Glare on glass can ruin a great photo, but you don’t have to let it. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to remove glare from glass in Photoshop using simple, effective techniques. Whether it’s a reflection on a window or a shine from a glass object, you’ll see how easy it is to fix.
By following this guide, you’ll quickly master the tools you need to remove glare without losing any important details. The ability to edit your photos effectively improves their quality and increases their market value. High-quality, glare-free images are more attractive to buyers, clients, or even for personal projects. Let’s get started and make your photos shine!
What Causes Glare in Photos?
Glare happens when strong light sources reflect off glass surfaces and into your camera lens. It’s common in indoor photography, outdoor window shots, or portraits of people wearing glasses. While you can reduce glare with better lighting or filters during a photoshoot, post-processing in Photoshop is often the best fix.
Tools You’ll Use in Photoshop
To remove glare from glass effectively, you’ll be using:
Clone Stamp Tool
Healing Brush Tool
Patch Tool
Adjustment Layers (Curves or Levels)
Optional: Frequency Separation (for advanced retouching)
How to Remove Glare from Glass in Photoshop
Open Your Image and Create a Duplicate Layer
Always work on a duplicate layer so your original image stays intact. Use Ctrl + J (Windows) or Cmd + J (Mac) to duplicate the background layer.
Zoom In on the Glare Area
Glare often affects small details, so zoom in to get a clear view before editing.
Use the Clone Stamp Tool
- Select the Clone Stamp Tool (S).
- Hold Alt (or Option on Mac) and click near the glare to sample a clean area.
- Carefully paint over the glare, adjusting brush size and hardness as needed.
Try the Healing Brush Tool
- Select the Healing Brush Tool.
- Again, sample a clean area using Alt or Option.
- Brush over the glare; Photoshop will blend the sampled texture into the area.
- Fix Larger Glare Spots with the Patch Tool
- Select the Patch Tool.
- Draw a selection around the glare.
- Drag the selected area to a clean, similar texture area.
- Photoshop will blend it naturally.
Adjust Brightness and Contrast (if needed)
- Add a Curves or Levels adjustment layer.
- Use a soft brush on the layer mask to apply adjustments only to glare-affected areas.
Advanced Tip:
Use Frequency Separation for Detailed Edits
Frequency separation lets you edit the texture and color separately for photos where glare disrupts fine texture (like skin or reflections). This is ideal for professional retouching but requires more setup.
Final Touches
Take your time and refine the image:
- Zoom in close and clean up edges.
