Photoshop 2021 - prepare for the future!

I'm sticking with PSE-8 till the bitter end.

I've just started experimenting with - and learning about - Photoshop 2021 (released October 2020). It's a major update with new, AI-driven, features. A first taste of future post-processing?

 

My first impressions are that the new features break down roughly into three categories:

- AI-driven improvements to existing features (selecting objects & people - especially hair - ,replacing skies, applying 'styles' to photos, ...). In PS 2021, these are now largely 'one-click' operations, though the results can be manually adjusted.

- New AI-driven 'neural filters' (some of which are still in 'beta' or haven't yet been released); perhaps the most talked about filters are those that allow users to smooth skin (remove blemishes) and modify age, expressions, orientation of heads and eyes, etc.. All this was possible under the previous version (with a lot of fine manual work). It's now become much easier and accessible.

- A new 'context aware' help system that gives users the help they need with what they're trying to do

 

The 'neural filters' run in the cloud so that's another change. No longer do you have a self-contained Photoshop environment on your desktop (or other device). To use some filters, you need internet access.

 

Technically, I'm in awe of what Adobe has been able to deliver in PS 2021. I welcome the improvements to existing functions, even those making 'retouching' easier. But I'm uncomfortable with Adobes decision to allow people's age and expressions to be so easily changed in photos. Yes, they include the changes in the EXIF data but most 'fake photos' don't include this.

 

A couple of links:

 

- creativepro

 

- forbes

 

Mike

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Mike,

 

I agree with you on all counts. In particular, I find the improved content-aware fill and selection tools very valuable. I used to find creating complex selections difficult, time-consuming, and often very frustrating. A few days ago, I wanted to illustrate an edit on a photo someone had posted of a lioness against a background that was very similar in both color and luminosity. I drew a rectangle around the animal, and Photoshop instantly created an almost perfect selection.

 

On the other hand, the modifications of faces can be, and probably will be, put to a lot of nefarious uses. However, if Adobe hadn't provided that function, someone else would have.

 

Dan

If nothing else, the ease with which 'portraits' can be manipulated in PS 2021 opens a Pandora's box for amateur photo editors who seek to spread visual disinformation.

 

It's true that skilled 'retouchers' have been modifying bodies and faces in Photoshop for many years. And mobile/desktop apps already provide even more 'perfect portrait' features than Photoshop 2021 does. Though they don't (yet) re-orient faces and eyes or modify faces to change emotions (even to the extent of adding teeth for a 'big smile'!).

 

Over the years, there has been (in my view rightly) backlash from (female) celebs who see Photoshopped photos of themselves with narrowed wrists, waists and hips, thinner legs and/or smaller (or larger) breasts. Eyes/pupils/mouths/lips may be widened and/or noses widened/narrowed to 'perfection'. Removal of facial 'blemishes' (wrinkles, spots, bags under the eyes, stray hairs) seems to be pretty much accepted as routine.

 

So what we often see in the media are not real people but the 'digital creations' of retouchers.

In the race to facilitate the 'perfect selfie/portrait', I personally would have preferred Adobe to take a stand against 'body/face morphing' and just stay out of the race )or at least enable 'the race' solely through plugins) . The technology 'perfect portrait' is impressive but I think that there are better applications.

 

I also wonder what the marketing behind the perfect portrait/aging/expressions features is. Is Adobe just trying to make life easier for existing retouchers? Is it trying to extend its market reach? Or is it just trying to show the AI power of Sensei?

 

Other apps:

- HongKiat list

- Fixthephoto list

 

Mike

 

Mike,

 

I agree with you on all counts. In particular, I find the improved content-aware fill and selection tools very valuable. I used to find creating complex selections difficult, time-consuming, and often very frustrating. A few days ago, I wanted to illustrate an edit on a photo someone had posted of a lioness against a background that was very similar in both color and luminosity. I drew a rectangle around the animal, and Photoshop instantly created an almost perfect selection.

 

On the other hand, the modifications of faces can be, and probably will be, put to a lot of nefarious uses. However, if Adobe hadn't provided that function, someone else would have.

 

Dan

If nothing else, the ease with which 'portraits' can be manipulated in PS 2021 opens a Pandora's box for amateur photo editors who seek to spread visual disinformation.

Sounds a bit like Portrait Professional, that was doing something similar several years ago.

 

It was far too easy to go way over the top with the virtual makeover.

Whenever I looked at the before and after photos from Portrait Professional I always liked the "before" picture better. The "after" ones always looked like robots, although I understand that people who do school portraits probably sell a lot more prints when the subject's skin is perfect.

The combination of the new M1 processor for the Macintosh and PS 2021 might at long last give me a reason to move on from PS 5 Design Premium and my old Mac Pro with High Sierra?:confused: