Capture One just released a new public beta version, adding AI-powered retouching tools designed to streamline your workflow. Here's a look at how it performs.
Coming to you from Kevin Patrick Robbins with Studio Builder, this informative video walks through Capture One's new features, notably its improved retouching capabilities and session management updates. Robbins explores a new AI-driven facial retouching tool that targets blemishes, dark circles, skin tones, and contouring. Importantly, Capture One uses its proprietary AI model trained on their own licensed images—not your uploaded work—ensuring your photography remains protected. Robbins appreciates Capture One's deliberate approach to AI, aimed at removing repetitive tasks from your workflow rather than eliminating your creative input altogether. The retouching module includes intuitive sliders allowing you to fine-tune edits for a natural finish, though Robbins notes there's still room for improvement, particularly around preserving skin texture.
Robbins also discusses the changes to session management, highlighting updates that offer more flexibility when setting up folders. Capture One's new shortcuts and automated session structuring could significantly speed up shoots, especially beneficial for commercial or event photographers dealing with large sets of images. However, Robbins voices frustration that some automated features are locked behind the higher-priced studio version. He argues convincingly that basic folder automation should be accessible to all photographers, not restricted by premium pricing tiers.
The video further examines Capture One's positioning against competitors like Evoto. Robbins points out Evoto's recent move into raw tethering and retouching, previously Capture One's exclusive territory. With Evoto's improvements streamlining headshot processing, Capture One faces increasing pressure to retain its user base. Robbins makes a compelling argument that Capture One must evolve continuously, emphasizing seamless, integrated solutions to avoid losing ground to rivals.
Capture One’s stated vision is encouraging—it positions itself as fundamentally supportive of photographers, explicitly rejecting a future where AI replaces creative professionals. Robbins shares the company's commitment to tools that enhance photographers' capabilities without undermining their artistic agency. Capture One claims their updates will make workflows significantly faster, aiming for tenfold efficiency improvements with each release. Robbins finds this ambitious goal appealing but emphasizes that Capture One still isn't ready to completely replace software like Photoshop or Evoto in complex retouching scenarios.
Robbins candidly demonstrates the current limitations alongside the strengths of these new tools. The dynamic facial recognition retouching feature, which allows applying consistent edits across multiple images, receives praise for its ease of use and efficiency. However, Robbins notes the need for further refinement, particularly in achieving realistic, subtle enhancements without artificial smoothing. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Robbins.
As a Capture One user, I watched the keynote live last week. At the end I thought to myself: the mountain crept and gave birth to a grain of sand.
The presentation was in need of optimisation, the product could not fulfil my expectations based on the pre-announcement ( ‘... next level ...’) in the slightest.
The new portrait retouching options are ‘quick'n'dirty’ workflows and cannot replace a designated pixel editor for portrait retouching to achieve the desired quality.
What a pity. A lot of money has been invested here to be able to leave the home harbour of the best raw editor with the risk of capsizing on the open sea. Unfortunately, very little has been done to improve the core competences of Capture One. The future will show whether the management has set the right course.