What’s New in Photoshop and Camera RAW – July 2025 Update

 



If you're a photographer, retoucher, or content creator, chances are you’ve already been tempted by Adobe’s latest July 2025 updates for Photoshop and Camera RAW. While Adobe has been pushing rapid updates over the past few years, this release stands out not only for the number of new features but also for how much they change the editing workflow.

This article walks you through the most important tools and improvements in this update and explains why they matter—especially if you care about working faster, editing more naturally, and keeping more creative control.

1. Generative Expand 2.0: More Precision, Better Context

Adobe’s generative fill tools, powered by Firefly AI, have been growing steadily. In this update, the Generative Expand 2.0 version now allows for contextual reconstruction using scene analysis. This means Photoshop can now identify vanishing points, lighting direction, and object depth to better predict what to fill in.

For example, if you crop out a sky portion by accident or need to expand a tight landscape image for a magazine layout, this new version won't just slap in generic clouds. It will calculate the lighting and horizon line to add a plausible sky segment that matches the rest of the image.

According to Adobe’s official release notes, this update was trained on ethically sourced data, and users now have more control over prompt refinement and style filters.

2. Lens Blur with Depth Maps (Camera RAW)

One of the most impressive Camera RAW additions is the automatic depth map generation for Lens Blur. Before, you had to shoot with a depth-sensing camera or create a mask manually. Now, Adobe’s AI can analyze a flat RAW image and generate a fairly accurate depth map.

You can simulate bokeh from high-end lenses like a 135mm f/1.8 or mimic tilt-shift effects directly in post. While it’s not perfect on all images (complex overlapping objects still trip it up), it’s incredibly effective for portraits and travel photography.

Camera RAW now includes a Depth Editor tab, allowing you to correct the AI's depth estimation by painting in foreground and background regions—similar to layer masks, but within RAW processing.

3. Real-Time AI Noise Reduction in Camera RAW

Adobe has pushed further into AI-based denoising with a new real-time preview engine. Unlike previous versions, where noise reduction had to be rendered before previewing, you can now view changes immediately—making your editing more intuitive.

This is particularly helpful when dealing with high ISO night shots, or when recovering underexposed images. According to a recent DPReview breakdown, Adobe’s denoising rivals or outperforms Topaz Denoise AI in most daylight scenarios, with the added benefit of being non-destructive inside the Camera RAW workflow.

4. Adjustment Presets Now Include AI-Driven Subject Detection

You may already use presets for fast color grading, but Adobe has taken things further. New Camera RAW presets can now be paired with AI Subject Detection, meaning a preset can apply different effects to subject and background automatically.

For example:

  • A preset can brighten the subject while slightly desaturating the background.

  • Landscape presets can boost foreground sharpness while adding haze to distant areas.

You can still tweak the masks, but the base results are good enough to speed up batch editing—especially for events or vacation sets.

5. Structure-Aware Liquify in Photoshop

The classic Liquify tool has long been used for subtle reshaping (or not-so-subtle beauty edits). But now, Liquify comes with a structure-aware toggle, which uses face and body recognition to keep proportions more natural.

This helps prevent the "melting person" effect that occurs when warping too close to the edges of a subject. It’s especially helpful for correcting lens distortion or fabric folds without damaging anatomy or geometry.

If you're editing portraits or working with destination shoots (hello, flowing dresses in Venetian alleys), this update helps retain realism while still giving you flexibility.

6. Multi-Image Compositing with Perspective Match AI

Photoshop now includes a beta feature called Perspective Match AI, which analyzes multiple images and aligns them based on horizon lines, vanishing points, and light direction.

This is perfect for creating complex composites—whether you're swapping skies, adding architectural elements, or blending shots taken at different angles. The tool references vanishing point data similar to those explained in photographic perspective theory to generate a unified perspective grid.

Even better: it can now recommend lens corrections based on EXIF data and known lens profiles.

7. New Mask Refinement Tools for Hair and Textures

Adobe has improved the Refine Hair algorithm yet again. In the July 2025 version, it better understands flyaway hair, transparent fabrics, and reflections.

The Masking workspace now lets you zoom in on edge zones and apply micro-adjustments without reselecting the entire mask. The result? Better extractions with less frustration. This is great news for anyone editing wedding veils, hats, or backlit curly hair.

8. Camera RAW Performance Boost on ARM-based Machines

For tech-savvy users, Adobe has optimized Camera RAW and Photoshop for Apple Silicon and other ARM-based systems. Processes like denoising, lens corrections, and subject masking are now up to 40% faster on M2 and M3 Macs.

This puts performance on par with high-end desktop rigs—great if you edit on the go.

About Us

We’re a team of professional photographers born and raised in Venice, with over a decade of experience capturing stories through images. At CB Photographer Venice, we specialize in couple, vacation, and proposal photography that respects the unique character of the city—while delivering high-quality, honest images.

If you're planning a romantic trip or celebrating a milestone, we offer tailored sessions that adapt to the season and your personality. You can explore more about our anniversary sessions here:
👉 anniversary photographer in Venice

We don’t just shoot. We help you plan the perfect time and place for your shoot—and yes, we stay up to date with tools like Photoshop and Camera RAW to make sure every image gets the finishing it deserves.


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