Is AI Making Us More Human? A Reflective Look at Tech, Emotion, and Connection

Victoria Pavlov

4 Apr, 2025

We live in a time when machines can finish our sentences, recommend what to watch next, and even book our appointments with a simple voice command. Artificial Intelligence is all around us—and it’s evolving fast. From both a professional and personal perspective, I find it incredibly helpful and genuinely exciting. I love technology, and I work with it every day. But amid all this high-tech convenience, I’ve found myself asking a question that feels deeply personal:

Is AI making us more human?

At first, that question might sound strange. AI is a tool, a collection of algorithms and data, not something with heart or emotion. But perhaps that’s exactly why we’re noticing something stirring in us. The rise of AI is challenging us to look inward. To reflect on what can’t be coded, predicted, or generated.

The Human Things We’re Holding Onto

As machines get smarter, we’re becoming more aware of the things they can’t do. They don’t feel. They don’t grieve, love, laugh spontaneously, or get goosebumps from a sunset or a song. They’re not gazing at a sunrise, listening to music, or caught in a wave of emotion. They don’t feel the sudden urge to grab a paintbrush and express what’s inside. They don’t feel the need to bring their emotions to life through art—whether it’s poetry, painting, digital or traditional. They don’t feel the urgency to call someone and share good news or pour their heart out.
And in that contrast, we’re reminded of what it truly means to be human.

We’re clinging tighter to conversations that matter. To stories, to shared moments, to stillness. We’re realizing that our ability to connect, to care, and to create meaning—those are not just soft skills. They’re our superpowers.

Slowing Down to Connect

Oddly enough, the speed of technology is inspiring many people to slow down. To unplug more often. To ask deeper questions. We’re craving time with loved ones, looking for purpose in what we do, and seeking joy beyond the scroll.

Maybe it’s because we know AI can give us information—but it can’t give us wisdom.

It can organize our calendars—but it can’t help us decide how we want to spend our lives.

The Choice We Still Have

The truth is, AI isn’t good or bad on its own. It’s a tool. The real question is: How do we want to live in this new world?

If we choose empathy over efficiency, presence over productivity, connection over convenience—we may just find ourselves becoming more human, not less.

And that, I believe, is something worth holding onto.

Custom Coloring Pages Made Easy in Adobe Express

Victoria Pavlov

31 Mar, 2025

Today, I want to show you how to create your own custom coloring page—one you can use digitally or print out and color with pencils.

In these exciting times, as technology advances every day, it’s no surprise to see kids watching cartoons on tablets or phones. From both my personal and professional experience, I’ve seen that children are just as interested in traditional art as they are in digital.

So I thought—why not take that excitement to the next level by helping kids design their very own custom coloring book, bringing their imagination to life? The best part? It’s super easy and a lot of fun!

Coloring books and pages aren’t just for kids—they’re a creative outlet for all ages. For children, coloring builds fine motor skills, focus, and confidence. For adults, it offers a calming, almost meditative break from the stress of daily life. Whether it’s a way to connect with your inner child or just unplug for a little while, coloring is a joyful, judgment-free way to express yourself.

Let’s dive in!

Open Adobe Express webpage

Click on “+” icon

To get started, open your design workspace. In the “Get Started” pop-up, type “Drawing” in the search field.

Click on “drawing”

Adobe Express created a new empty canvas. Click on “Templates.”

Express will redirect you to the “Templates” workspace. Click on “Generate coloring page” and type “Happy Puppy.”

Double-check the spelling (just in case), and click on “Generate.” Express will generate four variations of the puppy based on your text or prompt. Click on the one you like the most, and Express will add it to the canvas.

At this step, if you want to use your coloring page as a traditional one—using coloring pencils—click on “Download.”

You have two choices:

1. Download as a Transparent PNG – This version has no background, which is ideal if you’re not sure about your paper size. You can easily adjust the size of the puppy before printing, since there’s no background to worry about.

2. Download as a PNG file – This version includes a default white background, which is perfect if you’re ready to print it as is.

