Artificial intelligence is reshaping photo editing, and Lightroom's latest update brings that power directly to your workflow. Understanding how to leverage these new tools is crucial if you want precise edits without spending hours at the computer.
Coming to you from Aaron Nace with Phlearn, this informative video introduces Lightroom's new adaptive presets powered by AI, designed to recognize and edit specific elements in your photos automatically. These presets aren't just basic filters—they intelligently identify skies, subjects, and backgrounds, applying nuanced adjustments with just one click. For example, the Adaptive Sky presets instantly detect the sky in your image, allowing you to cycle through various atmospheric edits until you find the perfect mood. Nace shows how easily you can toggle between dramatic sunsets or soft, calming skies. The real value here is speed and flexibility, offering quick options without forcing a rigid final edit on you.
The video further explores Adaptive Subject presets, showing how accurately the AI distinguishes subjects even at considerable distances. Nace demonstrates that you can apply enhancements such as subtle brightening or deeper contrasts tailored precisely to your subjects, giving you clear control over emphasis in your composition. An additional handy feature highlighted is the adjustable slider that allows fine-tuning the intensity of each preset's effect. This means you aren't stuck with the default AI choice—you can dial back or boost any adjustments easily, tailoring each edit to your personal taste.
Nace doesn't stop at basic edits; he also demonstrates the Adaptive Background presets. These smart settings automatically blur backgrounds based on detected depth, helping your subjects pop without manual selections or masking. The demonstration is clear—Nace quickly moves from a subtle blur to a stronger one, showcasing how adaptable these settings are depending on your artistic intent. Additionally, if the automated selection isn't flawless, Lightroom provides tools like the blur brush, allowing manual adjustments. This combination of AI precision and manual control significantly streamlines the editing process.
One especially helpful insight Nace offers is using Lightroom’s visual indicators to understand exactly which adjustments the presets apply. By checking the sidebar in the Develop module, you immediately see changes in basic settings, color grading, and lens blur. This feature removes guesswork, giving you clarity on exactly what's being altered and empowering you to further refine the edits based on visible evidence. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Nace.
