Photoshop

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What Are Those Mystery * and # Symbols in Photoshop??? 🤔

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If you spend any amount of time in Adobe Photoshop, you become very familiar with the document tab at the top of your workspace. It tells you the filename and the current zoom level.

But sometimes, little cryptic symbols appear next to that information. Have you ever looked up and wondered, "Why is there a random hashtag next to my image name?" or "What does that little star mean?"

Nothing is broken. These symbols are just Photoshop's way of giving you a quick status update on your file and its colour management, without you needing to dig through menus.

What These Symbols Tell You

The symbols represent:

  • The save state of your document

  • Whether it has a colour profile attached

  • Whether the document's profile differs from your working space

Here is a quick guide to decoding those little tab hieroglyphics.

1. The Asterisk After the Filename ("Save Me!" Star)

What it looks like: … (RGB/8) *

What it means: An asterisk hanging right off the end of your actual filename means you have unsaved changes.

When it appears: Photoshop is hypersensitive here. The star will appear if you:

  • Move a layer one pixel

  • Brush a single dot onto a mask

  • Simply toggle a layer's visibility

  • Do pretty much anything

It's a gentle reminder that the version on screen is different from the version saved on your hard drive. If the computer crashed right now, you would lose that work.

The fix: Press Cmd+S (Mac) or Ctrl+S (Windows). The moment you successfully save the file, that little star will disappear because Photoshop now considers the document "clean" again.

2. The Asterisk ("Profile Difference" Star)

What it looks like: … (RGB/8*)

What it means: This is a different symbol in a different spot. If the star is tucked inside the parentheses next to the bit depth (the 8 or 16), it's no longer talking about unsaved work but about colour management.

In current Photoshop versions, an asterisk here generally means the file's colour profile situation does not match your working RGB setup. For example, you're working in sRGB as your default, but the image you opened is tagged with Adobe RGB (1998). In other words, the document is "speaking" a slightly different colour language than your default workspace.

Should you worry?

  • Usually, no. As long as you keep the embedded profile and your Colour Settings are sensible, Photoshop can still display the colours accurately even if the document profile and working space are different.

  • It's worth paying attention, though, if you're planning to combine several images into one document. You'll want a consistent profile for predictable colour when you paste, convert or export.

3. The Hash Symbol # ("Untagged" Image)

What it looks like: … (RGB/8#)

What it means: If you see the hash/pound/hashtag symbol inside the parentheses, it means the image is Untagged RGB. There's no embedded colour profile at all, so Photoshop has no explicit instructions telling it how those RGB numbers are supposed to be interpreted.

Why this happens: This is very common with:

  • Screenshots

  • Many web images

  • Older files where metadata was stripped out

When Photoshop opens an untagged image, it has to assume a profile based on your Colour Settings (typically your RGB working space, often sRGB by default), which may or may not match how the file was originally created.

Should you worry?

  • If colour accuracy is critical (printing, branding, matching other assets), yes, you should pay attention to that #. Different assumptions about the profile can easily lead to differences in appearance between systems.

  • You can fix this by going to Edit > Assign Profile and choosing the correct profile. For many web-style images, assigning sRGB is a sensible starting point, but be aware that assigning the wrong profile will change how the image looks, so use it when you have a good idea of the original intent.

Summary Cheat Sheet

(RGB/8) *

  • This document has unsaved changes

  • Save the file and the star will disappear

(RGB/8*)

  • There's a colour-profile difference or related colour-management status

  • Typically means the document's profile is not the same as your current working RGB space

(RGB/8#)

  • The image is Untagged RGB, with no embedded colour profile

  • Photoshop has to assume a profile based on your settings

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ADOBE just changed ChatGPT FOREVER 💥 But Why???

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Adobe has just rolled out one of the most significant updates we've seen in a while by integrating Photoshop, Express, and Acrobat directly into ChatGPT. And here's the kicker: these features are currently free to use, no Creative Cloud subscription required.

