Latest news with #photoediting
CNET
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
I Love This Hidden Camera Trick on the Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra has impressed us time and time again with its epic photo and video skills. It shoots some of the best images you can get from a phone in almost any conditions, while its big, vibrant display males lining up your shots a breeze. But even though I've been capturing photos with it for months, I recently stumbled on a little hidden tool that I didn't notice when I first started using the phone. But now that I've found it, I use it all the time. It's all about creating cool, cinematic filters for your photos. The original image (left) and the edited version using my custom filter (right). I love the warmer tones, the teal sky and the film grain. It's given it a very vintage look which I really like. Andrew Lanxon/CNET The tool, that Samsung sometimes calls My Filters, essentially lets you steal the color tones from one image and apply it to another. Say you like the warm orangey hues on a photo from a summertime trip to Italy. Simply load that photo up and it becomes a filter you can apply to other images, either while you're taking a photo or when you edit photos from your gallery later. It's baked into the heart of the camera experience and it's easy to use. Here's how you can do it yourself. Read More: Best Camera Phone to Buy in 2025 First, find the reference photos you want to use to create your filters. Maybe a night-time city scene with cool blue tones, or perhaps you're looking for more dreamy, warm colors for a summer vibe. Whatever you're after, you need to collect some images (either of your own, or any you've found online) and save them to your phone's gallery. The three overlapping circles is the icon that denotes the filter tool. This is what you're looking for. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Next, open the camera app. In the top left or right corner (depending on the orientation you're holding your phone) you'll see an icon that looks like three overlapping circles. This is the filter mode. Tap it to view the various built-in filters, and you'll notice there's a tile with a plus symbol just to the left of the built-in filters. Select this to bring up your gallery, and you'll be invited to select a picture to use as a filter. Choose one of your reference images, tap Create and your phone will do the rest. It analyzes the colors and contrast in the image, and then applies a filter that's based on your reference. You'll then see a live preview of what the effect will look like. You can rename the filter if you'd like, and then tap Done to save it. Tap the square plus button and you'll be able to load your own image to use as a reference for a new color filter. Andrew Lanxon/CNET When you take an image, that preset will be applied to the new photo. The filter also saves that effect to your phone, so you can now open any image in your gallery, press the edit button, tap the Filters button and then tap your new filter to load up the effect. When you apply it, you can also adjust the strength of the effect, along with adjustments like contrast and color temperature. I also love that there's an option to add film grain, which can help simulate the grain you'd see in analog photography to give your images that old-school vibe Instagram seems to be into these days. The ability to create a custom filter is a great tool to play around with, and I've really enjoyed saving a variety of different images to my phone in order to use as a basis for other filters. It's not perfect though -- the effects can be very subtle. It's not really achieving an accurate match for your source image -- it's more like it's taking inspiration from it. I'd like Samsung to amp up the effect even more in future updates, giving us the option to tone it down a bit if it's too strong. There are various tools to adjust the look of the effect, and there's even more control to be found in the general editing tools. Andrew Lanxon/CNET I could absolutely imagine loading up example photos taken with classic film stocks like Kodak Gold, Portra 160 or Fujifilm Velvia and creating a set of filters that mimic those analogue films. One of the joys of shooting on Fujifilm's digital cameras, like the X100VI, is the myriad of film emulation options you can achieve. This tool feels like a close approximation for Galaxy S25 owners. I really enjoy anything like this that allows photographers like myself to play around with the look of our image while still maintaining an authentic photo, rather than altering things with generative AI. Apple's Photographic Styles allows you to create similar color toning effects, but Samsung's tool makes things that bit easier by letting you create looks based off reference images. The original image (left) and the edited version using my custom filter (right). This time I went for a moody, cold look for this night-time urban scene. Andrew Lanxon/CNET The tool was introduced on the S25 range, including the base models and the S25 Ultra. It also features on the fancy new S25 Edge. You can also find the tool on Samsung's much cheaper Galaxy A series, and it's been made available as a software update on older Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S22 range. Samsung hasn't made it clear exactly which phones support the tool, but if you own a Galaxy phone that was released over the past few years, it's worth seeing if it's available.
