Restoring a Photo with Photoshop AI

Introduction

In this article, I'll guide you through the steps taken to restore a photo using Photoshop's AI capabilities. The process includes straightening the image, enhancing the colors, and adding a new background to give the figure more life and personality.

Step 1: Straightening and Cropping the Image

First, I opened Photoshop and selected the crop tool by pressing C. The aim was to straighten the image based on the subject’s mouth, aligning it horizontally. Additionally, I trimmed down the excess white space surrounding the figure to create a more prominent and striking presence in the shot. By bringing the edges in tightly yet maintaining the integrity of the subject's appearance, I transformed the initial photo into a more modern and focused representation.

Step 2: Enhancing with Neural Filters

Next, I tackled the washed-out colors and creased paper texture of the image using Photoshop's Neural Filters. I specifically used two filters: “Colorize” and “Photorealistic.” Upon applying these filters, the character's skin tone was revitalized, bringing the figure to life. However, due to the white shirt and pale blue background, the image remained somewhat washed out. Still, the overall enhancement provided a significant improvement in the figure's aesthetic quality.

Step 3: Generating a New Background

With the subject enhanced, the next task was to fill in the blank canvas surrounding the character. I used the “Select Subject” tool to generate a mask around the figure, then inverted the selection to isolate the empty space. To create an appealing backdrop, I decided on generating a forest scene.

After several attempts, I found a satisfactory result, though I noted some tree placements that weren't too flattering. Despite some limitations, it was encouraging to see that the AI did not create any visible aura around the figure, which is often a common occurrence in image generative AI.

Before and after galleries reveal the dramatic transformation: we went from a dull, washed-out photo to a vibrant, engaging image featuring the character in a lively scene. Despite keeping the same facial expression, the updated photo seems to exude more personality and joy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this quick restoration process illustrated the power of Photoshop's AI features in photo editing. The ease of applying neural filters and generative fill significantly enhanced the image, making it feel more modern and dynamic.

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Keywords

• Photo Restoration
• Photoshop
• Neural Filters
• Colorize
• Photorealistic
• Image Enhancement
• Generative Fill

FAQ

Q1: What is the first step in restoring a photo with Photoshop?
A1: The first step is to straighten and crop the image for a more focused composition.

Q2: What are Neural Filters and how are they used in photo restoration?
A2: Neural Filters are advanced features in Photoshop that use AI technology to enhance images. In restoration, filters like "Colorize" and "Photorealistic" help improve color and detail.

Q3: How can I create a new background for an image using Photoshop?
A3: You can select the subject in your image, invert the selection to isolate the background, and use the "Generative Fill" feature to create a new, dynamic backdrop.

Q4: Is it possible to achieve a striking transformation quickly with Photoshop?
A4: Yes, Photoshop's AI capabilities allow for rapid enhancements and restorations, making it easy to significantly improve an image in a short time.