25 Feb The Challenges of Using AI for High-Resolution Retouching
In the ever-evolving world of digital imagery, AI tools like Photoshop’s Generative Fill have become increasingly popular. These technologies promise quick and seamless image expansion, object removal, and content-aware retouching. However, when it comes to professional photography and high-resolution imagery, generative AI still has significant shortcomings. At Williams & Partners, we leverage our advanced AI tools and expertise to go beyond these limitations, ensuring the highest quality results.
The Limitations of Generative Fill in High-Resolution Work
1. Lack of Detail and Sharpness
AI-generated content often lacks the fine detail that high-end photography requires. When filling in missing parts of an image, generative AI tends to create soft, unrealistic textures that stand out against high-resolution sections of the original photo. This is especially problematic in:
- Intricate patterns like fabric, hair, or reflections on chrome and glass
- Structured elements such as car grilles, wire wheels, and metallic surfaces
2. Inconsistencies in Reflections and Lighting
One of the biggest giveaways of AI-generated content is incorrect lighting and reflections. Professional photography captures the natural interplay of light, shadow, and material properties. Generative AI, however, often miscalculates these details, leading to:
- Distorted reflections on metal and glass
- Unrealistic lighting behavior, especially in complex compositions
- Flat, textureless surfaces that lack depth
3. Mismatched Resolution and Soft Blurring
Even with high-end AI tools, generative fill often produces results that don’t match the original image’s sharpness and pixel density.
This can result in:
- Blurry or pixelated areas that don’t hold up to professional standards
- Noticeable seams where AI content meets real elements
- Artificial-looking textures that lack the richness of real-world detail
4. Background and Object Artifacts
While AI can extend backgrounds, it often struggles with natural depth and perspective. Trees, landscapes, and architectural elements may appear:
- Warped or distorted
- Repetitive and obviously AI-generated
- Blended poorly with the original image, creating visual dissonance
Let’s explore a real-world project and its results.
EXAMPLE
This was the original image supplied by the client.
The image needed a horizontal extension beyond its original frame. While Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill may work well for lower-resolution images, how does it perform when handling high-resolution images captured by a professional photographer with a high-end camera?
Result Analysis: This image was created using Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill function. While it may appear fine at lower resolutions, (click the above image) a closer examination reveals noticeable inconsistencies where the extension occurred, making the AI-generated result unusable. As of this writing, Generative Fill is limited to 1024 pixels on the longest side, with anything beyond that generated at a lower resolution.
How We Deliver Superior AI-Enhanced Photography
At Williams & Partners, we understand the limitations of off-the-shelf AI tools, which is why we take a different approach. Instead of relying solely on generative fill, we use custom AI-enhanced workflows combined with expert human refinement to ensure flawless, high-resolution results.
Our Approach to AI-Driven Image Enhancement:
- Custom AI Training – We train our AI models on high-resolution datasets tailored to professional photography needs, ensuring more accurate and realistic results.
- Manual Refinement & Retouching – Our expert editors refine AI-generated sections with manual adjustments, restoring lost detail and ensuring seamless integration.
- AI-Powered Image Enhancement – We use AI-generated fills combined with AI image upscaling and enhancement, then refine the final result with a trained retoucher for a flawless, high-resolution finish.
- Advanced Texture & Lighting Matching – We use AI-assisted texture blending and lighting correction to match real-world physics and ensure realism.
- Quality Control & Client Review – Every AI-enhanced image undergoes a rigorous quality check to ensure it meets professional standards.
Here is a sample from an initial generation in our workflow. A closer look reveals improvements in areas like the tires and landscape, surpassing the previous Photoshop results. However, we can refine this further through multiple passes of our image upscaling and enhancement workflows. (Click the above image for a closer look.)
This upscale workflow demonstrates noticeable improvements in sharpness and quality, particularly in the car and certain areas of the landscape. (Click the above image for a closer look.)
This enhancement workflow brings realistic quality and depth to the landscape and foreground. (Click the above image for a closer look.)
Close-Up Comparison: In the before-and-after example above, the right-side image showcases the results of our enhancement workflow, which improves the landscape but introduces anomalies in the car. Conversely, the left-side image from our upscale workflow enhances the car more accurately but struggles with the landscape. Using the right tools—and having an expert who knows how to effectively combine them—is key to achieving the best results.
FINAL RESULT
CLICK IMAGE TO FOR A CLOSER LOOK
By leveraging the best aspects of multiple workflows and having an experienced retoucher seamlessly blend them, we achieved exceptional results that go beyond what’s possible with Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill.
AI Should Enhance, Not Replace, Professional Quality
While AI tools like Photoshop’s Generative Fill have their place in quick edits and casual applications, they are not yet a replacement for true high-end photography and image processing. At Williams & Partners, we leverage AI as an enhancement tool—never as a shortcut. Our expertise ensures that every detail remains sharp, every texture feels authentic, and every image maintains the integrity of high-resolution photography.
Looking for professional, AI-assisted image editing that maintains the highest quality? Contact Williams & Partners today to see how our advanced AI solutions can transform your visuals.
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