# Background removal > Separating the product from its background so it can be placed on pure white or transparency. Also known as: background separation, cut-out. Category: Photography techniques. Background removal separates the product from the background of a photo so the background can be replaced with pure white, a colour or transparency. It can be done manually with clipping paths or masks, or automatically with algorithms that rely on controlled lighting. Automatic methods work best when the background is evenly lit and clearly different from the product. Back-lit silhouettes, glass plates and key colours make separation reliable even for complex edges. ## How PhotoRobot uses it PhotoRobot Controls removes backgrounds semi-automatically or manually, by level or by flood fill, with a Highlight white tool to find the right threshold. Other methods are [Freemask](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/freemask) from front- and back-lit shots and [chroma key](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/chroma-key). Settings are saved in presets and applied to every image after capture. ## See on photorobot.com - [How to remove backgrounds from product photos](https://www.photorobot.com/tutorials/remove-background-product-photos) - [Image editing tools: background](https://www.photorobot.com/software/image-editing) ## Related terms - [Freemask](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/freemask): PhotoRobot background removal from a front-lit and a back-lit silhouette shot of the same angle. - [Chroma key](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/chroma-key): Removing everything of one specific colour from an image, such as a green screen or a coloured stand. - [Clipping path](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/clipping-path): A hand-drawn vector outline used to cut a product out of its background. - [Alpha channel](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/alpha-channel): An extra image channel that stores the transparency of every pixel. - [White background](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/white-background): A background of pure white (RGB 255, 255, 255), standard for e-commerce product images. - [Transparent background](https://www.photorobot.com/glossary/transparent-background): An image whose background pixels are transparent, so the product can be placed on any colour or layout. ## Where this term appears on photorobot.com Mentioned on 58 pages. Most relevant: - [Product Photo Background Removal and Adjustment](https://www.photorobot.com/tutorials/remove-background-product-photos): PhotoRobot presents how to capture product photos with precise background removal, and deploy software tools for background adjustment and optimization. - [Getting Started - A PhotoRobot User Support Manual](https://www.photorobot.com/manuals/getting-started): When getting started, it is recommended to keep the “auto center” function on, as seen in the picture below: Background Removal. - [eCommerce Photography - How to Optimize Production](https://www.photorobot.com/blog/ecommerce-photography): …as a microchip to as large as automobiles) Shape (for products that require advanced background removal operations) Color (light, dark, reflective, semi- or fully- transparent) Capture settings… - [Editing Images with PhotoRobot Post-Processing Software](https://www.photorobot.com/manuals/editing-images): You can adjust or remove the background semi-automatically or manually with 3 types of background removal functions: by level, by flood, or freemasking. - [Image Editing Tools](https://www.photorobot.com/software/image-editing): Identify the correct threshold for by-level background removal, and apply across images. - [Pro Tips: Advanced Photo Editing Tools and Techniques](https://www.photorobot.com/blog/photo-editing-tools): Automate everything from basic editing like image cropping & object centering, to advanced tools for background removal, image overlay, and more. - [What’s New in the November PhotoRobot Software Release](https://www.photorobot.com/blog/november-software-release): The latest release in PhotoRobot_Controls delivers new tools & features for background removal, photo tilt correction, and product videos. - [Using AI to Enhance Product Photo Backgrounds](https://www.photorobot.com/blog/enhancing-product-photo-backgrounds): While PhotoRobot is able to automatically remove the background from product photos, AI tools can replace backgrounds with brand-accurate flair. - [360° Product Photography - Content Formats and Production](https://www.photorobot.com/blog/360-product-photography): Post-production: photo editing and retouching (background removal, image enhancements); 5. - [Packshot Photography - What is it, and How to Produce It](https://www.photorobot.com/blog/packshot-photography): In any case, PhotoRobot equipment & software makes background removal from nearly any object quick and hassle-free.