Adobe has announced the 2022 versions of its Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements software. The applications are designed to make creative photo and video editing accessible and fun.
To that end, Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements include what Adobe calls ‘Guided Edits.’ These are step-by-step interactive tutorials you can use on your photos and videos to achieve specific editing tasks. The new applications add four new Guided Edits, bringing the total to 87.
There’s a new Guided Edit in Photoshop Elements 2022 for editing pet photos. Credit: Adobe
The four new Guided Edits include a couple in Photoshop Elements, and the other two are in Premiere Elements. In Photoshop Elements, you can use a new Guided Edit to edit pet photos and extend photo backgrounds. For pet photos, you can adjust color and lighting, select and refine detailed edges like fur, remove collars and leashes and more. In the Guided Edit for extending photo backgrounds, you can use Content-Aware Fill technology to extend your image beyond its original crop, either to change an aspect ratio or just change up the framing.
Using Content-Aware Fill, you can extend the background of your photo. Credit: Adobe
In Premiere Elements, there’s a new Guided Edit to add animated overlays to your videos, such as fun butterfly animations. The other new Guided Edit shows you how to adjust shadows and highlights in your video, allowing you to bring out additional details.
Looking now at just Photoshop Elements 2022, the new software uses more Adobe Sensei AI technology than last year’s release. You can use Adobe Sensei to transform your photographs into painting-inspired images. You can select from different artistic effects inspired by famous artwork and other popular styles.
Credit: Adobe
Another Sensei-powered feature is the ability to warp photos to fit any shape. You can place one photo inside another by wrapping it around an object, like a mug, or fit the image into shapes, like the sunglasses example above.
Within Photoshop Elements 2022, you can combine still and motion photography with animated frames. You can place different moving overlays like snowflakes, hearts and sparkles to your still photos and then export the motion image as an .MP4 to share on social media.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 also includes new slideshow styles, a revised Organizer that lets you view GIFs in motion, and automatic software updates.
Premiere Elements 2022 includes animated overlays. Credit: Adobe
Adobe Premiere Elements 2022 includes new aspect ratio options. Many users share videos on social media, which sometimes includes vertical video and square aspect ratios. In Premiere Elements, you can edit and export videos in social-friendly formats without losing content. You can also add motion titles, mattes and backgrounds designed for vertical videos.
Premiere Elements 2022 includes new aspect ratio options for editing and exporting. Using these ratios doesn’t affect your original video file. Credit: Adobe
Another new tool is Sensei-powered auto-reframe. This tool allows the software to automatically re-frame your subject to ‘keep the most important part of the action in the frame.’
Premiere Elements 2022 includes a slider for video compression. If you’re editing and exporting a video for social media, you probably don’t need it to be a high-quality 4K video. Instead, you can use a compression slider in Premiere Elements to reduce the size of your movies, making them more suitable for uploading to the web or social media or sending to friends and family in a message.
Auto-reframe is powered by Adobe Sensei AI technology and keeps your subject front and center in different aspect ratios. Credit: Adobe
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2022 and Premiere Elements 2022 are available now. The applications are available for macOS and Windows and can be purchased standalone or in a bundle. Standalone versions are $ 99.99 for new users and $ 79.99 to upgrade. The bundle is $ 149.99 or $ 119.99 for eligible upgrades. Education pricing is also available. For the full details and to purchase the software, click here.
The post Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop: Which Editor Is Right for You? (2021) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
Which editor should you pick, Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop?
It’s a tough question, and the answer will depend on your post-processing preferences. In this article, I’ll break it all down for you; I’ll compare and contrast Photoshop Elements and Photoshop and see where they both fit in the grand scheme of image editing.
By the time you’re finished, you’ll know which program is the better buy!
Let’s get started.
Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop: overview
Photoshop has become the industry standard for editing on Windows and MacOS systems – so much so, in fact, that the phrase Photoshop is now used as a verb. Photoshop gives users the ability to create and enhance photographs, illustrations, and other digital media. As a critical utility for graphic artists, photographers, designers, web developers, etc., Photoshop has become an integral part of many creators’ processes.
Layout of Photoshop 2021
So where does Elements come in? Photoshop Elements is a simplified version of Photoshop, designed primarily for photographers who want a quick and easy way to edit and organize images. The program came out in 2001 (long after Photoshop first debuted), and is also great for consumers who are just getting started with photo editing.
Layout of Photoshop Elements 2021
While there are numerous incarnations in the Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements lines, for this article, I’ll compare the most recent versions: Photoshop Elements 2021 vs Photoshop version 22.3.0.
Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop: key features
Now that you’re familiar with the purposes of both Photoshop Elements and Photoshop, let’s take a detailed look at what these two programs offer, starting with:
Price
While both Photoshop Elements and Photoshop are owned by Adobe, the sales models couldn’t be more different.