For digital coloring, follow the steps below:

Time to color this cute puppy! Click on the Brush tool. In the Drawing workspace, specify your brush settings. Express offers an extensive library of brushes, but for now, we’ll choose the “Hard Round” brush from the “Basics” library.

You can use any default color, or click on the settings icon to choose any other color you prefer.

Specify the brush size and paint away! Don’t forget that you can change the brush size, color, and type of brush at any time.

Now that you’ve finished coloring the puppy, click on “Background” and choose a color for the background.

Now click on the “Decorative” brush library, and then click on the “Ground Fern” brush. Use any color you like! Also, don’t forget to increase the size of the brush for a more natural ground effect.

Using this brush, add a few accents next to the puppy.

And voilà! You just colored your first coloring page—created from scratch and colored right here in Adobe Express.

Now it’s time to download your project. To do so, click on the “Download” icon and download the coloring page as a PNG file.

Whether you’re creating for yourself, a child, or someone who just loves to color, making your own custom coloring page is a fun and rewarding experience. With just a few simple tools and a bit of creativity, you’ve created something unique—from scratch—that brings joy, calm, and a little bit of magic to the day.

So whether you print it out or color it digitally, take a moment to enjoy the process. Art doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to come from the heart.

Happy coloring, and keep creating! 💛

Making a complex selection in Photoshop with just one click.

Victoria Pavlov

17 Mar, 2025

Proof That Magic in Technology Exists! Yes, now we can remove backgrounds or select complex objects with just one click—and the results are super impressive!

Most workflows require removing backgrounds or selecting objects, and not every background or object is simple. I know from my own experience that sometimes I spend so much time trying to remove a busy background or select a very complex object. Sometimes, it feels overwhelming.

So when I saw that the Photoshop team released an updated selection tool in Photoshop Beta, I jumped in right away to try it. By the end of my testing, I was extremely happy and excited!

Let me show you what I’m talking about.

If you haven’t downloaded Photoshop Beta yet, you can get it through your Creative Cloud app. Simply open the app, search for Photoshop Beta, and click download!

Start by opening the image you want to edit.

If you haven’t opened the Contextual Task Bar yet, go to Window > Contextual Task Bar.

In the Contextual Task Bar, click on “Remove Background” and watch the magic happen!

And this is the result—just in one click!

This is the magic I was talking about!

I recorded a video with a few more examples—you can watch it below. I hope you’re as impressed as I am!
If so, give it a try—remove a complex background or select a complex object using Photoshop Beta and share your results with me! I’d love to see what you create.

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Photoshop on iPhone

Victoria Pavlov

25 Feb, 2025

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my studio. Today is a very exciting day—Photoshop has introduced a new family member: Photoshop on iPhone! Yes, Photoshop on iPhone!! 🎉
It’s a game changer. Now, imagination and creativity have no limitations! We can work on our projects in Photoshop literally from anywhere. Isn’t this a dream come true?

If you know me, you know that Photoshop is like the air I breathe. I work with it all day, every day. And now, I can use it from anywhere—even while playing with our pups outside, just using my phone!

I am truly impressed with this release! Let me explain why.

Photoshop on iPhone has all the essential tools to work on any project—whether it’s creating fun graphics for my social media posts or delivering professional work for my clients. Everything I need is right at my fingertips.

I can seamlessly use my own images, access photos from Lightroom and Adobe Stock, and even leverage Generative Fill. From masking to painting, photo compositing to retouching—it’s all available right within the app, right on my iPhone!
As you can see I am super excited and I can’t wait to share with all the tips and tricks you can use in Photoshop on iPhone.

Here are a few images I created in Photoshop on iPhone

I recorded a short video for you about the new Photoshop on iPhone.

Head over to the iPhone App Store and download Photoshop on iPhone! Have fun, and let’s get creative together.
If you have any questions about Photoshop on iPhone or want me to record a specific tutorial, just let me know! I’d be more than happy to help and answer any questions.

If you enjoy my content, please subscribe to my blog, YouTube channel, or Patre on —it would mean a lot and really help me out!

