AI as a Starting Point vs. Manual Craft: How Do You Balance the Two? Let's talk Harmonize

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

I’ve always loved doing things manually — compositing by hand, building shadows, fine-tuning colors. That craft is what makes my work uniquely mine.

Photoshop’s new Harmonize feature (powered by Adobe Firefly) has truly impressed me. One click can align colors, tones, and shadows across layers, giving me a strong head start. But for me, the story, the style, and the finishing touches still come from my manual process.

:sparkles: Even though I use AI, I love doing things manually — because that’s my craft.

👉 How about you? Do you see tools like Harmonize as an enhancer for your manual precision, or do you prefer to keep AI out of your workflow entirely?  

[Jimmy Flame]

I appreciate the insight in your video. Though hesitant about AI in art--in general--placing an emphasis on AI as a "helper" to significantly reduce time on setting up tasks is appealing. After all, I want to spend more time on making the art and less searching around for ways to achieve a look I'm after. It's all in the tools, right? For instance, with a painting we're restricted by the paint tubes, canvas, and brushes. We've gotta' make due with what we have. The digital art world is so much different because access to tools is as fast as a quick search and a few button clicks--not multiple trips to the store or getting stuck in an Amazon rabbit hole. With digital I don't have to spend a lot of time on foresight to avoid constantly leaving my work area. I can jump in and start drawing knowing that a stroke, a brush, whatever can be replaced at any time. One may argue that THAT'S part of the art process, choosing materials and implementing new ones along the way, and impeding that with an AI shortcut is detrimental to that process. At any rate, I try to avoid anything (including AI and AI shortcuts) that takes the personal journey out the creation process. My approach is AI is like having an assistant available to make suggestions, and it can even do a task or two from time to time that doesn't interfere with the process: e.g., recommend a color pallet, give ideas on a particular character, etc. If it keeps my digital pen on the screen and eyes away from distraction, I'm down to try it. 

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Let me know your thoughts after you try! It really is a a "helper" I still prefer manual compostion.Being able to "visually merge" color, shadows and blending to make the compostion look more natural  is a big help

[kabili]

Well put AmyBeth. I agree with you. 

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Thank you @Jam 

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

I recently designed custom arcade wraps for a friend who builds video machines. Harmonize was a lifesaver — lining up shadows and colors on those big side panels in seconds, so I could focus on making the artwork pop!

[John_Elia6922]

Ahhh. I see AI tools like Harmonize as a great enhancer — they speed up the repetitive parts and give a cleaner starting point, but the real value still comes from the manual precision and personal style we bring in. For me, it’s about using AI as an assistant, not a replacement.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Harmonize is probably doing pretty much the same thing that we used to do manually, but doing it very much quicker, and likely doing a better job of it.  It has to be 100% better at a local level (pixel by pixel as opposed to the entire composited element, or roughly masked areas of that element.

We might have created Actions or Adjustment Layer presets to streamline the process, or even scripts if you are clever.  Adobe have simply given us a new tool we can use in place of those semi-automated processes we used to use, but with the massive benefit of Ai analysis of the background and introduced elements at a pixel level.

So you are on shaky ground when clinging on to the reigns of your high horse.  Are you going to insist on using Quick Mask and the Magic Wand? Is the Healing Brush OK, but the Remove Tool is the work of the devil?   Do you feel that Content Aware Fill is OK but Generative Fill is cheating? 

That last one was a trick question, because Content Aware Fill uses Ai, so now whadda ya' gonna do?

[Trevor.Dennis]

Someone dropped this link in another thread.  It's exactly the news I have been expecting and hoping for.  Very good news indeed!

[ExUSA]

I don't want other people's artwork passed off as mine, and I don't want the copyright issues that come with generative AI. 

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Totally get it, "by day" I am in publishing and unique and original creative artowrk is always first and non-negotialbe!

[ExUSA]

Absolutely. At some point the legal and ethical and monetary issues will be ironed out. It won't be perfect but there will be rules and then maybe using more AI will make more sense.

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Its about balance, and each job is unique  

[davescm]

Tools like Harmonise can be quick and effective but are still generative. Therefore would break a contract that prevents use of generative AI. 

We really could use a clear icon in the corner of any tool icon or menu item that will use generaive AI. That way, as the line starts to blur, it is easy to avoid generative AI where choice, or a contract, prevents it's use..

Dave

[davescm]

'That last one was a trick question, because Content Aware Fill uses Ai, so now whadda ya' gonna do?'

There is a big difference between AI driven tools, such as content aware fill which use existing image content, and Generative AI where image content is created using the AI process, outside of your own image content. This is more than just personal preference, Generative AI is prohibited in many commercial worksflows.

Dave

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Agreed ! "not the final word" and "it’s nice to have the option, but the unique style still comes from us." ❤️

[claim_2122]

Cheers, Amybeth! I’m with you—manual compositing is where the soul of the craft lives! :paintbrush:️ Harmonize is a cracking tool, though. I use it to nail the initial colour and shadow alignment in a snap, saving hours on repetitive tweaks. But the final polish? That’s all hands-on for me—adjusting hues and textures to make it mine. It’s like AI sets the stage, but I direct the show. 8) How do you blend Harmonize with your manual magic? #Photoshop #Harmonize

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Me too! Nothing like original from end to end!

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

Very subtley! just enough to make the composition blend 

[Umair Ali_Raza4771]

normally think of. But when it comes to detail, mood, and that “human touch,” I always go manual.

For me it’s like AI = speed :high_voltage: + inspiration → manual = polish :artist_palette: + personality. That mix keeps the final work authentic and still “mine.”

How about you guys—do you lean more on AI for ideas, or mostly stick with manual craft?

[ethan_5122]

I see AI as a great shortcut, but not a substitute

it gets me 60% there, and my hands bring the magic.

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

100%

[Lucia_Fernandez5387]

For me it’s case by case. Sometimes AI helps, other times it gets in my way and I scrap it.

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

agreed there is a gray area there !

[Amybeth M. ACI G7]

thank you for watching! is this something in your workflow?

[Mark_Johnson6156]

I see AI tools like Harmonize as great time-savers for the technical setup, but the creative style still comes from manual work. For me, it’s a balance — AI for efficiency, manual craft for the final touch.