Image segmentation

A method of identifying objects having desired characteristics, the method comprising:

• receiving electronically, in a computer system, a request for objects having desired characteristics;
• obtaining images of objects and metadata associated with each image;
• automatically initializing a portion of the each image as at least one of a foreground portion and a background portion according to the metadata associated with the each image;
• segmenting the each image into the foreground portion and the background portion;
• determining at least one foreground portion depicting an object of the desired characteristics;
• and
• electronically providing an image corresponding to the at least one foreground portion.

A system for identifying objects having desired characteristics, the system comprising:

• one or more remote electronic devices;
• a communication interface in electronic communication with the one or more remote electronic devices for receiving a request for an object having the desired characteristics;
• one or more storage devices for storing images of objects;
• a memory for storing instructions;
• and
• a processor responsive to the instructions to automatically segment each image into a foreground portion and a background portion, to determine at least one foreground portion depicting the object having the desired characteristics, and to provide an image corresponding to the at least one foreground portion.