Don’t you hate it when you take a photograph of a beautiful object in front of you, that there’s something obstructing your view, whether is a barrier or a glass? Soon smartphones cameras may have a way around these obstructions.Photoshop experts have been able to remove such obstructions out of images for years using the clone tool.
A new photo editing algorithm developed by Google in collaboration with researchers at MIT can let people remove all traces of foreground obstructions in photos and end up with clear, reflection-free photo they wanted to take.
The technology lives up to the expectations by letting users take a short video panning along the object they wanted to take a snap of. The camera must be moving slightly so it can take numerous frame from different angles. The photo editing algorithm then extracts around five to seven of these frames to focus on the obstruction and takes pixels from other images to put in place of the removed reflection to deliver an image that is free from deterrents.
Photo Editing Algorithm
When several images are shot in a quick sequence, the algorithm will identify the reflections which are identical in each image. The software will compare these images for any counteract image from the glass, whereas the original subject will remain constant; further it will divide the image into 8×8 pixel blocks, and it will calculate the equation between each pixel. These tiny blocks are very important because any massive changes in color are not apt in such a small quantity if scanned data, and the reflection of any foreign object will be apparent all over the edges
This technique won’t help if you are planning to get rid of reflections from a single image; you must provide the software with minimum two- three pictures taken in a succession to enable it to figure out the reflection contents.
The algorithm is not just limited to erasing reflections. Apparently, it is also capable of removing other foreground obstructions, such as raindrops on a glass window or a cyclone fence.
Although, the algorithm isn’t 100 percent immaculate, since a large number of images produced reveal a touch of ghosting, where one can see a hint of reflection. The photo editing algorithm however, is obviously better at removing obstruction in photos.
Samsung has developed its own camera algorithm, Eraser Mode that is available in the Galaxy S4. It works the same way as this photo editing algorithm does, however, it cannot scale up sufficiently to remove obstructions that take up a decent space in the photo such as chain-link fences or users reflection.
The photo editing algorithm appears has all the earmarks of being in the early phases of development. The two bodies may tweak their latest technology before it appears in Google devices, but that is only if Google decides to bring this technology out in the market. Researchers will be introducing their algorithm at the Siggraph 2015 conference.
