Fix Low-Quality Pics Instantly with Photoshop's New AI!

This video tutorial showcases how to enhance low-quality images using Adobe Photoshop's AI-powered feature, specifically the neural filters. The process begins by duplicating the background layer and applying the filter to remove JPEG artifacts, which can significantly improve image quality. The strength of the filter can be adjusted to suit the user's preferences, and the results are often dramatic, with a clear before-and-after comparison. However, the video also addresses a common issue where certain areas, like the sky, might still show artifacts post-correction. To tackle this, the video suggests using a smart filter output for flexibility and a surface blur technique to maintain edges while smoothing out the image. The technique involves setting a high threshold to blur the entire image and then gradually lowering it to recover the edges. Finally, the video demonstrates how to apply these adjustments specifically to the sky by using a mask selection. The tutorial is a valuable resource for those looking to fix compressed JPEG images and improve their overall quality using Photoshop's advanced tools.

Takeaways

• 🖼️ To enhance the quality of a low-resolution image with artifacts, duplicate the background layer in Photoshop.
• 🔍 Use the 'Neural Filters' feature within the 'Filter' menu to improve image quality.
• 📈 Turn on the 'JPEG Artifacts Removal' option and adjust the strength according to your preference for better results.
• 🆕 Before and after comparisons show significant improvements in image details after using the feature.
• 🎨 Set the output to 'Smart Filter' to allow for later adjustments of the strength used for artifact removal.
• 📏 For areas requiring different levels of correction, create layer duplicates and apply varying strengths.
• 🚫 Be aware that the method may not fix all issues, especially with compressed images from social media.
• 🖌️ Use a soft round brush on the mask to manually paint back details in areas where artifacts were removed.
• 🔗 Convert the edited layer into a 'Smart Object' to apply further filters non-destructively.
• 🌐 To fix issues like lines in the sky, use the 'Surface Blur' filter while maintaining the edges.
• ✅ Select the 'Sky' in the image and apply the 'Sky Fix' layer to limit the effect to just the sky area.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the image discussed in the script?

The main issue with the image is that it has a lot of artifacts and low quality, despite having an acceptable resolution. The image size is only 29 KB.

How can you make a copy of the background layer in Photoshop?

You can make a copy of the background layer by pressing Ctrl or Command + J.

What is the feature in Photoshop that can help improve the quality of a low-quality image?

The feature that can help improve the quality of a low-quality image is the 'Neural Filters' with the 'jpeg artifacts removal' option.

How can you adjust the strength of the jpeg artifacts removal in Photoshop?

You can adjust the strength of the jpeg artifacts removal by setting it according to your preference within the Neural Filters interface.

What is the benefit of setting the output to Smart Filter after using jpeg artifacts removal?

Setting the output to Smart Filter allows you to change the strength of the effect later on, providing more flexibility and control over the final image.

What is the catch mentioned in the script when using jpeg artifacts removal on a compressed image from social media?

The catch is that some areas of the image may not be fixed properly, even after using the jpeg artifacts removal feature.

How can you create a mask to selectively apply the jpeg artifacts removal effect in different areas of the image?

You can create a mask by using the mask button next to the Smart Filter effect, and then paint with a soft round brush to apply the effect only to desired areas.

What is the recommended method to fix the sky in an image that still shows lines after using jpeg artifacts removal?

The recommended method is to use the 'Surface Blur' filter, which maintains the edges while blurring the sky, and then recover the edges by adjusting the threshold.

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How can you ensure that the Surface Blur effect is only applied to the sky and not the entire image?

You can select the sky using the 'Select Sky' option and then apply the Surface Blur effect to the corresponding layer or mask.

What is the purpose of creating a merged layer named 'skyfix' before applying Surface Blur?

Creating a merged layer named 'skyfix' allows you to isolate the sky for editing and ensures that the Surface Blur effect is only applied to that specific part of the image.

How can you further smooth out the sky after using Surface Blur without affecting the rest of the image?

You can play with the threshold settings of the Surface Blur to increase smoothness. Then, by using layer masks, you can limit the effect to the sky.

What is the final step suggested in the script to fix the entire image after using jpeg artifacts removal and Surface Blur?

The final step is to use the 'Select All' command (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E or Command + Option + Shift + E on a Mac) to create a new merged layer that includes all visible layers, and then apply any final adjustments as needed.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Enhancing Image Quality with JPEG Artifacts Removal

This paragraph discusses a method to improve the quality of low-resolution images with many artifacts. The speaker demonstrates a feature that can significantly enhance image details by making a copy of the background layer and applying a 'jpeg artifacts removal' filter with adjustable strength. The technique is showcased through before-and-after comparisons, highlighting the impressive results, especially in areas like eyebrows. The speaker also mentions the possibility to apply different strengths to different areas using masks. However, a potential issue is introduced, which is addressed later in the script. The method is particularly useful for restoring compressed images from social media, although it may not fix all areas perfectly.

