A photographer's near-disaster turned into a success story thanks to Adobe Lightroom's latest artificial intelligence feature. What started as a ruined iPhone snapshot of the New York City skyline, marred by severe window reflections at an airport terminal, was completely transformed using Lightroom's experimental Reflection Removal tool in less than a minute.
The incident occurred during a summer trip to New York City when fog and a packed schedule left only the airport as the sole opportunity to capture the iconic Manhattan skyline. The quick iPhone photo seemed destined for deletion due to overwhelming glare from the terminal windows that obscured the cityscape view. However, Adobe Lightroom Classic's newly introduced AI-powered distraction removal feature proved capable of salvaging what appeared to be an unsalvageable image.
The editing process was remarkably straightforward and swift. After transferring the photo to a laptop, the user accessed Lightroom Classic's remove tool and navigated to the Distraction Removal section in the right-hand sidebar. With a simple click on 'Apply' under reflections, Adobe's artificial intelligence went to work, processing the image and eliminating nearly all reflections within moments. The AI technology completed its analysis and correction in under a minute, though processing times may vary depending on internet connection speeds, hardware specifications, and preview settings.
The results exceeded expectations, with the automated tool successfully removing all but one small patch of reflection from the original image. The remaining minor reflection was easily eliminated using the heal tool by simply brushing over the affected area. While the final result may not win photography awards – being a quick iPhone snapshot after all – the edited version provided a far more accurate representation of the travel experience than the reflection-laden original.
Adobe's Reflection Removal tool operates using the company's Firefly generative AI platform, which distinguishes itself by being built on licensed content rather than scraping copyrighted material from the internet. This ethical approach to AI development addresses some photographers' concerns about generative artificial intelligence technology. The tool represents a software-based solution to a problem traditionally solved only through hardware – specifically circular polarizing filters.
However, the technology has significant limitations that prevent it from replacing traditional photography equipment entirely. When tested on images with stronger reflections, where interior reflections were more prominent than the exterior subject matter, the AI tool produced unsatisfactory and sometimes disturbing results. The software struggled with complex reflection scenarios, demonstrating that while promising, the technology requires ideal conditions to function effectively.
The speed comparison between software and hardware solutions also favors traditional methods in many situations. While the AI tool completed its processing relatively quickly and the entire editing process took only a few minutes, a photographer can adjust a polarizing filter on their lens within seconds during shooting. This time advantage, combined with the reliability of getting the shot right in-camera, maintains the relevance of traditional polarizing filters for professional photographers.
Despite these limitations, the Reflection Removal tool serves a valuable purpose in digital photography workflows. Its ability to rescue photographs that would otherwise be discarded due to unwanted reflections – particularly in situations where proper equipment wasn't available or the shot was spontaneous – makes it a worthwhile addition to post-processing arsenals. The technology proves especially useful for smartphone photography and situations where carrying additional camera equipment isn't practical.
The broader implications of this AI-powered editing capability suggest a future where post-processing tools can increasingly compensate for less-than-ideal shooting conditions. While not a replacement for proper photographic technique and equipment, these AI-enhanced features provide photographers with additional options for salvaging images that might otherwise be lost. As the technology continues to evolve, it's likely that future iterations will handle more complex reflection scenarios with greater accuracy and reliability.
