Explore my favourite Gen AI tools in Photoshop
- joannasamuel5
- Feb 25
- 4 min read
Adobe Photoshop has been a staple of the design world for many years, I have been using it for more than 20 years and I have seen some big changes with the generative AI tools which have been advancing with each recent year. So for this blog, I wanted to explore and share with you some of my favourite new AI-powered features.
Whether you’re a design student finding your creative voice or someone who’s used Photoshop for years, these tools have the potential to completely change the way you work. I put together a demo video walking through each one — you can watch it below — and this blog digs a little deeper into what each tool does with some useful tips along the way.
Generative Expand — Break free from the frame
Ever wished a photo was just a little wider, or that you’d captured more of a scene? Generative Expand lets you extend the canvas of any image and uses AI to fill in the new space in a way that feels natural and intentional. It’s one of those tools that makes you rethink what’s possible with a photograph.
Tip: Works best with images that have clear context at the edges — the AI uses this to intelligently predict what lies beyond the frame.
Generative Fill — Create something from nothing
Generative Fill is perhaps the most exciting AI feature Photoshop has introduced. Simply select an area of your image, type a prompt, and watch Photoshop generate entirely new content that blends seamlessly into your photo. It’s not just a gimmick — it genuinely opens up creative possibilities that would have taken hours to achieve manually.
Tip: Be descriptive with your prompts. The more context you give, the better the results.
Sky Replacement — Transform the Mood Instantly
Lighting and sky can make or break a photo. Sky Replacement lets you swap out a flat or overcast sky for something dramatic, golden, or stormy — and automatically adjusts the lighting in the rest of the image to match. It’s a surprisingly powerful tool for transforming the entire mood of a shot.
Tip: Use the lighting adjustment sliders to fine-tune how the new sky interacts with the foreground for a more natural result.
Remove Background — Isolate your subject in seconds
What used to take careful masking and a steady hand can now be done in a single click. The Remove Background tool uses AI to detect your subject and strip away everything else, leaving you with a clean, isolated element ready to drop into any composition.
Tip: For complex edges like hair or fur, use the Refine Edge brush afterwards to clean things up further.
Generate Background — Build the Perfect Scene
Once your subject is isolated, Generate Background takes things a step further. Describe the environment you want and Photoshop will build it around your subject — whether that’s a sun-drenched studio, an urban landscape, or something completely fantastical.
Tip: Experiment with unexpected settings. Some of the most interesting results come from combining realistic subjects with imaginative backgrounds.
Spot Healing Tool — Erase Imperfections Effortlessly
The Spot Healing Tool has been around for a while, but with AI enhancements it’s better than ever. Paint over blemishes, distractions, or unwanted details and Photoshop intelligently fills the area using surrounding texture and tone. It’s fast, intuitive, and remarkably accurate.
Tip: Use a brush size just slightly larger than the area you want to heal for the cleanest results.
Remove Tool — Make Unwanted Objects Disappear
Taking things a step further than the Spot Healing Tool, the Remove Tool is designed for larger, more complex removals. Select an object, hit remove, and Photoshop reconstructs the background behind it as if it was never there. It’s one of those features that genuinely feels like magic the first time you use it.
Tip: For large objects, try removing in stages rather than all at once — you’ll often get cleaner results.
Summary
AI is reshaping what’s possible in Photoshop, and we’re really only at the beginning. From generating entirely new content to removing objects in seconds, these tools give creatives more freedom, more speed, and more room to experiment. My biggest takeaway? Don’t be afraid to play. The best way to understand what these tools can do is simply to try them — and see where your curiosity takes you.
If you want to see all of these tools in action, head back up and watch the demo video. And if you’re keen to explore further, Adobe has a wealth of resources and tutorials on their website to help you get started.
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