot.

But be careful using it on porous materials, like product labels, because the dulling spray can make those look fuzzy or even ruin some colors or text. Instead, cover those before you use the spray. It’s safe to use on less porous materials like metal, glass, plastic, and acrylic.

Edit your product photography like a pro

Getting perfect product shots straight from the camera isn’t always possible. Sometimes you notice imperfections only after you open your product photo on your computer and see it on a bigger screen. Other times you already know you can’t fix some things during the shoot.

We have a few quick editing tips below to help you deal with some common shiny and reflective product photo problems.

Reduce glare

If your light is too bright, you can have light hot spots like in the example below. Sometimes, glare can add dimension to the product, but other times it’s too distracting. You can use Photoshop’s Clone Stamp tool to take pixels from one part of the photo and paint them over the part that has glare. 

Or try the Color Picker tool. Select a color sample from a part of the photo (like the green on the figurine) and then use the Brush tool to apply that color to the parts needing glare removal.

Edit reflections out

Even with careful preparation, you can find some ugly reflections.

Same as with glare removal, you can use the Clone Stamp in Photoshop to sample pixels and paint them over the reflection, like on the gold necklace below. Or use the Spot Healing Brush tool to let the software cover the reflections based on the surrounding pixels. 

Some photos require more complex editing. For example, the glass bottle below has both a window reflection and a distracting mix of red and yellow. If you want to leave more complicated fixes to professionals, our editors can retouch any reflections to save you time. 

Fix color cast on shiny metal

You have a few simple fixes if you have some light cast on silver products. The first option is to use Hue/Saturation Layer in Photoshop and select the color you want to remove, like yellow. Then, reduce that color’s saturation until you like what you see. You can use a Layer Mask to remove this effect from other parts of your image if required.

The second option is to use the Sponge tool in Photoshop. Ensure it’s set to Desaturate, and brush over the product areas with the unwanted light cast. In the example below, we used this method to desaturate any color on the metal straws. We also retouched the background with Healing Brush to remove any unflattering spots on the linen. 

Correct transparent products

Glass and clear acrylic products may show reflections or glare, especially if you work with natural light. It may be impossible to eliminate those during a shoot, but you can still fix them in post-processing.

Using the Clone Stamp tool, you can copy exact detail from other parts of your photo to another area. For example, to cover up reflections on a pair of glasses. In this case, we would take a sample of the pink background and add it over the glass where the reflection is visible. 

You can do the same for the black temples by zooming in for extra precision. The reason for getting in closer is to ensure you don’t accidentally go over the edges of the original area. 

Create composites

Shooting a perfectly lit product photo takes time, experience, and equipment. But even with just one light, you can fully illuminate your product by shooting several images and combining them in Photoshop.

Whether you use studio lights or natural light with a reflector, the trick is to move your light source around the product to ensure you’ve lit every part of it. It’s better to have more photos than not enough, so you can pick which ones to combine to create a composite image like in this tutorial.

Fix overly shiny skin

It’s not just products prone to shine and reflections—these imperfections can also show up in lifestyle photos. You might have models with overly shiny skin, especially if it was hot on shoot day.

If you work with a makeup artist, take a test shot and ask them to add a more matte finish to the model’s face or body if needed. Be mindful that smaller photography studios can get warm, especially if you use several lights. This means the model’s skin can become shinier during the shoot—you can ask the model to use a light mattifying powder or blotting paper if it becomes an issue. 

If you need to fix shiny skin in post-processing, use any mentioned tools, such as Spot Healing Brush, Clone Stamp, or a simple Brush tool with color sampled from a nearby image area.

When you’ve finished, zoom out and look at the final result from a distance—does it look natural? People’s skin has texture and natural shadows, so creating a realistic result can be tricky. Still, if you’re stuck, our editing experts can help. 

Get your photos ecommerce ready

After fixing any ugly reflections or shine, there are a few extra steps to ensure your product photos are ready for your website, social media, or ecommerce marketplace.

Put your photos on a white background

White background product photos are the industry standard for ecommerce stores. Removing the background in your product photos gives you several benefits:

• White background product shots comply with popular marketplace image requirements, such as Amazon
• You can easily remove any distractions in the background of your studio and swap them for a clean white or transparent background
• Product photos with a removed background are versatile marketing assets and can be repurposed with colorful backgrounds, graphics, or stock photos
• You can further enhance your images by adding shadows or lighting effects to your products 

Fix colors to show true look

You’ll likely need to do some color correction to ensure the products in your photos represent what they look like when customers purchase them.

For example, if you shoot during the golden hour (the first hour before sunrise and the hour before sunset), the light will be warmer, resulting in a more yellow photo. Your camera may also be manually set to shoot warmer images, or the camera auto function might pick up colors our eyes don’t notice. 

Use Lightroom’s White Balance profiles or White Balance selector to automatically set a natural white balance or adjust the sliders manually. Read our jewelry photo editing guide to learn more.

