
How to Take Ghost Mannequin Photos: A Complete Guide
The ghost mannequin effect has become an essential technique in fashion photography, particularly for e-commerce platforms. It allows retailers to showcase garments in a realistic, three-dimensional way, without using a visible model or mannequin. If you’re wondering how to take ghost mannequin photos, this guide will walk you through every step of the process, from setting up your shoot to post-production editing.
Once you’ve captured your images, the next step in learning how to take ghost mannequin photos is post-production editing. This is where the magic happens, and the mannequin is removed to create the ghost effect.
What Are Ghost Mannequin Photos?
Ghost mannequin photos are images where the clothing appears to be worn by an invisible person. This effect is created by photographing garments on a mannequin and then digitally removing the mannequin in post-production. The result is a clean, professional image that shows off the product’s shape and fit without distractions. Knowing how to take ghost mannequin photos can help elevate the quality of your product listings, providing customers with a clear view of the garments.Why Use the Ghost Mannequin Effect?
The ghost mannequin effect is popular in fashion photography because it offers several advantages:- Professional Appearance: Ghost mannequin photos look polished and give online stores a consistent, high-end appearance.
- Clear Focus on the Product: The garment is the sole focus of the image, allowing customers to see all the important details.
- Increased Engagement: High-quality product photos help increase customer engagement and drive sales.
- Cost-Effective: Unlike live models, mannequins are reusable, cost-effective, and provide consistent results.
Equipment Needed for Ghost Mannequin Photography
Before you start, make sure you have the necessary equipment:- Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a high resolution (at least 12 MP) is recommended.
- Lens: A 50mm lens or a zoom lens with a focal length between 50mm and 100mm works well for capturing clothing details.
- Tripod: To maintain consistency across shots, a sturdy tripod is essential.
- Lighting: Use continuous soft lighting or softboxes to ensure even illumination.
- Mannequin: Choose a detachable mannequin to make editing easier, especially for complex garments like jackets and dresses.
- Backdrop: A white or neutral-colored backdrop keeps the focus on the clothing and simplifies post-production.
- Photo Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop is commonly used to create the ghost mannequin effect in post-production.
How to Set Up for Ghost Mannequin Photography

1. Choose the Right Mannequin
When learning how to take ghost mannequin photos, your choice of mannequin plays a crucial role. Opt for a mannequin with detachable parts such as arms, legs, and neck. This will allow you to photograph different angles and inner details, which are essential for creating the invisible mannequin effect during editing.2. Lighting and Background Setup
Good lighting is key to taking professional ghost mannequin photos. Set up soft lighting to avoid harsh shadows and ensure that the garment’s texture, color, and details are captured accurately. Continuous lighting or softboxes placed at 45-degree angles to the mannequin are ideal. A plain white or light gray background works best, as it helps in post-production and keeps the focus on the clothing.3. Styling the Garment
Before you start shooting, take time to style the garment. Ensure it fits the mannequin well, free of wrinkles and creases. Use pins or clips to adjust the fit and make sure all parts of the clothing are visible, including collars, cuffs, and labels. Proper styling will minimize the amount of editing required later and give you a cleaner result.4. Camera Settings
To ensure your images are sharp and well-lit, set your camera to:- Aperture: A setting between f/8 and f/11 will give you good depth of field and sharpness.
- ISO: Keep your ISO low (100-200) to avoid noise in your images.
- Shutter Speed: Choose a shutter speed that balances exposure with clarity, generally around 1/125 or faster if using continuous lighting.
How to Take Ghost Mannequin Photos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you’re set-up, follow these steps on how to take ghost mannequin photos effectively.Step 1: Shoot the Front of the Garment
Place the garment on the mannequin and ensure that it is properly fitted and free of wrinkles. Position your camera directly in front of the garment, keeping it level with the mannequin. Take multiple shots, ensuring you capture the full length of the garment, from the neckline to the hem. Keep your focus on highlighting the garment’s key features, such as buttons, seams, and fabric details.Step 2: Shoot the Back of the Garment
After capturing the front, rotate the mannequin to photograph the back of the garment. Use the same camera settings and tripod placement to maintain consistency. Capturing the back view is important for giving customers a complete look at the product, and it will also be used in post-production to create the ghost mannequin effect.Step 3: Shoot Interior Details
Some garments, especially jackets or shirts, may have interior details like linings, labels, or collars that you need to showcase. For this, remove the garment from the mannequin and arrange it flat or on a smaller part of the mannequin, depending on the area you want to photograph. Make sure you capture these details clearly as they will be crucial in creating the final ghost mannequin image.Step 4: Shoot the Garment Without the Mannequin
To fill in the areas that would otherwise be covered by the mannequin, you’ll need to take shots of the garment without the mannequin. For example, if you’re photographing a shirt, you might need to capture the inside of the neckline or the back collar. These additional images will be used in Photoshop to create a seamless ghost mannequin effect.Post-Production: Creating the Ghost Mannequin Effect in Photoshop

how to do ghost mannequin photography
Step 1: Open Your Images in Photoshop
Start by opening your front, back, and interior detail images in Photoshop. These will be layered together to create the final composite image. The key to a professional-looking ghost mannequin photo is blending these images seamlessly.Step 2: Make Precise Selections
Using the Pen Tool or Lasso Tool, make a precise selection around the garment in the front-facing image. Be sure to include all the important details, such as seams and edges. Once your selection is complete, create a Layer Mask to isolate the garment from the mannequin.Step 3: Combine Front and Back Images
Drag the back image into the same document as the front image and position it behind the front layer. Carefully align the two images to ensure that the garment looks consistent from both angles. Use the Layer Mask tool to blend the two layers together seamlessly, removing any visible parts of the mannequin.Step 4: Add Interior Details
If your garment has interior details, such as a collar or label, bring in the interior shot and position it within the appropriate area of the garment. Use the Clone Stamp Tool or Healing Brush to blend these details smoothly, ensuring that they look natural and consistent with the rest of the image.Step 5: Refine Edges and Add Shadows
Refining the edges of the garment is important for a professional finish. Use the Refine Edge tool to smooth out any rough or jagged edges. You can also add subtle shadows using the Brush Tool to give the garment more depth and realism.Step 6: Final Adjustments
Make any final adjustments to the color, contrast, and brightness to ensure that the garment looks vibrant and true to life. Once you’re satisfied with the result, save the image in a high-resolution format suitable for online use, such as JPEG or PNG.Best Practices for Taking Ghost Mannequin Photos
To get the best results when learning how to take ghost mannequin photos, follow these best practices:- Maintain Consistency: Use the same camera settings, lighting, and angles for each shot to ensure consistency across all product images.
- Pay Attention to Detail: Make sure the garment is styled correctly and that all details are captured clearly.
- Use High-Resolution Images: Starting with high-quality images will make the editing process easier and result in a more professional final product.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While learning how to take ghost mannequin photos, there are a few mistakes that can detract from the quality of your images:- Inconsistent Lighting: Uneven lighting or shadows can create a poor-quality image. Always ensure that your lighting is soft, even, and free from harsh shadows.
- Poor Styling: Wrinkled or ill-fitting garments will look unprofessional and may require excessive editing. Always style the garment carefully before shooting.
- Rushing the Editing Process: Editing ghost mannequin photos requires patience and precision. Taking your time to refine the edges and blend the layers properly will yield the best results.