Fix Low-Quality Pics Instantly with Photoshop's New AI!

Introduction

Have you ever encountered low-quality images that, despite their resolution, are riddled with artifacts? If you have an image that's just 29 KB but features significant quality issues, fear not! Adobe Photoshop has a mind-blowing feature that can help restore details with ease. In this article, we will walk through how to improve low-quality pictures using Photoshop's powerful neural filters, specifically the JPEG artifacts removal tool.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using JPEG Artifacts Removal

Make a Copy of the Background Layer
Start by selecting your image layer and pressing Ctrl + J (or Command + J on Mac) to create a duplicate layer.
Access Neural Filters
Navigate to the menu and click on Filter, then select Neural Filters.
Activate JPEG Artifacts Removal
Inside the neural filters section, enable the JPEG Artifacts Removal option. You can adjust the strength of the correction based on your preference.
Witness the Transformation
After applying the filter, you’ll notice a substantial improvement! You can toggle between the before and after views to see the difference, especially in areas like the eyebrows or facial features.
Smart Filter Output
To enhance flexibility, set the output to Smart Filter. This allows you to tweak the strength of the artifact removal later if needed.

Testing on Different Images

Using the same method, try fixing another low-quality image. Start with a copy of the original layer, access neural filters, activate the artifact removal, and adjust the strength as required. You will observe improvements in detail, particularly in challenging areas.

Caution: Understanding the Limitations

However, there’s a catch. If you've uploaded an image to social media and lost the original file, the compressed JPEG may resist some corrections. Even so, the neural filter does quite a job, but keep an eye on specific areas where artifacts may still linger.

Apply the Neural Filter Again
Make a copy of your layer, access Neural Filters, and enable JPEG artifacts removal again. It takes some processing time, especially for larger images.
Using Masks for Fine Detailing
After the filter is applied, there may still be some lines in the sky. To regain details, use layer masks. Paint back the details with a soft brush to preserve key features.

Addressing Remaining Artifacts

For lingering artifacts, particularly in the sky or other regions, we can use the Surface Blur technique:

Create a Merged Layer
Merge the visible layers using Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E (or Command + Option + Shift + E on Mac).
Apply Surface Blur
Instead of Gaussian Blur, utilize the Surface Blur feature which maintains edges while blurring. Fine-tune both the radius and threshold settings until you achieve a seamless blend.
Select the Sky
Use the Select Sky function to isolate and adjust sky areas separately. Apply a mask to only blur the parts you want without affecting the critical details of the image.

Conclusion

The JPEG artifacts removal and surface blur techniques can effectively breathe new life into low-quality images. Although perfection may be unattainable, with these steps, significant improvements can be made, allowing you to salvage cherished memories or important visuals.

Keyword

JPEG artifacts removal
Neural filters
Photoshop
Surface blur
Layer masks
Image restoration
Low-quality images

FAQ

Q1: What is JPEG artifacts removal in Photoshop?
A1: JPEG artifacts removal is a feature in Photoshop's neural filters that helps to eliminate compression artifacts in low-quality images while restoring details.

Q2: How do I use neural filters in Photoshop?
A2: To use neural filters, go to the Filter menu, select Neural Filters, and then activate JPEG artifacts removal to start enhancing your image.

Q3: Why is my sky showing lines after applying the filter?
A3: Some artifacts may remain in certain areas after applying the filter. These can be addressed using additional techniques such as surface blur or by using layer masks to selectively enhance details.

Q4: Can I revert the changes made by the filter?
A4: Yes, if you set the output of the filter as a Smart Filter, you can easily adjust the strength or turn it off without losing the original image data.

Q5: What should I do if I lost the original image but have a compressed JPEG?
A5: You can still apply the JPEG artifacts removal filter, but be aware that certain areas may not restore perfectly due to the compression. Using layer masks can help address specific regions effectively.