Adobe Firefly Video (Beta)

Victoria Pavlov

12 Feb, 2025

Today, Adobe introduced a new Firefly model—Generate Video (Beta). It’s super exciting for a few reasons:

1. No matter how many years I’ve worked with AI, it always brings a “wow” factor when I see my text (prompt) come to life in digital imaging form.

2. Now, I can animate my stills without spending hours on it.

3. I can make my websites, blogs, social posts, and educational materials more interactive and engaging.

4. I can generate animations frame by frame or between frames with just a simple prompt.

In this fast-paced world, text-to-video is extremely helpful. So, without any further delay, let me show you how you can bring your vision to life with a prompt.

Let’s start with something simple: generating a sunrise over the mountains (sunrises are my favorite time of day).

Launch the Adobe Firefly website and select “Text to video (beta)”

I type this simple prompt into the prompt area: “Landscape of sunrise over the mountains.” Now, I’ll add a few specifications:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Shot size: Extreme long shot (I want the video to have a panoramic feel)

• Camera angle: Eye-level shot (I chose this angle because it provides a more natural perspective for this scenery)

• Motion: Zoom out (I chose this motion because it enhances the panoramic view of the scene)

After specifying everything, I click “Generate.” Adobe Firefly analyzes the prompt and all specifications and then generates the video accordingly.

Note: The current video length generated by Firefly is 5 seconds.

Now, let’s use the image I generated in Adobe Firefly (text-to-image mode). Of course, I could use any photo or image I have—whether it’s a photo, painting, 3D, or 2D image.

I created this cute creature because Valentine’s Day is coming, and I want to make a short video post for my social media.

I used this image as the first frame in the prompt area—frame space

I typed the prompt (a very simple one, but with a clear description of what I wanted): “A cute fur creature releasing beautiful hearts into the sky.”

The extra settings I applied:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Motion: Zoom out

And the result Adobe Firefly generated was exactly what I envisioned!

The next step was to generate a few extra videos for my post.

Prompt: Beautiful hearts flying in the beautiful blue sky.

Extra settings applied:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Shot size: Extreme long shot

• Camera angle: Low-angle shot

• Motion: Tilt up

Look at the result:

The next video I generated:

For this video, I used the same prompt and specifications as in the previous video.

To generate the next videos, I used the following prompt:

Prompt: Beautiful hearts flying inside the art studio.

Extra specifications applied:

• Aspect ratio: Widescreen

• Shot size: Long shot

• Camera angle: Eye-level shot

Result:

After gathering all my video b-rolls for my Valentine’s Day post, I imported them into Adobe Express. There, I added a few extra scenes, including text, design assets from Adobe Express (along with audio), and just like that—my post was ready!

Yes, guys, it’s really that simple!

This is the final result:

I know you’re wondering if I’ll be using Adobe Firefly’s text-to-video in my workflow. My answer? Yes, absolutely! Generative video adds an extra layer of creativity that my workflow needs.

In this blog post, I highlighted just a few features of the new Generate Video, powered by Adobe Firefly. I’ll continue this conversation on my YouTube channel, showcasing different examples and workflows. Stay tuned!

You can read more about the Adobe Firefly Video model on Adobe’s blog

Effortless Valentine’s Day Cards

Victoria Pavlov

29 Jan, 2025

Hello everyone! I’m so happy to see you here, and thank you for visiting my blog.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I know how hectic life can get. Between busy schedules and daily tasks, finding time to create a custom Valentine’s Day card can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

To make things easier, I’ve created a collection of beautiful, ready-to-use templates just for you. Whether you’re sending a heartfelt message to a loved one, a sweet note to a friend, or a fun greeting to brighten someone’s day, these designs will help you create something truly special.

Simply click on any template you like, and you’ll be redirected to Adobe Express, where you can use the design as is or customize it to fit your personal style. Add your own text, colors, or images to make it uniquely yours!

I hope these templates bring joy and make your Valentine’s Day extra special. Happy creating! ❤️✨

And of course, I couldn’t forget my incredible, strong women—I made some fabulous templates just for you! Because who runs the world? We do! 💖✨

Template 5

Template 6

Template 7

Getting Started with Writing Basic Prompts in Adobe Firefly

Victoria Pavlov

23 Jan, 2025

Hi everyone! Welcome to my blog post about writing basic prompts for generating images in Adobe Firefly. I’ll share the best practices, tips, and tricks to help you unlock Firefly’s full creative potential. Let’s dive in!

