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.
