FX30

I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE BOTANIC GARDENS

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A Stormy Day at the Botanic Gardens

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On a Saturday, amidst the unfolding of Storm Kathleen, I took a gamble. During what seemed to be a lull, I decided to visit the Botanic Gardens. My route took me via Glasnevin Cemetery. However, due to the wet and windy conditions, I opted to spend about an hour photographing some of the older and more intriguing graves.

Unfortunately, I encountered problems as I struggled to keep my lens dry. Almost all of my photographs were marred by raindrops on the lens glass. Rather than discarding these images, I decided to see if I could salvage them using Adobe’s Generative AI in Photoshop.

The process was somewhat tedious as I had to transfer photographs from Lightroom to Photoshop – a software I don’t regularly use – and then back again. To my surprise, the process was less cumbersome than I had anticipated, and the results exceeded my expectations.

Understanding Generative AI

Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content. In the context of image editing, it employs sophisticated algorithms to analyse your image, discern patterns, and then generate new pixels or image sections. These seamlessly blend into the original, replacing unwanted elements.

Adobe’s Generative AI Tools

Adobe is actively developing and integrating generative AI capabilities into its popular software suite. While they might not have a single, standalone blemish-removal tool, several features within Photoshop could utilise generative AI techniques to achieve this:

Content-Aware Fill: This powerful tool is likely the closest to a dedicated blemish remover. It analyses the surrounding areas of a selected blemish and generates realistic pixels to replace the imperfection, often maintaining textures and lighting for seamless results.

Neural Filters (Photoshop): Adobe’s Neural Filters use machine learning models to accomplish various editing tasks. Some possibilities for blemish removal would be:
Skin Smoothing: While aimed at smoothing skin, it could be adapted to remove blemishes by subtly blurring and blending.

Smart Portrait: This filter offers adjustments for facial features and could potentially have options for targeted blemish removal in the future.
Future Filters: Adobe could release dedicated filters for blemish removal that employ more advanced generative AI.

How to use Adobe’s Generative AI for Blemish Removal

Let’s imagine a potential workflow, considering both existing and possible future Adobe tools:
Isolate the Blemish: Use Photoshop’s selection tools (like the Object Selection Tool, Lasso Tool, or Quick Selection Tool) to carefully outline the blemish you want to remove.

Apply Content-Aware Fill: With the blemish selected, go to Edit -> Content-Aware Fill. Adjust settings in the Content-Aware Fill workspace for precise control over the generated content.

Fine-tune with Healing Tools: If needed, use the Spot Healing Brush Tool or the Healing Brush Tool for any minor imperfections that the Content-Aware Fill didn’t perfectly address.

Potential Neural Filter (Future): If Adobe releases a dedicated blemish-removal filter, experiment with its settings to achieve the desired results. It could potentially offer greater automation than Content-Aware Fill for certain types of blemishes.

Advantages of Adobe’s Approach
Precision and Control: Adobe generally offers granular control over AI tools, allowing you to modify settings to ensure the changes blend seamlessly with your high-resolution image, avoiding an unrealistic or over-processed look.

Integration: Working within Photoshop means your workflow remains consistent with other editing tasks, including colour correction, cropping, and more.

Creative Potential: Generative AI in Photoshop opens doors beyond blemish removal, enabling creative image manipulations, background replacements, and other exciting possibilities.

Important Notes

Evolving Technology: Adobe’s generative AI tools for image editing are constantly under development. Expect even more robust and specialised blemish removal capabilities in the future.
No Substitute for Skill: While AI tools are powerful, they often work best in conjunction with your own photo editing skills. Understanding manual editing techniques in Photoshop is still valuable.

Glasnevin Cemetery: Historical Haven

Ireland’s National Necropolis: Founded in 1832, Glasnevin Cemetery is a final resting place for approximately 1.5 million people. It holds immense historical significance as a burial ground for pivotal figures in Irish history and culture.

Who’s Buried There: Notable figures include Daniel O’Connell (the “Liberator”), Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Charles Stewart Parnell, Countess Markievicz, Luke Kelly (The Dubliners), Brendan Behan, and many others.

Why Photographers Love Glasnevin Cemetery

Rich Symbolism: The cemetery is filled with ornate Celtic crosses, elaborate mausoleums, weathered headstones, and grand statues, offering a wealth of subjects infused with symbolism and a strong sense of history.

Textures and Patina: The passage of time has bestowed a beautiful patina upon the monuments, creating rich textures and contrasts that photographers relish.

Light and Atmosphere: Ireland’s varying light and weather conditions contribute to a changing atmosphere within the cemetery. You might find ethereal morning mist, dramatic shadows on a sunny day, or a somber ambiance on a rainy afternoon.

Stories in Stone: The cemetery isn’t just about famous figures. Every headstone represents a life story. Photographers can find inspiration in details, epitaphs, and the intricate designs showcasing both personal and historical narratives.

Museum and Tours: The Glasnevin Cemetery Museum holds extensive historical information and exhibitions. Guided tours provide deeper insights into the lives of those buried within, offering further context for photographers.

Photography Considerations

Respect: Remember, Glasnevin is an active burial ground. Be mindful, respectful, and discreet when photographing.
Variety of Lenses: A wide-angle lens can capture the sweeping views, while a telephoto will isolate details and compress perspectives. A macro lens is great for intricate textures.

Black and White: Consider experimenting with black and white photography to emphasise mood, texture and the timeless feel of the setting. I always shoot in colour and convert to Black and White.

Yes, shooting in colour and converting to black and white in post-production is a highly recommended approach for most photographers. Here’s why:

Advantages of Shooting in Color and Converting to B&W Later:

Preserves Information: When you shoot RAW (recommended for most editing flexibility), capturing in colour retains all the colour data. Even if you convert to B&W later, you have the option to go back and create a colour image if needed. Shooting in-camera B&W discards this colour data.

Finer Control in B&W Conversion: Editing software offers a wide range of tools for B&W conversion. You can control how different colours translate into shades of gray, allowing for more targeted adjustments and a more customised B&W look.

Flexibility to Change Your Mind: If you’re unsure whether an image works better in colour or B&W, shooting in colour gives you the flexibility to decide later during editing. You can have both versions without needing to reshoot.

Are there any Disadvantages?

There are minimal downsides to this approach:

Storage Space: RAW files are larger than JPEGs. If storage space is a major concern, you might consider shooting JPEGs, but you’ll sacrifice some editing flexibility.

Extra Processing Step: Converting to B&W adds an extra step to your workflow. However, with practice, it becomes quick and can even be a creative part of the editing process.
Overall, the advantages of shooting in colour and converting to B&W later far outweigh the minor drawbacks. It gives you more creative control and ensures you don’t discard valuable image data.

Here are some additional points to consider:

Camera B&W Modes: While some cameras offer B&W preview modes, these are simulations and don’t capture the full colour data.

Experimentation: Try shooting some photos in both colour and B&W mode in-camera to see the difference and develop your eye for B&W photography.