Photoshop's latest tool, the Generative Expand, utilizes AI technology to effectively enlarge photos, a task that would have been impossible without it. Additionally, Photoshop and other retouching apps can swiftly remove unwanted objects, eliminate distracting backgrounds, and perform tasks that used to require hours of human effort in mere seconds. While it's true that this underlying technology has also contributed to the development of unrealistic beauty filters that negatively impact self-esteem, does that mean we cannot appreciate its positive applications?Professional photographer Clark Stinson explains that despite cameras being limited, particularly in low-light settings, AI retouching allows for expedited post-processing, presenting various editing options within Photoshop and providing more confident edits. In fact, these edits may have already been made even before the introduction of AI technology. It has become evident in recent years that photographs do not merely capture reality. Deep fakes and beauty filters exemplify this, but there are other, subtler ways in which reality can be altered. While photojournalists may not be able to retouch their photos, they can shape the narrative by choosing what to include or exclude based on the camera's direction. As early as 1986, the Guardian newspaper highlighted this issue in a TV ad featuring a skinhead seemingly attempting to steal a briefcase from an older man. Yet, when the scene was shown from a different angle, it became apparent that the skinhead was actually rescuing the older man from falling bricks. This ad demonstrated two things: the impressive quality of UK ads in the past and the fact that Photoshop is not the sole tool for deceiving through photography. Furthermore, the manipulation of photos and viewers is not the only concerning aspect. Color correction, according to Getty Images, is generally accepted and considered fair in photo editing within the journalism context. However, Stinson emphasizes that some photos of politicians manipulate the definition to make them look older or alter their skin tone, often resulting in a strange appearance. Nonetheless, this darker side of photo manipulation is only a fraction of the bigger picture.

AI tools are just another resource in the realm of photo editing, serving to enhance our snapshots and ultimately becoming an inevitable part of the process. Stinson explains that when sharing a cherished, full-frame photo with ideal composition on platforms like Instagram, significant alterations in the form of cropping or cutting off content are required. This fundamentally changes the composition. However, with Generative AI, one can widen the photo and work with the new composition, creating something satisfying for social media. For users primarily relying on smartphones for photography, AI algorithms are already at work, employing machine learning to merge multiple exposures and enhance details in low-light scenarios, fix overexposed skies, and even detect smiles or prevent blinking eyes. This is exactly what most people desire: effortless point-and-shoot photography resulting in great pictures almost every time. AI tools like color replacement and background removal also benefit professional photographers, reducing tedious tasks. Brandon Ballweg, a professional photographer, concurs that one of the most valuable abilities offered by AI in image editing is background removal, which is essential for isolating portraits or products from their backgrounds. Manual object cutting can be an extensive and time-consuming process, especially when the subject is not clearly defined. AI can expedite this process, significantly enhancing workflow efficiency. In the wedding photography industry, a considerable amount of time is dedicated to post-processing tasks such as removing dust, improving smiles, brightening eyes, and reducing wrinkles. Instead of wasting time or paying assistants to perform these tasks, AI can handle them effectively. It is comparable to applying a personally designed color filter, a practice that rarely draws complaints unless the chosen colors are disliked. AI in photography does come with its fair share of challenges, some of which are significant and likely to remain unresolved given current regulations and the attitudes of big tech companies. Nevertheless, it undeniably excels at enhancing everyday photographs, and as it has firmly established its presence, it is crucial that we adapt to its existence.