AI-powered Adobe Photoshop: An exploration

The latest version of Adobe Photoshop, powered by Adobe Firefly, is a revolution in the world of image processing. I spent a few hours exploring this update and testing its new features. The result? An experience that’s both amazing and baffling.

AI and Photoshop: a promising union

Adobe Firefly, the new family of creative AI generative models, is now natively integrated into Photoshop. The new « Generative Fill » tool generates content from simple text commands. This content is created in a new layer, leaving you free to explore a multitude of creative possibilities without impacting your original image.

https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2023/05/23/future-of-photoshop-powered-by-adobe-firefly

Experimenting with « Generative Fill »

In my tests, I discovered that AI is a fantastic tool for dealing with complex aspects such as reflections, shadows and lighting. When AI succeeds, the results are astonishing. It can transform an ordinary landscape into an underwater scene, add a spectacular sunset in the background, or fill an empty street with a crowd.

However, there are also times when the AI falls short. Sometimes, the images generated seem to come out of nowhere, with no connection to the original image. At other times, they appear too digital, losing the organic, realistic look of a real photograph.

Experimenting with a winter scene

I had the opportunity to test the « Generative Fill » tool on a photo of a ski chalet in the middle of winter. In the original image, the framing had been carefully chosen to avoid the surrounding chalets, leaving only the main chalet in view.

Using the « Generative Fill » tool, the image was considerably enlarged on either side of the chalet, while preserving the original winter atmosphere. This is where the true power of AI comes into play: not only was the image enlarged with the corresponding snow and sky, but the AI also managed to preserve the overall tone of the image.

I then decided to push the experiment further by asking the AI to add additional elements to the landscape. And the result was surprising. Trees, a stop sign, animals and even clouds were added to the scene. What’s really impressive is the way the AI has integrated these new elements into the image. Shadows, reflections and other details were consistent with the rest of the scene.

So I invite you to take a close look at the images, observe the shadows, note the details and see how the AI managed to create a more complete and immersive winter scene from a simple photo of a cottage. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that while the AI did a remarkable job in this case, it’s not infallible. It’s always necessary to take a critical approach when using these innovative tools.

Original image

Image modified by Photoshop AI

See the car reflexion on the water…

The future of Photoshop

Despite these imperfections, Photoshop’s future looks very bright. Adobe Firefly is still in beta version, and Adobe invites its community to participate in its evolution by testing and helping to shape this revolutionary tool. This technology is redefining the boundaries of creativity, and it’s fascinating to see what it can achieve.

I invite you to discover the examples of « Generative Fill » use in this article and experiment with your own images. AI opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for creativity, and I can’t wait to see how it continues to evolve and enhance our experience with Photoshop.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you’d like to discuss your own experiences with the new version of Photoshop. I’d be delighted to chat with you.

Luc Pâquet