Photoshop’s AI-powered Remove Tool reached new heights in 2025, with its “Find Distractions” feature (first introduced in 2024 and refined in the March 2025 update, version 26.5) delivering flawless distraction removal. Beyond simple wires or people, it now tackles tied elements like shadows and reflections with uncanny precision—perfect for urban or event photography.
In this tutorial, we’ll transform a cluttered urban event photo by removing a person, their shadow, and a reflective sign, leaving a pristine result. Let’s master flawless AI editing for 2025.
What You’ll Need
- Adobe Photoshop 2025 (version 26.5 or later for the latest AI enhancements)
- A sample image (e.g., an urban event scene with a person, their shadow, and a reflective sign)
Step 1: Load Your Image and Create a Working Layer
Open Photoshop and import your urban event photo. For a non-destructive workflow, create a new layer by clicking the “New Layer” icon in the Layers panel (or Ctrl+Shift+N / Cmd+Shift+N). Name it “Flawless Removal” to keep things organised.
Step 2: Choose the Remove Tool
Head to the Toolbar and select the Remove Tool (nested under the Spot Healing Brush, shortcut J). Click and hold the Spot Healing Brush icon, then pick “Remove Tool” from the flyout menu. You can dive deeper into the tool’s specs at Adobe’s Remove Tool Documentation (2025 Update).
Step 3: Set Up for Flawless AI Precision
In the Options bar, switch Mode to “Generative AI On” to tap into Adobe Firefly’s 2025 capabilities for seamless fills. Tick “Sample All Layers” to edit on your new layer whilst referencing the original below. Untick “Remove After Each Stroke” for a one-click approach initially.
Step 4: Use Find Distractions to Spot People and Shadows
Click “Find Distractions” in the Options bar and select “People” from the “Editable” dropdown.
Photoshop’s 2025 AI will scan the image, highlighting the person and their shadow in a pink overlay—ensuring no stray shadows spoil your flawless result.
Step 5: Perfect the Selection for Shadows
If the AI misses subtle shadow edges or overextends, refine it. Adjust the Remove Tool’s brush size (e.g., 20-30 px) in the Options bar and paint over missed shadow areas to include them in the overlay. Use Alt / Option to subtract excess selections, then hit the checkmark to apply.
Step 6: Eliminate Reflective Distractions Seamlessly
For the reflective sign, skip presets and brush directly with the Remove Tool (size 50-70 px). Paint over the reflection, letting the AI analyse and rebuild the background (e.g., a shopfront) flawlessly, thanks to 2025’s smarter fill algorithms.
Step 7: Finalise Your Flawless Edit
Toggle the “Flawless Removal” layer’s visibility in the Layers panel to admire your work. If minor imperfections linger (e.g., a faint reflection), brush over them again with the Remove Tool. Save as a PSD to preserve layers, then export as a JPG for a flawless final image.
Pro Tips
- Urban Precision: Use smaller brushes (10-20 px) for intricate city details like cobblestones.
- AI Boost: Switch to “Generative AI Auto” in Step 3 for adaptive fills on tricky spots.
- Lighting Check: Match shadow direction in fills for a truly flawless look.
Why This Rocks in 2025
The 2025 “Find Distractions” upgrade makes Photoshop’s AI a flawless distraction-busting beast, handling shadows and reflections that 2024’s version struggled with. It’s a time-saver for urban or event photographers aiming for perfection. Try it on your next cluttered shot, or check out other AI related tutorial here on PSD Vault!