When Hype Overshadows Craft: What AI's Growing Pains Teach Us About Creative Work

When Hype Overshadows Craft: What AI's Growing Pains Teach Us About Creative Work

The Problem With Performing Innovation I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the difference between creating something meaningful and simply creating something that gets attention. It’s a distinction that matters deeply in photography and color grading, where the craftsmanship behind an image is what separates memorable work from forgettable content. Recently, I watched a major AI company stumble spectacularly while unveiling a new creative tool. The moment felt less like genuine innovation and more like a teenager trying to impress classmates with something they didn’t fully understand themselves.

Lightroom Masking: The AI-Powered Selection Tools

Lightroom Masking: The AI-Powered Selection Tools

Lightroom’s masking tools have transformed how targeted edits work. What used to require careful brushwork or a trip to Photoshop can now be done with a single click. The AI-powered selections are fast, accurate, and genuinely useful once you understand their strengths and limitations. The AI Selection Tools Select Subject Click “Select Subject” and Lightroom’s AI identifies and masks the primary subject — usually a person, animal, or prominent object. The accuracy is impressive, especially with well-defined subjects against distinct backgrounds.