Adobe Photoshop Elements is sold as a one-off program, and the 2021 version will set you back about $ 100 USD. Photoshop Elements can be bundled with Premiere Elements 2021, a simplified video editing software (see the screenshot below). Upgrade pricing for existing Elements customers in the United States is also available.
Adobe Photoshop, on the other hand, is offered only as a (monthly or yearly) subscription. At present, the best value is the Creative Cloud Photography Plan, which includes Photoshop, Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, plus 20 GB of cloud storage, and costs $ 9.99 USD per month.
Note that Adobe offers a 30-day trial of both Elements and Photoshop if you’d prefer to try before you buy.
Ease of use
Although Elements and Photoshop offer many overlapping features, Elements is geared toward an audience looking for a newcomer-friendly editing application.
Photoshop is the industry standard, but this can make it harder to approach for first-time users. Enter Photoshop Elements, which is designed to enable simple, streamlined editing processes while maintaining an accessible interface. This simplified application can help ease a budding creative into the world of digital editing without plunging them headfirst into a sea of pixels.
Bottom line: Photoshop is designed for in-depth, manual editing operations. Elements is a photo processor, better suited to quick and easy refinements that don’t require intensive editing.
Workspaces
Photoshop offers six pre-made workspaces for different creative requirements: 3D, Essentials, Graphic and Web, Motion, Painting, and Photography.
Photoshop Elements divides the editing process into three workspaces: Quick, Guided, and Expert:
Quick
In Photoshop Elements, Quick view is a simplified interface with basic adjustments. This layout lets you quickly perform common editing tasks and includes basic photo editing tools neatly distributed across the workspace.
Quick mode enables users to access the Healing brush, fix exposure, sharpness, color, and lighting, and even provides the option to apply effects, filters, enhancements, textures, and frames.
The Quick interface of Adobe Photoshop Elements.
Guided
The Guided workspace offers step-by-step instructions for Photoshop Elements users. With over 50 tutorials and counting, this workspace will help you apply a range of effects to a photograph.
The Guided interface with editing functions to select.
With the option to introduce Tilt-Shift, Black and White, Orton, and Lomo effects (and many more) to an image, Guided provides a user-friendly interface for applying relatively customizable effects.
To access these tutorials, switch over to the Guided interface in Photoshop Elements, pick an effect, and go from there.
The Guided interface with the Black and White effect in action.
Expert
Expert mode is designed for users who are more experienced with image editing. The Expert view unpacks all of the editing tools available in Photoshop Elements and neatly organizes them around the user interface:
Photoshop Elements interface in Expert view.
Expert mode has an expanded range of tools compared to Quick mode, enabling you to apply complex editing effects. Draw and Enhance tools, Graphics, Layers and Styles, Histograms, additional Filters, History, and more are all available in the Expert workspace.
Other tools and functions
While Photoshop Elements packs a considerable amount of power, some tools are still reserved for Photoshop. For instance, chromatic aberration correction, which fixes unwanted fringing, is a Photoshop exclusive.
Elements doesn’t support vector formats, either – so the Pen tool, which creates advanced paths and shapes, is not an Elements feature. (Because Photoshop supports vector and raster files, users can add vector-based Smart Objects into a Photoshop file.)
In addition, Elements doesn’t offer the Content-Aware Patch tool (which sources nearby content to blend a region with the surrounding image area) or the Channel Mixer (which is often used for advanced black and white conversions).
Other significant differences include the lack of 16-bit and 32-bit image support in Elements. Lens geometry profiles aren’t included in Elements or in the accompanying (and also pared-back) Camera Raw utility.
A new feature in the 2021 version of Elements is the AI-powered Moving Photos function (used to turn static pictures into moving GIFs, as displayed above). While GIFs can be created in Photoshop, the process is a little less streamlined, though Photoshop does offer more flexibility in making these GIFs.
Printing
An additional point of difference in the Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop comparison is printing. Unfortunately, Elements is missing a few key features for professional print production. Unlike Photoshop, Photoshop Elements can’t export files in CMYK, and the program also excludes in-depth soft-proofing.
Plus, Elements supports a simplified color management system compared to Photoshop; while Elements has RGB, Grayscale, Bitmap, and Indexed Color, Photoshop features all of the aforementioned color options, but also Duotone, CMYK, Lab, and Multi-Channel, which allows for greater control when printing.
A game of image modes! Photoshop on the left, Photoshop Elements on the right.
Time management
Photoshop can be more labor-intensive than Photoshop Elements, though the number of guided edits available in Photoshop Elements do streamline the process.
However, although Elements includes quick, automated processes and adjustments, it sometimes sacrifices the manual customizability and creative precision achieved through editing in Photoshop. Put simply, the hands-on approach of Photoshop can pay off, depending on the level of tweaking you require to create an effective image.
Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop: final words
Photoshop can create stunning photographic work, but that doesn’t rule out the capabilities of Photoshop Elements. While Photoshop Elements offers to do the heavy lifting with a few clicks of the mouse button, Photoshop proper offers a larger range of detailed editing features.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a simple editing program, Elements works well. However, creative professionals in need of precision editing software should jump for Photoshop instead.
Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop FAQs
What is the difference between Photoshop Elements and Photoshop?
Put simply, Photoshop Elements is a simpler version of Photoshop. Elements is easier to use but lacks the full-fledged creative control that Photoshop delivers.
Who uses Photoshop Elements?
Photoshop Elements is primarily aimed at beginner or intermediate users looking to edit photographs. Professional photographers and designers generally invest in Photoshop for more in-depth editing capabilities.
What are some features in Photoshop that aren’t in Photoshop Elements?
There are a good amount of utilities available in Photoshop Elements, but some tools are still reserved for Photoshop. Chromatic aberration correction, the Content-Aware Patch tool, and the Channel Mixer don’t feature in Elements. Elements doesn’t provide vector format or 16-bit and 32-bit image support. Lens geometry profiles aren’t included in Elements or in the accompanying Camera Raw utility. Photoshop Elements can’t export files in CMYK, Lab, Duotone, or Multi-Channel color modes.
How much does Photoshop and Photoshop Elements cost?
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021 costs around $ 100 USD for a full license. Photoshop is only available as a subscription, which costs $ 9.99 USD per month (at minimum).
The post Photoshop Elements vs Photoshop: Which Editor Is Right for You? (2021) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.
Adobe has announced Photoshop Elements 2021 and Premiere Elements 2021. The applications are designed to provide powerful tools in a simple, easy-to-use interface. Adobe’s Sensei AI technology is also prevalent throughout both apps, delivering features such as adding motion to static images, fine-tuning the position of a person’s face, improving low-light video quality and more.
Looking first at Photoshop Elements 2021, there are quite a few new features. In addition to being able to transform a static image into moving photos with 2D and 3D motion using only a single click, users will be able to fine-tune face tilt and add quotes or personalized messages to images with templates.
In Adobe Photoshop Elements 2021, you can leverage the power of Adobe Sensei to fine-tune the tilt of a person’s face. Image credit: Adobe
Further, the existing Guided Edits feature has been updated with new edits, bringing the available total up to 58. When using a Guided Edit, the Photoshop Elements guides you step-by-step through different common editing situations and allows you to learn how to get the desired results. New Guided Edits include customized duotone effects; AI-powered landscape photo enhancement (including sky replacement, haze removal and object removal); and step-by-step help for moving, scaling and duplicating objects.
One of three new Guided Edits, Duotone allows you to apply custom two-color presets to your photos. Image credit: Adobe
In Adobe Premiere Elements 2021, users will be treated to GPU accelerated performance, resulting in faster high-quality playback of effects and improved performance when cropping video.
In addition to improved performance, there is a new Select Object feature. This allows you to select a specific object or area in your video and apply an effect that tracks across the entire video. If you want to add music to your videos, Adobe has added an additional 21 new music tracks you can select.
Adobe Premiere Elements 2021 includes GPU accelerated performance, promising faster editing and effect previews. Image credit: Adobe
In addition to the new Guided Edits for Photoshop Elements 2021, Premiere Elements 2021 includes a pair of new Guided Edits: Double Exposure and Animated Matte Overlays.
In both Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements, users will be able to set up automatic back-up for their entire catalog structure, including albums, keyword tags, people, places, events and more. For a full breakdown of what’s new in Photoshop Elements 2021 and Premiere Elements 2021, click here.
In Premiere Elements 2021, you will be able to add a double exposure effect to your videos. Image credit: Adobe
Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements 2021 will each be available in the fourth quarter of this year for $ 99 USD, or you can purchase a bundle of the two applications for $ 149. Existing owners can upgrade individual apps for $ 79.99 or the two-app bundle for $ 119.99.
In order to run the apps on Windows, you must use Microsoft Windows 10 version 1903 or later. On Mac, macOS 10.14, 10.15 and macOS 11 are supported. For both Windows and macOS, Adobe recommends 8GB of RAM for editing photos, 16GB for editing Full HD video and 32GB or more for editing 4K video.
The post Removing Reflections and Other Unwanted Elements in Photoshop appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.
Photoshop gives you a lot more options for retouching than Lightroom because it’s a pixel editor. This means you can manipulate the individual pixels in your image file to refine your images. It allows you to make complex adjustments, such as removing reflections and other unwanted elements in your photo.
You can do one thing in multiple different ways in Photoshop. For the scope of this article, we will focus on two tools: the Content-Aware Fill and the Clone Stamp tool.
