(This is a sponsored article by Adobe.)

Some say that taking photographs takes you out of the present moment. However, we like to argue that our memory deteriorates as we age, so we turn to photographs to look back on various life events.

Personally, I love creating memories with my loved ones and capturing them in pictures. However, it is always a challenge for me to take the perfect photo.

Finding the right angles is difficult for me, so I often feel insecure about my own photos and end up not sharing them with anyone or on social media. I also often try to edit my photos, but I find it time-consuming and am always looking for ways to make editing easier.

With the hype surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI), many photo editing platforms have launched their own features.

Most recently, Adobe announced its first generative AI in Lightroom, Generative Remove and Lens Blur, and I decided to put these features to the test for my 24th birthday.

In this test, we check whether the AI ​​features deliver realistic results and how easy the following functions are to use. Will I finally be proud of my photos?

Generative Remove: No more “eraser marks”

Like an eraser, Lightroom’s Generative Removal feature can help you remove distracting elements from your photos.

Using artificial intelligence, it can cleanly remove unwanted photobombers or crowds without leaving any annoying residue, which causes problems and frustration for many of us when editing our photos.

Opting for the Generative AI feature may slow down the processing time of the image, but the end result is worth the wait. From small details, like a photobomber in the background:

Swipe right to see how much was removed from my area / Image credit: Vulcan Post

To avoid annoying crowds in the background, all distractions can be eliminated with a few swipes.

Swipe right to see how much was removed from my area / Image credit: Vulcan Post

Lens blur: balance is key

Blurring the background brings the main subject of the image more into focus. However, too much background blur can have the opposite effect.

Adobe’s AI-powered lens blur feature helps identify the main subject of the image. With just one click, you can choose from seven different presets depending on the intensity and overall effect.

From bright backgrounds like this:

Swipe right to see how much of my surroundings have been blurred / Image credit: Vulcan Post

Removing reflections allows you to focus on yourself without being distracted by your surroundings.

Swipe for unedited version / Image credit: Vulcan Post

Our verdict

Lightroom’s Generative AI features are a useful addition, especially for hobbyist photographers or mobile photography enthusiasts like myself. When I wanted to sit down, look through my photos and edit them, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the features were to use.

What struck me most was the effectiveness of the AI ​​in the Generative Remove feature, as it helps eliminate the “eraser marks” that are often left behind when an object is removed from the background.

In addition to Lightroom’s AI-powered features, the platform also offers other useful features for editing photos and videos. The mobile app has a streamlined toolbar with presets, cropping, editing, and other commonly used tools.

Adobe Lightroom is also available on the desktop, so you can edit your photos on the go across different devices and don’t have to worry about importing or syncing your photos to the cloud.

Note, however, that Lightroom is a paid platform. Adobe offers a monthly subscription for S$13.39 (US$6.98) per month to use the platform alone, making it an affordable option for mobile photography enthusiasts or beginners.

You can try the features for free for seven days and experiment with many of the app’s features, except for the premium features, which include Generative Remove and Lens Blur.

Ultimately, we’ve seen plenty of AI and image editing mistakes on the internet, but Adobe’s AI technology is a step ahead in terms of innovation. The ability to produce realistic results with just a few clicks makes the platform much more accessible and reliable for users.

Additionally, I can personally say that these features help me feel more confident sharing my photos with the people I care about, and I look forward to creating even more meaningful memories with them in the years to come.

If you’d like to try and purchase a Lightroom subscription, learn more below.

• Learn more about Adobe Lightroom here.
• Read other articles we have written about startups from Singapore here.

Photo credit: Vulcan Post