A conversation with chatGPT.
🎯 Lesson Objective
Learn when to use AI tools in Lightroom and Photoshop so you:
Save time
Avoid wasting generative credits
Maintain control over your editing workflow
🧠 Key Concept
AI tools are not your default workflow.
They are best used as:
A rescue tool for images that are almost great—but need help to be usable.
🔍 What Uses Credits (and What Doesn’t)
Uses Credits
Generative Remove (Lightroom)
Generative Fill (Photoshop)
Generative Expand (Photoshop)
👉 Typical cost: ~1 credit per generation
Does NOT Use Credits
AI Masking (Select Subject, Sky, etc.)
Denoise
Clone / Heal tools
Content-Aware Fill (non-generative)
👉 These should remain your primary tools
⚠️ The Hidden Trap
Each time you click:
“Generate”
“Regenerate”
Try a new variation
👉 You are charged again
There is no upfront “this will cost X credits” warning.
🟢 When AI is Worth Using
1. Complex Object Removal
Use AI when removing:
People in the background
Branches crossing your subject
Busy or irregular textures
Why it works:
Manual tools struggle with randomness
AI can solve it in seconds
Time comparison:
Manual: 3–10 minutes
AI: ~15 seconds
✔ Worth the credit
2. Saving “Almost Great” Shots
Use AI when:
The moment is strong (sports, wildlife)
But something small ruins the image
Examples:
Bird with a branch in the way
Athlete with background clutter
✔ AI can turn a reject into a keeper
3. Expanding the Frame (Photoshop)
Use Generative Expand when:
Composition is too tight
Subject is cropped awkwardly
✔ This is something manual tools cannot realistically fix
🔴 When AI is a Waste
1. Small Cleanup
Dust spots
Tiny distractions
👉 Use Heal/Clone instead
✔ Faster, free, more precise
2. Simple Backgrounds
Clear skies
Smooth walls
👉 Manual tools already work perfectly
3. Experimenting (“Let me try this…”)
Trying multiple prompts
Exploring variations
👉 This burns credits quickly with little return
4. Quick Fixes (Under 60 Seconds)
If you can fix it quickly:
❌ Don’t use AI
✔ Stick with manual tools
⚖️ The 2-Minute Rule
Before using AI, ask:
“Would this take me more than 2 minutes to fix manually?”
YES → Use AI
NO → Don’t use it
💡 Practical Strategy
Use AI:
Selectively
Intentionally
Only when it saves real time
Avoid AI:
As a default tool
For convenience
For experimentation
🧠 Real-World Insight
AI rewards:
Decisive edits
AI penalizes:
Trial-and-error workflows
📊 Quick Reference
| Task | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Remove complex object | AI |
| Remove small distraction | Heal/Clone |
| Fix composition (expand) | AI |
| Masking & adjustments | AI Masking (free) |
| Noise reduction | Denoise (free) |
🏁 Takeaway
Your existing workflow already does most of the work well.
AI should be used to:
Save time on difficult edits—not replace your editing process.
📌 Assignment (Optional)
Take 3 of your recent images and:
Identify one issue in each image
Decide:
Manual fix or AI?
Apply the 2-minute rule
Be prepared to explain your decision.
