Adobe’s Project Indigo Camera App Now Edits Photos with AI
Adobe has made a significant update to its experimental iPhone camera app, Project Indigo, which leverages generative AI to transform and enhance photos. This latest version, Version 1.1, introduces the AI Playground, offering a suite of tools that can restyle images, remove objects, and even critique compositions.
A Camera App That Grades Your Photos
One of the most intriguing features is the photo critique functionality. With a simple tap, a large language model provides professional feedback on framing, lighting, color, and emotional impact. It offers suggestions for reshoots or edits, all while you’re still in the scene. Marc Levoy, the leader of Project Indigo, explains this approach in a blog announcement.
Levoy, known for his work on Google’s Pixel camera technology, argues that traditional text prompts are imprecise when editing images. His solution? Buttons. The AI Playground is divided into four sections, with most tasks achieved through toggling prompts generated by Adobe.
Object Editing and Styles
The Object Editing tool strips out distractions like people, vehicles, wires, and clutter, effectively erasing them from the photo. This feature resembles Google’s Magic Eraser. The Styles section re-renders images in various artistic styles, such as pen and ink or golden-hour lighting. Custom Edit allows for further adjustments, accommodating more complex requests.
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An unexpected detail is that the AI behind these tools is Google’s Nano Banana, not Adobe’s own software. Adobe may integrate other models in the future, including its Firefly system. Nano Banana runs in the cloud, which requires an internet connection for editing. Adobe has implemented safety filters to prevent excessive usage and will terminate access if triggered too often.
Welcome to the ‘What is a Photo’ Debate
The update invites discussion on the nature of photography. As The Verge notes, "Welcome to the ‘what is a photo’ debate, Adobe." The app’s shift from realistic capture to creative reconstruction raises questions about the role and responsibility of editing tools in shaping visual art.