In photography, capturing the perfect moment can sometimes be marred by unwanted distractions, especially when it comes to people in the background. Fortunately, Adobe Camera Raw has introduced a new feature that allows users to easily remove distracting individuals from their images. In this article, we will explore how to utilize this innovative tool, enabling photographers to enhance their images with minimal effort.
To access the people removal feature in Adobe Camera Raw, you may need to enable the technical previews. This process varies slightly depending on whether you’re starting in Photoshop or Adobe Bridge. Let’s break it down step by step to ensure you can make the most of this exciting new tool.
Enabling Technical Previews
If you’re using Photoshop, follow these simple steps:
- Go to Photoshop Settings and select Camera Raw.
- On Windows, navigate to the Edit menu, then choose Technology Previews.
- Enable the new AI features in the settings panel.
- Quit and restart Photoshop to apply the changes.
For users starting in Adobe Bridge, the steps are similar:
- Select Adobe Bridge and then Camera Raw Preferences.
- Again, on Windows, use the Edit menu to access Technology Previews.
- Enable the new AI features and restart Bridge.
Using the People Removal Tool
Once you have enabled the technical previews, you can start using the people removal tool. Open your chosen images in Camera Raw, and select the Remove Tool, which can also be accessed by pressing the B key. In the distraction removal section, click on People. Adobe Camera Raw will automatically detect areas in the image that contain distracting individuals, highlighting them with a red overlay.
To remove the distractions, simply click on Remove. The tool employs generative AI technology to fill in the areas left behind, seamlessly blending them with the surrounding content.
Regenerating Content
In case you want to make adjustments, you can click on a pin to regenerate the content. If the AI mistakenly selects a person you wish to keep, select that pin and choose Delete. Alternatively, clicking the Reset button will remove all pins if needed.
Handling Complex Images
Not all images are straightforward when it comes to removing distractions. For example, if Camera Raw detects individuals that are part of the primary subject, you can manually paint over the area you wish to remove. For images with multiple people, select the remove tool and paint over the area. After clicking Remove, Camera Raw will generate several variations for you to choose from, allowing you to pick the best option for your image.
When working with shadows, be mindful that not all shadows cast by removed individuals may be masked. After using the remove tool, you might find that some areas still need attention. In such cases, you can delete ineffective pins and reapply the removal tool, ensuring you include all shadows for a more polished result.
Copying and Pasting Removal Settings
Another fantastic feature of Adobe Camera Raw is the ability to copy and paste people distraction removal settings. To do this:
- Open the Try Dot Menu and select Copy Selected Edit Settings.
- Enable the People option in the Remove section.
- Select another image and choose Paste Edit Settings to apply the same adjustments.
Additionally, you can create a preset that includes people removal, making it adaptive for future images. When applied, Camera Raw will independently search for and detect people in each image, removing them as necessary.
Feedback and Final Thoughts
As this feature is still in tech preview, users may encounter some odd results. Adobe encourages feedback through their forums, allowing users to report their experiences and suggestions. This collaborative approach helps to refine the tool for better performance in future updates.
Conclusion
The people removal feature in Adobe Camera Raw is a game-changer for photographers seeking to enhance their images by eliminating unwanted distractions. By following the steps outlined above, you can leverage this powerful tool to create cleaner, more captivating photographs. Don’t forget to experiment with the various options and provide feedback to Adobe, helping to shape the future of this innovative technology.
Credit: Julieanne Kost on YouTube
