1. A method for separation of specular and diffuse reflections in an RGB image, the method comprising: inputting the RGB image into a computer programmed to execute the steps of: transforming the RGB image into an image in SUV color space to produce a partial dichromatic separation, wherein the SUV color space comprises a specular channel and two diffuse channels; re-parameterizing the image in SUV color space using a combination of cylindrical and spherical coordinates ρ, θ, and φ, where φ represents a specular contribution, and ρ and θ represent diffuse color information; applying a non-linear partial differential equation to iteratively erode the specular contribution with time until a change in erosion is less than a pre-selected threshold; and generating an output comprising at least an image comprising the diffuse component of the RGB image.