Why car photos are worth cutting out
A car gets photographed where it’s parked: in front of houses, other cars, bins and trees. For a sale listing, a brochure or a poster, those details distract from the car and date the photo.
Car bodies are mostly hard, clean edges, which cut out well. The tricky parts are the windows, which show the street through them, the gap under the car, and the mirrors and spoilers that stick out from the outline.
The outline, wheels and mirrors are kept and the street around them is removed. Windows are a judgement call: they’re usually kept as part of the car, with whatever showed through them, so look at them on your new background.
Private sellers benefit as much as dealers. A car photographed on the driveway looks as cared-for as a showroom one on a plain background, and the cut-out hides your house and street from a public listing.
How to cut out a car
- Upload a photo with the whole car in the frame and a little space around it.
- Check the wheels, the mirrors and the ground under the car once the result appears.
- Pick a background: white or grey for a listing, or a bold colour for an advert.
- Download the PNG and use it in your listing, poster or design.
Tips for car photos
- A three-quarter front angle shows the front and the side in one picture, and it’s the most common angle in listings.
- Don’t park next to a car of the same colour. Two touching cars in the same paint are harder to tell apart.
- Shoot on an overcast day or in open shade for even light without harsh reflections.
- The car’s shadow on the ground is usually removed. If the car looks like it’s floating, add a soft shadow under the wheels in your editor.
Frequently asked questions
Will the windows be see-through?
Usually not. The windows are kept as part of the car, showing whatever was behind them. For see-through glass you’d need to edit the windows by hand.
Does it work on motorbikes and vans?
Yes. Any vehicle that’s the main subject works, from motorbikes to vans and trucks.
Can I do lots of car photos at once?
Not yet. iLoveRemoveBG takes one picture at a time, with up to 50 free each day.
Is the number plate kept?
Yes, the plate is part of the car. Blur or cover it in an editor if you don’t want it shown.
