Photo editing has come a long way, and with the rise of AI technology, it’s now easier than ever to achieve stunning results with minimal effort. But the real question is, how do you use AI tools to edit photos effectively, especially if you’re just starting out?

What is AI-Assisted Photo Editing?

AI-assisted photo editing is the use of artificial intelligence to automate and enhance various aspects of the photo editing process. Traditionally, editing photos required a deep understanding of techniques like exposure adjustments, color correction, and manual retouching. However, with the advent of AI, these tasks have become more intuitive and accessible, even for beginners. AI algorithms analyze the content of your photos, make intelligent adjustments, and offer creative enhancements based on the specific elements in the image—whether it’s the sky, a person’s face, or the overall color balance.

Learn how to use AI to edit photos, and you can significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus more on the creative aspects of your photography.

Why Use AI to Edit Photos?

Using AI to edit photos has many benefits. For one, AI brings consistency and precision to the editing process, ensuring that every image you edit meets a certain high-quality standard. This is particularly useful for photographers who need to process large batches of photos quickly without sacrificing attention to detail.

AI also democratizes photo editing, making it accessible to those who might not have the technical skills to achieve professional results manually. By automating complex processes like noise reduction, skin retouching, and sky replacement, AI allows even novice photographers to produce polished and professional images.

How to use AI to edit photos

Photo editing has come a long way, and with the rise of AI technology, it’s now easier than ever to achieve stunning results with minimal effort. But the real question is, how do you use AI tools to edit photos effectively, especially if you’re just starting out?

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use AI to Edit Photos

This section will walk you through using AI tools in ON1 Photo RAW to enhance your photos. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to speed up your workflow, this guide will show you how to edit photos with AI effectively, using the powerful features available in ON1’s software.

Step 1: Import and Organize Your Photos

The first step in AI-assisted photo editing is importing your images into ON1 Photo RAW. Open the software and use the Browse module to locate and import your photos. ON1 Photo RAW allows you to organize your images efficiently with features like Keyword AI, which automatically tags your photos based on content. This makes searching and organizing your images easier, especially when dealing with large photo libraries.

Tip: Take advantage of the enhanced cataloging options in ON1 Photo RAW. These options allow you to control preview sizes and scan frequency, making the import process faster and more tailored to your workflow.

How to use AI to edit photos

Step 2: Basic Adjustments with Brilliance AI

Once your photos are imported, it’s time to make some basic adjustments using Brilliance AI. This tool automatically enhances your photos’ color, contrast, and exposure with just one slider, making it a perfect starting point for beginners.

  • How to Use: Select the photo you want to edit, navigate to the Develop module, and find the Brilliance AI slider. Adjust it to see real-time changes in your image’s color and tone. This is a quick way to make your photos pop without manually tweaking individual settings.
  • Why It Works: Brilliance AI analyzes your photo and intelligently applies enhancements that align with the image’s natural characteristics, ensuring that your edits look authentic and balanced.

How to use AI to edit photos

Step 3: Enhance Image Quality with ON1 NoNoise AI

Next, let’s tackle any noise issues in your photos using ON1 NoNoise AI. Noise can be a common problem, especially in low-light conditions, but AI for editing photos like NoNoise AI can effectively reduce it without compromising image detail.

  • How to Use: In the Develop module, select the Noise & Sharpening section, and enable NoNoise AI. The tool will automatically analyze your photo and apply the necessary adjustments to reduce noise. You can fine-tune the effect’s strength to match your photo’s specific needs.
  • Why It Works: ON1 NoNoise AI uses advanced algorithms to identify and reduce noise selectively, preserving the sharpness and detail of the important elements in your image.

How to use AI to edit photos

Step 4: Perfect Portraits with ON1 Portrait AI

When working with portrait photography, ON1 Portrait AI can be a game-changer. This tool automatically detects faces and applies subtle enhancements to skin, eyes, and facial features, helping you achieve a polished, professional look with minimal effort.

  • How to Use: After selecting a portrait photo, switch to the Portrait module. ON1 Portrait AI will automatically identify the faces in your image and suggest enhancements. You can manually adjust the level of skin smoothing, eye enhancement, and other features to your liking.
  • Why It Works: Portrait AI enhances natural beauty while avoiding the over-processed look. It makes fine adjustments that improve the overall appearance of the portrait, focusing on key areas that make the most impact.

