It is said that there are two groups of image editors. There are those who enjoy the process of image editing as much or more than actually taking images. These people are good at image editing. They know their software very well. They typically use Lightroom or PhotoShop. Many of them use other software as well, perhaps On1, Topaz, and Luminar, to mention a few. They know hundreds of steps and create beautiful images. They spend a lot of time editing but they don't mind it as they like doing it.

          Then there are those who enjoy photography (making images in the field) more than image editing. This group is not as well versed with editing software as the previous group. They are often frustrated because they see (in their imagination) what they want to do with the image in editing but they often don't know how to get the image there, in post-processing. They find post-processing overwhelming and limiting (by their limited skills).

          I personally find myself somewhere in between these two groups. I love being out there making images but I also enjoy the editing part. I know my software reasonably well but have also been very frustrated that I just can't achieve in post-processing what I want to. I am just not good enough in PhotoShop. Let me put it this way. If I had to do a self-assessment I would rate my photography knowledge and skills much higher than my editing skills. I am a very quick learner but my schedule is beyond busy and I just don't have the time to get more proficient at PhotoShop. I heard someone say that many photographers have spent an average of sixteen years learning PhotoShop. I too have used PhotoShop for many years, but due to all the things I am involved in, I have not spent as much time as needed on it.

          How will the first group of photographers get more time to be in the field as they are consumed with computer work (even if they love computer work)? How will the second group of photographers get their final image better when they either don't know how to get it better or don't have the time to properly learn all the software necessary for the job?

          Artificial intelligence (AI) has matured to such a level that image editing software is at a crossroads. This is a crossroad I am very, very happy to stand in front of. One fork of the crossroad is using AI to make their software better and more precise. The processes and steps used are still similar or even the same but will yield much better results. AI is working behind the scenes. The other fork of the crossroad is using AI to make their software different and better. AI is not working behind the scenes on this road but is front and center. AI does for you what you don't know how to do yourself in the software. Now I remember people saying, in the mid-1980s, as autofocus was introduced that "the day I can no longer focus my own images is the day I quit photography." People might now feel the same way, if I don't process my own images it is not my image. I don't feel the same way. I have a vision of what I want the image to look like. As long as the final image reflects that vision I don't care how I get there - doing it myself (which I have already admitted I am not as proficient in as I should be) or letting AI do it for me. To me, it is all about the final image, not how I get there. I am an image person, not a process person.

          This is why this second fork is what I am so excited about. Imagine loading an image into your software and the software's AI will analyze your image, measure depth, know what is in your image and recognize elements, then suggest just about perfect results to you. You pick from a few suggestions and with two clicks your image is transformed and you are basically done. Imagine if this software still allows you full control, should you want it, to refine their suggestions to closer align with your vision for that image.

          We are reaching that fork in the road this holiday season. Skylum, the creators of Luminar 4, is coming out with a brand new product called Luminar AI. What you have just imagined is coming true. AI is here not just working behind the scenes but upfront. Have you ever looked at an image in your editing software and not known where to begin with the post-processing process? Now AI will take the lead and show you what it thinks. Soon you will have a vision of how you want that image to look like if you did not have one from the start. Two clicks and your image is transformed. Yet, you retain control so that you can change things so that it will be your image with your look.

To get a sneak peek at what is coming, have a look here:

Luminar AI

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of Skylum and have been on webinars about this software. I have been able to ask questions directly to Skylum. When you buy software from this link you save and I get a "coffee." I personally use Luminar software on 100% of my images and love it.