Editing in Adobe Camera Raw has become more powerful with the addition of new AI-driven tools, but these features also introduce complexities that can trip you up. To get the most out of your workflow, you need to understand how these tools interact and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Coming to you from Greg Benz Photography, this detailed video breaks down the latest AI tools in Adobe Camera Raw and how to use them effectively. One standout feature is the updated AI Denoise tool. Unlike older versions that required you to commit to a single setting, this new approach allows you to work non-destructively within a Smart Object. You can adjust the denoise settings after applying them, giving you greater flexibility. However, Benz emphasizes that this tool should be your first step when editing. Adjusting denoise later in the process can trigger a cascade of updates across other AI tools, potentially disrupting your edits.
The video highlights how Adobe Camera Raw handles AI-generated content like the Remove Tool and Generative Expand. These tools rely on AI to create or modify parts of your image, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the order you use them. For example, if you run AI Denoise after using the Remove Tool, you may notice mismatched patterns or artifacts that require additional tweaking. Benz suggests using AI Denoise first, followed by Remove or Expand, to minimize the need for updates later.
Another feature Benz demonstrates is the AI-based depth mask, which adds a lens blur effect based on perceived depth in your image. While this tool offers creative possibilities, it also comes with challenges. The depth map it generates isn’t always accurate, particularly around complex areas like tree branches or transitions between objects. Benz shows how you can manually refine these areas to achieve cleaner results, ensuring the tool enhances rather than distorts your image.
Understanding the sequence in which these tools operate is critical. Adobe Camera Raw applies edits in a specific order, starting with noise reduction. Any changes made to earlier steps can require reprocessing of subsequent edits. Benz advises committing to your noise reduction settings early to avoid unnecessary rework. He also explains how to identify and fix artifacts that might appear when tools like Generative Expand or the Remove Tool are applied later in the workflow. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Benz.
