Photoshop experts have long been able to whisk tourists away from their pictures by combining multiple shots. Now Adobe Systems has packaged that technique called monument mode into a prototype app for smartphone cameras.

Monument mode analyzes video of a scene and separates what is transitory -- tourists or cars, for example -- from what is permanent. The result, should the company choose to turn the technology into a product, is a cleaner view of the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower or any other landmark usually cluttered with and obstructed by humans.