Have you ever captured a great photo, only to find annoying glare ruining the final result?
I recently had this problem with some portraits and old photos. Reflections from glasses, windows, and bright lights covered important details, and simple adjustments couldn’t completely fix them.
So I tested several ways to remove glare from photos, including AI tools, online editors, and mobile apps. Here’s what I found and which method worked best for different situations.
My Experience Removing Glare from Photos
1. Using AI to Remove Glare (The Method I Liked Most)
The first method I tried was an AI photo enhancer. I wanted something that could automatically detect glare instead of spending a lot of time manually adjusting brightness and contrast.
I tested HitPaw FotorPea, and it was probably the easiest solution for photos with strong reflections.
What I liked:
- It automatically analyzes the image and improves damaged areas.
- It helps restore hidden details behind glare.
- It works well for portraits, old photos, glasses reflections, and low-quality images.
- The whole process only takes a few clicks.
My workflow was simple:
- Upload the photo with glare.
- Choose the AI enhancement model.
- Let the AI process the image.
- Export the clearer result.
The biggest difference I noticed was that the photo looked more natural instead of simply making the bright areas darker.
My tip:
AI works best when glare has already affected important details. For small reflections, basic editing may be enough, but strong glare usually needs AI restoration.
2. Trying Online Glare Removal Tools
I also tested a few online tools because sometimes I don’t want to install software.
Online editors like Magic Hour AI are convenient because you can open them directly in a browser and quickly process a photo.
However, I noticed some limitations:
- Processing speed depends on the internet connection.
- Advanced restoration features may require payment.
- Large or damaged photos may not get the same quality result as desktop AI tools.
They are great for quick fixes, but for important memories or high-resolution photos, I personally prefer a dedicated AI enhancer.
3. Removing Glare on My Phone
For photos taken directly from my phone, I also tried mobile editing apps.
Mobile apps are convenient because I can fix photos anywhere. They work well for simple glare, especially from sunlight or small reflections.
However, when the glare covered faces or important objects, the results were usually not as accurate as AI desktop tools.
My suggestion:
- Small glare → mobile apps are enough.
- Heavy reflections → AI enhancement gives better results.
My Thoughts: Which Method Should You Choose?
After testing different options, this is what I would recommend:
| Method | Best For | My Experience |
|---|---|---|
| AI Photo Enhancer | Strong glare, portraits, old photos |  Best overall result |
| Online Tools | Quick fixes without installing | Convenient but limited |
| Mobile Apps | Small reflections on phone photos | Good for basic editing |
For me, AI was the easiest way because I didn’t need professional editing skills. It saved time and gave the photo a more natural look.
See the full article: How to Remove Glare from Any Photo Without Photoshop
Final Verdict
After trying different methods, I found that removing glare is not just about making bright areas darker — it’s about recovering the details hidden underneath.
For quick adjustments, online tools and mobile apps are useful. But when dealing with important photos, portraits, or old memories, AI enhancement gives a much more natural result.
I’ve also noticed that HitPaw is celebrating its 6th Anniversary, with special offers on its AI tools. If you have a collection of photos waiting to be restored, this might be a good time to try AI photo enhancement and bring those memories back with better quality.