Retouch missed imperfections

Don’t forget to remove any other imperfections in the photo before using it online. Look for scratches, smudges, fingerprints, and dust for shiny products. These are generally simple to fix using Spot Healing Brush in Photoshop.

All you need to do is brush over the imperfection, and the tool will attempt to replace it based on the context and nearby pixels. It may take several tries to fix a more prominent spot, but you can zoom in closer for a more accurate result.

Add shadows for depth and a 3D look

Adding a shadow effect during post-processing can help your products stand out, particularly if you use white background shots for ecommerce.

White or transparent products will benefit from a subtle shadow so they don’t blend in with the background. Still, this effect can enhance any shape, material, and color product. For example, the organic silk brand Moonchild uses a drop shadow for its silk travel set product photo. 

Picture-perfect ecommerce shots that capture attention

Shiny products or packaging are integral to most types of ecommerce products. While it may be challenging to get the lighting right, and it may take time to edit out all of the imperfections, the finished result will catch the customers’ attention if done well. 

How to photograph reflective products FAQs

How do you photograph highly reflective objects?

Make sure the product is dust and smudge-free. Use diffused lighting, like a large softbox, to create soft, even light, and position the camera at a slight angle to avoid directly reflecting the light source or the camera.

How do you photograph reflections?

Position the camera or object at an angle for an appealing reflection. Use manual focus so all necessary image parts are in focus, and pick a higher aperture like f/11 for a sharp photograph. You can use white paper or foam boards to reflect pure white and avoid having to edit unwanted reflections.

How do you use reflectors in product photography?

To lighten any shadowed areas of your product, position reflectors opposite to your main light. Experiment with matte or highly reflective surfaces for different results. You can also use a black board or reflector to absorb any light and create a more dramatic light fall-off.

What is the best reflective surface for product photography?

Acrylic boards can work as inexpensive and flexible reflectors for product photography. You can also use them as the shooting surface for products like jewelry for a glossy, high-end result. Before you shoot, make sure they’re smudge and dust-free to avoid editing out imperfections later.

The post How to Photograph Reflective Objects & Products (Tips + Examples) appeared first on Path Edits.

Once you’ve done the hard part—professional lighting, composing, and connecting with the person in front of your camera—it’s time to finish the headshot in post-production. The good news? You don’t need to be an experienced editor. That’s why we’ve curated nine simple editing tips to instantly improve your headshots.

9 headshot photography editing tips

For headshots of any kind, you’ll want an editing app that lets you apply local adjustments using brushes and masks. Most professional-grade editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, Capture One, and ON1 Photo Raw have similar editing software options. They might be called differently, but they will perform the same. Pick your favorite and follow the steps below.

1. Apply lens and composition corrections

Different lenses can introduce various distortions and vignetting to your headshots. Wide-angle lenses may warp facial features, while telephoto lenses compress perspective. Some lenses naturally darken image corners. Correcting these lens-specific issues should be the first step so the image appears clean and balanced.

In Lightroom, head to the Lens Corrections tab and click on Profile. Here, you can turn on Enable Profile Corrections. The app will automatically match it to your lens, but if it doesn’t find the correct lens profile, simply search for it in the Make dropdown.

2. Basic adjustments: exposure and white balance

It’s not always possible to get perfect exposure and white balance in the camera, especially if you shoot in more challenging lighting conditions, like bright sun. But even when shooting in a studio versus a DIY headshot, you’ll want to apply all the basic adjustments before color grading or editing skin.

The example below shows a slightly underexposed image. Shooting conditions included bright sun and underexposing to avoid blowing out highlights.

In the editing process, basic Lightroom adjustments for a headshot like this included:

• Moving the Temperature slider towards yellows to introduce more warmth
• Increasing Exposure to brighten the overall image
• Reducing Highlights to maintain detail in the white background and the jacket fur
• Reducing Shadows and Blacks to make skin more vibrant

You can also use the tone curve to make more precise tonal adjustments. These foundational adjustments create a solid base for further editing, ensuring your subjects look their best while maintaining a natural appearance.

3. Enhance skin texture using brushes

A digital professional camera can pick up a lot of sharp texture on your subject’s skin. This may be great for pixel-perfect detail shots, but when you look at others in reality, you don’t see skin in such sharp detail.

Using brushes lets you slightly soften the skin texture without going overboard. The key is to achieve a natural, flattering look that maintains the subject’s unique features while minimizing distracting imperfections.

In Lightroom, navigate to the Masking section at the top right of your editing toolbar and select the Brush tool.

Now, you can use the brush to paint over the areas you want to enhance. Depending on how intensely you wish to edit problem areas, you can adjust the brush size, feather, and other features. Make sure to avoid painting over the eyes and lips.

You’ll end up with a mask similar to the example below. The red indicates the areas that will be affected when you make adjustments. Hit the O on your keyboard to hide the red overlay so you can see your adjustments.

