Overview
GotPhoto offers background extraction services ("knockouts") via our partner, 36Pix. In this article, we'll look at the options available for background removal, essential requirements needed for using this service, best practices for shooting, as well as pricing and turnaround times.
Extraction Types
36Pix offers two types of background extractions — Automated Background Removal and Verified Background Removal.
Process: | Background is removed via AI. | Background is removed and photos are checked by hand. |
Job Types: | School, Preschool | School, Preschool, and Sports |
Pricing US / UK: | $0.10 / £0.08 (plus tax) per edited photo | $ 0.30 / £0.23 (plus tax) per edited photo |
Turnaround Time: | 1 hour | 48 hours |
Essential Requirements
The following requirements must be met in order to request background extractions:
- File Format: Images must be JPG format. Requests submitted with other file types cannot be processed and will be canceled.
- Job Type: Extractions can only be requested within School, Preschool or Sports jobs. Automated extractions cannot be performed on Sports jobs.
- Background: Photos must be shot on a solid background. A green background will provide the highest quality extraction.
- Order of Operations: If you would like to run basic edits on your photos, this must be done before sending your photos for extraction. For more information on our Basic Editing Service, click here.
HiLite and red master backgrounds cannot be used for background extractions.
Please see the links below for best practices for shooting on different color backgrounds:
Green Screen Extraction
Blue Screen Extraction
Grey & White Extraction
Setting Up Your Photo Job for Extractions
Once you've made sure your images meet the requirements, it's time to set up your job for extraction.
- Make sure your photos are sorted correctly, and make any adjustments as necessary.
- Activate the access codes. This will ensure that all QR code images are hidden.
⚠ Skipping this step will cause your QR images to also be sent for extraction, costing you extra fees and potentially ruining your tagging. - Click into the Photo Editing tab of your photo job and click "Continue" on the service option of your choice.
- On the following screen, review the information and costs provided, and then click .
- After submitting, you will see the status on the Photo Editing tab set to progress:
If you need to cancel the request immediately after submission, please reach out to our support team so that we can check the status of your editing job. - You will receive a notification via email when your photos are ready for review. Under the Photo Editing tab, review the extractions and either approve or disapprove the images:
- After the results have been approved, they will be sent back to their original galleries within the job, replacing the existing JPGs. It's important to note that even though the file itself will now be a PNG, the original file name will remain unchanged, retaining the ".JPG" extension. This ensures that the system can correctly replace the original images with the newly approved versions without any disruption.
Metadata After Extraction
36Pix strips all metadata from your photos during extraction. This will affect:
- Barcodes: Barcodes will no longer be attached to your files, however, you don't need to worry about that since your images have been sorted by access code, the missing barcodes will not affect sorting or access.
- 5-Star Ratings: 5-star ratings that were applied pre-extraction will be removed, and the default index images will be reset to the first images. You will need to re-apply any 5-star ratings and/or change the index images after extraction.
Important: If you plan to perform extractions via different software, please test ahead of your shoot if the stored tagging information is still saved in your metadata:
Canon: Info is stored in the Copyright fieldNikon & Fuji: Info is stored in the User Comment field
Sony: Info is stored in the Image ID field
The Takeaway
Leveraging GotPhoto's partnership with 36Pix for background removal is a game-changer. Whether opting for rapid Automated Removal or meticulous Verified Removal, this resource ensures a smooth journey in professional background extraction services.