deghosting

Deghosting is a term used in several fields to describe processes that remove or mitigate ghost effects. In imaging and media processing, it refers to reducing ghost artifacts; in social communication, it denotes the act of re-engaging with someone who has previously ceased contact.

In photography and video, ghosting arises from background movement, bright light sources, or reflections creating translucent copies or halos. Deghosting techniques include aligning multiple exposures in HDR imaging, masking or selectively blending areas to exclude ghosted regions, and applying deconvolution or machine-learning based filters that separate motion from artifacts.

In optics and display technology, deghosting describes measures to reduce lens flare, internal reflections, or motion trailing in images. Approaches include optical coatings, improved lens design, and post-processing methods to suppress residual halos and smearing.

In social contexts, deghosting refers to efforts to re-establish communication with someone who previously ghosted them, or to manage a situation where one is contemplating returning contact after a period of silence. The term highlights the communication dynamics of digital-era relationships, and practices vary by culture and situation.

See also: ghosting, lens flare, HDR imaging, deconvolution.