How does Project Indigo's object removal differ from existing apps?

Instead of requiring users to manually circle or select objects by drawing, Project Indigo offers toggles for common removable elements (people, trash, wires, poles, fences, vehicles, clutter) and allows custom object descriptions. Users can also describe custom objects to remove.

Who is leading Project Indigo?

Marc Levoy is heading the project. He previously developed camera features for Google's Pixel phones.

Which AI model does Project Indigo currently use?

Adobe is using Google's Gemini-based Nano model for these features, but it is open to swapping in other models, including its own Adobe Firefly model.

Image GenerationTechCrunch AIJul 20, 2026Jul 21, 2026, 06:00 JST

Adobe's Project Indigo adds AI photo critique and object removal

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3 Key Points

What happened
Adobe is expanding its experimental iOS camera app Project Indigo with new AI features, including LLM-powered photo critique, advanced object removal, depth of field generation, and style transfer. The critique feature provides professional opinions on framing, lighting, colors, and emotional impact, while object removal offers toggles for common elements like people, trash, wires, and vehicles.
Why it matters
The app uses preset buttons rather than open-ended prompts—a design choice Marc Levoy (who led Google's Pixel camera work) emphasizes as more reliable than typical generative AI tools. The photo critique and reshooting suggestions are descriptive enough to teach photography principles, making the tool potentially educational rather than purely corrective.
What to watch
The features are still in testing phase and available only to select users through an "AI playground" tab. Adobe is currently using Google's Gemini-based Nano model but remains open to swapping in other models, including its own Adobe Firefly.

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Context & Analysis

Adobe's Project Indigo represents a deliberate design philosophy shift away from prompt-based generative AI tools. Marc Levoy's background in developing Google's Pixel camera features informs this approach: rather than ask users to craft the perfect text instruction, the app offers preset buttons that produce more predictable outcomes. The photo critique feature—delivering structured feedback on framing, lighting, colors, and emotional impact—occupies a middle ground between fully automated editing and user-driven prompting. By bundling these tools under an "AI playground" tab and limiting access to select testers, Adobe signals that these are experimental rather than production-ready features. The distinction matters: the company is explicitly testing whether cameras can educate photographers rather than simply correct photos, a framing that appeals to skill-building over convenience-driven consumption.

FAQ

How does Project Indigo's object removal differ from existing apps?: Instead of requiring users to manually circle or select objects by drawing, Project Indigo offers toggles for common removable elements (people, trash, wires, poles, fences, vehicles, clutter) and allows custom object descriptions. Users can also describe custom objects to remove.
Who is leading Project Indigo?: Marc Levoy is heading the project. He previously developed camera features for Google's Pixel phones.
Which AI model does Project Indigo currently use?: Adobe is using Google's Gemini-based Nano model for these features, but it is open to swapping in other models, including its own Adobe Firefly model.

TechCrunch AIRead Original Article

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