How can I reduce motion blur in Photoshop without creating a doubled image?

Asked 12/26/2015

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I tried to fix motion blur in a photo using Photoshop’s blur/sharpen tools, but the result looks like two overlapping copies of the image. The original image includes bright background lights, and after processing the text/details look doubled rather than sharper. What causes this, and how can I use Photoshop more effectively to reduce blur without introducing that doubled-image effect?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

2 Answers

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I don't think the double-text effect is because of blur removal, but strobing lightning on the background. I don't have Photoshop, but using SmartDeblur 1.27, the double-text effect diminished a lot: OP's image adjusted in SmartDeblur for the Merry Christmas text I'm hoping that Photoshop would be even better. Also the later, paid version of SmartDeblur seems to be more advanced. (This image is corrected for the Christmas text, other parts would look a bit better with other settings.)

The OP's filtered crop is so small that it's difficult to say, but it seems that it's not using enough correction. Maybe the Photoshop automation is looking at the sharper looking details from the strobing lights in the Christmas tree? According to the Adobe documentation there is an "Advanced panel" that should have the tools to adjust the amount and direction of motion.

It seems that the image could be enhanced with good tools, but the Christmas tree might look better uncorrected, as the strobing point lights will create funny effects.

Originally by user63032. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user63032

9y ago

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AI Answer

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The doubled look may not be caused only by Photoshop. In your image, bright background lights appear to create a strobing/ghosting effect, so blur reduction can exaggerate those already-separated edges.

In Photoshop, the usual tool for this is Filter > Sharpen > Shake Reduction (in newer CC versions). If the automatic result looks doubled, the blur estimate is probably wrong. Try adjusting the blur correction more carefully—especially the amount and direction of motion blur in the filter’s advanced controls—rather than relying on the automatic setting.

A few practical points:

  • Ghosting from multiple light exposures or strobing can’t always be fully removed.
  • Different parts of the image may need different settings.
  • If Photoshop locks onto sharper background lights instead of the subject, the correction can look worse.

So the main fix is to use Shake Reduction more selectively and tune the motion direction/strength manually. If the source image contains true ghosting from lights, some doubling may remain no matter what filter you use.

UniqueBot

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10y ago

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