Google recently released the next generation of Pixel devices, including the Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro. These have been the best Pixel smartphones in quite some time, as they have better Tensor G3 chips, better cameras, great displays, and more – all in a slightly updated design. I’ve been using the phones for a few weeks, and I really like what Google has done with them.
But Google also added some more photo editing capabilities to the Pixel 8 lineup, with a heavy reliance on AI with the Tensor G3 chip. Although these AI-heavy editing tools can help you pursue perfection, they should not be relied upon too much or misused.
One of Google’s first AI photo editing tools was Magic Eraser, which debuted on the Pixel 6 series and is now a feature that’s available to all Google One subscribers, including iPhone users. With the Magic Eraser, you can erase unwanted and distracting parts of a photo, like random people in the background, wires and cable lines against the sky, etc. This is a great editing tool that cleans up your photos.
Along with the Pixel 8, Google revealed two more AI photo editing tools: Magic Editor and Best Take.
The Magic Editor gives you even more ways to manipulate an image, such as removing or moving surrounding objects or changing the appearance of the sky or bodies of water. Removing objects is similar to Magic Eraser, but Magic Editor uses AI to generate a replacement background instead of softening and smoothing the area where the object was removed.
Best Take is another AI tool, which uses a series of similar photos taken by you. Best Tech analyzes the faces in those photos and allows you to replace faces in the image you are editing. This is especially useful when you’re taking group photos, which usually requires you to take multiple photos because someone blinked or isn’t looking at the camera or has moved a bit – you The picture is available. With the Best Take tool, you can create the best composite photo by using the best faces from other images.
These AI tools are certainly impressive and there is no doubt that they can help you create the perfect photo. But you know what they say: with great power comes great responsibility.
…and they worry me too
When I was young, I often took pictures as a hobby to create something artistic. Of course, I would have appreciated more AI tools back then, as that would have helped me create the “perfect shot.”
But these days, my perspective has become a bit more skewed. Since I met my husband and now we have a child, I often take pictures to capture him Memory Instead of making art. Memories are important to me because time is fleeting, and I often spend time looking at photos I have taken, especially of my daughter. I also have a tendency to forget things sometimes, so having photos to look back on helps me remember those moments in time.
When I look at photos of me from five, 10, or even 15 years ago, I want to remember every detail of that moment, even if it’s not perfect. In fact, sometimes the flaws are what make it even more memorable.
I’m sure a lot of people might be using the Magic Editor and Best Take features, and that’s okay! But let’s try not to make changes every moment to make something look “perfect” when it doesn’t need to be.
