How to maximize the potential of Google’s newest artificial intelligence image editing tools

We are delighted to announce that Google Photos now offers all users access to its latest AI editing capabilities including Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Portrait Light, without the need for a subscription. These advanced features have generated significant excitement among our diverse community of Google Photos enthusiasts. Selena Shang, Google Photos’ senior product manager, expressed her enthusiasm stating, “It’s wonderful that more individuals will now benefit from these tools.” The process of expanding access to these features was no simple task. The Google Photos engineering team went to great lengths to ensure compatibility across a wide range of Android and iOS devices, guaranteeing optimal performance irrespective of the user’s device. Selena acknowledges the challenges faced during this process but emphasizes that the effort was undoubtedly worth it.

Given Selena’s expertise in the Google Photos AI editing suite and the expanded access to these tools, we reached out to her for valuable insights on maximizing their potential.

1. Combine AI-enhanced edits with traditional editing techniques for optimal results

According to Selena, some of the most impressive edits are achieved by layering enhancements using both Magic Editor and traditional editing tools. She suggests starting with the Portrait preset in Magic Editor, followed by further refinements using the Erase tool, and concluding with adjustments to the overall tone and brightness in the standard editor. By utilizing the complete range of available tools, Selena contends that users can unlock the full potential of their photos.

2. Know when to leverage Magic Editor’s Erase tool versus Magic Eraser for different editing scenarios

The Magic Editor features a selection of tools, including a generative AI-powered Erase tool. While both the Erase function within Magic Editor and the standalone Magic Eraser can assist in removing unwanted elements from images, each excels in specific scenarios. For quick fixes on smaller sections of a photo, Selena recommends using Magic Eraser, particularly in landscape shots with background distractions. However, when dealing with larger, more complex objects occupying significant portions of the image, Magic Editor’s AI capabilities prove more effective at seamlessly filling the erased areas. Its superior performance is particularly notable in handling intricate edits.

[source: https://blog.google/products/photos/google-ai-photo-editing-features-tips/]