The AI Photo Editing Workflow: Remove, Restore, Swap, and Polish
By Yossi Wallace · · 8 min read
A simple order of operations for AI photo editing so your edits stay natural: restore first, clean up distractions, then restyle the image.
Quick wins
- Use Object Eraser for one clear removal, not a vague "clean this up" prompt.
- Swap backgrounds after cleanup so the subject edges stay natural.
- Use Image Unblur and Image Colorizer before creative edits when restoring old photos.
Pick the tool based on the photo problem
AI photo editing is fastest when the tool matches the task. Use Object Eraser for distractions, Background Swapper for a new setting, Image Unblur for soft or shaky images, Image Colorizer for black-and-white restoration, and Smart Editor when the edit needs a custom instruction. This keeps the prompt short and the result easier to judge.
A clean order of operations
For most images, restore first, remove second, restyle last. If a photo is blurry, sharpen it before trying to change the background. If the scene has a distracting person or object, erase it before asking for a new design direction. If you want a full creative change, finish in Smart Editor with one clear instruction.
- Restoration: Image Unblur or Image Colorizer.
- Cleanup: Object Eraser for unwanted objects, people, signs, or clutter.
- Scene change: Background Swapper for product, portrait, or real estate photos.
- Creative edit: Smart Editor for custom color, lighting, style, or composition changes.
Prompt like an editor
The best AI photo editor prompts describe the edit, the area, and what should stay unchanged. Instead of "make it better", write "remove the trash can on the left, keep the sidewalk texture natural, and do not change the person". Clear constraints reduce surprises and make the result look less generated.
Common photo problems and the right tool
Most edits fall into a few buckets. To remove someone or something, use Object Eraser and describe what should fill the gap (sidewalk, sky, wall). To replace a busy background with a clean one, use Background Swapper and name the new scene. To revive a faded or shaky image, run Image Unblur first and Image Colorizer second. To make a creative change like "turn this into golden-hour light", use Smart Editor with one clear instruction. Match the tool to the problem and the rest is iteration.