Using GIMP to process product photos-2

For objects that may blend into the background

Whereas the previous tutorial Using GIMP to process product photos-1 works best for objects that stand out from the background with crisp edges, this tutorial gives a method that works even if the object does not stand out from the background. It differs from the previous tutorial only in step 5, the method for removing background.

The product below has similar color to the background, making it hard to isolate using our previous fuzzy select method; but it is easy to define the product's edges with the paths tool.


Here's how we do it:

Steps 1 to 4: Start GIMP, open file, crop photo, and adjust brightness. Please see Using GIMP to process product photos-1 for step-by-step instructions.

5. Remove the background

• Press B for "Paths" function.
• To outline the product use the cursor to place points around the edge of the product. Place a point wherever there is a curve or corner. Continue doing so until the entire product is outlined and the first and last dots join together.

• To trace the products more precisely, click on the lines and move it around until it traces the product as closely as possible. To adjust the curvature of the lines, you can also click on the little squares next on each of the points and move it around. These little squares will only appear once you click on the point you wish to work on.
  
• To see each section of the product more closely press Shft+ (i.e. the shift key and plus sign key) to zoom in and just press - (i.e. the minus sign key) to zoom out.
  

• If the points placed earlier are not in the right position, it can also be adjusted by clicking on it and moving it to the desired spot.
• If the changes made are not desired, press Ctrl+Z to undo the previous action.
• Keep doing this until the lines trace the product nicely.
  

• Press Shft+V to choose "From Path"
• Press Ctrl+I to choose "Invert"
• Press Delete key to delete the background so only the product is left.
  

Steps 6 to 8: Create drop shadow, scale image, save file. Please see Using GIMP to process product photos-1 for step-by-step instructions.

Here's the finished image:

Sample of another product processed using this technique
feel free to download the photo as practice material!