Adobe introduces a tool to remove unwanted reflections in window photos.
"Do not fear the window."
The Adobe tool known as Reflection Removal, previously called Project See Through, has been unveiled in a tech preview. This innovative feature is designed to eliminate distractions caused by reflections in photographs taken through windows. Originally, the project was introduced as a "Sneak" during Adobe's Max conference last year, and it is now available for use through Adobe Camera Raw, with a version for Lightroom set to be released soon.
Ideally, the best way to avoid an image being affected by reflections is not to take shots through glass. However, this new tool from Adobe will increase the chances that the stunning views you captured during a flight will be worthy of sharing. The tool works by distinguishing between the two scenes that make up a reflected image, which are commonly differentiated by their content, white balance (interior scenes often have warmer tones than outdoor ones), and sharpness.
To develop the AI model for this tool, Adobe used a database composed of thousands of reflection-free photographs, which were paired and combined to create millions of images with simulated reflections. Through a reinforcement process, the model learned to extract the original photos from a combined image, which are now available in the new tool. While the results are often impressive, Adobe warns that "if a reflection is so strong or complex that a person has difficulty distinguishing what is what in the photograph, our model may also struggle."
To use this new tool, which currently only supports RAW image formats (support for JPEG and HEIC is expected), it is necessary to open the Camera Raw tool and access the Technology Previews section within the Preferences Panel, where the new AI Features and Settings Panel can be activated before restarting Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Bridge.
Once a RAW file is imported, a Reflection option will appear in the Distraction Removal section of the removal panel. After a few seconds of processing, a version of the image without reflections will be presented, along with a slider set to 100. Sliding it back to zero will restore the reflections, while moving it to -100 will show only the reflected image.