Scroll down to the Effects section, and start by lightly reducing Texture. You can also adjust Clarity and sliders in the Tone section, but make sure the result appears natural, doesn’t hide facial features, and complements skin tone.

4. Fix temporary skin blemishes

Getting ready for a headshot session can be stressful, and it’s not always possible to conceal every skin blemish. But as a photographer, your task is to put clients at ease, including delivering photos that show them at their best. Removing any temporary skin blemishes can positively affect anyone’s confidence.

Make sure you don’t erase permanent features, such as moles, scars, freckles, and others. When in doubt—always ask clients first.

Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom both offer tools to heal or clone. For example, in Photoshop, you can use:

• Spot Healing Brush Tool: remove marks and blemishes
• Healing Brush Tool: paint pixels from another part of the image over the problem area
• Clone Stamp Tool: performs similarly to Healing Brush Tool but doesn’t match texture and shading

In the example below, the Spot Healing Brush Tool was used to reduce its size to match the blemishes, and applied it to several spots.

The result is subtle but effective. The image remains natural, but removing temporary blemishes enhances its overall polish. This shows how minor edits can significantly improve a headshot while maintaining authenticity.

5. Brighten eyes

Brushes can subtly enhance eyes and make them pop, just as they improve skin texture. This technique is especially effective when the subject is lit from behind or the side, often creating shadows around the eyes.

In Lightroom, select the Brush tool and carefully brush over the subject’s eyes. Adjust settings based on lighting and eye color:

• Increase exposure
• Add clarity
• Enhance sharpness
• Boost saturation

You can also increase contrast, but be careful not to over-darken the irises. If this happens, reduce the shadows.

6. Bring out detail in eyelashes

This goes hand in hand with the previous tip of brightening eyes. Lightly brush over the subject’s eyelashes with a brush that has contrast, clarity, and sharpness applied. Depending on the eyelash darkness and the subject’s makeup, try increasing the shadows and blacks.

7. Fix stray hairs

You don’t have to worry about fixing every hair, but sometimes a stray hair can land on your subject’s face and run across their eye or mouth. To remove it, head into Photoshop and make sure to zoom in.

Take the Spot Healing Brush Tool, match the brush size to the hair thickness and brush over it. You might need to do this in stages to control the result, especially when you brush over the eye.

8. Remove other distracting elements

You might have some unwanted elements in the photo, such as wall signs or backdrop wrinkles. For the most part, it’s an easy fix. But for business and professional headshots where the background is essential to the context, check with your client first—they might want you to keep their brand signage in.

You can use all the same tools used for fixing skin blemishes or try Photoshop’s Generative Fill. It uses AI and constructs three options for you to pick from. Just make sure you have the latest Photoshop version installed so you can access this feature.

Then, pick one of the Marquee or Lasso tools and tightly select the problem area. Click on Generative Fill and leave the description blank before hitting the Generate button.

Photoshop will generate three variations, which you can click through or click to generate again if you don’t get a suitable result. How simple was that! This method may not always work if you have more challenging elements to remove.

You might also need to remove the background if the client requests it. This could be useful for various marketing purposes, such as changing the background color on a LinkedIn profile picture to match the branding. You can do this in Photoshop or outsource complex edits to experts.

9. Try Lightroom’s built-in preset

The latest version of Adobe Lightroom offers native color and adaptive presets, which you can also try introducing in your workflow. The adaptive portrait presets will only adjust specific areas—eyes, lips, eyebrows, beard, hair, and clothes, similar to how you manually use a brush.

Any presets you apply can have their opacity adjusted, and you can use them before or after performing all other edits, depending on your preference.

If you use presets for color grading, you’ll likely need to reduce the preset amount for a natural result. For example, we selected the VCR06 preset in the Video:Creative section and reduced the amount to 40.

You don’t have to leave the result as is, either. After applying presets, you can adjust the tone curve, change color grading, and more to make it match your signature style.

Simple editing workflow for headshots that sell

Who says you need to spend hours editing one headshot? While expert retouchers have their place in high-end publications, don’t let that discourage you from capturing and editing headshots yourself. Applying just a few of these simple tips can significantly improve your images, creating results that will please your clients.

The goal isn’t perfection but enhancing your subject’s best features while maintaining their natural appearance. With practice, these edits will become quick and intuitive, allowing you to produce quality headshots that stand out and generate more leads. 

Headshot photography editing tips FAQ

How can I edit my portraits to look better?

To improve your portrait edits:

• Adjust exposure
• Apply lens and composition corrections
• Use brushes to soften skin texture
• Brighten eyes
• Remove temporary blemishes and distracting elements

How should you edit headshots?

You should edit headshots by applying lens corrections, adjusting exposure and white balance, enhancing skin tone, and brightening eyes. Always match the edit to the image’s purpose and subject’s style. For corporate headshots, maintain a polished, professional look. For creative professionals, allow for more personality.

