What is the difference between photo Clipping path and photo retouching

What is Clipping Path?

Every 2d image has a background and an object. If you want to crop or cut the object, you have to draw a line following its edges. This path of different joints is the called photo clipping. (path)

Clipping is actually a process of cropping. But, in this case the path follows no shapes.

For example - Suppose you have an image. The image has a picture of a ball and the background is grassy. Now, you want to crop the ball from that background and you want replace the background.

Here, you will mark certain points along the edge of the ball to draw the cutting line. Then, you will crop it and you will place it in some other background.

So, the image will have no ball and everything else will be left there in the image. This process is called clipping.

What is Photo Retouching?

Retouching (photo) is the process where an original photo is made more attractive or appealing. This is a versatile process and there can be various factors involved in this process.

In the world of advertisements, retouching is really essential. It may not be always possible to capture an attractive image. In that case retouching software can make the photo an impressive one.

For Example - You have shot your new watch's photo. But, the photo was not charming. So, you took the help of the retouching software. Then, you added some light ,colors and changed the background. After that your watch's photo appeared attractive and glamorous.

So, your image was altered and it looked different. This is called 'retouching'.

Difference between photo Clipping and Retouching

1. The Process

The process between the retouching and the clipping has a big difference.

In the case of retouching you don't need any 'pen' tool to select and crop. In reality, there is very little thing to crop in retouching. Retouching is something that shows an image in a better way.

But, clipping an image means you are changing the entire scenario of an image. You need to patiently select the edges of the object in a photo and then you can crop it out. In this case , you are creating an entirely new photo.

2. Technique

Clipping and retouching have their own techniques. You just can't follow the same technique or the tools to do both of them.

When you clip a photo, you require nothing but to crop out an object from the entire image. You just don't take the background. You have to precisely cut the edges of the object to make it fit into an another background.

But, in the case of clipping, you may have to be conscious about many factors. The image may have color problem, blurry background, shadow problem and much more. You have to use unique techniques to make the photo attractive and charming.

Clipping and retouching both of them are used in the world of commerce. Advertisement industry have many experts for both of these jobs, Each of these process involve a completely different tools and techniques. Modern photo editing software can be used to perform both of these techniques.