Embodiments are disclosed for generating an instant mask from polarized input images. A method of generating the mask includes obtaining, by a user interface manager, a set of polarized input images, the set of polarized images including background images depicting a background and subject images depicting a foreground object in front of the background and backlit by a polarized light source, the set of polarized input images including more than two polarized images, each associated with a different polarization angle, determining, by a matte optimization manager, an at least partially polarized reflection on the foreground object based on the set of polarized input images, determining, by the matte optimization manager, an alpha matte based at least on intensity values associated with each of the set of polarized input images such that the alpha matte isolates the foreground object and removes the at least partially polarized reflection, and generating, by a matte generator, an output matte based on the alpha matte.