Improve Your Photos Quickly Using AI: Photoshop and Midjourney Steps

Want to take your photos from ordinary to impressive without spending hours editing? Using AI tools like Adobe Photoshop's Generative Fill and Midjourney can help you create clean, professional images efficiently. This guide shows you a straightforward process combining these powerful tools to get stunning results fast.

It’s becoming important to understand how to work *with* AI, not against it. This method is useful whether you're a designer, photographer, or just someone wanting better pictures. Let's look at how you can clean up an image with awkward cropping and composition to make it polished and ready to share.

Start in Photoshop: Cropping and Cleanup Basics

First, open your image in Photoshop. You need to get a better frame for your picture.

Step 1: Crop Your Photo

Use the crop tool. Adjust the frame to center your subject and set specific dimensions, maybe for social media. This is a simple but important first step.

Step 2: Unlock the Background Layer

Before using generative fill, remember to unlock the background layer. Click the small padlock icon in the layers panel. This makes blending easier later on and prevents potential issues.

Step 3: Prep the Background Area

You need to give the AI clear information. Start by cleaning up areas of the background. You can use tools like Content-Aware Fill or the Clone Stamp tool to patch up parts around your subject. Don't aim for perfection here. You're just creating a cleaner space for the AI to work with.

Why prep the background? If you ask AI to fill space without tidying edges or providing context, the results can be off. Prepping helps reduce errors and keeps details correct.

Using Generative Fill in Photoshop

With the background prepped, it's time for Generative Fill.

Step 4: Run Generative Fill

Select the area you want the AI to fill. Run Generative Fill without typing any text prompts first. See what the AI suggests. If the first result isn't great, try tweaking your selection area slightly and running it again. You're looking for a decent blend with the existing image.

Step 5: Refine and Tidy Up

Once you have a good generative fill result, merge the layers. Optionally, use the Liquify tool for small shape or shadow adjustments if needed. Keep things clean.

Selecting and Preparing Your Subject

Now focus on your main subject.

Step 6: Select Your Subject

Use Photoshop's subject selection tools. AI selection often does a solid job. For details like hair, use 'Select and Mask'. Adjust parameters like edge shifting, feathering, and smoothing for a cleaner edge. Manually fix any areas the AI misses.

With your subject carefully selected, you're ready to move to Midjourney to generate a new background.

Creating a New Background with Midjourney

Now, take your selected subject image to Midjourney.

Step 7: Export for Midjourney

Export your image from Photoshop as a PNG file. Make sure the size is appropriate for the context you need. PNG format works well for uploading to Midjourney.

Step 8: Upload and Prompt in Midjourney

Upload the PNG to Midjourney. Then, write a prompt asking for a background. Start generally, then get more specific if needed. For example, you might prompt "fashion show background". Midjourney will generate options for your background.

Finding the right background in Midjourney can involve some trial and error with prompts. For a faster process, automating the Midjourney part can be a big help. Services like the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT can streamline generating background options based on your image.

Bringing It Back to Photoshop and Refining

You've got your subject ready and a new background from Midjourney. Time to combine them.

Step 9: Combine Images in Photoshop

Download the background image from Midjourney and bring it back into Photoshop. Align it with your original subject layer.

Step 10: Restore Texture and Detail

Midjourney often smooths things too much, sometimes losing skin texture. This is expected, especially if the new background image has a much higher resolution than your original photo. Copy your original photo layer and mask back the real skin texture over the Midjourney background using a soft brush. This adds a human touch and keeps the original look where you need it.

Add grain and texture back into the overall image if needed. Sharpen the image slightly and boost vibrance just a bit to match skin tones or achieve the desired feel.

Final Touches and Cleanup

You're almost done. Time for the little things that make a big difference.

Step 11: Clean Up Background Flaws

Even with AI, backgrounds might have small issues like dust or lines. You can use cleanup plugins (like Retouch 4me Dust, if you have it) or manually fix areas using tools like the Healing Brush or Clone Stamp. Zoom in and look closely.

Step 12: Color Toning and Adjustments

Adjust the color tones. Use tools like Curves adjustments to lighten faces or darken backgrounds subtly. Select specific areas using Color Range for precise adjustments. Subtle changes to brightness and color tones make a big impact on the final mood.

Step 13: Enhance Highlights (Optional) & Dodge/Burn

Add a glow to faces by enhancing highlights if it suits the image. This can be done by adjusting curves and masking the effect onto specific areas. Finish with manual Dodge and Burn to balance shadows and highlights and finalize the look.

Conclusion

By combining AI tools in Photoshop and Midjourney with simple editing techniques, you can quickly take a basic photo and turn it into a polished, high-quality image ready for sharing. This process shows how AI can be a powerful assistant in your creative workflow, saving time and boosting the final result.

Ready to see how automation can further help your Midjourney work? Explore the features of the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT.

What do you think of this AI-assisted photo editing process? Let us know!