Is it okay to edit headshots?

Yes, editing headshots is not only acceptable but often expected. Professional editing enhances image quality and presents subjects at their best. Remember to maintain authenticity by avoiding excessive alterations. Focus on subtle improvements like adjusting exposure, removing temporary blemishes, and enhancing features to create a timeless, professional result.

How should headshots be edited?

Edit headshots lightly to maintain a natural look. Start with basic adjustments, such as exposure and white balance. Then, move on to skin smoothing and eye enhancement. Use brushes for local fixes and consider removing temporary blemishes or distracting elements. Always highlight the subject’s unique features and avoid over-editing.

How do I make my headshot look professional?

For a professional headshot, apply clean, subtle edits. Focus on proper exposure and color balance, lightly soften skin texture, and brighten eyes. Check for any distracting elements, such as hair over eyes, or temporary blemishes. Consider the purpose of the headshot—corporate shots call for a polished look, while more creative ones allow for more personality.

How do I edit a photo to make it look professional?

To edit a photo for a professional look, start by cropping to improve composition and focus attention on the subject. Next, apply lens corrections and adjust exposure and white balance. Use brushes for local adjustments and tools that remove temporary blemishes or distractions. Use color grading tools for a cohesive look, but don’t overdo it.

How to touch up a professional headshot?

To touch up a professional headshot, focus on subtle fixes:

• Apply lens correction and adjust exposure
• Use brushes to soften skin texture
• Brighten eyes and sharpen eyelashes
• Remove temporary blemishes, flyaway hair or distracting elements
• Consider adding color grading for a professional finish

The post How to Edit a Professional Headshot: 9 Tips appeared first on Path Edits.

But what should you focus on when editing sports photography? These top tips will show you the key steps to turn good shots into great ones.

Tips to edit sports photography

Whether you’re a skilled pro or a beginner, it helps to create a simple workflow for your action photo edits. Let’s look at our top sports photography editing tips—you can follow this list in order or pick sections relevant to you.

1. Fix blurry shots

The easiest way to avoid blurry shots? Keeping your shutter speed fast enough to capture action and avoid camera shake. Getting your sports photos right during the shoot will always be easier than fixing them.

But even the most experienced photographers can make a mistake. If you’ve spotted some blurry shots you want to keep, you might be able to rescue them using photo editing software like Photo AI by Topaz or ON1 NoNoise AI. They use AI to help recover blurry images, missed focus, and camera shake. It’s not a guaranteed fix, but it’s worth a try!

2. Crop and resize

It’s not always possible to frame your sports shots in a way that excludes unwanted elements like audience members and other athletes. Cropping your photo is one method to fix that while also improving your composition.

If you edit often, it’ll get easier to crop your shots. But if you want some assistance, most editing apps will allow you to turn on a crop preview with a grid that uses the rule of thirds. The intersecting lines give you four focal points for placing your subject to draw attention for a pleasing result. That’s not to say you shouldn’t use your creative initiative, but it can be a good starting point for learning how to frame your subjects.

For the most part, you’ll want to crop out unnecessary parts of the image to turn focus on the subject while keeping context included where relevant.

In the example below, we cropped the image to remove the partial capture of the other athlete in the back and turn the focus to the runner in the front. You can use freeform crop or stick to set aspect ratios, depending on how you want to use the photo later.

Once cropped, resize your photos based on image use. If you need to publish photos, ensure they match the required output. For example, print labs or magazines will inform you of particular photo export requirements. For web use, you’ll want to reduce image size without losing quality to improve page load speed and SEO efforts.

3. Fix highlights and shadows

When editing your image, the first thing you should do is correct image brightness.

It’s very possible the lighting in the venue or on the track wasn’t the best, so start by adjusting exposure, highlights, whites, shadows, and blacks and using the tone curve—depending on which sliders are available in your editing app.

For any local spots that need fixing—such as your subject’s face—use brushes to avoid affecting the rest of the photo.

Like in the example below, we first increased the image’s overall brightness. Then, followed with a brush to lightly brighten the athlete’s face.

4. Adjust colors

The next step is to fix the image colors. Sports events can feature a mix of natural and artificial lighting, which can be difficult to handle in editing. But start by adjusting the white balance, using temperature and tint sliders in Lightroom or your editing app of choice.

If you use Lightroom, you can select the eyedropper tool and click on a pure gray or white part of your photo. Lightroom will use that as the neutral target and adjust the rest of the photo accordingly.

However, as in the example below, you’ll likely still need to use the sliders manually to refine the result if the image features a mix of lights. To edit this photo, we adjusted the temperature slider to reduce the warmth from the venue lighting and bring it closer to the actual scene.

It’s also important to consider the colors of athlete uniforms. You want to ensure they match the actual colors, particularly for club or media photos. Using the hue sliders, you can adjust specific colors in your photo—use masks or brushes for any local adjustments if needed. Vibrance and saturation sliders can also enhance team colors, but use them in moderation to maintain a realistic look.

