1. A method of reducing specular reflection, comprising the steps of: acquiring a single optical image of a target object using a single imager, wherein said single optical image includes a plurality of pixel values; setting boundaries in said single optical image that define a region where specular reflection will be reduced, wherein said boundaries are retrieved from a memory source accessible by said single image; evaluating each of said plurality of pixel values within said region of said single optical image to determine the maximum pixel value in said region; setting a threshold pixel value based upon a percentage of said maximum pixel value; evaluating each of said plurality of pixel values within said region of said single optical image to determine whether each of said pixel values exceed said threshold pixel value; replacing each of said pixels values of said single optical image that exceed said threshold pixel value with a replacement value; and decoding any encoded information in said single optical image.