I Am Speechless Over The New Adobe Reflection Removal Tool

Reflections can be a blessing or a curse for photographers. Often times, I strive to get reflections when photographing landscapes with a large body of water in the foreground. However, there are times when reflections can detract from a photo, as well. Whether you’re shooting through a window in a bustling city, capturing landscapes from an airplane, or taking quick snaps from behind glass, reflections can interfere with the clarity of your images.

Fortunately, Adobe’s latest feature, Reflection Removal in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR), is a game-changer for photographers who want to enhance their photos without being constrained by pesky reflections. After you watch my video and read this article, be sure to check out Adobe’s official blog post on Reflection Removal here.

What is Reflection Removal?

Reflection Removal, currently available as a technology preview in Adobe Camera Raw 17.1, utilizes advanced AI to remove reflections from images taken through glass. This tool isolates the subject behind the glass and minimizes the reflected content, enabling you to capture a cleaner, more focused image. Currently, Reflection Removal works with most RAW file formats like DNG, Sony ARW, and Apple ProRAW, but it’s not compatible with JPEG or TIFF files yet. And you can access Reflection Removal via Adobe Camera Raw through the latest version of Photoshop 2025 or Bridge. And good news for Lightroom users—Reflection Removal will be integrated into Lightroom in the future.

How to Use Reflection Removal

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using this powerful feature:

1. Update Your Software: Ensure you have the latest version of Photoshop (26.1) and Adobe Camera Raw (17.1) installed. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app, navigate to the apps section, and check for updates.
   

2. Enable Technology Previews: In Camera Raw, click the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Preferences. Under the Technology Previews tab, enable the checkbox for AI features, then restart Photoshop.
   
   

3. Open Your RAW Images: Reflection Removal currently only works with supported RAW files. I recommend opening your image as a Smart Object in Photoshop, then double-click the Smart Object to launch Camera Raw. Using Smart Objects gives you the benefit of preserving your Camera Raw settings should you want to refine them after the fact.

4. Activate Reflection Removal: In Camera Raw, click on the Remove icon in the right toolbar. Under the Distraction Removal section, you’ll see a checkbox labeled “Reflections.” Click it to enable the feature.

5. Adjust the Reflection Slider: The slider ranges from -100 to +100. At +100, the tool focuses on removing reflections to reveal the subject behind the glass. At -100, it enhances the reflective content, showcasing what’s mirrored on the glass. This dual functionality offers creative flexibility depending on your intent.

Practical Applications

© Katrin Eismann

Reflection Removal is ideal for:

• Cityscapes and Urban Photography: When shooting through windows, such as in skyscrapers or shops, this tool helps minimize distractions.

• Travel Photography: From airplane windows to aquarium tanks, the feature simplifies editing for clearer results.

• Indoor Events: For photographers capturing moments through glass/windows, Reflection Removal ensures a cleaner composition.

Maximizing Your Results

While the tool performs impressively in most scenarios, bright specular highlights or strong light sources can occasionally challenge the AI. If necessary, you can use Photoshop’s generative AI tools to clean up residual issues, such as small spots or light artifacts.

Additionally, using Smart Objects is recommended when working in Photoshop. Smart Objects allow you to revisit and adjust the Reflection Removal settings at any time, offering non-destructive editing capabilities.

Wrapping Things Up

The tool’s ability to differentiate between the reflective layer and the subject behind the glass is what makes it truly remarkable. By effectively processing two distinct images—the subject and the reflection—Reflection Removal gives photographers unprecedented control over their edits. You can decide whether to emphasize or minimize reflections, tailoring the outcome to your creative vision.