P: (Technology Preview) Reflection Removal (CR)

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

This post applies to Adobe Camera Raw plug-in.  

Adobe Camera Raw team is sharing an early look of our new Reflection Removal feature, which removes reflections caused by plate glass surfaces from photos. 

Note: 

• The feature currently only works on raw photos. Support for non-raw photos (e.g., JPEGs or HEICs) will be added in a future update. 

• There is a known issue on some Windows machines where the feature may produce a corrupt image. We are working on a fix for the upcoming release. 

Check out the HelpX for more detailed usage information. For more technical information on the underlying technology, please refer to this Blog post. 

Getting started with the Reflection Removal feature: 

• Make sure you have the “New AI Features and Settings Panel” Technology Preview enabled in the Camera Raw plug-in Preferences dialog (requires restarting the host application to activate). 

• Go to the Remove panel [B] , and in the “Distraction Removal” section, click on the “Reflections” checkbox. 

• Optionally adjust the slider after the ML model is done computing. 

• Use the rest of the Camera Raw tools just like you would otherwise. 

When using the slider, the key values to note are: 

• 0 – the input photo

• 100 – de-reflected (window reflections removed) photo 

• -100 – reflection photo (what the window was reflecting towards the camera) 

Please try the feature and share feedback in this community forum. It would help to include details like how you access Camera Raw (via Adobe Bridge or Photoshop), your computer system details, and as much information about what you like or do not like about the resulting photo quality. Our team will continually monitor this thread to track issues to improve the future experience. 

When to use Reflection Removal

The feature is designed to deal with large-area reflections when shooting through windows. Many other types of reflections occur in nature and are captured in photographs, but this feature may not recognize and handle those. We plan to work on expanding the supported reflection types in the future. 

Example use-cases for the feature include: 

• Looking through windows inside-out (e.g., from the car, airplane, room windows, etc.) 

• Looking through windows outside-in (e.g., shop windows) 

• Museums (e.g., paintings behind glass, glass case exhibits, etc.) 

How best to use Reflection Removal

For best results, try the new feature following these suggestions: 

• Apply Reflection Removal before applying any other edits to the photo, except for Enhance features such as Denoise
  • The changes made to the photo may be quite profound and render any changes you already made inappropriate.
  • If you plan to use both Enhance (Denoise, Super Resolution, or Raw Details) and Reflection Removal on a photo, it is better to apply Enhance first.
• Play with the feature slider and adjust the removal strength as appropriate.
• If you applied Adobe Adaptive (beta) profile prior to running the Reflection Removal feature, please update it or you may see traces of removed reflections still present in the photo (Adobe Camera Raw will remind you to do this).

Boris Ajdin: Product Manager, Emerging Products Group 

Posted by:

[dwzimmerly]

This is a fantastic reflection removal tool that Adobe has created. The Before photo was taken in a shop window in Prague in 2014.

[gwinters2128]

Does not seem to work with .nef files. This is the Nikon raw file. Do I need to convert to a .raw file? I like the idea, since I have some bird photos shot through a window.

[KasiaD]

It is possible with Nikon NEF RAW files. See the answer to Stevord41 below for different options.

[CCNY]

I just used it. Awful. DId not remove reflections. Only made outlines/edges turn (top photo) purple. 

[Erik Bloodaxe]

When to use Reflection Removal

The feature is designed to deal with large-area reflections when shooting through windows. Many other types of reflections occur in nature and are captured in photographs, but this feature may not recognize and handle those.

[Eric29489323q7t4]

Erik is correct. Thanks. Please refer to this Blog post to understand how to use the tool today, and our plans to develop it in the future.

[danielr24388939]

It works often pretty well, hier a shot through a window into a dark room before and after reflection removal, all else equal. 

Kind of "successful elimination of Saul Leiter" (a great photographer, btw) 

[MTMPhoto]

I'm using this just on family photo on christmas morning. I have 2 large sliders with the tree in front. The tool didnt work on the glass door reflections but the highlights from the chritmas lights on the tree. The only thin i did was lens profile correction. I didn't even get the to verticals yet. 

[Eric29489323q7t4]

The tool is designed to remove large-area reflections that block your view of the subject. The reflections on these glass doors are not large, and do not block your view of the subject (the tree), so they are not removed. Please refer to this Blog post to understand how to use the tool today, and our plans to develop it in the future.

[KasiaD]

Really pleased so far with my test images - I've travelled a lot by plane and train and have many images looking inside-out with reflections which I (now thankfully) did not delete. Here is an example of before and after. Thank you. I'll continue to experiment.

[umlautnord]

Very unsuccessful using this so far, on a number of images. There seems to be some interaction with AI Denoise especially—no matter which one is applied first.

This is an image that I thought would be pretty clear-cut: Photo out of a plane window. Some obvious reflections in the window against a fairly flat sky.

If Denoise is applied, Distraction Removal > Reflections just doesn't see the reflections at all. It just seems to shift some color/tone curves. When Denoise is removed, Distraction Removal only sees the most obvious reflection and tries to remove it. Frankly, I could have done way better with either AI or Gen AI remove even on that one reflection. It did not matter if AI Denoise was set to 2, 50, or 100.

This was done on a RAW DNG opened in PS as a smart object from LrC. Edits done in ACR plugin on the fully RAW smart object. Images saved directly out of PS ACR plugin.

Would welcome tips, or happy to share more info if it'd help product folks.