Shot at f/7.1 at 65mm IS0 200 Shutter Speed 1/160
How to approach retouching
Before you get started with any retouching, it’s important to assess your image and your end goal for it. Every image is different, and therefore requires a unique approach.
How complex is the adjustment you want to make? Is there a lot of pattern or other detail in the area you wish to retouch? How much contrast is there, and how will that influence your decisions? Will one technique be enough, or will you need to layer various techniques or tools to get the end result you are seeking?
Retouching is a process of problem-solving. It’s important to know where you want to get to before you get started.
Shot at f/8 100mm macro lens at 100 IS0 Shutter Speed 1/160
Content-Aware Fill
Content-Aware Fill is an incredibly useful tool in retouching your photography. It works by analyzing the content in your image to provide a seamless blend in the elements or objects you wish to alter. It allows you to remove unwanted objects or move them to other areas of the image.
To use Content-Aware Fill, you must duplicate your layer to access the information contained within the image. It’s also important to work in a way that is non-destructive, so you can simply delete any mistakes or unfavorable results and start again.
I first created a layer called “Clean” to clean up any dust or small blemishes from the image and then went on to remove the seeds.
To duplicate your layer, hit the shortcut Cmd/Ctrl+J.
For simple edits, like removing small objects from your composition, you can do a quick Content-Aware Fill by using a selection tool to select the object, then hit Shift+Delete.
For example, in the pomegranate image below, I wanted to remove some seeds from the surface, as I felt there were too many causing distraction.
Before Content-Aware Fill
I used the Lasso tool to select the seeds I wanted to remove from my image, then hit Shift+Delete. This can often give you great results, but you might have to blend edges with the Clone Stamp tool.
After Content-Aware Fill
The other way to use Content-Aware Fill is a method that allows you to bring up a Preview window so you can see how your adjustment will look before committing to any changes. This is a good way to work on larger objects or areas.
For the image of the raspberries below, I wanted to remove a couple of the raspberries so the client could add text to it.
Shot at f/3.5 with 100mm macro lens at 1S0 100 Shutter Speed 1/160
To use this method, use the appropriate tool to make a selection of the area you wish to adjust.
Use the Lasso tool to make a selection.
Go to Edit->Content-Aware Fill.
This will bring up the Preview window.
The area in green shows you where Photoshop intends to sample from. However, you may not want it to include all of those areas. So use the brush found in the tool panel in the Preview window to brush out any area you don’t want it to sample from.
Be sure to brush out shadows that may cause your final adjustments to look uneven.
Set the desired Opacity.
Keep in mind that when you’re selecting areas for Content-Aware Fill, that you need to account for depth-of-field throughout your frame, or your image can end up looking fake.
Once you are satisfied with the look of your image, choose New Layer to keep the file size small, or Duplicate Layer for a larger file size. I usually choose the latter.
If your final result is good but not perfect, you might want to use the Clone Stamp tool to finesse it further.
The Clone Stamp Tool
With the Clone Stamp Tool, you’re copying pixels to a new location. This is one of the most utilized tools in Photoshop because it’s a great way to touch up the various elements in your image, especially when your object has a defined edge.
The Clone Stamp tool is perfect for removing reflections in Photoshop.
The shortcut for the Clone Stamp tool is Cmd/Ctrl+S.
Use the softest brush in Normal Mode.
10% to 20% Opacity at 100% Flow is generally a good place to start, but see what works for your individual image.
In the image of the chocolate cake below, I used the Clone Stamp tool to remove the hard reflection on the knife at 20% Opacity.
Before and After of reflection on knife Shot at f/5.6 on 100mm macro at 100 ISO Shutter Speed 1/160
When using the Clone Stamp tool, you can flip it if your pattern looks too repetitious.
It’s also great when you want to mirror a reflection to make it look more realistic. This feature is one of the key reasons the Clone Stamp tool is the best tool to remove reflections in Photoshop.
To flip your brush, go to the Toggle Clone Stamp icon.
You can also use “T” to transform the clone stamp collection, to adjust its size and placement.
Flips the clone source
Conclusion
To sum up, use the Content-Aware Fill tool when you want to remove unwanted objects or elements by using the surrounding areas.
Use the Clone Stamp tool to copy and paste pixels to areas with more defined edges.
Keep in mind when you want to remove reflection in Photoshop, that you want to keep some of the reflection. Our eyes are used to seeing reflections in glass and similarly shiny objects, so removing all of the reflection tends to look fake.
Try this method for removing reflections in photoshop out, and show us your before and after results in the comments section!
The post Removing Reflections and Other Unwanted Elements in Photoshop appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.
The post Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool – What it is and How to Use it appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Mat Coker.
You’ve likely faced that frustrating moment when you can’t get kids or families to smile for a portrait. Maybe it’s even worse and you make people grumpier when you try to take their picture. If you look through your photos and wish there were more smiles, the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool can help with that.
