1
Write down the non-negotiables
List what must stay unchanged: facial identity, product lettering, clothing details, proportions, or the position of a horizon. Specify the desired change separately, such as warmer light or a cleaner background. This gives you a concrete basis for rejecting an attractive but inaccurate result.
2
Try the quickest suitable route
For an exploratory change, try an AI-assisted edit and compare it with the source at full size. For a tightly specified correction, build it in Photoshop using selections, masks, and adjustments that you can revisit. You can also use a generated result as a visual reference while doing the final controlled edit elsewhere.
3
Inspect and prepare the handoff
Zoom in on boundaries, skin texture, reflections, labels, and small text. Then check the deliverable: does the recipient need only a final image, or a file they can revise? Save the original separately and confirm that the exported version meets the agreed dimensions and appearance.