Photo editing has become easier, faster, and more accessible thanks to automated photo editing tools. With just a few clicks, AI technology can take an average photo and turn it into something exceptional by enhancing colours, sharpening details, and even removing backgrounds. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, editing with AI can help you easily achieve professional-looking results. This guide will take you through the steps to edit photos with AI, giving you insights into making every shot look its best.

Step 1: Choose the Right AI Editing Tool

The first step in AI photo editing is selecting the right tool for your needs. AI editing tools have various features, from automatic adjustments to more advanced options like background removal and object detection. If you’re just getting started, choose a tool that offers a good balance of beginner-friendly features and more advanced options you can explore as you gain confidence.

Many AI tools offer a trial or free version, allowing you to test features before committing. Look for tools that offer user-friendly interfaces and a variety of adjustments, as these will give you more creative control over the final result.

Step 2: Start with Basic Adjustments

Start with basic adjustments once you’ve chosen your AI photo editing tool. These adjustments are often the foundation of a polished photo, giving your image a clean, balanced look.

• Brightness and Contrast: Adjusting brightness and contrast can help enhance the photo’s visibility and make the main elements stand out.
• Sharpness: AI tools can automatically sharpen images, making them clearer and more defined.
• Colour Balance: Most tools offer colour correction, balancing out overly cool or warm tones for a natural look.

Step 3: Explore Background Removal for a Cleaner Look

One of the most popular features in automated photo editing is background removal. This option is ideal for portraits, product shots, or any photo where the subject should stand out against a new or cleaner background.

With AI-powered background removal, the tool automatically detects the subject and removes the background, allowing you to replace it with a solid colour, gradient, or a completely new scene. This feature improves the subject’s visual appeal and allows you to experiment with different backgrounds for different looks.

Step 4: Use AI for Portrait Retouching

AI editing tools have simplified portrait retouching, making it easy to refine details without an overly edited look. AI can smooth skin, whiten teeth, and brighten eyes naturally, giving portraits a professional touch. Here’s how to approach retouching with AI:

• Skin Smoothing: AI tools can remove minor blemishes and smooth skin textures, enhancing the face while preserving natural detail.
• Eye and Teeth Enhancement: Brighten eyes and whiten teeth with a single click, creating a balanced, polished look.
• Lighting on Faces: Some tools allow you to adjust lighting specifically on faces, making your subject appear well-lit even in suboptimal lighting.

This step is particularly useful for professional profile pictures, family portraits, or any photo where a refined, natural look is essential.

Step 5: Apply Filters and Artistic Effects

Filters and effects are excellent for adding a creative touch to your photos. Many automated photo editing tools offer various filters, from vintage tones to dramatic black-and-white conversions. You can also find artistic effects that make photos look like paintings or apply a cinematic vibe.

The key is experimenting with different filters and effects to find one that enhances your photo’s mood without overpowering it. Adjust the intensity of these effects to achieve a subtle, balanced look, or go bold for a more striking result.

Step 6: Bring Out Details with AI-Enhanced Clarity

Sometimes, photos taken in low light or at a distance may lack sharpness. AI tools provide clarity and de-blur options that can bring out hidden details and improve the overall quality of the image. Here’s how to enhance clarity:

• Sharpen Details: AI sharpening tools can highlight textures and fine details, making the photo look more defined.
• De-Blur: AI can correct the blurriness for slightly blurry shots, making the subject look more focused and sharp.

This feature is handy for landscape photography, architecture, and any image where details are crucial to its impact.

Step 7: Experiment with Colourisation for Black-and-White Photos

AI has made it possible to colourise old black-and-white photos in seconds. Colourisation uses AI to detect areas in the photo and apply realistic hues that bring the image to life. Here’s a quick look at how colourisation can enhance your photo:

• Add Life to Old Photos: Colourisation is perfect for historical images, family photos, or any black-and-white shot that could benefit from a bit of colour.
• Customise Colours: Many tools allow you to tweak the colour intensity or choose custom colours for specific areas, adding a personal touch to the photo.

With AI-powered colourisation, you can transform old memories into vibrant images that resonate with a modern look.

Final Touches and Saving Your Edited Photo

After completing your edits, review the photo for any final adjustments. Many AI tools provide an auto-enhance or preview option, letting you compare the edited version with the original. Make minor tweaks to brightness or contrast to ensure a balanced, professional result.

Once you’re satisfied, save your edited image in your preferred format. Most AI tools offer options for various resolutions, so you can keep a high-quality file for printing or an optimised version for sharing online.

Finally, AI photo editing is about more than quick fixes; it opens up creative possibilities. From simple enhancements to artistic effects, these tools empower you to make each shot look its best. Follow these steps to produce polished, high-quality images and experience how AI can transform your photo editing journey.