You can retouch facial expressions and not have to be intimidated by the process anymore. Photoshop Elements 2020 (a simplified version of Photoshop) allows you to put a smile on faces using a simple slider tool.
Let’s look at how this tool works and the best situations to use it.
Photoshop Elements claims that the Smile Tool can turn a frown upside down. Let’s see if it really works that well.
What is the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool?
Photoshop Elements is a simplified version of Photoshop. Adobe has introduced many automations that make Photoshop’s essential tools easier to use. Photoshop Elements gives you the power of Photoshop without the overwhelming number of complicated features found in the full Photoshop program.
The Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool allows you to easily put a smile on your subjects face using a slider rather than the usual complicated tools.
So, if you’ve made a mess of faces with the liquify tool, this will give you better results!
It took less than 10 seconds to enhance his smile.
Who is the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool for?
The Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool is for you if you want the power of Photoshop to retouch smiles without the learning curve of Photoshop’s many tools.
If you’re hoping that you won’t have to make people smile anymore because you can “just fix it in post,” this tool isn’t for you.
Think of this tool as an insurance policy. If you fail to make your subject smile for real, there is hope that this tool can help. But you should try your best to get a good smile in the first place.
How does the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool work?
This tool is very simple to use.
Open your photo in Photoshop Elements 2020.
Go to the Enhance dropdown menu.
Then go to Adjust Facial Features.
Photoshop Elements will auto-detect your subject’s face.
The Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool is now available as a slider on the right-hand panel.
You’re ready to adjust the overall smile and even make fine detail improvements to the lips, eyes, nose, and face shape.
But before you get too excited, you should keep your adjustments as small and subtle as possible. You can too easily distort a face.
The tool has no problem detecting a face that takes up a significant portion of the frame. But it does have trouble detecting small faces, especially in a group photo.
How well does the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool work?
Adobe claims that you can transform frowns into smiles. Will it really work that well for you?
Let me give you a spoiler. No, the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool won’t transform a frown into a smile. At least I couldn’t figure out how to do it.
I brought up the corners of his lips, which produced only a hint of positivity in his mouth. His eyes have also been enlarged. But how do you remove the furrowed brow? You can’t. It’s too late to fix this smile in post-production. The right moment to fix this smile was the moment the photo was being taken.
Again, even after extensive use of the tool, there is very little difference between these two photos. It takes more than upturning the mouth to make a frowny face look happy.
What if you start with a neutral face?
You can not fix a frown with the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool. But when you begin with neutral emotion the results are more impressive.
The first photo looks more serious, while the second has a small smile. Moving the slider too far seemed to produce a very fake-looking smile.
Again, the tool works well when beginning with neutral emotion and adding a subtle smile.
Sometimes it won’t detect a face
While experimenting with different photos, I discovered that Photoshop Elements will often fail to detect all the faces in group photos. But I found that when I cropped in closer and the faces became more prominent, they could then be detected.
I had to rotate a newborn photo so that Photoshop Elements would detect the face.
Perhaps the program can only detect a face when a person is sitting upright.
Rotating the photo allowed the program to detect the face.
But upturning the lips and enlarging the eyes only produced an awkward expression.
Begin with a photo that has potential
The Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool will not turn a frown or awkward expression into a smile. You need to begin with a neutral expression or a small smile if you want the tool to works it’s best.
The human face is too complex and meaningful to transform a deep expression with a simple slider. When it comes to scowls and frowns, the entire face is involved.
Perhaps someday the tool will be able to detect the unique contours and subtleties of the emotions written on our face. But for now, you’ll need to use other magical powers to manipulate the human face.
Yes, you can manipulate the human face without needing Photoshop or any other post-processing software.
How to make people smile for real
Your goal is a portrait of smiling people. You need a plan in order to make that happen.
For most photographers, the plan is to just tell their subject to smile. That’s an okay place to start, but that doesn’t always work.
You may have to confront the fact that you don’t always know how to make people smile or bring out the best in them. Perhaps you even upset people when you’re trying to make them smile.
Here are three ways to help people smile for their photo without simply commanding them (or using Photoshop later on):
Energy
Comedy
Praise
The amount of positive energy that you bring to the session will be reflected back at you. Negative energy will always come back worse, positive energy will always come back better. Do not bring harsh tones and negative energy to your photo sessions.
Comedy makes people laugh. Notice that comedians don’t tell people to laugh, they just say funny things and (most) people laugh spontaneously. Be funny for the people you’re photographing and they will smile.
People normally have a nice smile in real life but a fake smile for the camera. They need to be praised and told whenever they are showing a good natural smile. That way they know how it feels when they have a natural smile and can produce it for the camera. Also, praise will make them smile even more. Eventually, they’ll smile just because you tell them they have a nice smile.