5. Fix skin tones

Similar to adjusting colors, pay attention to skin tones. Many sports environments—from indoor gyms to evening outdoor events—can cast a different light on athletes’ skin. This includes fluorescent and different color LED lights, which can create an overly cool cast, making skin appear pale or unnatural.

We only made a few changes in the example below to fix skin tones. The result? Drastically different from the original image. Here are the steps to take to do the same:

• Add more warmth and magenta to the entire image
• Use red and orange hue sliders to shift the athlete’s skin color towards deeper reds
• Reduce the saturation of blues to remove the blue cast on the athlete’s vest

Light cast can happen outdoors, too. For example, if you shoot in a location with lots of greenery on a sunny day, you’ll notice a slight green cast on the subject’s skin. Start by introducing more magenta to neutralize greens on your subject’s skin, but remember, different skin shades require different approaches—check each athlete’s skin tones individually.

6. Reduce sweat and shine

Some sweat on an athlete’s skin can add to the story of perseverance and hard work in the sport. But if you’re going for a cleaner look, there are a few different tools to tone down sweat and shine on the subject’s skin.

Use Photoshop tools, like the Brush Tool or Clone Stamp, to paint sampled color or pixels over the problem area.

7. Remove distractions with photo retouching

Have you got a distracting person, wall sign, or other element ruining your sports shot? There are plenty of ways to remove them using Photoshop so you can keep your photo:

• Select the Healing Brush or Clone Stamp for smaller spots and imperfections
• Use Content Aware Fill for larger sections
• Try the new Generative Fill to let the AI remove larger elements and give you several options to pick from

Once you see the difference tools like these can make to an image, it’s difficult not to “tidy up” every photo you edit—unless you’re shooting for the media and need to get those images to your editor as soon as possible!

8. Bring out the athlete’s details

If you work with clients, knowing what they consider a good sports photo is key for your editing. Not everyone subscribes to the same idea, so understanding the desired results will help you bring out the right details in photos:

• Gym trainers and weightlifters might want images to show more grit and enhanced muscle definition or sweat.
• Yoga and pilates studios might want light, airy colors and softer details.
• Press and media outlets might need natural, realistic edits with only minor or no improvements at all.

For enhanced muscle definition, you can use a mix of sliders—contrast, texture, and clarity. Preferably, work using brushes so you only apply the changes to specific parts of the photo. Use the tonal curve, too.

In the example below, we only worked on the model’s arms, shoulders, and abdominal area to highlight the model’s muscle definition and left the rest of the photo untouched. However, remember to always consult clients on the desired result and take the “less is more” approach for media images.

9. Clip athlete photos

If you shoot sports photos for commercial or media use, you might need to clip athlete photos and remove the image background.

Reasons for this can include:

• Media compliance: Some media outlets, like ESPN or CBS Sports, might need athlete photos without backgrounds to ensure consistency in their broadcasts or online platforms.
• Marketing materials: Many team websites, posters, and social media posts feature player profiles with consistent backgrounds and matching branding. The designer might change.
• Composite team photos: Individual athlete photos can be combined to create team photos, especially if it’s not feasible to gather all players in one place.
• Focus on the athlete: Removing distracting backgrounds helps highlight the athlete’s pose, uniform, or expression.

While you can do basic clipping with tools like Photoshop’s Quick Selection or Pen Tool, achieving professional results requires skill and time. Especially if you need precise image masking or more complex clipping paths to tackle hair and other fine details. For that reason, many photographers and organizations turn to specialized clipping services, like Path, to handle large volumes of images or tight deadlines.

10. Try black and white for added impact

If you have more creative freedom with your sports photos, turn them into powerful black-and-white shots. Some action photographs will look more dramatic in monochrome because as you remove the color, the viewer’s attention will naturally go to the athlete’s emotions, body shapes, or where the light falls in the image.

The key to impactful black-and-white sports photography is to convert your shots to black-and-white first instead of removing color using the saturation slider. In Lightroom, find the conversion button in your Basic panel.

Then, work with the tone curve, contrast, whites, highlights, shadows, and blacks. Finetune your photo with hue, saturation, and luminance sliders for powerful results. This approach gives you precise control, allowing you to create dramatic, high-impact black-and-white photos.

11. Know when to outsource

Recognizing when to outsource your editing can be a game-changer for sports photographers. Consider outsourcing when:

• Handling high-volume photography work for teams, clubs, or events
• You have tight deadlines for media or time-critical projects
• Dealing with repetitive, less complex edits, such as background removal and basic retouching
• You need to maintain consistency across images

By outsourcing the more time-consuming editing tasks, you can free up time for higher-value activities like shooting, building client relations, or doing more complex post-processing. Just like this freelance photographer did with Path’s editors’ help to manage photography for 16 teams.

