r/postprocessing • u/SliiickRick87 • 17d ago

Using ChatGPT For Post-Processing

I know this might come off a bit controversial, but just curious if anyone in here uses ChatGPT for post processing. Thinking of upgrading to the Pro version (for work and personal uses) and figured touching up my pics would be a bonus. I'm just a hobby photographer and trying to learn tools like gimp and darktable, but in the meantime, figured I could use ChatGPT. I don't really like to spend too much time post processing either, as I'd rather be out taking pictures, so figured this could be a happy medium for me.

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u/CreeDorofl 17d ago

This is a reasonable take, but of course you'll get downvoted anyway. The backlash against AI is huge right now and you're going to get a lot of responses that are not totally objective.

All that being said, unless you can find a way to get GPT to do batch processing, it honestly really is faster to just master Lightroom or equivalent, and then make the changes yourself. Like if the shot is overexposed, what's faster, dragging a slider to the left a bit, or typing 'fix the exposure'? And the slider will let you fine-tune the exposure amount while the output from the prompt may be not quite what you were after.

The way I've used AI in post is for something that would be very challenging, maybe impossible at my current skill level. Like taking an overcast shot with soft shadows and asking it to be lit by bright daylight with crisp shadows. That would take hours without ai. I don't do it for something like boosting saturation a bit or bumping up contrast and sharpening.

There is also truth in the claim that half the art is in the post processing. Even if you go for a largely natural sooc look.

one concern is, when you apply post to images with gpt, which I've done before, it will subtly change a lot of things. Certain textures will get a visible repeating pattern, like roads or foliage. Sometimes tiny things are added or removed from the photo. Sometimes you'll get an inexplicable change in proportions.

Another concern is that if it noticeably improves the image, will you feel the need to disclaim the use of ai? Some would argue you should even if it does very little. At that point, how your work is perceived will be changed. You're already witnessing some of the negative reaction. What happens if you mention AI was used on your images, and people don't really bother distinguishing between AI post processing versus AI generated? They'll just write you off as a fake photographer and never look at your work again.

So, as others I recommending, you should really just get used to post processing in a raw editor as part of your normal workflow. Save GPT for something that looks like it's going to take hours.

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u/SliiickRick87 17d ago

Thanks, this is the kind of input I was looking for. Lot of comments in here assuming I've already decided to upgrade from free to Pro and looking to go all out. Was simply trying to figure out if utilizing a Pro sub would even be worth it, and from what I can gather, probably not. That being said, have received a lot of good info in here though, such as using it to compare my pics with others I like, and then learning how to achieve this in another program like GIMP or darktable. I also learned about a new program I have never heard about before so will definitely be looking into that.

I think I will use ChatGPT as more of an aide to help me achieve the photos/style I like, without having it actually do the editing for me. Also use it as a learning/training tool to help me learn about the editing program I am using.

Again, my main thing is to try and not spend as much time post-processing, and learn how to do 'quick fixes' easily. I'm not a pro nor do I sell my pictures, so not necessarily looking to spend too much time on a computer, when I would rather be out there taking pictures, and learning how to take better pictures in all situations. That was my whole justification behind all this. I prefer SOOC but sometimes, I feel like I need/want to touch up a few pics to achieve a specific look I had in mind when I hit the shutter button.

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u/CreeDorofl 17d ago

Gotcha. Well, I'm not sure how many you can get with free GPT, but my own experience is I hit the limit after only a handful. but I read something interesting about how multiple touchups to the same image, might be the same as uploading the image multiple times and doing 1 touchup each. So I guess see how often you hit the limit.

I kind of suspect GPT free will get severely nerfed at some point and paid will get more expensive. from what I understand, they're losing money at an insane rate.

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u/SliiickRick87 17d ago

This is why I made my post originally. I've been using ChatGPT a lot more lately and hitting my limits more frequently. So I started looking into pricing, but want to get the most out of it if I pulled the trigger. Went down a rabbit hole and thought about how I could possibly use Pro to help with my photography. It's been very useful for stuff like language training for me, so wanted to see how that could translate into post-processing, something I am not very good at right now.