I’ve learned all this the hard way. As a family photographer, I could make other people’s kids smile but not my own. I made my kids miserable by becoming a dictator when I wanted a photo. Very few people smile when being bossed around by a dictator.
I realized they will smile naturally if I stop barking orders and turn the photo session into a comedy routine. I got far better results as an engaging person.
The result of commanding them to smile.
The result of being a comedian.
Use it sparingly
The Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool will help put a smile on your subject’s face, but it won’t help you to become a better photographer or the sort of person that makes others happy.
This tool is not for you if you consistently miss smiles and hope to fix them in post-production. I think the solution for all of us is to learn to engage other people and bring out the best in them.
Be thankful for the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool, but plan to use it in case of emergency. You’ll feel really good letting people know that you don’t have to “Photoshop” the smiles in your photos.
Have you used the Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool? What are your thoughts? Share them with us in the comments.
The post Photoshop Elements 2020 Smile Tool – What it is and How to Use it appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Mat Coker.
A team of researchers with IBM Research, MIT CSAIL and MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab has launched a new online tool called GANPaint Studio that utilizes a GAN neural network and semantic brushes to ‘draw’ entirely new elements into existing images. In the case of this particular tool, the elements include grass, clouds, brick, doors, trees, sky and domes.
Unedited before image.
As demonstrated in the images above and below, GANPaint Studio is more of a fun demonstration rather than a serious tool for modifying images. The input images are stripped down to a very low resolution when uploaded; the resulting images are clearly edited, though the neural network is capable of some surprisingly realistic edits.
After adding grass, trees and clouds.
In addition to drawing elements into the images, the tool also features an eraser icon that, when clicked, enables the user to erase elements from the input image. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a demonstration of a neural network capable of producing realistic elements in an image using a basic ‘drawing’ tool.
In March 2019, for example, NVIDIA Research demonstrated a similar tool it calls GauGAN to generate a photorealistic image from a series of crudely painted marks, each mark made to represent types of elements like water, trees and sky. NVIDIA has published a sizeable body of research on AI and its potential for generating photorealistic images.
As for GANPaint Studio, anyone can access the photo editor here; it comes populated with a selection of preloaded images, but users also have the option of uploading their own image. While using the tool, we found that the images need to be at a fairly low resolution, such as 800 x 500, for the editor to successfully upload the input image.
The MIT and IBM researchers have made their research on the project publicly available [Note: This is a 48MB PDF].
The post Photoshop Elements 2020 Released With New AI Features and Guided Edits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Adobe has just released its latest iteration of Photoshop Elements: Photoshop Elements 2020, which debuts alongside Premiere Elements 2020.
Now, Photoshop Elements has always been geared toward beginner and amateur photographers, and this year’s release is no exception. Adobe has included new features that ensure it’s easier than ever to produce stunning edits.
Included among these exciting features is Adobe Sensei AI technology, which will drive Photoshop Elements automation. While Sensei AI technology isn’t new, this time it’ll be used to bring photographers options such as:
B&W Selection
Pattern Brush
Painterly
Depth of Field
In all four of these cases, Sensei AI is the driver behind easy-yet-powerful edits. B&W Selection allows you to quickly isolate elements from your photos and portray them in color, while giving the background a black and white look. Depth of Field takes a relatively sharp background and gives it a beautiful blur, making your main subjects pop.
And that’s not all. In addition to these new AI-powered options, Photoshop Elements promises a new black and white editing experience with its Colorization feature. Colorization takes a black and white photo and gives it realistic colors (or, as Adobe promises, you can use Colorization to “give new life to an existing color photo”).
Photoshop Elements also offers a one-click selection of your subjects for easy manipulation, as well as a skin-smoothing effect. And let’s not forget the two brand-new guided edits, which are designed to make post-processing accessible to everyone, as the software walks you through the process of creating patterns or making unwanted items vanish from the frame.
Adobe Photoshop Elements isn’t for everyone. Experienced photographers will likely prefer to work with Photoshop CC or Lightroom, both of which pack some real editing power. But for those who are just getting started with photo editing, Photoshop Elements offers a level of accessibility that its more serious counterparts lack. And the guided edits are a great feature for those wanting to learn while editing.
You can purchase Adobe Photoshop Elements as a standalone piece of software for $ 99.99 USD, or you can get it alongside Adobe Premiere for $ 149.99 USD.
The post Photoshop Elements 2020 Released With New AI Features and Guided Edits appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
A sample from Adobe showing off the new One-click subject selection tool.
Adobe has released Photoshop Elements 2020 and Premiere Elements 2020, adding a number of new features and capabilities powered by the company’s Adobe Sensei AI, including automatic selection, skin smoothing, colorization, new Auto Creations and more, as detailed in an announcment blog post.
Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements are Adobe’s entry-level versions of its products, offering general consumers access to some of the tools and capabilities found in these products, but with less complexity and lower prices at $ 99.99 each for a full software license.