Sports photography editing software

There are plenty of editing apps to enhance your sports photography, with varying complexity of tools and matching different price ranges.

Popular editing software for sports shots include:

• Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop: An industry-standard editing suite that caters to photographers and editors of all levels. You’ll always have the latest releases of the platform because it’s a subscription service.
• Capture One: Another professional-grade editing app that lets you post-process to a high level. Capture One also offers tools for fast tethered capture. Unlike Adobe, you can choose from a monthly or yearly plan or a one-off payment to keep the current app version forever.
• Affinity Photo 2: This one-off payment editing app is a budget alternative to Photoshop. It lets you work with complex image layers and precise selections. You can also buy a license to edit across Windows, Mac, and iOS devices, which can be handy for on-the-go edits.
• ON1 Photo Raw: A simpler, beginner-friendly entry to editing, this app lets you click and select parts of the image you want to edit without manually creating layers and use other AI-based tools. However, you can still perform more complex manual edits, too. It’s a one-off payment app that can be used as a standalone editor or an Adobe plugin.

Score amazing outsourced photo edits

Sports photography captures the excitement and intensity of athletic performance. For a striking, powerful photo, both shooting skills and editing expertise matter. Think of it as building a house—your photography lays the foundation and framework, while editing adds the finishing touches that turn it into a home.

You can transform good shots into great ones, highlighting the emotion and energy of the moment. And if you rather prefer to focus on capturing the thrill of the game, our skilled team of editors can handle post-processing for you.

Editing sports photos FAQs

How do you crop a sports picture?

1. Focus on the main subject, usually the athlete.
2. Use the rule of thirds for composition.
3. Crop out distractions, but keep important context.
4. For action shots, leave enough space in front of the athlete’s movement.
5. Experiment with different aspect ratios.

What is the best app for editing sports photos?

• Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop: Best for advanced editing and retouching.
• Capture One: Used by many professionals and offers fast tethered shooting.
• Affinity Photo: A budget alternative to Photoshop with plenty of advanced tools.
• Snapseed: A powerful, free option for mobile editing.

How do I edit a sports photo on my iPhone?

1. Use the native Photos app or a third-party app like Snapseed.
2. Crop to improve composition.
3. Adjust exposure, contrast, and highlights to enhance details and subject.
4. Change color temperature to correct the white balance.
5. Use selective adjustments to enhance specific areas of the photo.
6. Apply light sharpening.

How do you fix blurry sports pictures?

While it’s best to get sharp images during the shoot, you can sometimes improve slightly blurry photos:

• Experiment with different sharpening tools in your editing app.
• Blur the background to distract from the blur on your subject.
• Apply noise reduction if the blur is due to high ISO.
• Try converting to black and white, which can sometimes mask minor blur.
• For highly blurry images, try specialized AI software like Topaz Photo AI.

The post Editing Sports Photos Like a Pro: 11 Tips to Improve Your Shots in 2024 appeared first on Path Edits.

Choose the kit right for you

If there’s one photography niche where your kit matters, it’s sports. For a sharp shot of a football player in a poorly lit stadium, you’ll want a camera and lens that can handle a shutter speed that’s fast enough. Or if you’re shooting key moments of a gymnast’s routine, your camera needs to keep up with a burst of shots filling your memory card in seconds.

But before investing in expensive equipment, consider that different sports shoots require different types of equipment. Once you know what you photograph and how close you want to get to your subjects, you’ll know better what to pack in your kit.

Indoor sports events: Wide-angle lenses

If you cover indoor events, such as powerlifting meets, martial arts tournaments, indoor climbing, roller derby matches, dance competitions, or CrossFit events, you’ll have more freedom to get closer to the action.

Experienced health and fitness photographer and videographer Simon Yau from Simon Yau Media uses two camera bodies with wide-angle lenses for events: 24mm and 15mm prime lenses. However, you can also opt for zoom lenses if you can shoot wide.

“When I’m photographing CrossFit events, I have the advantage of being able to move freely on the competition floor, allowing me to get close to the athletes,” he says. “I carry both cameras holstered on my hips. While this might seem like a luxury, this setup allows me to capture the distinctive shots I’m known for.”

Photo by Simon Yau

Are you worried about only using wide-angle lenses? Swap one for an affordable, longer lens, such as a 50mm. This way, you can isolate emotion on an athlete’s face and shoot wide. Simon notes, “It’s about being prepared for different types of shots and having the tools to bring your vision to life.”

The goal is to create dynamic, immersive shots that capture the intensity of the sports. Using wide-angle lenses lets you capture dramatic images by getting up close, shooting from low angles, and trying different perspectives. You’ll undoubtedly create unique shots—just don’t be afraid to experiment.