Why This Matters

This is a fascinating strategic play. ChatGPT has roughly 800 million active users, many of whom recognize the Photoshop brand but find the actual software intimidating or prohibitively expensive. By embedding these tools inside a chat interface where people already feel comfortable, Adobe is dismantling that barrier to entry. They're essentially converting casual users into potential creators through familiarity and ease of use.

What the Integration Actually Does

The capabilities are surprisingly robust for a chat-based tool. You can upload an image and ask Photoshop to handle basic retouching or apply artistic styles. The masking feature is particularly impressive, intelligently selecting subjects without manual input. Adobe Express generates social media posts or birthday cards from simple text prompts, while the Acrobat integration handles PDF merging and organization without leaving the conversation.

The Bigger Picture

Make no mistake: this isn't replacing the full desktop software. It's a streamlined, accessible version optimized for speed and convenience. Users who need granular control or heavy processing power will still require the complete applications.

This is a textbook freemium strategy. Adobe is giving users a taste of their engine, creating a natural upgrade path. Once someone hits the limitations of the chat interface, they're just one click away from the full experience. It's a smart way to widen the funnel and meet users exactly where they are.

Learn more

The Fisherman's Tale 🐟 New Compositing Workflow

Yesterday morning I popped out for breakfast and to meet up with a friend, Steve.

After a great bite to eat at one of my favourite haunts, Town Mill Bakery (Lyme Regis) I sprung it on him that I had an idea for a picture I wanted to put together and that I needed him to be the subject.

The idea was to create a portrait of a Fisherman and to do this with a combination of Photography, Lightroom, Photoshop and AI, to test out a new workflow.

So, here’s the resulting image, and below is a breakdown of the steps involved using Lightroom, Photoshop, Google Gemini AI and Magnific (Upscaler)

The Process

  • Taking the portrait of Steve with the desired background

  • Initial Edits in Lightroom

  • Export into Google Gemini AI and add Stock Photographs of Fisherman’s clothing onto Steve. Create image in 4K and then Upscale 2x

  • Create aging, weathering on the Overalls and Hat using Gemini AI and then selectively paint this onto Steve using Masks in Photoshop

  • In Gemini AI generate the fish and Steve’s new arm position, then mask this into the main image in Photoshop

Extend Background in Photoshop and add finishing touches in Lightroom including Colour Grading, Adjusting Lighting, Lens Blur, Adding Grain etc …

Learn more
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Photoshop Compositing Hack with Harmonize

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If you use Photoshop for compositing, you’ve probably tried out the Harmonize feature currently in Photoshop beta. It’s a great addition when blending objects into a scene, adjusting color and adding shadows to make everything look more natural. The problem is, Harmonize isn’t really designed for people - it tends to break down on human subjects.

But I’ve found a handy workaround that makes Harmonize incredibly useful when compositing people, particularly when it comes to the hardest part: creating realistic contact and cast shadows.

Why Shadows Are the Hardest Part

When you’re compositing, matching colors is one thing, but making sure the subject looks truly grounded in the scene is another. Shadows - both contact shadows right under the feet, and cast shadows stretching into the scene - are what really sell the effect. Without them, the subject looks like they’re floating.

Testing Harmonize on People

Harmonize works brilliantly on objects, but when applied to a person it usually ruins detail and texture. For example, in a composite with a Viking figure photographed in the studio, Harmonize messed up the fine detail in the image but still attempted to generate shadows. Not perfect, but promising.

The Workaround: Adding a Fake Light Source

Here’s where the trick comes in. By adding a fake light source into the background before running Harmonize, the results improve dramatically.

  • Duplicate your background layer.

  • With a soft white brush, paint a bright “light spot” in the sky area.

  • Run Harmonize again with your subject layer active.

This extra light influences how Harmonize interprets the scene and produces stronger, more believable contact and cast shadows.

