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What is AI Photography?

"AI photography refers to a form of photography that utilizes artificial intelligence to either generate new images or enhance existing ones that mimic real photographs."

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For the past two weeks, I've been experimenting with AI.

I enjoy trying new technology, although AI is not exactly new, it's been around for a while. However, lately, it is something I'm seeing more and more people using (especially on Instagram), so I was curious to try it myself. But I've got to be honest, my initial response was unfavorable because the photographs I saw on Instagram looked too perfect and unreal. 

I often edit my photographs before publishing by cropping them, sharpening them, and even enhancing the color at times. I think of editing as an artist using brushes and paints when they create a piece of art. So, I'm not against using AI for editing as long as it looks natural.

After searching online, I found a free AI-generating website to experiment on.

Here are the images I created (and please look at them closely)...

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When creating an image using AI, you type in what it is you would like to see. You can be as specific or as general as you wish.

(AI - spooky castle on a hill at night, moon, cloudy sky) *I like this one because of its Gothic imagery. It reminds me of Dracula's castle! 


(AI - winter, cozy house covered in snow) *I love the house, but I think the snow on the ground and the trees look fake. 


(Original photo I took myself) 


(AI Edit) *personally, I prefer the orginal. It's got more texture. 


(AI - male angel with wings and a robe hovering over a city) I LOVE this one because of its mystical imagery. 


(AI - sacred temple in kyoto, japan, cherry blossom trees) *I really like how the temple generated, but the people standing on the stairs and the cherry blossom tree in the background look "off".


(Original photo I took myself)


(AI edit) *I prefer the original. In the AI edit, it eliminated the William Penn statue atop City Hall. It also changed the cloud formations. 

(AI - One World Trade Center, New York City) *I like how this was generated because, unlike the others, it is the closest one to looking real


One of my favorite musicals is Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim. It's a brilliant dark musical satire - a tale of love, murder. and revenge, set against the backdrop of 19th-century London. And although it sounds like something you might initially think, "Why on earth would I ever want to see a musical with a storyline like that?", it's actually quite funny. The two main characters are Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd. So, I decided to create an AI-generated image of each character.

(AI - musical sweeney todd, mrs. lovett, sweeney todd) *this one I LOVE!


My final AI-generated image attempt was to create my idea of an attractive man. I created one with dark hair and the other with gray hair, both of them with brown eyes, facial hair, and light to medium skin. 

Here is what AI generated for me - *I think they are both quite attractive. However to me, they don't look real. Particularly the hair and skin. 

And this is the issue I have with AI-generated photos. There is something artificial about them. But I suppose that's why it's referred to as Artificial Intelligence. 


My Final Thoughts: I think the only time I will use AI in the future will be if I want to create an image that is intentional imaginary. But for editing my photographs? No. But I'm glad I tried it. 

Any thoughts on AI?

In case you're interested, here is the AI image generator website I used: CGDream. You can either upload your photos and edit them, or you can generate a completely new photo/image by allowing AI to do it for you. 


Thanks so much for stopping by, folks! Have a great rest of your week! 💕


*Great article about AI Photography: What is AI Photography, and is it Photography?

26 comments:

  1. What an interesting and very informative post, Ron! I've heard of AI because it's all the rage right now. Like you mentioned, I see it on Instagram a lot. Most of the time they look overdone and unreal. But that's so typical on Instagram. Every one is so filtered that I always wonder if the photo is real or not.

    Wow, I love the angel image! And I agree with you. I prefer the unedited photographs you took, as is.

    Did you ever see the movie, Sweeney Todd, with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham? I had no idea what it was about before I watched it, but I ended up loving it. Yes, it's dark, but also humorous.

    Thank you for sharing about this and for sharing the link. I will definitely check it out. Can't wait! xox

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  2. Good evening, Candice!

    Glad you enjoyed. I've been wanting to post about AI for over a month, but it took me some time to gather this information and try it out for myself.

    "Most of the time they look overdone and unreal. But that's so typical on Instagram. Every one is so filtered that I always wonder if the photo is real or not."

    I wonder the same. And what I can't stand is how some Instagramers will take a photo of an actor/actress from the Golden Age of Movies, and edit them so that they look more modern. And they take these classic black & white photographs and colorize them. UGH!

    Yes, OMG, Yes I did see the movie and loved it. It was different that the live stage show, but equally as fabulous. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham were so GREAT in the film!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a superb rest of your week!

    X

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  3. Okay Ron, that image of the angel hovering over the city is INCREDIBLE! I'm with you, the original photos that you took I prefer as well. And why on earth did it eliminate the William Penn statue? That's one of the coolest thing about that shot. I like how the statue silhouettes the sky. You're right, the cloud formations are different.

    Wow, the one of One World Trade Center is truly remarkable. It's does look the closest to being REAL. Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd are stellar. They are so deliciously scary!

    "I think they are both quite attractive. However to me, they don't look real. Particularly the hair and skin." --- I agree!

    This post is such great food for thought. And thanks for sharing the links. When I have time this weekend, I'll do deeper dive.

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  4. Hey there, Daniel!