Stadium and outdoor sports: Telephoto zoom lens

A telephoto lens is your best bet to capture action shots in stadiums, large halls, or outdoors. For events where you can’t get physically close to athletes, you’ll need a lens that covers that distance, such as a 70-200mm zoom lens. If your budget allows it, adding a prime telephoto lens, such as a 400mm lens, to your kit can also help you get more reach, but it won’t offer the same flexibility as a zoom.

But did you know a telephoto lens can also be an artistic choice? “When you zoom in with a telephoto lens, you achieve a compression effect between the athlete and the background,” Simon explains. “This technique allows you to isolate subjects in busy environments, creating a narrower field of vision.”

Posed athlete photos and portraits: Prime, zoom, or telephoto lenses

When building your professional photography kit, capturing individual portraits and team group photos will set you back less. You can focus on more affordable equipment options since you’re not dealing with fast-paced action or challenging low-light conditions.

With greater control over the scene, consider investing in portable studio lights and some versatile lenses. Then you can control the light and create high-quality images without breaking the bank.

“For a gym workout session, I’d probably opt for something wider or a standard lens, like a 35mm or 50mm,” Simon says. “This could be a zoom or a prime lens. However, if I’m shooting sports team headshots for a large gym chain, I’d likely stick with a telephoto lens to capture tight, shoulders-up portraits.”

Ultimately, the specific shoot requirements will inform you which lens combination is best suited, whether you’re capturing an athlete in their environment, a team-wide group photo, or professional headshots.

Master your camera settings

Don’t be intimidated by ditching auto mode on your camera. Learning to control your camera settings—shutter speed, aperture, and ISO—is key for capturing a consistent, strong sports photography portfolio. You probably already know that ongoing practice will help you improve, but here are a few essential sports photography tips to get you started on the right foot.

Use the right camera settings

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when choosing your shooting mode for sports photography. Different situations naturally lend themselves to different modes. Here are a few scenarios where each shooting mode can work well:

• Full manual control: Ideal for venues with consistent lighting. You have complete control over your shots by adjusting your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO manually. You can confidently shoot, knowing exactly how each photograph will turn out without unexpected camera compensations.
• Aperture priority: This mode is particularly useful when shooting sports events with varying lighting conditions. Maintaining a constant aperture ensures consistent depth of field and styling across your photos. The camera automatically adjusts shutter speed to compensate for changing light levels. Enable Auto ISO for added flexibility to maintain suitable shutter speeds for action shots even in challenging light.
• Shutter priority: When you need a specific shutter speed to either freeze a moment or create intentional motion blur (such as when panning), shutter priority mode ensures you get the desired effect. The camera adjusts the aperture and ISO to maintain proper exposure.

Set the right shutter speed

There’s a common assumption regarding shutter speed in sports photography that you always need to freeze the action. That’s because sports involve fast movements, and you generally need a high shutter speed to capture sharp images of those split-second moments.

In Simon’s experience with functional fitness competitions, he rarely goes slower than 1/500th of a second. This speed can capture even the quickest movements in most CrossFit exercises. But as with most things in photography, there are exceptions.

“Sometimes, I’ve intentionally slowed my shutter speed dramatically, even as low as 1/10th or 1/15th of a second. This isn’t to freeze the action, but to create different artistic effects,” Simon explains.

One such effect is called ‘shutter drag.’ Simon uses a slow shutter speed to blur motion in the background while he pans with the athlete. He’ll then use an on-camera flash at the end of the exposure to freeze the athlete in the frame, creating a sharp subject against a blurred background.

Photo by Simon Yau

“This effect wouldn’t be possible with a fast shutter speed. Instead, you’re relying on your panning technique to keep the subject focused long enough to create a crisp image against the motion-blurred background.”

Choose the right f-stop

Choosing the correct aperture (f-stop) in sports photography can significantly impact your images. Consider how much of the image needs to be in focus and what elements you want to include or exclude from the image.

For instance, in football, you might want more of the field in focus to show the player’s position relative to others. In tennis or basketball, you might want to isolate the player while keeping enough depth to show the context of their action.

Here are some scenarios to consider:

• Wide aperture (low f-number): Ideal for isolating athletes from busy backgrounds in action shots and individual athlete portraits. It creates a shallow depth of field, making the subject stand out.
• Narrow aperture (high f-number): Best for team or group shots where you need everyone in focus. It provides a larger depth of field to keep multiple subjects sharp, especially if athletes stand behind each other.
• Balanced aperture: For fast-paced sports, find a middle ground that allows enough light for fast shutter speeds while maintaining adequate depth of field, such as f/4 to f/5.6.

Shoot in continuous shooting mode

Do you have to capture a fast-paced game? You’ll want to use continuous shooting mode, also known as burst. You can shoot numerous frames per second as you press the shutter, perfect for those intense moments that can change the course of the game.

Your camera’s model will determine how many shots it can shoot in a burst before it needs to buffer. Each camera has a model-specific buffer size, which determines how many shots you can take before it needs to process them. In addition, make sure you invest in fast memory cards to speed up the buffering time.