Keeping Only the Shadows

Of course, we don’t want the strange coloring Harmonize often applies to people. To fix this:

  1. Rasterize the Harmonize layer to make it editable.

  2. Apply the layer mask so only the visible result remains.

  3. Add a black layer mask to hide everything.

  4. With a white brush, paint back just the shadows from the Harmonize layer.

Now you have realistic shadows under your subject, without losing the original detail and color of the person.

Bonus Tip: Dealing with Flyaway Hair

Compositing hair can be a nightmare. Instead of spending hours trying to cut out every strand, I’ve had success using Generative Fill.

  • Make a quick selection of the hair area.

  • In Generative Fill (Firefly Image 3 model), type something like “long brown wavy hair blowing in the wind”.

  • Photoshop generates natural-looking variations that save a ton of time.

Final Thoughts

Harmonize might not be built for people yet, but with this compositing hack it becomes a powerful tool for one of the trickiest parts of the job — shadows. Add in the Generative Fill trick for hair, and you’ve got a much faster way to create composites that look believable.

Give it a try and see how it works in your own projects.

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Editing a Photo in Lightroom + Photoshop ... on an iPad

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Not too long ago, I never would have considered editing my photos on an iPad. It always felt like something I should save for my desktop. But things have changed. Both Lightroom and Photoshop on the iPad have improved massively, and these days I often use them when traveling. More and more, this mobile workflow is becoming a real option for photographers.

In this walkthrough, I’ll show you how I edited an image completely on the iPad, starting in Lightroom, jumping over to Photoshop when needed, and then finishing off with a print.

Starting in Lightroom on the iPad

The photo I worked on was taken with my iPhone. The first job was the obvious one: straightening the image. In Lightroom, I headed to the Geometry panel and switched on the Upright option, which immediately fixed the horizon.

Next, I dealt with a distraction in the bottom left corner. Using the Remove Tool with Generative AI switched on, I brushed over the wall that had crept into the frame. Lightroom offered three variations, and the second one was perfect.

With those fixes made, I converted the photo to black and white using one of my own synced presets. A quick tweak of the Amount slider gave me just the right level of contrast.

Masking and Sky Adjustments

The sky needed attention, so I created a Select Sky mask. As usual, the AI selection bled slightly into the hills, so I used a Subtract mask to tidy things up. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough to move forward.

From there, I added some Dehaze and Clarity to bring detail back into the clouds. A bit of sharpening pushed the image further, but that also revealed halos around a distant lamppost. At that point, I knew it was time to send the photo into Photoshop.

Fixing Halos in Photoshop on the iPad

Jumping into Photoshop on the iPad takes a little getting used to, but once you know where things are, it feels very familiar.

To remove the halos, I used the Clone Stamp Tool on a blank layer set to Darken blend mode. This technique is brilliant because it only darkens areas brighter than the sample point. With a bit of careful cloning, the halos disappeared quickly.

I then added a subtle “glow” effect often used on landscapes. By duplicating the layer, applying a Gaussian Blur, and changing the blend mode to Soft Light at low opacity, the image gained a soft, atmospheric look.

Back to Lightroom and Printing

With the edits complete, I sent the image back to Lightroom. From there it synced seamlessly across to my desktop, but the important point is that all of the editing was done entirely on the iPad.

Before printing, I checked the histogram and made some final tweaks. Then it was straight to print on a textured matte fine art paper. Once the ink settled, the result looked fantastic — no halos in sight.

Final Thoughts

I’m not suggesting you should abandon your desktop for editing. Far from it. But the iPad has become a powerful option when you’re traveling, sitting in a café, or simply want to work away from your desk.

This workflow shows what’s possible: you can straighten, retouch, convert to black and white, make sky adjustments, refine details in Photoshop, and even prepare a final print — all from the iPad. And of course, everything syncs back to your desktop for finishing touches if needed.

Exciting times indeed.

