In terms of photo editing, the image masking & clipping paths both produce results that are equivalent to one another, but they do it in very different ways.
Portrait masking and clipping paths are two crucial image editing techniques that may help you separate a subject from its background.
The main difference between clipping paths and masking is how the topic is divided.
Let’s examine the distinctions between clipping path and masking as well as the several project types that each of these image editing methods is best suited for.
What exactly do we mean by the phrase “clipping path”?
A clipping path is an image editing technique that works very similarly to photo masking. It makes it possible to remove a photograph’s background without affecting the image itself.
Making a clipping path in Photoshop may be done by first selecting paths using the pen tool that creates closed vector shapes.
The remainder of the image will then be automatically deleted by Photoshop for you to use as you see appropriate.
Anything that is inside the path will be chosen, and everything that is beyond the path will be ignored.
Clipping paths are often used when dealing with photographs that feature topics with straight edges.
Examples of such topics include decorations, boxes, and essential accessories.
What exactly is image masking?
Another use of this method is to eliminate the background from a picture using Image Masking.
This approach takes the use of many distinct Photoshop features, including the Background Eraser Tool, the Magic Eraser Tool, and the color separation technique.
With the use of masks, it is possible to change a specific area of a photograph without affecting the rest of it.
As a direct result of this progress, image editors now have greater freedom to choose where and how to modify images.
It is often used for illustrations with more intricately drawn lines, such as hair, fur, and other components.
Image Masking and Clipping Paths: The Differences
Both the clipping path technique and the image masking technique may be used to get rid of the background in a photo, but their working principles are significantly different from one another.
The use of image masking is necessary for shooting more complex subjects.
Theoretically, it is possible to remove the background from challenging pictures using a clipping path; however, the final result is not nearly as appealing as it would have been if image masking had been used in place of clipping paths.
The best approach would have been to use image masking.
The next image demonstrates how the image that has been modified using a clipping path seems unnatural.
It is highly likely that Sigil Scent used a clipping path to achieve the intended look for this image, which consists of two highlighted and neatly clipped perfume bottles.
In order to obtain the desired natural but sharp form, the background in this photograph of a Crown Affair scrunchie was probably erased by a photo editor using an image masking method.
It’s vital to keep in mind that a drop shadow was also created.
Using the masking tool for softer, more detailed areas and the clipping path tool for crisp, straight lines, you may merge the two techniques into a single image.
You may combine the two processes thanks to this.
It is recommended that you start by making a clipping path and then switch to the masking strategy if you need to change a photo utilizing both clipping paths and masks.
This will provide the finest outcomes.
For instance, it’s likely that Lovevery’s play gym has undergone some kind of modification, maybe including the usage of clipping paths and masking.
The baby’s hair and the softer material at the bottom of the picture, however, would be better off being masked.
The toy’s sharper lines might be easily adjusted using clipping paths.
How do clipping paths and masking compare?
Neither the clipping technique nor the masking approach is better than the other for eliminating the background from a picture.
You have the choice of employing clipping paths or masking adjustments when editing photographs.
This is especially true when it comes to handling the wide variety of photographs needed for e-commerce photography.
Both also need a lot of practice before they can be regarded as skilled.