Adobe Firefly is a cutting-edge AI tool that generates stunning visuals from text prompts, helping you bring your ideas to life quickly and effortlessly. The secret to getting the best results? Writing clear, specific, and creative prompts. Think of your prompt as a blueprint—it guides Firefly in bringing your vision to reality. A well-crafted prompt ensures the AI understands your idea, saving you time and delivering the results you’re looking for.

Here are some tips to craft effective prompts:

1. Be Specific:
Instead of ‘a landscape,’ try ‘a serene mountain landscape at sunset with vibrant colors.’ Specific details help the AI understand your vision.
2. Use Descriptive Adjectives:
Adjectives like ‘vibrant,’ ‘soft,’ ‘modern,’ or ‘rustic’ guide the style and mood. For example, ‘a modern living room with minimalist furniture’ creates a clearer image than just ‘a living room.’
3. Include Artistic Style:
Firefly can mimic different styles. Add terms like ‘watercolor painting,’ ‘vector art,’ or ‘photorealistic.’ For instance, ‘a watercolor painting of cherry blossoms’ yields a unique result compared to ‘a photo of cherry blossoms.’
4. Specify Colors and Lighting:
Colors and lighting add mood and depth. For example, ‘a warm, golden light streaming through a forest’ sets a specific tone compared to ‘a forest.’
5. Set the Scene or Context:
Think of the setting or action. Instead of ‘a dog,’ try ‘a playful golden retriever running through a field of wildflowers.’
6. Limit Complexity:
Start with one idea at a time. Instead of ‘a dog, a cat, and a bird in a busy market,’ try ‘a golden retriever in a vibrant market stall.’
7. Experiment and Refine:
Don’t be afraid to try variations. Adjust your prompt slightly if the result isn’t quite right.

Now, let’s see these tips in action. I’ll walk you through a few examples:

1. Basic Prompt: ‘A beautiful landscape.’

Result: A generic image.

2. Improved Prompt: ‘A serene mountain landscape at sunset, with warm golden light reflecting off a crystal-clear lake, in a watercolor style.’

Result: A detailed, artistic image.

Let’s try another:

Prompt: ‘A futuristic city.’

Improved Prompt: ‘A futuristic city at night, low light, neon signs ’

Firefly’s ability to interpret these details is incredible!

Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s talk about a few common pitfalls:

1. Too Vague: ‘A house.’
(Tip: Add details—‘A cozy cottage in the woods on a snowy evening.’)
2. Overloading the Prompt: Trying to include too many elements can confuse the AI. Keep it focused.
3. Forgetting Style: Always include an artistic style or medium if you want a specific look.

Writing effective prompts is all about being clear, creative, and specific. Adobe Firefly is an amazing tool, and with these tips, you’ll create stunning visuals effortlessly.

I’d love to hear your favorite prompts or see what you’ve created—tag me in your posts! Until next time, happy creating!

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Apple Studio Display Review: A Creative’s Perspective

Victoria Pavlov

13 Jan, 2025

The Apple Studio Display has been a game-changer for my creative workflow, bringing stunning visuals, seamless macOS integration, and a sleek, minimalist design that inspires creativity. However, no device is without its shortcomings, and it’s important to address both the pros and cons of this display from a real-world user perspective.

The Pros: What Makes the Studio Display Shine

1. Gorgeous 5K Retina Display
With its 5120 x 2880 resolution and P3 wide color gamut, the Studio Display offers crystal-clear, color-accurate visuals that are essential for creative work. Whether I’m creating my art in Adobe Illustrator, editing photos in Photoshop and Lightroom, or reviewing my AI-generated art, the colors look rich, vibrant, and true to life.

2. Beautiful Design and Build Quality
Apple’s design language never disappoints. The all-aluminum chassis and clean, minimalist aesthetic make this display a centerpiece for any workspace. It feels premium and solid.

