Processing and retouching product photos for 1C-Bitrix

Processing and Retouching Product Photos for 1C-Bitrix

An unprocessed product photo against a grey warehouse background, with uneven lighting and visible packaging defects, is a conversion loss. The buyer makes a decision based on the image before they read the description. Retouching and processing are not cosmetic extras — they are the work of bringing an image to the state where the product becomes desirable.

Processing and Retouching Product Photos for 1C-Bitrix

What Product Photo Processing Entails

Basic processing (applied to every photo):

• Exposure, contrast, and saturation correction
• Removing color casts (correct white balance)
• Cropping and aligning horizontally/vertically
• Sharpening and noise reduction
• Converting to sRGB, exporting as JPEG 80–85%

Retouching (in-depth work on the image):

• Background removal (clipping) — replacing the background with white, transparent, or neutral
• Removing scratches, stains, and surface defects on the product
• Evening out shadows and reflections
• Correcting individual details (label color, metallic highlight)
• Adding a shadow beneath the product for realism

Clipping: Background Removal

The most common task — cutting the product out from a studio or warehouse background and placing it on a white or transparent background.

Three levels of complexity:

After background removal — save as PNG with transparency for use on colored and gradient backgrounds, plus a white-background JPEG version for the main Bitrix catalog.

Color Correction: Matching the Real Product

The key problem: the color on screen and the color of the actual product diverge. This is the primary cause of returns in the fashion segment. Working standard:

1. Use a color target (Color Checker) during the shoot
2. Calibrate the monitor with a colorimeter before processing
3. Save in sRGB — the only profile displayed correctly in browsers without additional settings

For fabrics and clothing: the color shade must match the real material under daylight illumination (D65). A difference of 3–5° of hue is noticeable to the buyer and generates complaints.

Preparing Image Sets for Bitrix

For a Bitrix catalog, a set of images is prepared for each product:

product_1.jpg    <- main product card photo (DETAIL_PICTURE)
product_1_s.jpg  <- listing thumbnail (PREVIEW_PICTURE) — square 600×600
product_2.jpg    <- photo from another angle (gallery)
product_3.jpg    <- detail / texture photo
product_4.jpg    <- lifestyle / in-context photo
product_main_bg.png  <- background-removed version for promo banners

Square format for PREVIEW_PICTURE is the standard for listings: the card grid looks uniform. Size: 600×600 or 800×800 — sufficient for retina displays, does not overload the page.

Batch Processing: Automating the Routine

Some operations can be automated via Photoshop actions, scripts, or specialized services:

Photoshop Actions for basic batch processing:

• Auto Levels / Auto Color → manual correction of the final result
• Batch Resize → standard size for the entire batch
• Batch Export → JPEG/PNG at specified quality

Python + Pillow for serial operations:

from PIL import Image, ImageOps
import os

INPUT  = './raw'
OUTPUT = './ready'
TARGET = (2000, 2000)

for fname in os.listdir(INPUT):
    if not fname.lower().endswith(('.jpg', '.jpeg', '.png')):
        continue

    img = Image.open(os.path.join(INPUT, fname)).convert('RGB')
    img.thumbnail(TARGET, Image.LANCZOS)

    # Add white background for square preview
    bg = Image.new('RGB', TARGET, (255, 255, 255))
    offset = ((TARGET[0] - img.width) // 2, (TARGET[1] - img.height) // 2)
    bg.paste(img, offset)

    bg.save(os.path.join(OUTPUT, fname.replace('.png', '.jpg')),
            'JPEG', quality=83, optimize=True, progressive=True)

Typical Defects Removed During Catalog Retouching

• Creases and wrinkles on clothing (not to be confused with natural folds — those are kept)
• Dust particles and hair on glossy surfaces (visible in macro shots)
• Yellow stains on packaging from adhesive or transit damage
• Uneven paint application on metal components
• Shadows cast by studio equipment
• Blown-out highlights on glass and metal

Timelines