Adobe recently introduced its innovative Reflection Removal tool, allowing photographers to eliminate pesky reflections from images taken through glass surfaces. This new feature aims to address one of the more common challenges faced by both amateur and professional photographers alike: capturing clear shots through windows or showcases without interference from distracting reflections.
Reflections can easily ruin well-composed shots, especially when they obscure subjects behind glass, be it the Northern Lights seen during transatlantic flights or products showcased behind store windows. Aware of this, Adobe's tool leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to magically separate the main subject of the photo from unwanted visual noise caused by reflections. Hitting the market under Adobe Camera Raw, it invites users to preview its technological capabilities and share feedback.
Typically, photographers combat reflections with circular polarizing filters, which can help minimize the issue before the shutter clicks. But what happens when those filters are forgotten, or when shooting through challenging surfaces like airplane windows? Here’s where Adobe steps up, offering the Reflection Removal tool as a post-processing solution. Currently, though, the feature is available only through the Camera Raw plugin for RAW image formats – DNG, ARW, CR2, and ProRAW – before it rolls out to Lightroom soon.
Unveiled as part of the continuously updated Photoshop 2025 during its fall release, this new tool enables users to differentiate between the main image and reflection by analyzing pixel data and utilizing AI algorithms to identify and separate them. This is where the impressive functionality of Adobe's AI kicks in. Built upon data gathered from thousands of images devoid of reflections, the AI model churns through pairs of images, receives reinforcement when it successfully predicts how to isolate reflections, and adapts accordingly.
While efficient, Adobe recognizes its nascent tool isn't flawless. Some areas are trickier – cityscapes, especially at night, are notorious for challenging reflections, and users may find it tricky to extract reflections from smaller surfaces, like eyeglasses. According to user experiences, the AI has also shown some inconsistency with lighter places or various lighting conditions, prompting the inclusion of adjustable sliders for users to fine-tune the effect. This ensures users have the final say over the extent of the removal process.
To access this groundbreaking feature, you first open the RAW image within Photoshop, which activates the Camera Raw interface. From there, users need to enable New AI Settings via the Technology Previews section before restarting the app. Following this, getting rid of reflections becomes as simple as checking the “Distraction Removal” box and then adjusting it to desired levels. Remarkably, Adobe includes the option to adjust the intensity of this removal, allowing users to tailor the effect to their unique stylistic preferences.
A recent testing experience has shown promise. Users have noted considerable success at removing primary reflections, such as those caused by windows, which cover most of the field of view, leaving clear images behind them. Photographers who had long frustrated by unwanted reflections seemed excited to try out this new feature. Amongst the comments, there lies this hopeful motivation, as some even highlighted scenarios where they believed this tool could rescue potential lost images from the trash bin.
Still, Adobe urges caution. The company stresses the importance of continuing to improve the technology, indicating there’s still room to go before achieving perfection. Reflecting on past development, Adobe highlights their long history of integrating machine learning and AI through its Adobe Sensei platform, which initially started with tools like Content Aware fill and has progressively evolved.
While users currently excitedly anticipate the official rollout to Lightroom, its future possibilities raise questions. Will the tool support more formats, like history images or JPEGs, enabling broader application? Also, could it eventually apply to smaller reflections or even factors like scratches on glass surfaces? Adobe has hinted at wanting to take it one step forward, stating their commitment to addressing these requests.
What stands tall is the changing nature of digital photography – tools like the Reflection Removal feature signify the growing reliance on technology as solutions for age-old photographic concerns. For those who deal with photography, particularly through glass, moments lost to reflections could become relics of the past. The future holds mighty potential for this technology to transform the way photographs are captured and edited, making difficult tasks much easier. Photographers, now on the path of overcoming previous limitations, look forward to endless possibilities, all thanks to Adobe's innovative contribution to the field.