3: 12MP Center Stage Camera: A Pleasant Surprise
As a photographer, I’m naturally picky when it comes to cameras. Whether I’m attending virtual meetings, recording creative content, or live streaming, I rely heavily on high-quality cameras to ensure a professional, polished look.What truly surprised me—in the best possible way—was the Studio Display’s 12MP Center Stage camera. The Center Stage featurekeeps me perfectly framed and in focus, even when I’m moving around. It’s a game-changer for content creators and remote workers who want to stay dynamic and engaging without worrying about adjusting the camera angle.For someone who spends a lot of time on camera, the Studio Display’s built-in camera delivers remarkably smooth tracking and crystal-clear image quality, making it a reliable and seamless option for any creative professional.

4: Stand
The tilt-adjustable stand, configurable from -5° to 25°, is a feature I truly appreciate and use frequently. It allows me to adjust the display to the perfect angle, making long hours of creative work much more comfortable and efficient.

The Cons: Where the Studio Display Falls Short

While I love the Studio Display, it does have some limitations that creative professionals should be aware of:

1. No HDR Support
Shockingly, the Studio Display doesn’t support HDR (High Dynamic Range). For creatives working with high-contrast video or photo editing, this can be a deal-breaker. While the display offers excellent (the best in my opinion) color accuracy and brightness, the lack of HDR supportmakes it feel a bit outdated compared to other high-end monitors in the same price range and even monitors that cost less have HDR support.

2. Limited Port Selection
The Studio Display offers one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports, which is adequate for most users. However, if you’re someone who requires multiple HDMI or DisplayPort connections, you’ll need to invest in a dock or adapter, which adds extra costand desk clutter.

3. Pricey for What It Offers
There’s no way around it—the Apple Studio Display is expensive. Priced at $1,599 (or more with upgrades), it’s a significant investment. While the build quality and integration with Apple products justify the cost for many, the lack of HDR and limited portsmay make some creatives question the value for money.

Is It Worth It?
For creatives like me, who are deeply immersed in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Studio Display is a stunning and reliable companionthat elevates both creativity and workflow. While it lacks HDR support (which I desperately need) and comes with a high price tag, I still wouldn’t trade the Studio Display for any other monitor. It’s an inspiring tool that brings out the best in my work—and that’s priceless.

Final Thoughts
Despite its limitations, the Apple Studio Display delivers outstanding visuals, impeccable design, and seamless macOS integration that make it worth the investment for Apple users. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most powerful and beautiful monitor I’ve ever worked with, and I love how it inspires me to create more every time I sit at my desk.

Victoria Pavlov

8 Jan, 2025

My Tech Blog

Hello, everyone!

Happy New Year!

I’m kicking off the new year by sharing something I’m truly passionate about and use every single day. Can you guess what it is? That’s right — I’m talking about Platypod!
I’ve been using Platypod products for the past few years, both in my professional and personal workflows, and I couldn’t be happier with them. In fact, my Platypod tripod is the first piece of equipment I pack in my camera bag whenever I’m preparing for a trip. It’s lightweight, incredibly versatile, and, best of all, it can be used in places where “traditional” tripods just don’t work.
Whether you need to mount your camera on a tree, a car, a window, a building, or directly on the ground for a low-angle shot, Platypod makes it possible.
If you know me, you know how much I love capturing low-angle images of sunsets over the ocean. But before I discovered Platypod, these shots were stressful to get! Trying to keep my camera safe from waves and sand while getting the perfect angle was a constant challenge. Now? It’s so much easier — and so much more enjoyable. Also, four spike feet keep the tripod steady even on the sand and help you keep the tripod slightly above the surface, which protects your camera from the sand.

I want to share my thoughts on the new Platypod Delta with you.

Full disclosure: Platypod sent me the Delta for review, but with no strings attached. What I’m sharing today is my honest opinion.