TechCrunch
3 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Google Photos debuts redesigned editor with new AI tools
Google is celebrating 10 years of Google Photos with the launch of a redesigned editor. The redesign adds new AI features, Reimagine and Auto Frame, which were previously only available on Pixel devices, bringing the tools into the hands of more users. The Reimagine feature uses generative AI to transform objects and backgrounds in photos with text prompts. For example, you could ask to replace a gloomy sky in one of your photos with 'clear blue skies.' The Auto Frame feature suggests different ways to frame a photo, whether it's by cropping, widening, or using generative AI to fill in the blank spaces. Image Credits:Google Google says the new editor gives users helpful suggestions and puts all its editing tools in one place. You can use AI-powered suggestions that combine multiple effects for quick edits with the new 'AI Enhance' option. For example, you could combine AI effects like image sharpening and object removal. Or, you can tap specific parts of a photo to get suggested tools for editing that area. For example, Google may suggest that you adjust the lighting or blur the background. Google says the redesign will start rolling out globally to Android devices next month, with iOS following later this year. The tech giant also announced that you can now share albums with QR codes to make easier for others around you to access an album. You could also print out the codes for a group event, where anyone with the code will be able to view and add photos to the album.
CNET
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNET
This Tool Uses AI to Transform Photos of Yourself Into Almost Anything. Here's How It Works
I was recently with a family member who has a framed caricature of their partner and their shared dog right as you walk into their home. It sparked my interest about ways I can create those types of images without having to pose for a picture (and hopefully never at an amusement park). When I started looking for AI tools that could generate images replicating caricatures, I found Fotor GoArt. There, I was met with a whole lot more than just the ability to turn my headshot into a cartoony version of myself. What is Fotor, and how does it use AI? Launched in 2012 by Tony Duan, Fotor is an AI-powered photo editing app and design platform. The platform began as a simple photo editor but quickly expanded into AI territory as generative tools evolved. GoArt uses AI to analyze the structure of your image and re-render it in the style of famous artworks. In response, you're met with an instant digital gallery piece that feels true to the style you select. For example, The "Dream World" selection is eerily similar to DreamWorks, and the platform also features ways to construct caricatures, old-timey photos and other artistic expressions across its dashboard. How to use Fotor to transform photos My original photo, with the art styles listed on the left. Fotor / Carly Quellman / Screenshot by CNET Transforming your photos with Fotor is a simple, yet hilarious, process. Head to Fotor's website and sign up for a free account, or access its paid subscription models. Then head to Fotor GoArt, where you can access a slew of image styles to incorporate into an existing image. Upload your image and use the existing templates to try on different features. Give Fotor a couple minutes to apply the feature to your image -- and then sit back and experience the childlike joy of seeing yourself in different forms. Finally, you can review your design and download it in your preferred format. Or you can share with family and friends, who will likely laugh at you, and with good reason. I tried Fotor's Caricature, Mini Figure, Dream World and, my personal favorite, Toy Pet -- which looks exactly like it sounds: you, but covered in fur. This is a great way to showcase different versions of yourself all from your screen. A couple laughs included. The "Toy Pet" version of me. Fotor / Screenshot by CNET Should you use Fotor? I see Fotor as a convenient, maybe even ideal, tool for casual creators and small business owners looking for fast, polished design without needing a background in graphic design or high-level design chops. Why? Its AI tools make it easy to quickly generate visuals. The "Mini Figure" version of me. Fotor / Screenshot by CNET Now, high-level creatives seeking granular control over their projects would find Fotor's tools too limiting. While it's robust for everyday use, it's not a replacement for professional software for detailed design workflows. But for sending spirited rounds of caricatures to your teammates while you're working? Absolutely. Fotor's multiple subscription models are a selling bonus, ranging from a free account (this gave me five free generations), to $7.50/month for a premium account. It also seems like Fotor is offering discounts on its premium plans, ranging from 20-30% off depending on how far down you're down the sales funnel you are. Is AI-generated art ethical? But we have to talk about ethical AI. Fotor uses AI for enhancement, generation and background removal, which is all designed to streamline creative work, not replace it. While Fotor doesn't make strong public claims about ethical AI, its tools prioritize efficiency and creativity without scraping human likenesses from sensitive datasets. I do wonder about its use of artistic styles, though. I specifically avoided trying the Ghibli-style feature based on what I've read in recent headlines -- so why wouldn't the other artistic styles raise the same IP concerns? Fotor didn't respond to a request for clarification on what it uses to train its AI tool, whether it pays artists or if it scrapes artwork from the web. These questions aside, if you want to look like you've got a decent designer in your back pocket (without actually hiring one), Fotor might be the move. I can't say its intuitive, but it does generate images -- and laughs -- quickly.
