Adobe has unveiled a cutting-edge feature designed to simplify the editing process for photographers: the Reflection Removal tool. This innovative addition to Adobe Camera Raw aims to eliminate unwanted reflections from photos taken through glass surfaces like windows. Whether you’re snapping shots on an airplane, at a museum, or through a city window, this tool could be the solution to an age-old photography challenge.
The Challenge of Reflections in Photography
Reflections can often ruin an otherwise perfect shot. Glass surfaces while offering unique perspectives, also introduce unwanted artifacts into images, such as the photographer’s own reflection or distracting elements from the surrounding environment.
Traditionally, photographers have relied on polarizing filters to reduce glare and reflections. However, these tools aren’t always practical—especially for impromptu travel shots—or they may not fully eliminate the issue. Editing out reflections manually is another option, but the process can be painstaking and often fails to achieve natural results.
How the Reflection Removal Tool Works
Adobe’s Reflection Removal tool leverages artificial intelligence to simplify the process. The AI model was trained using an extensive dataset of images, including simulated reflections, allowing it to distinguish between the primary scene and the unwanted reflective elements. The tool analyzes aspects like:
- Content differences: It detects inconsistencies between the actual scene and the reflection.
- White balance variations: Reflections often have a different color tone compared to the subject.
- Sharpness: Reflections tend to blur or distort, while the main subject remains sharp.
The AI applies this understanding to intelligently remove reflections, delivering a cleaner, more polished image in seconds.
credit: Adobe
Getting Started with the Reflection Removal Tool
Currently available as a technology preview in Adobe Camera Raw, the tool is expected to roll out in Lightroom soon. To try it, users need to enable the New AI Settings and Features Panel in the preferences of Adobe Camera Raw. After restarting Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Bridge, the tool can be accessed in the Distraction Removal section under the Remove panel.
A key limitation is that the tool currently supports only RAW image files. However, Adobe plans to expand compatibility to include JPEG and HEIC formats in future updates, making the tool accessible to a wider audience.
The video demonstrates the impact of adjusting the slider after removing reflections from a photo of a display case showcasing artifacts from the history of computer graphics. Enthusiasts may spot the iconic terracotta Stanford Bunny displayed on the top shelf
Ideal for Travel Photography
The Reflection Removal tool is a boon for travel photographers who frequently encounter reflective barriers:
- Airplane windows: Capture stunning aerial shots without pesky glare.
- Museum displays: Eliminate the distracting reflections from protective glass.
- Cityscapes through windows: Enhance clarity when shooting urban landscapes.
By automating the process of removing reflections, this tool allows photographers to focus more on capturing moments and less on post-editing challenges.
Mount Rainier and other Pacific Northwest volcanoes captured through an airplane window. Here, removing the reflection also reduces the impact of atmospheric scattering, a type of reflection.
A poster promoting a neighborhood movie theater in San Francisco, photographed through a protective plexiglass sheet. The removed reflection reveals the photographer and the street scene behind them. This model also excels at eliminating reflections caused by glass coverings over paintings in museums.
The Swiss village of Disentis (or Mustér in Romansh) photographed through a train window. In this case the reflection is completely removed, along with a haze caused by dirt on the window.
Limitations and Best Practices
Despite its remarkable capabilities, the Reflection Removal tool isn’t perfect. Adobe acknowledges that the tool may struggle with strong or highly complex reflections, such as overlapping reflections or reflections in very high-contrast lighting conditions.
Pro tip: While the tool is powerful, it’s always best to minimize reflections during shooting when possible. This could mean repositioning the camera, angling it differently, or using existing tools like polarizing filters for optimal results.
A Step Forward in Photo Editing
Adobe’s Reflection Removal tool is a testament to how AI is reshaping creative workflows. By addressing a persistent issue for photographers, it promises to save countless travel photos from unwanted interference. With future updates expected to expand its capabilities and improve its performance, this feature marks a significant milestone in the evolution of photo editing.
Whether you’re a professional or a hobbyist, this tool could become an indispensable part of your photography toolkit.
Full details of the tool here
For more insights on Adobe’s latest tools and features, visit Animatic Adventure.