The final cut has a good take except for someone walking through the background. The editor expects the clean plate to…
Use the Dodge and Burn tools with low opacity to subtly reduce the glare. Alternatively, apply a soft, low-opacity Gaussian Blur on a duplicate layer over the specular highlight area. This helps match the reflection to surrounding lighting.
Avoid over-blurring or making the area look unnatural, which is a common mistake. Carefully compare with the original image to keep the surface looking realistic.
Usually when the reflections distract from the main subject or clash with the overall mood of the image. For instance, a product photographer might do this before final color correction to make packaging look consistent.
This step is often done after basic adjustments like cropping or brightness but before final retouching.
Work gradually, using small adjustments with tools like the Clone Stamp or Healing Brush to carefully blend the highlight area. Sometimes, reducing the highlight with a layer mask allows more control.
A common mistake is over-smoothing, which flattens the texture. Always compare with the original to maintain surface detail.
Don’t simply lower the brightness or contrast of the entire image, as this can make the surface look unnatural or dull. Focus specifically on the bright spots.
Many beginners try to fix highlights globally, which can ruin the realistic look of glossy surfaces.
A product retoucher or advertising photographer often does this during final editing to make the product look appealing without distracting glare.
AI can automatically detect and soften highlights, saving time. However, it might not always match the specific surface texture, so manual touch-ups are still needed for realism.
No, it’s specific to shiny surfaces or reflections. Softening skin involves different retouching steps, and removing background distractions usually requires selection and replacement techniques.