Most camera models offer a choice of high and low burst modes, measured in frames per second (fps). However, older models may only have a single continuous shooting speed. Lower fps has an upside—you’ll have a smoother workflow with fewer images to cull after the event!

Use continuous focus

For fast-moving subjects in sports, continuous focus (also known as AI Servo for Canon and AF-C for Nikon), makes it easier to keep athletes in focus as they change position. Here’s why it’s important for sports and how to use it effectively:

• How it works: Continuous focus mode constantly adjusts the focus as long as you half-press the shutter button, tracking moving objects to keep them sharp. Consider using a group of focus points instead of a single point for subjects that move erratically.
• When to use it: Ideal for any sport with moving subjects, from runners and cyclists to team sports like ice hockey or basketball.
• Add burst mode: Pairing it with burst mode increases your chance of capturing the perfect moment in sharp focus.

Prepare and develop essential soft skills

In addition to technical know-how, preparing for the shoot and improving your soft skills can help you get better shots. Here are a few ways to easily improve your sports photography before you even turn on your camera.

Scout the location

The easiest way to give yourself a head start on any sports event is to arrive at your shoot location early and spend time scouting it, identifying any blind spots that are difficult to shoot, checking out the lighting, and taking test shots. This works particularly well if you can capture athletes warming up before the event starts.

Learn more about the sport

Understanding the sport you’re photographing is crucial for capturing those perfect moments. While you don’t need to memorize the rulebook, having a good grasp of how the game flows and where the action peaks can dramatically improve your shots.

Simon says he’s been a member of a CrossFit gym for about four years, so he knows the movements inside out. “I understand what equipment will be used, how athletes move, which parts of the movements are slow or fast, and when the peak moments occur. This knowledge allows me to time my shots effectively, resulting in more consistent hero images,” he explains.

Photo by Simon Yau

Build rapport with your subjects

For one-to-one photoshoots, like portraits, a genuine connection with the person in front of your camera will increase the quality of your work. It takes patience and empathy, especially when most people don’t enjoy being photographed.

“Anyone can turn up with a decent camera and shoot good images, but to get the best out of the person you’re photographing to serve their needs as a business or to get the best in emotion from them, you’ve got to break down those barriers that are stopping them from getting there,” says Simon.

What does that mean in practice? Figuring out posing cues and ways to interact with the person to make them forget about the camera. For Simon, the worst thing you can do is turn up to a photo session and stay in silence.

“It’s not about the equipment, it’s not about the setup or the technical aspects, it’s about having conversation human to human,” he says. “When you’ve got a good dialogue going, people loosen up. That’s where sports photographers can get the best out of your subjects.”

Enhance sports images with post-processing

Captured a great shot and can’t wait to share it with the athlete? Don’t forget to enhance it by editing it first. With just a few simple steps, you can transform an average photo into an impressive showcase of athletic skill. All you need is a photo editing software and a simple workflow.

Edit colors for realism and impact

When editing sports images for professional or personal use, aim for natural-looking colors unless you have a specific creative brief. Adjust the white balance and ensure athletes’ skin tones appear realistic, especially for online or print publication. Color correction, especially in venues with varying lighting, will instantly improve the image.

For gym photos where clients request a gritty, dramatic look, focus on enhancing contrast and texture. Deepen shadows and brighten highlights to accentuate muscle definition and create a more intense atmosphere.

Retouch imperfections

Sports photography, like fashion or product photography, can require some retouching to address common imperfections. Here are some areas to focus on:

• Skin blemishes: For close-ups of athletes, consider removing temporary blemishes or bruises, but be careful not to over-edit and ensure you maintain the athlete’s natural appearance.
• Distracting elements: Remove or minimize background distractions, such as stray objects or people that draw attention from the main subject, as long as they’re not integral to the game or event.
• Sweat and shine: For some portraits, consider reducing excessive sweat or reflection on the skin.
• Uniform issues: Correct minor apparel imperfections, such as wrinkles or small stains, particularly for team photos, official portraits, and commercial images.
• Lens dust: Don’t leave any spots caused by dust on your camera’s sensor. These can be particularly noticeable in shots with clear skies or simple backgrounds.

Remember, the goal is to enhance the image without making it look artificially edited. The focus of the photo should be on the action, the athlete’s emotions, or the raw intensity of the sport. Subtle retouching should complement these elements, not overshadow them. 

Improve your sports photos today

Sports photography is exciting for both amateurs and professionals. Whether on the sidelines or in the game, capturing intense moments is thrilling. While it requires some technical skill, these photography tips can help you get started.

Remember, great sports photos aren’t just about sharp images—they’re about capturing the emotion and energy of the game. And if you need help taking your photos to the next level, our expert team of editors can help you get them publish-ready. 

The post How to Improve Sports Photography in 2024: Pro Tips + Examples appeared first on Path Edits.