Remove Glare & Reflections Without Destroying Photo Quality

Windshields and paint create mirror surfaces that ruin car photos. You appear in the reflection, nearby vehicles show up, and the car's actual color becomes impossible to judge.

Reflection removal isolates and eliminates mirrored elements while preserving the underlying paint and glass appearance. This is technically complex—removing a reflection without removing the surface it's on requires distinguishing between actual color and reflected light.

Why dealers struggle here: They photograph at the wrong time of day (high sun creates harsh reflections) in the wrong location (surrounded by reflective objects). Even with optimal conditions, some reflection is unavoidable on glossy surfaces. Post-processing removes what careful photography can't prevent.

Sarah photographs vehicles for an auction platform. One black sedan photographed with visible reflections of the warehouse ceiling and her camera. The listing received 12 views in three days. After removing reflections to show the actual paint finish, the same vehicle got 47 views in the next three days and sold for $1,200 above reserve price. Buyers could finally see what they were bidding on.

When this creates problems: Removing all reflections from chrome and glass can make surfaces look flat and unrealistic. Some reflective highlights are necessary for dimensional appearance. Over-processed cars look artificial, which triggers buyer skepticism. Remove distracting reflections, preserve natural highlights that show shape and surface quality.

Start with your vehicles that photograph worst—dark colors under overhead lighting show the most dramatic improvement.