So, let’s talk about the Platypod Delta. It’s light, compact, steady, and beautifully designed. It’s so lightweight and compact that it can fit anywhere — even in the back pocket of my jeans!
But don’t let its small size fool you. The Delta is SUPER versatile and EXTREMELY functional. Whether you’re using it for professional photography, personal projects, digital cameras, or even your phone, this tripod delivers.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using it for low-angle photo sessions in my studio, and guess what? I’ve been really impressed.
Here’s a fun example: our puppy, Pixel, hates having his picture taken — whether it’s with a professional camera or a phone. It’s always a struggle to get him to cooperate. So, I decided to try out the new Delta tripod for a session with Pixel, and I couldn’t believe my eyes! Since the camera was positioned at a low angle, instead of towering over him, Pixel was super relaxed. He even lay down right in front of it!

Honestly, this little tripod made a huge difference. I loved the experience, and I think Pixel did too!

Tip: If you want to bring the camera up higher, simply position the Delta on top of an Apple Box, and you’re good to go!

I LOVE macro photography, so I decided to try the Platypod Delta in my macro photography workflow. Just like with the Pixel example, it was an absolute joy to use!

Tip: If you prefer mobile photography, you can mount your device using the Platypod Grip + Platypod Disc and attach it to the Platypod Delta. With this setup, you can secure your mobile device ANYWHERE you need for the perfect shot!

Conclusion:

The Platypod Delta is a fantastic addition to the Platypod product line. Having a steady device for taking photos is something we all need, and the Delta’s lightweight design and versatility really make it stand out. On top of that, all Platypod products are well-made, and their customer support makes the whole experience even better.

Now, you might be wondering — am I starting to sound like a sales pitch? Nope, I’m not! I’m just a happy Platypod user, sharing my honest opinion with you.

Give it a try, and trust me — you’ll thank me later!

Making the Impossible Possible: Adding Creative Details with AI

Victoria Pavlov

6 Jan, 2025

Hello, everyone!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Today, after getting so many requests from you, I’m excited to show some real-life examples of how AI can be a helpful tool in your daily creative workflow. Let’s dive in and explore how AI can make tasks easier, faster, and more fun!

We’ll start with something that, as a parent of fur babies, I can totally relate to. Our Pixel isn’t a fan of having his picture taken — he simply ignores the camera. But, of course, as his mom, I still want photos of him for special occasions like birthdays or holidays.

Today, I’ll show you how I can easily add a birthday hat and a cupcake to a picture of Pixel in Photoshop.
Let’s get started by selecting the area where I want to add the hat.

Note: Today, I’ll show you how to easily add creative details to an image using Adobe Photoshop.

In the contextual task bar (within the prompt area), I’ll type “birthday hat, bright colors” and click “Generate.”

Generative Fill, powered by Adobe Firefly, will analyze the selected area along with the overall image — considering composition, lighting, and other details. It will then process the prompt and generate three variations of a birthday hat based on the provided specifications.

Feel free to choose the hat variation you like the most. Pick the one that best fits your style and brings out Pixel’s personality!

Note: Did you notice that Generative Fill even added a shadow under the hat? It seamlessly blends into the image, making it look natural and realistic!

Select the part of the image where you want to add a cupcake. I chose the bottom of the image because I wanted to position the cupcake slightly away from Pixel.

Next, type “a birthday cupcake, very colorful” in the contextual task bar and click “Generate”. Generative Fill will then create a cupcake based on your prompt.

And just like that, we’ve added a few fun details to the image by simply typing a prompt. Easy, isn’t it?

As a photographer, I know that clients often request additional details to be added after a photoshoot is finished. Now, with AI, making those adjustments is simpler, faster, and easier than ever before!
Today, we’ll add an elegant cup of coffee to the image.
First, select the part of the image where you want to place the coffee. In the prompt area, type “an elegant cup of coffee” and click Generate. Generative Fill will create a cup of coffee based on your prompt.

Note: I want to draw your attention to the shadow under the generated cup. Generative Fill didn’t just add a cup of coffee — it also adjusted the perspective, colors, and lighting to perfectly match the image. The shadow placement makes the cup look natural and seamlessly blended into the scene.

We are living in exciting times, where we now have access to tools we could only dream about a few years ago. These advancements give us unlimited possibilities, making the impossible possible with progressive technology that’s accessible to everyone.

So, my friends — stay creative, keep exploring, and never stop imagining!