A sample comparison from Adobe showing off the new Sensei-powered auto-colorization tool.
The Photoshop Elements 2020 update brings a number of new features, including new Pattern Brush, B&W Selection, Depth of Field, and Painterly effects for Auto Creations, support for automatically colorizing black-and-white images using AI, automatic skin smoothing, and one-click subject selection.
A comparison from Adobe showing off the skin-smoothing tool.
The updated software also enables users to remove unwanted objects from images, add heart and star patterns to photos, and search for content via Smart Tags. Beyond that, the software has received general performance enhancements, as well as support for HEIF images and HEVC videos. For customers located in the United States, Photoshop Elements now also supports directly ordering prints and other items through the Fujifilm Prints and Gifts service.
A comparison photo set showing the its noise reduction technology.
Joining the big Photoshop Elements 2020 update is the new Premiere Elements 2020, an update that adds simplified noise reduction, a sky replacement tool, support for turning images and videos into dynamic time-lapses, and a tool that replaces the black bars in vertical videos with a fill that matches the video, as seen below.
As with the new version of Photoshop Elements, this Premiere Elements update also adds Smart Tag search and support for HEIF/HEVC formats. The software also supports searching videos for specific people using Sensei’s face-matching capabilities. Finally, Premiere Elements now includes five guided edits that help users modify their videos.
In addition to the individual $ 99.99 license price, Adobe offers Photoshop Elements 2020 and Premiere Elements 2020 bundled for $ 149.99. Existing customers can upgrade either of the new products for $ 79.99 or both for a total of $ 119.99.
The post Learn These 5 Elements to Capture Interesting Architectural Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.
Architectural photography is an enjoyable genre of photography to shoot. It encourages you to visit and capture urban structures and environments, whether it be towns or cities, or whilst taking in views of majestic buildings, bridges, or interiors. Architecture can be present in many different forms from ancient to modern and both internal and external. If you have you ever wondered what steps to consider when shooting interesting architectural photography, this article will help you to identify some key elements to contemplate during the process.
Brasov, Romania
1. Choose a subject
The first fundamental aspect to consider when capturing interesting architectural photography is the subject. Your choice of subject can be anything from a streetscape to a city scene or famous landmark. Once you’ve found an object or theme to visit and photograph, think about what appeals to you about it. Think about what you want to photograph, such as the entire structure or just part of it.
Whatever you decide to photograph, be happy with your decision and take some pictures.
You can choose to focus on capturing wide shots and detail shots. A scenario where you may choose to shoot wide may include a prominent sky that adds beauty to the composition or a street scene that portrays many interesting buildings together. On the other hand, you may choose detail shots when there is a particularly striking facade or object on a building. For example, a statue makes a great feature on its own.
Bran Castle, Romania
2. Select your camera settings
The next thing you will want to do is set up your camera and choose your settings. In terms of architecture photography, you will need to select an appropriate aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. The aperture you choose depends on what you are trying to achieve with your photos.
If you are trying to achieve a narrower focus and render the front or back elements of the image out of focus, you will want to select a wider aperture (smaller f/number) from anything between f/2.8 to f/5.6. A scenario where you may choose to use a narrow depth of field is when you want to isolate an object from the background such as a doorframe. Alternatively, another scenario may be when shooting a single point of interest such as a statue.
However, if you aim to make everything in your image sharper, I recommend selecting an aperture between f/8 to f/22. A scenario where you may want a wide depth of field may include stunning cityscape scenes. Here, you may want everything in focus within the frame. A cityscape can include some monumental buildings and the night sky or people walking within a street scene.
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
A lower ISO is important to reduce noise in the final image, so I suggest an ISO of 100-400.
The shutter speed you choose depends on the overall look and feel you want to achieve in your image. A faster shutter speed of 100th of a second or more will help to keep moving objects sharp such as cars or people. In contrast, a slower shutter speed of one second or more will let more light into your frame and start to blur moving subjects.
3. Decide on a composition
Sibiu, Romania
One important step in capturing architecture is the composition.
Composition simply refers to how you arrange the elements in a frame.
When looking at pictures of famous icons such as the Taj Mahal, Houses of Parliament or Big Ben, you’ll notice these structures often photographed in similar ways. One thing I would encourage is to find new angles of familiar landmarks when doing architectural photography – something that stands out from the others. You can achieve this by changing your viewpoint or angle.
4. Shooting interior architecture
Sibiu, Romania
When shooting interior architecture photography and exteriors, there are a few fundamental differences to consider, notably the light and composition. You will need to take into account the fact there is usually less light when shooting indoors, so change your settings to accommodate. Due to low light, use a tripod and slower shutter speeds to allow more light into your image. This helps you to manage different types of light, including candles, lamps, and outside light projecting internally. You will also need to balance mixed artificial and natural lighting.