Original

Original

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With AI Denoise, No Distraction Removal

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With AI Denoise, With Distraction Removal

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No AI Denoise, With Distraction Removal

[Eric29489323q7t4]

The output of remove reflections can change even when the input is modified in a small way, for example by removing noise. This is typical of all AI models. In your final result, the most salient part of the reflection is removed, and the photo is usefully improved even if it remains slightly imperfect. The success of the tool is to improve your photos, which does not mean the result is always perfect. While its true that, in this case, you could use generative fill instead, that is rarely the case when removing semi-transparent reflections, so I think you will find that the remove reflections tool is generally useful for improving your photos in ways that generative remove is not. Please refer to this Blog post to understand our plans to develop this feature further in the future.

[umlautnord]

Thanks for the reply, @Eric29489323q7t4! I appreciate the blog post link, and the larger context. I am particularly encouraged by the fact that the functionality isn't just about specific reflections, but also about general haze etc. (I've definitely got a number of JPG/HEIC images that could benefit—and am always glad to hear when features are planned for those formats.)

Back to RAW/my example: I totally understand that removing/altering noise changes the picture for reflection removal. It also makes far more sense to use a targeted feature like this for reflection removal than an attempt at generative removal. However, AI Denoise is a pretty fundamental use case in ACR/Lightroom these days, I think. It is for me, at least! I use it more than half of the time with my RAW images. So, I think my feedback is that it really needs to work alongside/with AI Denoise! (I.e. it should have a similar effect to image #4 as image #3.)

[Stevord41]

Went to try the new Reflection feature and for some reason, the Reflections Removal tool is grayed out. The little triangle says it's only for RAW images. I am using a Nikon NEF file. I work in LR and then open PS and from there open CR.  What am i doing wrong? 

Thank you. 

[Stevord41]

Also, just tried opening the NEF in PS first, then CR but still no luck.  

Thx. 

[VICENTE269896324jkf]

With these directions from our frien Conrad I was able to open the NEF files and process then with the reflection removal feature. Hope you can do it too. Regards

To enable any feature requiring raw data, avoid Camera Raw Filter, and instead open the image directly into the full Camera Raw processor using any of these methods:

• From Photoshop, use the command File > Open and select the raw file. 
• From the desktop, drop the raw file directly into the empty Photoshop application window. 
• From Bridge, select the file and choose the command File > Open in Camera Raw. 
• From Lightroom Classic, select the file and choose Photo > Edit In > Open as Smart Object in Photoshop, then double-click the raw smart object layer (or choose Layer > Smart Objects > Edit Contents). 

[KasiaD]

Hi,

I have used the new removal feature on Nikon NEF files taken as far back as 2007 and new ones from December 2024 without problems. In fact with some very good results.

My workflow is Import original file to Lightroom CC then "Export to" Photoshop 2025 via CR.

In the LR Export settings I only chose the "Export Location" folder and have "File Settings" set to "original format".

In PS Preferences I have under "File Handling" - File Compatibility - Camera RAW Settings - Prefer Adobe Camera Raw for Supported RAW files.

In CR Preferences I performed the step in the introduction above

• Make sure you have the “New AI Features and Settings Panel” Technology Preview enabled in the Camera Raw plug-in Preferences dialog (requires restarting the host application to activate). 

When exporting from LR the nef copy automatically opens in CR with Photoshop in the background.

The Remove (B) panel icon is active and I'm able to use the Reflections Removal tool and make any other changes before I open it in PS.

I hope this helps.

[paull4771161]

I had the same problem with Canon raw. Don't go via Lightroom. Drop the
draw file directly on to Photoshop, the ACR should open automatically with
your image and the refection tool should be available. That said I noticed
mixed results, often nothing was changed, only pics taken head on to the
glass with myself in the reflection were corrected, even then not as good
as the demo's on YouTube.

[Eric29489323q7t4]

So far from reports we've been seeing, mixed results predominantly result from users who are applying the tool to reflections that it intentionally is not designed to handle. Please consider sharing your failure cases so we can learn what you are wanting to do.

From Lightroom (Classic) you can remove reflections as follows

1. Right click on the raw photo

2. Select "Edit In --> Open as Smart Object in Photoshop"

3. In Photoshop, double-click the layer (a smart object)

4. The Adobe Camera Raw window will appear

5. Select the remove icon to remove reflections.

[Stefan Official]

I was able to achieve fantastic results. Thanks for this cool feature!

Now it just needs to be integrated into Lightroom 🙂

[Eric29489323q7t4]

Could you share the original that contains the reflections?

[thomasd88842858]

Simply does not work on my iMac 2020, Sequoia, one more continuing problems that dont seem to ever go away starting since Adobe went to the rental model....which is fine for them but not me......doesnt matter if its dng or CR2

[NZBayman]

It's not working for me - says my file type is incompatible. Have tired using a RAW file (NEF), and DNG; before attempting any other edits. What file format is supported?

[Eric29489323q7t4]

Many users are reporting this, but thus far we have found that these all result from workflows that accidentally open the raw as if its not a raw image. Please share the specific steps you are taking. Meanwhile, here is how I open images:

1. Open photoshop,  select file->open, and chose the raw file (e.g., NEF)

or

2. Open Lightroom Classic, find the RAW image, right click, select "Edit In --> Open as Smart Object in Photoshop", and then double click the smart layer when Photoshop opens.

Please let me know if those do not work for you.

[Marty_Bigos8577]

I would like to say that this tool made many of my photos from a train trip in Alaska from Fairbanks to Seward and a bus trip in Palm Springs looking at mid-century modern houses(including Frank Sinatra's). I look forward to more integration into Lightroom as the multi step dance to remove the reflection gets a little tiresome when processing over 100 photos. 

For those'd that have problems with images that don't meet the criteria of this tool, such as reflections off of cars or water,  I suggest looking into a tool that has been in use for over 50 yrs and works well with digital cameras, a circular polarization filter. 

Marty