🚨 Adobe’s New Cloud Selection Technology: Hype or Reality?

One of the areas Adobe has been relentlessly improving in both Photoshop and Lightroom is selections. Over the years, the tools have become smarter, faster, and more automated. Today, we can make incredibly intricate selections with just a single click. At least, that is what Adobe says.

But if you are anything like me, you will know that demo images shown on stage or in marketing videos always look perfect. They are the kind of photos you would expect to work well in a demo: clean backgrounds, well defined edges, controlled lighting.

That is not real life.
So the question is: what happens when we use these tools on our own photos?

Recently, I tested Adobe’s new Cloud Detailed Results option for Select Subject using nothing more than some quick shots I had taken on my iPhone. The results were genuinely impressive.

Device vs. Cloud: What Is the Difference?

When you click Select Subject in Photoshop, you now have a choice:

  • Device – the selection is processed locally on your computer.

  • Cloud Detailed Results – the file is sent to Adobe’s servers, where the AI analyzes the image and sends back a more refined selection.

The device option is fast but often rough around the edges. The cloud option takes a little longer, but the results are noticeably more accurate.

Putting It to the Test

To really see the difference, I used a handful of everyday photos. Nothing staged, just casual iPhone shots. Here are a few examples:

Motorbike Portrait

With the device option, edges around wheels, helmets, and clothing looked rough and patchy. Switching to the cloud option instantly cleaned things up. Spokes, frames, and even tiny gaps were handled beautifully.

Tree with Branches

This was the kind of subject that used to take several different techniques combined. The cloud option managed to capture the branches and trunk in one go. Yes, there were a few areas that could be tidied up with a brush, but the heavy lifting was done.

Bicycle Spokes

Ordinarily, this is a nightmare for selections. Yet the cloud option picked out individual spokes, valves, and gaps between them. Minimal cleanup needed.

Setting Your Default

If you want Photoshop to always use the cloud option, head to Preferences > Image Processing. Under Select Subject and Remove Background, choose Cloud Detailed Results. From then on, every time you use those tools, Photoshop will default to the cloud method unless you manually switch.

Final Thoughts

I will admit I was skeptical. On demo images these things always look good, but I did not expect my casual iPhone shots to stand up so well. The results from Cloud Detailed Results were consistently sharper, cleaner, and more accurate than anything the device option gave me.

And just to clear up a common question: this does not use your generative AI credits. It is simply sending your image to Adobe’s servers for analysis and returning a selection.

Selections have always been one of the most tedious parts of editing. This new technology does not just save time, it also frees up creative energy. Instead of fighting with edges and masks, you can focus on the fun part: being creative.

Exciting times ahead, and if this is what Adobe is offering now, I cannot wait to see how much better it gets.

The Remove Prompt in Photoshop

The NEW Remove Button in Photoshop that I mentioned about in an earlier post where I shared a video, has been added into Photoshop to prevent what are referred to as "Hallucinations", which is when instead of Removing something, Photoshop would add in a random object.

This works incredibly well BUT doesn't give 3 Variations to choose from, so (and this is new) to use the EXACT SAME technology, make a selection and then type "Remove" in the Contextual Task Bar.

This WILL remove whatever you have selected but now gives you 3 variations to choose from.

Note: Even though this is removing, as it's giving you 3 variations this does mean that credits are deducted.

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No Limits Creativity and Visual Storytelling with Kirk Nelson aka The Pixel Pro

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Watch the recording of this LIVE Broadcast from when I chatted with Photographer and Photoshop Artist Kirk Nelson aka The Pixel Pro and discovered how we creates his Fantasy Art Composites and creates Special Effects in his Images …

links mentioned in the video:

50% OFF Courses, Overlays ans Bruashes in Kirk’s Store using code: friendsofglyn

Kirk’s link for a FREE PASS at the Photoshop Creativity Virtual Summit:
https://bit.ly/pixelpro-creative

© Glyn Dewis 2026