Posted by Monalisa A Photographer’s Complete Guide to AI Editing: Save Time, Perfect Your Shots
As photographers, we all have that fear – should we trust AI to do our photo editing? Will it be as good as our creative vision?
Honestly, the best part about the advancement of AI is that it allows us to do exactly what matters the most – focusing on our art.
How?
AI editing helps minimize the risk of burnout by streamlining the post-production process, making it faster and more manageable than ever before. In any case, it's a win-win situation. But let's chat a little bit more about how AI photo editing is working in our favor. In this article, we will answer all of your questions on AI editing for photography and how you can use it to your advantage.
What is AI editing?
AI editing refers to the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to automate and enhance various aspects of photo editing. With minimal user input, these tools analyze your images and apply adjustments, such as exposure correction, color grading, retouching, and even complex tasks like culling or masking. Over time, AI models become more efficient as they continuously learn from the photos they're processing.
What is an AI photo editing software?
AI is defined as “the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.” Therefore, AI photo editing software is designed to automate some or all of the steps in the photo editing process with little to no human intervention. Just like using culling software for file management, RAW editors for global adjustments, and retouching tools for finer local editing, AI photo editors also come with varying degrees of specializations.
In some cases, the software has already been taught which editing steps or adjustments to make, similar to how presets work. In other cases, the AI is more intuitive and continuously learns from your input to execute the photo editing process in your ever-evolving style. What the various AI editing solutions have in common is that they all strive for automation and simplicity.
Since the most significant benefit of using machine learning technology is the speed of performing tasks in bulk, photographers mainly use AI editing software to make complex and time-consuming tasks fast and effortless.
Whether it’s a standalone all-in-one app or a single-task plugin, AI photo editors usually have minimal controls that can be handled by someone who isn’t necessarily a professional photo editor. So if you usually outsource your culling or editing process, opting for AI tools would be much easier and will give you better creative control.
Can AI do photo editing?
Yes, AI can not only assist with photo editing but can often handle entire editing processes from start to finish. Using advanced algorithms and machine learning, AI can automatically analyze images and apply a wide range of edits, such as adjusting exposure and white balance, enhancing colors, retouching portraits, removing backgrounds, and even selecting the best images from a batch (culling).
AI-powered tools have become incredibly sophisticated, enabling photographers to save time, achieve consistent results, and focus more on their creative vision. While AI editing tools are highly effective, many still offer customization options to fine-tune edits according to personal preferences or style.
Can AI improve photo quality?
Yes, AI can significantly improve photo quality by enhancing various elements of an image. Every photographer has experienced bad photoshoots. And what we struggle with the most while fixing bad-quality images is lighting. AI tools like Aftershoot effortlessly correct white balance, ensuring your images maintain consistency, even when dealing with different lighting conditions. AI image editing is a lifesaver as it can upscale images without losing clarity, making them ideal for improving older or lower-quality photos.
What are the benefits of AI for photo editing?
To answer the question, "Is AI software the future of photo editing?" we need to look at how AI can benefit photographers during the editing process. As your business inevitably grows, so will your workload. As a result, it will become increasingly important to find ways to be more efficient and save time (and money). In addition to the post production process, you also need to focus on your marketing strategy that will help you get more photography clients.
Adopting AI photo editing into your post-shoot workflow is a fantastic way to do all those things and more. Here are some of the major benefits of using AI editing software.
It saves time
Time is money, or so the saying goes, and AI photo editing software is here to save you a lot of it. We all know that editing can take up a lot more time compared to actual photo capture. For example, a quick 2-3 hour shooting session can require 2-3 days of editing work.
What if you could harness the power of machine learning and channel it into smart and automated photo editing that would allow you to do more creative work? AI photo editing software like Aftershoot will cut down your editing time considerably – from days to minutes! It delivers 1,000 edited images in less than a minute. With just a few clicks of a button, you can have an entire shoot edited and ready to deliver to a client. Less editing time means you get:
- More time with family and friends
- Space to create the things that have been sitting on the inspiration back burner
- It could open up possibilities for building an associate team
- Opportunities to add frequent mini-session dates to your calendar
- Focusing on growing your business
- Making a lot more money!
You can save money
AI software offers a range of money-saving benefits for photographers, revolutionizing the industry in cost-effective ways.