05:02

🌌 Fixing JPEG Artifacts in the Sky Using Surface Blur

The second paragraph focuses on addressing the issue of remaining artifacts, particularly in the sky, after using the jpeg artifacts removal feature. The speaker recommends using a 'surface blur' filter to maintain the edges while blurring the sky. The process involves increasing the radius until the entire sky is blurred and then carefully decreasing the threshold to bring back the edges without reintroducing the artifacts. To apply this effect only to the sky, the speaker suggests using a 'select sky' tool to isolate the sky and then masking the sky fix layer. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the effectiveness of jpeg artifacts removal and the utility of surface blur for areas that need additional smoothing.

Keywords

💡Low-Quality Image

A low-quality image refers to a digital picture that lacks sharpness and clarity, often due to compression artifacts or low resolution. In the video, the term is used to describe the initial state of the images being edited, which are plagued with artifacts and have a small file size of only 29 KB.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely-used image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. It is a powerful tool for manipulating and enhancing digital images. The video's theme revolves around using Photoshop's new AI feature to improve the quality of low-resolution images.

💡Neural Filters

Neural Filters is a feature within Adobe Photoshop that uses artificial intelligence to perform complex image editing tasks. In the context of the video, Neural Filters are employed to remove JPEG artifacts and enhance image details.

💡JPEG Artifacts Removal

JPEG Artifacts Removal is a specific function within Photoshop's Neural Filters that is designed to eliminate the blocky, pixelated effects commonly associated with JPEG compression. The video demonstrates how enabling this feature can significantly improve the quality of a low-quality image.

💡Image Resolution

Image resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image, which determines its size and detail. While the video mentions that the resolution is not the primary issue with the low-quality image, it is a fundamental aspect of digital image quality.

💡Artifacts

Artifacts in the context of digital images are visual anomalies or distortions that occur due to compression or other image processing. The video discusses how the JPEG Artifacts Removal feature can eliminate these unwanted visual elements.

💡Smart Filter

A Smart Filter in Photoshop is a non-destructive editing method that allows users to apply and adjust filters without permanently altering the original image. The video suggests setting the output to Smart Filter for later adjustments of the JPEG artifacts removal effect.

💡Masking

Masking is a technique used in image editing where parts of an image are hidden or protected from editing. The video explains how to use a mask to selectively apply the JPEG artifacts removal effect to different areas of the image.

💡Surface Blur

Surface Blur is a blurring technique that attempts to preserve the edges of objects in an image while blurring the rest of the image. The video demonstrates using Surface Blur to fix areas of the image that still show artifacts after the initial JPEG artifacts removal.

💡Compression

Compression refers to the process of reducing the size of a file, often at the cost of some quality. In the video, the low-quality image is a result of compression, which has led to the presence of artifacts. The techniques shown aim to counteract the effects of this compression.

💡Social Media Compression

Social Media Compression is the reduction in image quality that occurs when images are uploaded to social media platforms, which often compress images to save bandwidth and storage. The video addresses a common issue where users need to edit low-quality images that have been compressed by social media.

Highlights

Photoshop's new AI feature can fix low-quality images with artifacts.

The image quality issue is not about resolution but rather artifacts, evident in a small file size of 29 KB.

To restore details, duplicate the background layer and apply the neural filters.

Enable 'jpeg artifacts removal' in the neural filters for a seamless fix.

Adjust the strength of the filter according to your preference for optimal results.

The before and after comparison showcases a dramatic improvement in image quality.

Set the output to 'Smart filter' for adjustable strength and non-destructive editing.

Different areas of the image can have varying strengths of the filter applied for a tailored enhancement.

Practical examples include fixing images uploaded to social media that have lost their original quality.

The AI processes on the device, avoiding reliance on cloud processing.

For larger images, the AI may take a few seconds to process but yields impressive results.

Some areas may not be fixed properly, even with AI, requiring additional manual adjustments.

Using a smart filter allows for the creation of a mask to selectively apply effects.

Surface blur can be used to fix areas like the sky without blurring edges.

Adjust the threshold and radius in surface blur to maintain edges while smoothing the image.

Selecting the 'Sky' feature automatically selects the sky area for targeted adjustments.

The final result is a significantly improved image quality, with artifacts and banding removed.

Don't ignore the jpeg artifacts removal tool; it's a game-changer for low-quality images.

When AI can't fix all lines, surface blur is a manual solution to achieve a clean sky.