Distraction Removal: Dust (Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic)

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

This post applies to Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic.

Dust Removal is no longer in Early Access status and can be found in the Remove edit panel for Camera Raw & Lightroom Classic. Dust Removal helps with removing distracting spots on an image that may be caused by dust on a camera's sensor.

Once enabled, your image will be scanned, and any detected dust spots will be automatically removed using Content-Aware Remove. For refinement, you can select one or multiple spots to delete or refresh. Batch removal is also supported; simply select the "Dust" checkbox under "Remove" in the copy settings dialog.

Please note that scanned negatives are not in the scope of this feature at this time. 

• Dust spots on scans tend to be located in the focal plane, with the negative and very sharp, while sensor dust is typically positioned out of the focal plane and therefore not in focus.
  
• Scanned negative dust typically appears as white spots on a darker background, whereas perceived sensor dust tends to appear as dark spots in lighter areas. 

We would love to hear your feedback on Dust Removal! Please give it a try and let us know what you think:

• How is it useful?
• How could it be more useful?
• What could we do to improve your experience?

Lisa Ngo, Product Manager

Also see this video by @brianmatiash where he demos the feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwpUX4b6igY 

Posted by:

[Jerald3046178117xe]

It would be very helpful to see scanned negative/print dust removal. Hopefully, this is under development. If so, here is my Yes vote. Photo restoration from scans is a time-consuming effort with the Remove tool on a Wacom tablet. I see the challenge with it being on the same focal plane. I don't get usable results with the Neural Filter, Photo Restoration, or the older Filter > Noise > Dust & Scratches filter. The best results are using one of the various Remove Tools or the Clone Stamp tool. 

[Steve C2]

There are some ways to use Adobe filters as described by Ctein and Katrin
Eismann. A good way to go about this, today, is to use Topaz Photo and
then finish with an editor of your choice, whether Photoshop or something
else. No one tool works best for everything.

[Fordro47]

Feedback: Would be a great option, to be able to intersect the dust removal with a mask so I can have AI remove dust in only the sky. Thanks, love the feature overall. 

[peterb67121888]

I have today used the Automatic Dust Removal for the first time. Am delighted with the result and with the ease of use. Thank you for this upgrade.

[Claire H.]

Hi @peterb67121888, thanks for sharing your feedback! Please feel free to share some of the results you're seeing with this feature. Thanks for being a part of the Lightroom Classic Community! ^CH

[Karen201]

This newest upgrade is THE greatest thing since sliced bread! Period! Thank you Adobe Lightroom Classic superstars!!