Product photography plays a critical role in eCommerce and marketing. The right image can make or break a sale. With the rise of AI-powered photo editing tools, businesses now have faster, automated options to enhance their images.
In this article, we’ll go through what’s AI-powered product photo editing, when it shines and when it falls short, and most importantly, if should you do it. Let’s go.
The Rise of AI in Product Photo Editing
Artificial intelligence is reshaping many industries, and product photo editing is no exception. Businesses today are under constant pressure to produce high-quality images quickly and at scale. AI photo editors promise just that: instant background removal, lighting adjustments, and even fully AI-generated scenes.
This has led to widespread adoption of AI tools in eCommerce. A 2023 survey by eCommerce platform BigCommerce found that over 60% of online sellers now use AI-based image enhancement tools to optimize product photos.
But what does AI actually do?
Most AI-powered editing tools focus on:
- Background removal & replacement – Automating cutouts to create white or custom backgrounds.
- Color & lighting enhancements – Adjusting brightness, contrast, and saturation.
- Upscaling & resolution improvements – Increasing image sharpness for higher-quality displays.
- Generative fill & AI scene creation – Filling in missing details or placing products in AI-generated settings.
While this sounds impressive, AI is far from perfect. The biggest issues? Lack of accuracy, creativity, and brand consistency—all of which are essential in professional eCommerce photography.
Top AI Product Photo Editing Tools (And Their Limits)
There are several AI-based editing tools available, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Below, we analyze some of the most popular ones and where they fall short compared to professional retouching services like Pixel Retouching.
1. Claid AI – Fast Automation, But Limited Bulk Editing
Claid AI is an all-in-one AI photo studio designed to speed up product photography workflows. It can generate professional backgrounds, enhance resolution, and fix colors automatically.
- Strengths:
- AI-generated backgrounds and scene creation.
- API integration for automation.
- Free plan with 20 credits per month.
- Weaknesses:
- Limited bulk editing capabilities.
- AI-generated backgrounds often look artificial or generic.
🡆 Why Choose Professional Editing Instead? AI-generated backgrounds may work for social media posts or quick edits, but for brand consistency, realistic reflections, and high-end advertising standards, professional retouching is still superior.
2. Adobe Firefly – A Creative AI Tool, But Lacks Control
Adobe Firefly is a free AI image generator that helps users create backgrounds and enhance product photos. It integrates well with other Adobe tools, making it a go-to for designers.
- Strengths:
- Free with 25 credits per month.
- Good for quick AI-generated edits.
- Simple interface for beginners.
- Weaknesses:
- Lacks advanced editing capabilities.
- No bulk processing, making it inefficient for large eCommerce catalogs.
🡆 Why Professional Editing Wins AI may generate quick visuals, but it can’t handle intricate details like shadow adjustments, precise color grading, or complex object masking—all essential for professional results.
3. Pebblely – AI-Powered Branding, But Expensive
Pebblely is praised for its generative fill capabilities, making it a top choice for custom branding and background editing.
- Strengths:
- Advanced background removal and replacement.
- High-quality AI-generated outputs.
- API integration for automated workflows.
- Weaknesses:
- More expensive than competitors.
- AI-generated scenes lack realism and struggle with lighting accuracy.
🡆 Why Professional Retouching is Better AI often fails to replicate natural lighting, reflections, and realistic shadows, leading to unconvincing product presentations. Pixel Retouching ensures accurate, detailed edits for flawless eCommerce photos.
4. Magic Studio – Bulk Editing, But No Precision
Magic Studio is designed for large-scale businesses that need bulk photo processing. It offers quick background removal and preset templates, making it an easy-to-use option for eCommerce sellers.
- Strengths:
- Bulk editing capabilities.
- Pre-set templates for consistent styling.
- Free plan with 20 free images.
- Weaknesses:
- No advanced controls for fine-tuned editing.
- Preset templates result in repetitive, generic-looking images.
🡆 Where Professionals Have the Edge AI can process bulk images quickly, but it lacks the human touch needed for product differentiation, creative branding, and high-end detail work.
5. PhotoRoom – Mobile-Friendly, But Lacks Depth
PhotoRoom is one of the best AI-powered mobile apps for product photography. It specializes in on-the-go background removal and upscaling.
- Strengths:
- Excellent mobile experience for quick edits.
- Works well for simple background replacements.
- Weaknesses:
- No free version (only a 7-day trial).
- Limited capabilities compared to desktop AI tools.
🡆 Why Professional Editing is Necessary AI tools like PhotoRoom are useful for basic touch-ups, but they can’t handle detailed retouching, natural blending, or artistic edits. Professional editors at Pixel Retouching ensure every image meets premium standards.
When to Use AI & When to Choose Professional Editing
While AI editing tools are great for quick adjustments, they struggle with high-end quality control. Understanding when to use AI and when to invest in professional retouching can save businesses time and money while ensuring top-tier product presentation.
When AI Editing is Sufficient
AI tools can be useful in the following cases:
- Fast background removal – When selling on platforms like Amazon or eBay, AI can quickly strip away a background.
- Basic lighting corrections – Slight brightness or contrast tweaks work well with AI-powered automation.
- Bulk resizing and upscaling – AI can increase resolution efficiently but may lose finer details.
- Social media content – AI-generated backgrounds and quick enhancements can be good enough for casual posts.
However, these quick-fix solutions are rarely good enough for serious branding and professional eCommerce listings.
When Professional Editing is Essential
For businesses aiming to create a premium brand image, professional retouching remains non-negotiable. Here’s when you need human expertise:
- Brand Consistency
AI lacks the ability to match exact brand colors, aesthetics, and styling guidelines across multiple images. Professionals ensure uniformity across an entire product catalog. - Complex Shadows & Reflections
AI-generated shadows often look artificial or misplaced. Professional retouching ensures realistic depth, accurate reflections, and natural-looking product placement. - Detailed Skin & Texture Editing
For fashion and beauty brands, AI smooths skin too aggressively, making it look fake. Professional editors retain natural textures while removing imperfections subtly. - Multi-Image Compositions
AI tools struggle with compositing multiple images seamlessly. For complex edits, product mockups, and lifestyle imagery, professional retouching is the only viable option. - High-Resolution Print & Ad Campaigns
AI tools may compress images or introduce visible artifacts, making them unsuitable for billboards, magazine ads, and high-end product catalogs. - Restoration & Color Accuracy
AI makes assumptions about colors and details, which can be inaccurate. Professional editors manually correct tones, fix faded images, and enhance color depth accurately.
Bottom Line
AI-powered tools have their place in modern product photo editing. They offer speed, convenience, and cost savings—but they come with limitations. For businesses that need flawless product images, brand consistency, and high-end visual appeal, AI alone isn’t enough.
That’s where Pixel Retouching steps in.
Our team of expert retouchers ensures every detail is perfect—from accurate lighting and realistic shadows to seamless background integration and premium-level enhancements. AI can assist, but true quality comes from skilled professionals.
If you want high-end, professional product photo editing that AI can’t match, visit Pixel Retouching today and Get a free quote now.
