Skip to main content

Adobe unveils amazing ‘unblur’ feature for Photoshop [video]

blurry-photo-Adobe-Photoshop-unblur-shutterstock
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Once again, Adobe is about to change the wold of photography forever. During the company’s MAX 2011 conference, which took place last week in Los Angeles, California, Adobe gave a sneak peak of a new Photoshop filter that will allow users to unblur their shaky photographs.

The new feature, which is still in development, was revealed to the public in a YouTube video posted to Reddit.com. In the video, a presenter (whose name we cannot confirm) showcases the functionality of the unblur filter.

As the presenter explains, the filter analyzes the form of the blurred photograph to figure out which direction the camera moved when the shutter was open, thus creating the out-of-focus image. An algorithm in the software then makes a highly educated guess about how the photo should look if the camera had not moved. Instantly after the filter is employed, the example photo goes from fuzzy to crystal clear, eliciting gasps and applause from the crowd.

The feature reminds us of the Lytro cameras, which have just recently gone into production. Whereas Adobe’s unblur feature removes camera movement, the Lytro camera allows users to change the point of focus in their photographs after the picture is taken. That means that if you tried to capture someone in the foreground, but the auto-focus captured the trees in the background, you can simply change the entire focus of the image with your computer. (Try out Lytro refocusing here.)

With both the Adobe unblur feature and the Lytro camera on the horizon, it’s clear that we are entering a new era of photography wherein the rules are changed, and mistakes that once ruined photos forever now become erased with the click of a button.

Adobe did not immediately respond to our request for comment, so we do not yet know when the unblur filter will find its way into Photoshop. But we’re hoping it’s sometime soon.

See the unblur filter in action below:

(via TNW)/[Image via SVLuma/Shutterstock]

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
How to create a layer mask in Photoshop
Close up of Adobe Photoshop app icon being chosen from among other Adobe apps on a laptop screen.

If you’ve used Photoshop for image-editing, you know that the popular program can sometimes be a little intimidating for newcomers. One of the advanced, but vital tools you’ll need to get to grips with eventually is the humble layer mask. This feature allows you to alter small parts of an image, leaving other parts untouched.

In this guide, we explain all of the steps you need to follow to create a layer mask. Once you know how to create a layer mask, you can edit small parts of your images without having to change the entire thing.
What is a Photoshop layer mask?
A layer mask makes a portion of that layer invisible, revealing the layers underneath, while keeping other parts of the layer intact. Unlike making a selection to copy and paste into a new layer, a layer mask allows you to go back and make adjustments to what’s included in the selection (and what’s not included) at any point in the editing process.

Read more
How much is Adobe Photoshop?

how much adobe photoshop

A once simple question has grown to include multiple answers after Adobe has switched to a subscription-style service. After the launch of Photoshop CC in 2013, Adobe no longer offers a one-time purchase option for its popular photo editing software. Let’s take a look at the different options you have for obtaining Photoshop, and what other options you have if subscription services aren’t your thing.
Signing up for Adobe Creative Cloud

The only way to obtain the latest version of Photoshop is to sign up for Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription. This service provides creative tools, such as Photoshop and other popular Adobe options, including Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Dreamweaver, and more. Depending on the package you select, and whether you are an individual, a business, or a student, there are a few subscription options available.

Read more
How to make and install Photoshop actions to speed up your editing workflow
How to resize an image on Photoshop.

Photoshop actions are an easy way to turn complex, multi-step edits into a one-click process. Actions record your exact steps and allow you to replay them to repeat the same edit across other photos. Photoshop pros often make their actions available to download, but you can also easily create your own.

Actions work best for edits that don’t vary between images. For example, a Photoshop action to correct white balance will only work on images that start with the same exact white balance settings, while wreaking havoc on others. The same idea applies to local edits -- local adjustments don’t work for actions unless you want the same effect in the same exact location on subsequent photos.

Read more