When Photoshop's Generative AI Turns Your Vacation Photos into Nightmare Fuel

I remember the first time I used Photoshop's generative AI tool to enhance my vacation photos. I had just returned from a trip to Hawaii and wanted to make my pictures look even more beautiful than they already were. I had seen some stunning examples online, and I wanted to create something just as amazing with my own photos.

So, I uploaded my pictures to Photoshop and clicked on the "enhance" button. I watched in excitement as the tool went to work, adjusting the colors, lighting, and other elements of my photos. But when the tool finished, I was shocked at what I saw. My once-beautiful photos had been transformed into something else entirely.

The colors were oversaturated, the lighting was harsh and unnatural, and the details were blurred and distorted. Instead of enhanced photos, I had nightmare fuel.

I quickly realized that using a generative AI tool isn't always the best idea when it comes to vacation photos. Here are three reasons why:

1. Generative AI Can Overcorrect Your Photos

Generative AI tools are meant to analyze your photos and make them look better. However, when it comes to vacation photos, sometimes they can be too aggressive with the corrections. For example, if your photo has a slight blueish tint because of the lighting conditions, the tool might overcorrect and remove all the blue from your photo instead of just toning it down. The result is an unnaturally warm and yellow photo that doesn't accurately reflect the mood or feeling of the scene you captured.

So, instead of using a generative AI tool, try manually adjusting the colors and lighting in your photos. Use the "levels" or "curves" adjustments to control the brightness and contrast, and use the "color balance" adjustment to correct for any unwanted color casts.

2. Generative AI Can Degrade Your Image Quality

Another downside of generative AI tools is that they can degrade the image quality of your photos. When you apply too many adjustments to your photos, they can start to look blurry, pixelated, or grainy. This is especially true if you're working with low-resolution images or trying to drastically change the composition of your photos.

To avoid this issue, try to use generative AI tools sparingly and only apply the adjustments that are absolutely necessary. If you need to resize your photos, do so carefully and make sure to use the proper settings to maintain the image quality.

3. Generative AI Can Create Unintentional Artifacts

Finally, generative AI tools can sometimes create unintentional artifacts in your photos that are difficult to remove. These artifacts can include strange patterns, blotches, or color speckles that weren't there before. They can be especially problematic if you plan to print your photos or use them for professional purposes.

To avoid this issue, try to use a high-quality generative AI tool that has been tested and vetted by other users. Look for reviews and tutorials that demonstrate the tool's capabilities and potential issues. And always make sure to save a backup of your original photo so you can revert back to it if something goes wrong.

So, the next time you're tempted to use Photoshop's generative AI tool for your vacation photos, remember these three downsides. They might just save you from a nightmare fuel experience like mine.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Photoshop's generative AI tool has its benefits, it's not always the best choice for enhancing your vacation photos. Instead, try manually adjusting the colors and lighting in your photos, use generative AI tools sparingly, and choose a high-quality tool that has been tested and vetted by other users. By doing so, you'll ensure that your vacation photos look beautiful and natural, and not like something out of a horror movie.