Adobe is bringing even more Firefly-based artificial intelligence (AI) tools to Adobe Lightroom, including AI-based Generative Remove and Lens Blur. Not to be lost in the shuffle, the company is also extending tethering support in Lightroom to Sony cameras.
Generative Remove uses AI to clean up your photos
Adobe has implemented its Firefly AI technology in a wide range of its applications and services, and Firefly goes far beyond text-to-image content creation. Firefly not only differs in its application, but also in terms of the version used for different tasks. Regarding the new Generative Remove feature in Adobe Lightroom, Adobe has implemented its Image 1 model — not the latest Image 3 model introduced about a month ago.
However, Generative Remove impresses in demo form. It allows users to remove unwanted objects from any photo completely non-destructively with just one click. Well, the tool requires one click to activate, but users have to draw a general shape on the object(s) they want to remove.
This differs from existing healing functions, which are best suited for small objects such as specks of dust or minor distractions. Generative Remove is designed to do much more, such as removing an entire person from the background or other complex removals.
When users use Generative Remove, Lightroom offers three potential options, each with a slightly different spin on AI-powered object removal. In a pre-launch demo, PetaPixel asked Adobe to go outside the script and remove different objects in different photos, and Generative Remove didn’t miss a beat.
While it’s easy to think of “generative AI” in terms of addition something to a scene, it also makes sense to remove, since in order for this to be convincing, new pixels must be made to replace what was removed from the frame. In that sense, as with any generative AI, photographers may have different views on its use, which is perfectly reasonable.
For those who want it, it’s available in all versions of Adobe Lightroom starting today as an “early access” feature. Adobe is keen to get feedback from early adopters.
AI Lens Blur officially released
Speaking of “early access” features, last year Adobe introduced AI-based Lens Blur as an early access tool. With today’s update to the Lightroom ecosystem, it’s finally available to everyone, with no strings attached.
Lens Blur uses artificial intelligence to create a 3D depth map of a 2D image. If an image file already has depth map data attached, such as portrait mode captured on an iPhone, Lens Blur can use it. Otherwise, it creates a map from scratch.
Users can preview this depth map and modify it as they see fit, including manual control over specific objects in a scene. Users can also change the “look” and intensity of the virtual lens blur, including choosing between circular and polygonal mirror lights.
Like Generative Remove, Lens Blur is non-destructive, meaning users can change or disable it later in editing. In addition, all-new presets allow photographers to achieve specific looks quickly and easily.
It’s a pretty intriguing feature that works well. It also revives the ambitious promise of the ill-fated Lytro camera system. Talk about a blast from the past.
Lens Blur is available in Lightroom on desktop, mobile, and the web.
Other improvements such as Sony Tethering support
Additional improvements include extended tethering support for select Sony Alpha mirrorless cameras, such as the Sony a7 IV and a7R V. This provides access and control of a tethered camera. However, it only works with Lightroom Classic.
As many mobile devices take HDR photos, software is constantly expanding its support for editing HDR images, Lightroom among them. With HDR Optimization, Lightroom users can achieve brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and more saturated colors in HDR photos.
Another much-requested improvement is direct access to photo libraries in the Lightroom mobile and desktop apps. Photographers had to upload their images to the cloud before they could edit them on Lightroom mobile. This is no longer the case as the app offers access to photos on the device.
Another change to Lightroom on mobile is an all-new toolbar. This new mobile toolbar offers faster access to the most popular photo editing features and tools.
Availability
Adobe Lightroom’s large ecosystem can be confusing, with different versions of Lightroom getting different features while others don’t. For today’s updates, Generative Remove is available in “early access” for mobile, desktop, iPad, web, and Lightroom Classic. Also available in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR).
Lens Blur is generally available throughout the Lightroom ecosystem. However, the amount of manual control photographers have over the depth map and visualization depends on the platform. Like Generative Remove, Lens Blur is also in ACR.
Image Credits: Adobe