The other major difference is the composition.
You may find more restriction photographing indoors than outdoors. Restrictions such as limited space, internal structures or part of the building’s architecture that may restrict or limit your view and composition. As a solution, use a wide-angle lens or try to take a step back (if you can) to get more of your chosen subject into your frame.
Alternatively, zoom your lens in further to eliminate distracting elements.
Structures often provide interesting internal features which can vary depending on the type of architecture and the country you are in. Church interiors, cathedrals, and even modern and historic buildings can all house hidden gems from altars to pillars, delightful structures, and stained glass windows.
The best lenses for shooting small or large spaces are usually a 24-70mm lens or a wide-angle lens such as a 16-35mm.
5. Shooting exterior architecture
Shooting exteriors is one of the most popular and fun subjects in architectural photography. You will often see pictures of the exteriors of the most famous buildings around the world and in your local area in publications. If you choose to shoot exteriors, you may decide to focus on the whole structure, the roof or a particular aspect of the external building that is interesting.
Peles Castle, Romania
Photographing exteriors can be challenging especially in changing light and high contrast conditions but can result in some great images.
Conclusion
In conclusion, remember these important steps when shooting architecture including choosing a subject, selecting your camera settings, deciding on composition and choosing whether to photograph interior or exterior architecture.
Share any additional steps you have for interesting architectural photography and your images with us below.
The post Learn These 5 Elements to Capture Interesting Architectural Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.
The post 6 Important Compositional Elements to Consider When Shooting Landscapes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.
There are many pleasures associated with photographing landscapes; from being in the great outdoors, to breathing in the fresh air and taking in the attractive views whilst capturing nature’s beauty all around you.
Taking good landscape photos is more challenging than you may think. People often tell me when they return home from capturing landscapes that they are often disappointed with their results. Part of this may be due to the subject, the weather, the photographer, or most likely the composition. To help you improve your composition, here are 6 fundamental elements worth considering when you next venture out with your camera to shoot landscapes.
1. Diagonal lines
Firstly, it is worth considering the term ‘composition’. Composition refers to “the nature of something’s ingredients or constituents” such as the formation and contents that make-up an image. When it comes to photography, there are many theories and factors that constitute what makes a good composition. One major component worth acknowledging is diagonal lines.
Diagonal lines can be a useful tool to use in your images. Carefully consider how you might use diagonal lines in your images. One proven way is to lead a viewer’s eye through the frame along a diagonal. These can go from left to right or right to left. They can be slightly horizontal or vertical and can be individual or repeated throughout the image. Leading diagonal lines can be a great way to naturally point towards an interesting part of your landscape, such as rows of flowers navigating towards a tree or a building.
When it comes to shapes and patterns, there are no hard and fast rules as to what works well together. Whilst seeing the landscape as a whole, be conscious of what geometric shapes you want to include in the frame. You may look for shapes that complement each other or that are opposite to one another. Consider their relationship and how they may be used together to bring balance to the image.
Have you ever produced pictures of landscapes that you were not pleased with and wondered why this could be? Well, one reason could be to do with the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is an essential technique that can be applied to improve the composition and harmony of your landscape images. In essence, it involves dividing your image by thirds using 2 horizontal and 2 vertical lines. The idea is that you then place the important elements of your scene along those lines or at the point where they intersect.
In your landscape shots, try placing the horizon on the lower third and top third of the image and see which makes a more pleasing composition. You can also include an interesting object such as a tree where the lines meet. This gives a natural focal point for the scene.
How you frame your images of nature can make the difference between a good and a great photograph. When framing your shots, create a visually effective image that communicates with the viewer in the way you envisaged. Overhanging leaves or branches can be used to form a natural frame to shape your picture. This helps to emphasize the subject and mask unwanted elements in the scene.
5. Foreground elements
Foreground elements can add more dynamism to your landscape images. Placing features in the foreground can give a sense of receding distance. For example, a rock, flowers, or snow are individual components that can be used to provide scale. Find an interesting subject to show in the lower part of your frame and see how this changes the composition of your landscape images.
Don’t feel you have to stick to the rules of composition outlined above. As with all rules, they don’t always give the best result and you can break them. Sometimes positioning the horizon along the center of the frame can produce a much more eye-catching photo. In addition, you can even place your main subject in the center of your frame. Don’t be afraid to try out different compositions and experiment to see which looks best.
Conclusion
While you can break the rules, it is worth learning the rules of composition effectively before you try to break them. They were introduced to benefit your photos in the first place, so remember to put them to good use. Diagonal lines, the rule of thirds, foreground details, and framing your images can all be used to enhance your landscape photos.
Now it’s over to you to put these tips into practice! Share the images you take and any comments with us below.
The post 6 Important Compositional Elements to Consider When Shooting Landscapes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.
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