So you have just created a spectacular photo with your digital camera were it not for that one guy walking by in just the wrong moment. Or maybe it is an item or object that you want to remove to improve the quality of the photo. If you do not have the Photoshop skills to do that, you are left with automated programs and services that can help you with that, or, by keeping the photo as it has been taken no matter what.
Before you give up you may want to try out Webinpaint, a free online service that helps you remove objects from photos and images. The service could not be easier to use.
- Select Load Image to pick a photo from the local system that you want to manipulate.
- You can now erase parts of the photo with left mouse clicks. This feels similar to an eraser tool that you may know from photo editing software. Note that this is just highlighting what you want erased.
- Once you are done you click on the Inpaint button and wait until the photo has been processed.
Let me walk you through an example to give you a better impression of the application. Below is the original photo that I have uploaded to the service.
First thing I did then was to change the size of the marker tool and zoom in on the object that I want removed from the photo. You may need to experiment with different brush sizes to get it right. Note that you can click on the x-icon to start over.
Once you have made the selection you click on the Inpaint button and wait a couple of seconds that the processing takes before the result is displayed on the screen. The result may not be perfect but it is usually pretty good for the time you spend.
You may need to repeat the procedure again sometimes when the application's algorithm gets it wrong the first time. While the object is removed, you may notice artifacts on the photo that you can easily get rid of by repeating the process.
A click on save opens the save as window after a couple of seconds to save the edited photo to the local system.
Verdict
Results are not perfect and anyone analyzing the image will know that it has been manipulated. Regardless of that, Webinpaint offers a comfortable and easy to use option to remove objects from photos.
Hey Martin,
There's some great sites in your "Links" menu.
I'm not sure whether to thank, or curse you.
I like most of them, but now I have 13 tabs (had a lot more earlier), loaded with articles from those sites and software and services that they discuss and link to.
Are you affiliated with any of them? Or just friend's sites, etc.
Well it only lists sites that I know the webmaster of, so, it is more of a friend-thing than anything else with the exception of Brothersoft.
I don't think inpaint is free. When I went to the site to download, I got the impression that the software was free to try.
I don't know too much about computers. Just recently I started getting your newsletter, and it's very informative. Thank you.