technique

AI Just Changed How We ENHANCE EYES in PHOTOSHOP 💥

Two Ways to Add Detail to Dark Eyes in Photoshop

If you’ve ever edited a portrait where the eyes are so dark there’s no detail to recover, you’ll know how tricky it can be. Brightening them often makes things look worse, leaving the subject with flat, lifeless eyes.

In the video above, I walk you through two powerful techniques that solve this problem:

  • A reliable method using Photoshop’s traditional tools

  • A newer approach that uses AI to generate realistic iris detail

Here’s a quick overview of what you’ll see in the tutorial.

The Traditional Photoshop Method

This approach has been in my toolkit for years. It doesn’t try to recover what isn’t there. Instead it creates the impression of natural iris texture.

By adding grain, applying a subtle radial blur, and carefully masking the effect, you can fake detail that looks convincing. A touch of colour adjustment finishes the look, leaving you with eyes that feel alive instead of flat.

It’s a manual process but it gives you full control, and the result is surprisingly realistic.

The AI-Powered Method

Photoshop’s Generative Fill takes things in a different direction. With a simple selection around the iris and a prompt like “brown iris identification pattern”, Photoshop can generate natural-looking iris textures, the kind of fine patterns you’d expect to see in a close-up eye photo.

Once the AI has created the base texture, you can enhance it further using Camera Raw:

  • brighten the iris

  • increase contrast, clarity, and texture

  • even add a little extra saturation

Add a subtle catchlight and the transformation is incredible. The eyes go from lifeless to full of depth and realism in seconds.

Why These Techniques Matter

Eyes are the focal point of most portraits. If they’re dark and featureless, the whole image suffers.

These two techniques, one traditional and one modern, give you reliable options to fix the problem. Whether you want the hands-on control of Photoshop’s tools or the speed and realism of AI, you’ll be able to bring that essential spark back into the eyes.

AI versus Old-School Photoshop – Which One Wins?

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing Photoshop, but is it always the best option?

In this video, I show how technology we've had in Photoshop for a number of years can produce a much better result when expanding an image ... and the results might surprise you!

🔍 Watch to find out:
✅ Alterative tools/techniques to Generative Expand
✅ How to get BEST results using Content Aware Scale

⏰ Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:03 - Generative Expand
04:30 - Content Aware FIll
06:58 - Content Aware Scale
09:50 - Even BETTER Results

😲 Most People MISS This! Perfect Compositing & Lighting in Photoshop

Did you know that Adobe’s Generative Fill AI isn’t just about adding objects—it’s smart enough to match the lighting and shadows in your photos perfectly? 🤯

In this video, I show you how Generative Fill uses AI to seamlessly blend new elements such as hair into your image while maintaining realistic light, shadows, and perspective.

⏰ Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:40 - Adding Hair / Matching Lighting
03:50 - Viking Composite
05:10 - Viking Hair Selection New Workflow

Improved SUBJECT and SKY SELECTIONS with the INTERSECT MASKING TOOL in Lightroom and Camera Raw

Fully understand the EDITING POWER of the Intersect Masking Tool in Lightroom and Camera and see how to achieve much improved selections of Subjects and Sky.

You’ll learn:
✅ How to fully understand the Intersect command and use it effectively
✅ Better Subject & Sky Selections for improved accuracy
✅ Advanced local adjustments for pro-level results
✅ Tips & tricks to refine your edits for a natural and seamless look

⏰ Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Cropping
01:16 - Remove Tool
01:39 - Dark and Moody Preset
02:22 - Adaptive Sky Preset
02:47 - Color Mixer
03:27 - Inproved Select Subject
05:31 - Improved Sky Selection
06:45 - Intersect for Adjusting Brightness
09:25 - Making the Alloy Wheels POP!
10:22 - Global Colour Adjustments
12:39 - Refinijng the Adpative Sky Mask
13:10 - Before / After

Make PORTRAITS POP 💥 Dodging and Burning in LIGHTROOM

Dodging and burning in Lightroom is easier than you think!

In this video, I walk you through how to use masks and brushes to enhance your photos with subtle adjustments and bring portraits to life!

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Brighten highlights and deepen shadows for a natural look
✅ Use masks for precise control over specific areas
✅ Work with Lightroom’s brush tools to fine-tune your edits

⏰ Chapters:
00:00 - Why Dodge & Burn?
00:14 - Old Method
00:34 - Dodge Brush Mask Settings
02:34 - Dodge\Lighten Highlights on Face
05:57 - Depth + Dimension Explained
06:20 - Burn Brush Mask Settings
09:32 - Before/After

Create Atmospheric SPECIAL EFFECTS in LIGHTROOM ( Fog + Lighting )

Learn simple techniques to enhance your photos with special effects.

In this video, I’ll show you:

  • How to create natural-looking fog in Lightroom

  • Adding realistic lights with reflection and fall-off for a polished look

  • How to include birds in Photoshop without needing to cut them out.

Improved SKY MASKS in LIGHTROOM Mobile using INVERT not INTERSECT

Making accurate Sky Masks in Lightroom Classic and Desktop is made so much easier using the 'Intersect' Command.

However this isn't currently available in Lightroom Mobile and neither is the 'Invert from Sky Selection' command.

So what can we do?

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