Will manual photo editing become obsolete as AI advances?

1. Photo editors will want to create their own style

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Many people who don't know how to use tools like Lightroom often use Auto tools more than necessary. This is great for learning how to use the software, but in the end, the photos will look similar and featureless.

If you want to make your images look more unique, learn how to use Lightroom and Photoshop. Of course, AI is still a part of the editing process (e.g. straightening and retouching photos). But make sure about 90% of the edits are done by yourself for the best results.

2. Not all AI edits are created equal

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Nowadays, almost every software proudly flaunts its AI features. But most of these tools are for marketing purposes only. Just because something uses AI doesn't mean it's good, AI is a buzzword these days, just like the word "low fat" has been overused in the food industry.

Some AI photo editing tools are amazing. For example, the Noise Reduction feature in Lightroom is worth learning how to use. However, some tools are a waste of time. It's worth trying every single AI tool your favorite editing software has, but take advantage of the best and ignore the rest of the less useful features.

3. AI is easy to recognize if overused

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If you're editing photos, you probably want them to look as natural as possible. One of the biggest problems with AI is that many people over-edit and can tell by looking that they have used AI.

AI editing is fine if done in moderation, but remember not to rely on it completely.

4. AI editing is just a supplement to manual editing

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One of the most overlooked points in the discussion of AI is that AI is considered a tool, not a replacement. Too many people think that applying AI to anything will solve the problem, but that's not true in every field, including photo editing. Human input is still necessary, and full manual editing still has its place.

Anyone who takes photo editing seriously will have a neutral view of AI. This means they may use more AI than human editing in some photos, but they may use all manual editing and no AI in others. There's no fixed rule about how much you should use, and even as AI evolves, this will always hold true. By adopting this mindset, you can benefit from AI as an artist.

AI is one of many tools you can use to make your images look better, but manual photo editing still has its place and always will. You should master the AI ​​features and usage instructions of your favorite photo editing software to create great photos.

Lesley Montoya

Update 19 June 2024