How can I remove people from pictures using my iPhone?

Iphone
1

I took some amazing photos on my iPhone during a recent trip, but there are random people in the background that I want to erase. Does anyone know the best way or app to do this? Any detailed steps or recommendations would be really appreciated. Thanks!

2

You can remove people from pictures on your iPhone using a variety of apps and techniques. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Using the Photos App

  1. Open the Photos app: Find the picture you want to edit.
  2. Edit mode: Tap on the “Edit” button in the top right corner.
  3. Crop and Straighten: Sometimes, simply cropping the image can remove unwanted people. Use the crop tool and adjust the frame to cut out the background clutter.
  4. Adjust the Brightness and Contrast: Changing brightness, contrast, and other settings can help minimize the appearance of background people.

Using Third-Party Apps

TouchRetouch App

This app is quite user-friendly and efficient for removing unwanted elements from your photos.

  1. Download TouchRetouch from the App Store.
  2. Open the app and select your photo.
  3. Object Removal Tool: Select “Object Removal” after opening the image.
  4. Highlight the Person: Use your finger to highlight the person you want to remove. The app will automatically identify and remove them.
  5. Refine the Edit: If the removal isn’t perfect, you can use the Clone Stamp tool to further refine the area.
  6. Save your photo by hitting “Export.”

Snapseed

Another powerful app by Google, Snapseed, includes the “Healing” tool which can help remove people from your images.

  1. Download and open Snapseed.
  2. Select the photo from your library.
  3. Go to Tools and tap on “Healing”.
  4. Tap on the unwanted person: The “Healing” tool will try to blend the selected area with the surrounding pixels.
  5. Zoom in and refine: You may need to zoom in and carefully work on smaller sections if the first pass isn’t perfect.
  6. Export your photo by tapping “Save.”

Using Photoshop Express

If you’re comfortable with more complex software, Photoshop Express offers detailed tools for removing objects.

  1. Download Photoshop Express from the App Store.
  2. Open your photo inside the app.
  3. Use the “Healing” tool: Much like Snapseed, you can tap on “Spot Heal” and brush over areas you want to remove.
  4. Zoom in for precision: Make sure to zoom in for a more accurate edit.
  5. Save your image by tapping on the “Upload” icon and selecting “Save to Camera Roll.”

Using Desktop Software

If you prefer more control, transferring your photo to a desktop and using software like Photoshop or GIMP can provide the highest level of precision.

  1. Transfer your photo to your computer using AirDrop or an USB connection.
  2. Open Photoshop/GIMP and load your image.
  3. Use the Clone Stamp or Spot Healing Brush Tool in Photoshop:
    • Clone Stamp Tool: Select the tool, choose a sample area (alt-click), and paint over the person you want to remove.
    • Spot Healing Brush Tool: Simply click and drag over the person, and Photoshop will try to blend the area with surrounding pixels.
  4. For GIMP, you have similar tools like the “Clone Tool” and the “Heal Selection” to achieve the same results.
  5. Save your edited photo and transfer back to your iPhone if needed.

Tips and Tricks

  • Lighting and Shadows: Pay attention to lighting and shadows. If the background is complex, removing people can be tricky and may require multiple passes with the healing or clone tools.
  • Practice Patience: Especially with mobile apps, the first edit might not be perfect. Take your time and refine as needed.
  • Use Layers (In Desktop Software): Working with layers allows you to refine your edits non-destructively.

Conclusion

There are multiple ways to remove people from your pictures directly on your iPhone or using your computer. Whether you choose to use a simple app like TouchRetouch or opt for more control with Photoshop, the tools and techniques mentioned should help you achieve cleaner, clutter-free photos. Experiment with different methods to see which works best for you! And remember, the more you practice, the better you’ll get at making those edits look natural.

3

I’ve read @byteguru’s thorough guide on using apps like TouchRetouch, Snapseed, and Photoshop Express. While those are indeed some effective options, I think we might be missing a trick here—shortcuts and plugins built right into the iPhone ecosystem.

Native iPhone Features

Markup Tool

The Markup tool built into the iPhone’s Photos app is often overlooked but can be quite handy for minimal edits:

  1. Open the Photos app and find your picture.
  2. Tap ‘Edit’ and then the three-dot menu (…) to select ‘Markup.’
  3. Use the Brush Tool: Choose a suitable brush size and color that matches the background to paint over the unwanted person.
  4. Zoom in for precision: Just use your fingers to zoom in and make more precise adjustments.

It’s not the most sophisticated tool for object removal, but for those small background distractions, it can do a decent job without the need for third-party apps.

Mobile Browser Option

Web-based Tools

What if you don’t wanna clutter your phone with more apps? Try web-based tools. Like LunaPic!

  1. Visit LunaPic’s website on your iPhone’s browser.
  2. Upload your photo.
  3. Use the Edit → Crop or Erase tools.
    It’s simpler, no apps needed, and gets the job done relatively well for basic edits.

Subtle Mac Alternatives

Apple Photos on Mac

If you’ve got a Mac, Apple Photos has built-in retouch options:

  1. Airdrop the photo to your Mac.
  2. Open Apple Photos and select the image.
  3. Click on ‘Edit’ and use the Retouch tool.
  4. Brush over the unwanted area, and it intelligently removes minor imperfections and objects.

Acorn Photo Editor

Another decent option is using Acorn, which is a much less intimidating alternative to Photoshop:

  1. Import the photo.
  2. Choose the Clone Tool to seamlessly blend areas.
  3. Takes a bit more manual effort, but gives you finer control compared to basic apps.

Opinion & Caution

I agree with @byteguru about practicing patience. No tool will be perfect right away, especially on complex backgrounds. Some tools or methods work better than others depending on the image complexity, so you might end up trying a couple before finalizing your edit. Lastly, keep an eye on ethical use; if the person in the background deserves to be credited, think twice before removing them.

Is there anyone else who looks for more AI-based automated tools, or am I the only one paranoid about spending too much time on manual edits?

4

Y’all are making it sound way too easy. Let’s be real here, no app is gonna give you Photoshop-level edits on an iPhone.

Sure, TouchRetouch and Snapseed might work for simple backgrounds but try using those tools on a complex background with people or intricate patterns. Spoiler alert: It’s gonna look hella obvious that you edited the pic. The so-called “healing” and “clone” tools often leave weird smudges or repetitive patterns that scream “amateur editing.”

Markup tool? Seriously? That’s like trying to paint a house with a toothbrush. Fine for a tiny spot but for people? Nah, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

LunaPic? A browser-based tool sounds convenient until you realize you need a stable internet connection and get bombarded by ads and slow processing. No thanks.

By the time you fumble through all these half-baked solutions, you could’ve just transferred the photo to a desktop and used proper software like Photoshop or GIMP, which, let’s face it, are the real MVPs for precise editing.

Anyone else feel like these “solutions” are just stop-gaps until you finally use a tool that actually works? Or am I too cynical for these so-called “quick fixes”?