Workflow Efficiency: AI-powered software streamlines your workflow and saves you time. "Time is money," so additional hours in the day opens the door to exploring income-generating opportunities such as booking more shoots or selling prints online.
Automated Processing: By automating image editing processes, you save valuable time and reduce the need for costly human intervention. You won't need to hire a large team of editing assistants – instead, use AI-powered software that automates editing!
Reduced Post-Processing Costs: AI-driven editing tools intelligently enhance images, minimizing the reliance on expensive post-processing services or specialized software.
Eliminating the Need for Expensive Equipment: AI software can identify and remove imperfections, reducing the necessity for costly equipment upgrades or additional hardware.
It’s easy to use
Besides working at great speed, there’s the added benefit of ease of use.
As professionals, we have thousands or even billions of images at our disposal. All you need to do is train the AI and apply. The AI will automatically detect your photo editing style and apply it on your unedited images. AI software makes it practically effortless to churn out beautifully edited images en masse.
For example, with Aftershoot, you can create multiple AI profiles for different editing styles. A minimum of 2,500 images are required to create a profile. However, 5,000+ images work best – the more images you use to train your AI profile, the more accurate the results become. Your AI Profile is like your own personalized preset, except it is much smarter than any normal preset.
It’s the assistant you’ve always wanted
AI editing software can deliver results comparable to a pro retoucher; without hiring a person to do the job. Thus, it eliminates human error, extra costs, and downtime from your editing workflow.
AI software works whenever you want it to! And with software like Aftershoot EDITS, it also works wherever you want it to because Aftershoot functions offline without an internet connection.
AI for photo editing software will ultimately:
- Eliminate decision fatigue
- Create true consistency
- Remove the chance of human error
- Streamline your workflow
- Save your eyeballs
- Free up your schedule for more work (and play)
Focus on Creativity
By automating time-consuming tasks like culling, retouching, and color correction, AI frees photographers from the technical side of post-production. This allows them to invest more time in the creative aspects of their work—such as experimenting with artistic edits, perfecting composition, and crafting unique visual styles—without getting bogged down by repetitive manual adjustments.
What are some common AI Editing Tools and Software?
If you are looking for the best AI for editing, there are a variety of AI-based tools available to photographers, each offering different features that streamline the editing process. Some of the most popular include:
Adobe Lightroom
Known for its powerful AI-driven features like auto-tone, subject detection for masking, and sky replacement, Lightroom is a go-to tool for photographers. Lightroom uses AI to analyze and sort images, identifying key elements such as sharpness, expressions, and exposure to streamline the culling process.
Pricing: Subscription-based starting at $9.99 per month, offering cloud storage and access to other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
Luminar AI
Built entirely around AI, this tool offers features like AI sky replacement, portrait enhancement, and structure adjustment, allowing photographers to create complex edits with minimal effort.
Pricing: Available with a one-time payment starting at $79, making it a cost-effective option for photographers who want advanced AI tools without a recurring subscription.
Aftershoot
Specializes in AI-powered culling and editing, reducing the time photographers spend selecting the best shots by automatically identifying the most compelling images in a batch. Additionally, if you love experimenting with different editing styles, Aftershoot has pre-built AI styles that can help you get started within minutes
Pricing: One flat fee starting from $10/month billed annually.
Topaz Labs
Offers AI-driven image sharpening, noise reduction, and upscaling tools to enhance image quality while preserving detail.
Pricing: Offers a range of products, each with a one-time purchase price, allowing photographers to invest in specific tools like AI Sharpen or AI Gigapixel without committing to an ongoing subscription.
How to Edit Photos with AI on Aftershoot?
You’ve noticed us mentioning Aftershoot as an example of AI editing software in the previous paragraphs, and it’s not just because we’re a little biased. Aftershoot offers an all-in-one workflow supercharging solution to professional photographers with its AI-powered culling and editing app.
Plus, it’s the industry's most positively reviewed AI culling and editing app on the market.
Aftershoot Selects is the fastest and easiest way to select, rate, and find your best photos automatically. Aftershoot EDITS learns from your past edits and uses that information to automatically crop, straighten, edit, and color-correct your future shoots! Both culling and editing products are integrated into one app, making it super convenient and effortless to go from shooting to photo delivery in no time.
Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Import images
You can upload images as RAW or JPEG files, or connect your Lightroom, Capture One or other editing tools catalog.
Step 2: Select images
Use filters like Star Ratings and Color Labels to choose the images you want to edit. Click on the Apply Filters button, to bring out the Filter selection drawer. Here you can choose to filter images inside a catalog by Image Type, Star Rating, Color Label, Flags, and Camera.
Step 3: Select Editing Preferences
Choose a Personal AI Editing Profile or AI Style to edit your images. If you want to apply your unique photography editing style, you will need to train your AI profile with 2500 previously edited images – the more you use, the better!
If you want to use existing AI styles, you can visit the Aftershoot marketplace to pick what to apply to your photos. In this step, you also need to check whether you want to use automatic cropping and straightening. You can also customize how you want Aftershoot to Crop your images by selecting between a Loose or Aggressive setting, as well as your preferred image ratio.
Aftershoot will edit your images, and you'll receive a notification and email when it's done.
Step 5: Export and Review
Aftershoot believes in full creative control. Click Export, then Review in Lr, Capture One, or any other editing tools of your choice to open your edited catalog in the corresponding app
Learn more on how to edit on Aftershoot in detail here
And that was easy peazy, right? No wonder AI image editing has become a photographer’s best friend.
When should you let AI take over?
We know as professionals there’s still a dilemma of whether you should use AI for your editing. While AI editing can handle many tasks efficiently, knowing when to intervene is crucial. AI tools are designed to enhance your photography, not replace your artistic identity. Use AI for:
Repetitive or Routine Edits: For tasks like exposure adjustment, white balance correction, or batch processing, AI can save considerable time without sacrificing quality.
Creative Control: While AI can enhance, manual edits allow for more personalized adjustments, such as fine-tuning color balance or cropping to match your vision. Strike a balance by letting AI handle the technical edits, and then applying your creative flair manually.
Customizing AI Settings: Most AI tools allow you to adjust sliders, create presets, or override automated edits. Tailoring these to your specific style ensures that your artistic vision is preserved across all your projects.
Incorporating AI into Your Workflow: Use AI to handle tedious tasks so you can spend more time experimenting with creative elements like color grading or unique filters.
While AI can do most of your post-photography workflow well, make sure to review and tweak individual photos as needed, especially for high-priority images like key shots in a wedding or event photography session.
Real World Examples of Photographers using AI editing
When used right, AI can be a game changer for your photography workflow. I mean, who doesn’t want to save time to take on more clients or have some quiet time with their family right?
Here’s Holly Sigafoos who has been using AI editing tools to make her life easier –
“Aftershoot has been a major time saver in my business. I let it handle the editing and it frees up so much more time for me to better fine tune my images.”
Here are some examples of AI photo editing from the Aftershoot community
So, is AI software the future of photo editing?
Yes, we believe it is! Here’s what Aftershoot Co-Founder & CIO Justin Benson thinks about AI editing software:
"The photography market seems like it’s always on the verge of the next thing that will ruin it. It went from film to digital, DSLR to mirrorless, and not manual to ai tools. With that being said, this change will be a change for good. We as photographers didn’t open a business because we love sitting behind the computer culling and editing. We got into it because we love being behind the camera, and these are tools to help us do that. They don’t replace the creative process or the need for photographers. They simply give us more time to focus on photography or family and friends, and avoid being locked into computers for hours on end meeting deadlines.”
We might have answered the question, "Is AI software the future of photo editing?" but if you’re still unsure about AI editing software being a positive or negative addition to the photography industry, read Justin’s article where he explores whether AI will disrupt your photography business.
Like any new and innovative technology, it has some way to go, but we are excited to see AI software continuously improving. At Aftershoot, we’re constantly building and perfecting our AI algorithms to ensure the best possible outcome for photographers.
And don’t worry, AI photo editing isn’t going to replace you. It needs you to help you! Having total control of every step in the editing process feels safe; we get it.
But imagine a world where your images are edited precisely to your liking in the tiniest fraction of time. We’re in that world right now, and we love it!
Are you ready to give AI editing a try? Get started with Aftershoot and step into the future of editing.