Software How To

"It's a whole new world out there and AI is going to destroy photography as we know it." At least that what we're hearing from the frantic naysayers. But is that really what's on the horizon? Read on to see what one top pro thinks about the so-called looming disaster.

One powerful method for accentuating the key subject in an image is to blur other areas within the frame, and today's tutorial from Lori Lankford provides a trio of techniques for getting the job quickly and precisely in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR).

CES is not a big imaging software show as evidenced by the short list of new products, though we did find a new camera profiling tool, updated monitor calibration tools, an old favorite Raw converter brought back to life under a new name, and software for editing on the fly and sharing photos.

ArcSoft introduced a Mac version of Perfect365. This software uses advanced facial recognition technology for one-click portrait touch-ups, letting you effortlessly adjust up to 21 individual facial features. Perfect365 allows you to add creative effects such as eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks, colored contact lenses, under-eye circle removal, and blemish removal. The software is available as a free download (www.perfect365.com) or in a premium edition ($39).

Outdoor photographers often spend time in Photoshop pumping up the intensity of pale blue skies in their images. But in the video below you’ll how to get the job done in camera with a few simple settings.

Software programs for imaging can be simple or complex. The complex ones offer a steep learning curve and allow you to refine images to your heart’s content. Simple programs, although complex under the hood, allow you to make quick choices to create a wide variety of looks. And while they can be used for “instant” art, they also allow for nuances that multiply your options a thousand fold, using sliders that modify each look from the menu. One such “simple” program is Alien Skin’s Snap Art 3 (www.alienskin.com, $199 or $99 for an upgrade from previous versions). This is a plug-in and a standalone program, which means it works within the architecture of Adobe’s Photoshop, Lightroom and Elements as well as other image processing programs so you can create Layers from the work that can be further refined (leading to many more options) or within Snap Art 3 alone.

Today we're taking a look at a Lightroom tool that many users overlook or find intimidating. Instructor Jalen Oban puts it like this: "While it may seem complex at first glance, the Calibration panel is incredibly powerful and can significantly enhance your photo-editing process once you know how it works."