How to use AI to edit photos

Step 5: Creative Edits with ON1 Sky Swap AI

Want to add a dramatic effect to your landscape photos? ON1 Sky Swap AI allows you to replace the sky in your images with just a few clicks, seamlessly integrating the new sky with the existing landscape.

  • How to Use: Select your landscape photo and go to the Effects module. Choose Sky Swap AI, and select a sky from the provided library or upload your own. The AI will automatically blend the new sky with your photo, adjusting the lighting and color to ensure a natural look.
  • Why It Works: Sky Swap AI intelligently matches the new sky to the original scene, taking into account elements like lighting and perspective, so your edited photo looks cohesive and realistic.

How to use AI to edit photos

Step 6: Resize Without Losing Quality with ON1 Resize AI

Finally, if you need to enlarge your photo for printing or high-resolution displays, ON1 Resize AI can help you do this without losing quality. This tool uses AI to maintain sharpness and detail, even when significantly enlarging an image.

  • How to Use: In the Export module, select the Resize AI option. Set your desired output size, and let the AI work its magic. Resize AI will intelligently upscale your image, preserving as much detail as possible.
  • Why It Works: Unlike traditional resizing tools, ON1 Resize AI uses deep learning algorithms to understand and enhance the fine details in your image, making sure that the final result remains crisp and clear, regardless of the size.

See ON1 NoNoise AI 2024 on The Grid!

Curious about how ON1 NoNoise AI can transform your photos? Watch this live demo to see all the impressive features of our advanced AI tool in action.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

While AI has revolutionized photo editing, making it easier and more accessible than ever, there are some common pitfalls that users, especially beginners, should be aware of. Understanding potential issues can help you make the most of AI-assisted photo editing while avoiding mistakes that could compromise the quality of your work. Here’s a look at some of the most frequent challenges and how to sidestep them.

Pitfall: Over-Reliance on AI

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is relying too heavily on AI to do all the work. While AI is incredibly powerful, it’s not a replacement for your own creative judgment. Over-reliance on AI to edit photos can lead to images that look overly processed or generic, lacking the personal touch that makes photography an art form.

  • How to Avoid It: Use AI tools as a starting point rather than the final word. Let AI for editing photos handle tedious tasks like noise reduction or sky replacement, but always review and tweak the results to ensure they match your vision. Remember, the goal is to enhance your photos, not to let AI dictate how they should look.

Pitfall: Ignoring the Original Vision

In the excitement of discovering how easy it is to edit photos with AI, it’s easy to stray from your original vision for the photo. AI can suggest enhancements and adjustments that, while technically impressive, might not align with the mood or message you intended to convey.

  • How to Avoid It: Always remember your original vision when using AI-assisted tools. Before making any changes, ask yourself if the edit serves the story or emotion you want your photo to communicate. AI picture editing should be a tool to help you express your creative intent, not a distraction from it. If an AI-generated effect or adjustment doesn’t fit, don’t hesitate to override it.

Master Your Workflow with ON1 AI Picture Editing Plugins

Discover the full potential of your photography with our range of AI editing plugins. Whether you’re looking to refine portraits, eliminate noise, or transform your landscapes, our AI-powered tools provide the precision and creativity you need to produce stunning images effortlessly.

Explore how each plugin can simplify your workflow and enhance your results, making your editing process faster and more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions: How to Use AI to Enhance Photos

If you’d like to learn more about how you can use AI to enhance your photos, check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

How does AI photo enhancement compare to manual editing?

AI photo enhancement is generally faster and more accessible than manual editing, making it ideal for quick adjustments and batch processing. However, manual editing still offers greater precision and control for detailed work. Many photographers use AI as a starting point and manually refine the results for the best outcome.

Are AI-enhanced photos suitable for professional use?

Yes, AI-enhanced photos are increasingly used in professional photography. AI tools can streamline editing, allowing professionals to produce high-quality images more quickly. However, professionals often combine AI tools with manual editing to achieve the best results.

Is AI photo enhancement suitable for beginners?

Yes, AI photo enhancement is particularly well-suited for beginners because it simplifies complex editing tasks. AI tools are designed to be intuitive, allowing users with minimal editing experience to achieve professional-quality results with minimal effort.