Choosing Between Professional Photography and Adobe Photoshop
While creating tutorials recently, I realized I've worked with Photoshop for nearly 30 years.
Many of the core tools are familiar from the early days. Still, recent updates – especially the AI-powered Content-Aware tools, the new generative fill, and canvas expand options – have taken editing to a new level. With these features, there’s a growing notion that software could replace photographers. I’d argue that’s far from true. Instead, Photoshop’s advancements can help us broaden the use of photography in business, letting us choose the right approach for each situation.
When a client asks for image recommendations, I usually suggest a professional photographer. For a new website, this is something you can plan for in the budget. Website builders like Squarespace help keep development costs lower than platforms like WordPress, so more of the budget can be set aside for quality photography. A professional’s skill set and equipment mean you’ll start with excellent base images, making the final result easy to achieve.
However, sometimes hiring a photographer isn’t feasible. For example, I’ve worked with Preserved Timber Products (preservedtimber.co.uk) near Builth Wells for the past eight years, and they have kindly allowed me to use their product photos to demonstrate Photoshop techniques.
With these, I’ve combined my experience and the latest AI tools to enhance photos for websites and social media. Their products – from garden sheds to offices made with locally sourced timber – are of such high quality that my main challenge is to ensure the surroundings look as polished as the structures themselves.
Bringing Out the Best with Photoshop
Here’s where Photoshop shines. Instead of asking the PTP team to revisit sites months after installation (once landscaping is complete and the surroundings are up to par), I can step in. It would be impractical for them to keep returning to capture “after” shots of these outdoor structures when they’re already busy with new projects.
For instance, I selected one of their more challenging photos: the lighting and angle were great, but there were other elements like a van door, a workbench, and reflections in the building’s windows that needed removing. I used the AI generative fill to adjust the scene, creating a more polished look without altering the building itself. With just a few simple edits – removing reflections, reframing, and even “re-seeding” the lawn – I could highlight the beauty of the building in a completed setting, all in under 20 minutes.
I picked one of the more extreme examples for the Photoshop demo.
The Final Photograph after 20 minutes of edits in Adobe Photoshop.
Takeaway Notes
When to Choose Professional Photography vs. Photoshop Editing
Brand Impact – Go for a Photographer:
Use a professional when creating images for your website’s homepage, banner ads, or any spot where the quality will directly impact your brand’s image.
If you’re launching a new brand or product, professional photography will give you polished, high-quality images that enhance your credibility and make a solid first impression.
Budget-Friendly Updates – Opt for Photoshop:
If you’re on a tight budget or need updates to existing images, Photoshop can save you a bundle. Use it to adjust backgrounds, tweak colours, and clean up photos for social media or product galleries.
Photoshop allows you to adapt the same image for seasonal promotions or quick changes to fit various needs without additional costs.
Showcasing Complex Products – Choose Photography:
When your product has intricate details, such as textures, finishes, or moving parts, a professional photographer can capture these elements in ways Photoshop can’t replicate.
Photography also works best for lifestyle images that need to feel authentic and natural, especially if the photos will be widely shared or published.
Environmental or Setting Fixes – Photoshop Can Help:
If the product looks great but the background or setting needs work (like clearing out reflections, cleaning up clutter, or re-seeding a lawn), Photoshop’s AI tools can quickly help without another shoot.
Photoshop is also handy for “polishing” the image when the setting isn’t perfect but doesn’t warrant a return visit or a dedicated shoot.
Capturing Events or Special Moments – Hire a Photographer:
For events or real-time moments that can’t be recreated later, professional photographers will capture the experience as it unfolds. This is ideal for live events, grand openings, or anything that requires an eye for timing and framing.
A professional can handle lighting, framing, and other elements in real time, ensuring your special moments are documented without relying on post-editing.
Speedy Touch-Ups – Photoshop is Your Friend:
Photoshop is fast and effective if you’re looking for a quick fix – removing an out-of-place object, adjusting the colour scheme, or cropping an image for a new format.
Photoshop can provide quick results for small adjustments that don’t require a full shoot, especially if you have a backlog of images needing minor edits for consistency.
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Using these tips, you can make the best choice for each project. Whether it’s a polished image from a professional or a fast, flexible edit with Photoshop, the right approach will help you keep your visuals on-brand and looking top-notch.
Wrapping Up
Whenever possible, go with a professional photographer. A professionally shot photo will always have that extra level of quality. But for times when hiring a photographer isn’t an option, Photoshop can be a powerful tool to enhance existing images. If you’re a small business looking to elevate your photo library or want to learn the techniques yourself, we’ve got resources to help. You can start with our free mini-course, which guides you through each step or check out the Adobe Photoshop Box of Tricks course for a one-time fee.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
Cheers, Elwyn