The Verge
3 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Google Photos adds Pixel-exclusive AI features to redesigned editor
Google Photos is being overhauled with more AI features that help users quickly edit their images without requiring advanced skills or professional apps. The redesigned Photos editor puts several AI editing tools — including two generative AI Magic Editor features that were only available on Pixel devices — in one place, alongside helpful suggestions on which tool to use. With this update, Google Photos is expanding the availability of AI-powered automatic framing and text-to-image Reimagine features that debuted on the Pixel 9. The Auto Frame tool, located in the top left of the redesigned editor, suggests different compositions that crop or widen images, using generative AI to fill in any blank spaces. The Reimagine feature goes a step further by allowing users to add anything to their photos by just describing it, the results of which can be a little concerning at times. Otherwise, the most noticeable change is the UI, which replaces the previous double-tiered editor menu with a single row of three thumbnail buttons: the Enhance and Dynamic editing options already provided in Google Photos, as well as a new AI Enhance feature. Selecting AI Enhance will produce three edits that automatically combine multiple AI effects like image sharpening and object removal, allowing users to select their preferred results. Users can also draw over specific areas of an image to select an object and make targeted edits. A pop-up tool menu will appear that suggests the best effects to apply, such as moving the person or object, blurring the background, or adjusting the lighting. This should both help users make better edits and make it easier and faster to find the right tool without having to hunt through tabs and menus. Google says that everything mentioned above is rolling out globally to Android devices next month, with iOS following 'later this year.' The Verge asked Google for more information regarding which Android devices will be supported, but we haven't heard back yet. Another Google Photos feature starting to roll out now allows users to share an album in their library by generating a QR code. People can easily view or add photos to the album by scanning the code instead of going through the usual sharing permissions, making it a convenient alternative when sharing with large groups, such as wedding guests or event attendees.
Phone Arena
3 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Google Photos' 10th birthday party includes new features
Blow out the candles on the cake; today is Google Photos' 10th birthday and to celebrate, Google has posted a blog that mentions new features, tricks, and tools. Before we dig into those presents from Google, let's take a look at some of Google Photos' impressive numbers. For example, 1.5 billion (with a "b") people use Google Photos every month. Every month Google Photos runs through 370 million searches, shares 440 million images, and edits 210 million photos. Among the changes coming to the Google Photos app, a redesigned editor will use AI to make suggestions. Some of these recommendations might use a combination of effects that are bundled together in one button allowing you to make quick edits. You can also press on a specific portion of a photo to get editing recommendations for that area of the image. What's exciting here is that two features found on the Magic Editor for the Pixel 9 line are coming to more Android devices starting next month and iOS later this year. Google Photos will use AI to suggest certain edits that can be made to specific areas of a photo with one tap of a button. | Image credit-Google The two features are Reimagine and Auto frame. The former allows you to select part of an image and using text prompts, type in changes to the appearance, material, or texture of an item. For example, you can select a wall in a photo and change it into a "field of flowers" or a stone wall. You can also change the background, add new elements, or replace objects. Auto frame uses AI to identify the subject of a picture and widen the background, straighten a crooked image, and more. With the new features, you can search for images in Google Photos using names of subjects or specific locations. For example, you can now type "Me in a black suit" or "Uncle Ben at the beach." To help identify names, you'll need to name faces, including your own, in the "People & Pets" section. Rolling out now is the ability to share albums with others using QR codes. Anyone will be able to scan the code to view or add images from the shared albums. With Google Photos you'll also be able to tap the collections tab and choose "Places" to see your photos pinned accurately on an interactive map helping you relive a fun journey. Google Photos will automatically show you photos representing the "Best of Month" and " Year End Recap." You can even share these with family members and friends. Speaking of sharing, you can press the "+" button, select "highlight video" and select what you want to include in a personal montage. This could include yourself, your friends, your pets, or a specific place or event. Photos will automatically be seamlessly combined and music will be added automatically. Using an interactive map you can relive a journey from the past. | Image credit-Google You can also add new photos you choose to albums you share with others. If you dream of getting rid of the clutter in your feed you can tap on the three-dot icon found on the top of your main gallery and allow the app to stack similar photos that were taken together or close to the same time. If you don't want to be reminded of someone or a certain pet in Google Photos memories, you can hide certain people, pets, or even dates. You can choose between time-based or themed memories by going to Settings > Preferences > Memories . Lastly, Google Photos can help you get back some storage on your phone. With the Google Photos app open, tap on your profile picture and then "Free up space on this device." This will remove images already backed up to your Google Photos account while adding more storage space to your phone. You'll still be able to view the images stored in your Google Photos account at anytime and your phone will have some storage space open up that you might need right away. Google Photos has come a long way in its first decade. We can't even imagine what the app will look like after the next 10 years.