    "And why on earth did it eliminate the William Penn statue? "

    HA! My sentiments exactly!!! When the photo completed being generated, my eyes immediately went to where there was no longer WILLIAM PENN. I'm like, what the hell happened to him?!?!? And if you look real close at the original, you will also noticed how the AI generator eliminated the airplane flying in the sky in the middle of the photograph.

    Isn't the One World Trade Center mind-blowing? It's looks soooooooo real!

    "Deliciously scary" is such a great way to put it. They DO!!!!

    Let me know your feelings on AI once you try it. Like I said, I'm glad I tried it because it intrigued me.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, sir! Enjoy the rest of your week! Hey, has it been as hot and humid where you live as it's been here? It's been horrendous. Tomorrow we finally get a break.

    X

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  5. Yes Ron, the heat and humidity have been atrocious. And what scares me is that we still have the rest of July and August. It's been really bad here. I can't wait for the cooler weather.

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  6. You know, I've been hearing from people who live in many different states that they are experiencing the same intense summer heat and humidity. I have a feeling that summer will go through September. UGH! I can't wait to make a nice pot of soup with some bread. Bring on FALL!

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  7. Ron, I played around a bit with AI at the start of this year and found it both positive and negative. What concerns me is how eventually we are not going to be able to tell the difference between AI, and photograph taken with a camera. Also, now anyone can say they are a photographer using AI. As you shared, if used to create an imaginary image for like a book cover or an album cover, I see how beneficial AI can be.

    I'm with you, there is something "off" about AI photographs. Sure, some I've seen that I couldn't tell it was AI, but a large majority of them have a "too perfect" look that actually looks phoney.

    But I guess like with all progress, there are going to be pitfalls. I remember when digital cameras came out and how many people shunned them in favor of film. I have both. And I like them for different reasons.

    The One World Trade Center AI generated photo is so real-looking. I would never had guessed it was AI.

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  8. Morning, Robert!

    You brought up some really great points about AI photography!

    "What concerns me is how eventually we are not going to be able to tell the difference between AI, and photograph taken with a camera. Also, now anyone can say they are a photographer using AI."

    So true! After trying AI myself, I think of it more as a tool to enhance (edit) an image, or to create an imaginary image, as you stated - a book cover or album cover. Or even something like a movie poster.

    "But I guess like with all progress, there are going to be pitfalls. I remember when digital cameras came out and how many people shunned them in favor of film. I have both. And I like them for different reasons."


    Exactly! Like I said, I initially felt unfavorable about AI because of seeing so many AI images on social media. But after experiencing it, I can see how it can be used as a benefit. And speaking of digital cameras, I totally resisted them when they first came out. However, now I can see the positives of using digital!

    Thanks so much for sharing your feedback on AI. Very much appreciated, my friend!

    X

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  9. Ron, I love the photographs of the two "attractive" men you generated because they almost look like father and son, or like the younger version and the older version of the same man. It's uncanny how much they resemble each other!!! Did you generate it that way?

    Not being a photographer myself, I've not tried AI. But I will say that I've seen it's affects all over social media. I agree, the majority of it looks too much. Too perfect. Too flawless. As if the photo's have been airbrushed.

    Being a New Yorker, I really loved the image of One World Trade Center. It really DOES look real, you're right. You can even see Jersey City on the right!

    The castle (which is stunning) reminded me of the castle in the movie, Edward Scissorhands!

    As far as the originals versus the generated images, I like the originals much more.

    Interesting and educating post, dear Ron. Thank you! xoxo

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  10. Hola Denise!

    " they almost look like father and son, or like the younger version and the older version of the same man. It's uncanny how much they resemble each other!!! Did you generate it that way?"

    OMG, I never even noticed that, but you're right....they DO resemble each other very much. Good eye you have! And no, I didn't intend (generate) them that way. However, now that you mentioned it, I did generated them together when I did it, so maybe that's why they look a like. I wonder if I had generated them separately, if they would have looked the same?!? I may have to try that later and see what it comes up with! Anyway, thanks for pointing that out to me!

    I've been seeing AI all over Instagram for years, but lately it's been more so. And I also noticed people leaving comments on IG posts, questioning the account holder if they used AI.

    It's that photo fabulous? Yes, you can see Jersey City, you're right!!!!

    The castle in Edward Scissorhand indeed!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Denise. And thanks again for sharing your observations.

    Have a great rest of your week!

    X

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  11. Ron, my favorite is the angel image because I collect photos and statues of angels. I have them all over my apartment. I'm a big believer in angels! I clicked on the AI image generator link you shared and I may have to try my hand at using AI to create an angel image myself!

    We've had (so far) a very hot and humid summer, so that picture of the snow-covered house is VERY appealing to me at the moment LOL! And this is coming from someone who is not a fan of winter.

    Great share, Ron! Can't wait to try it.

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  12. Morning, Abby!

    " I collect photos and statues of angels. I have them all over my apartment. I'm a big believer in angels!"


    Me too! I kid you not. In fact, I have a framed photograph of an angel on the bookshelf that runs along my windows that face the city. I believe in angels too. VERY much so! You will find the AI image generator easy to use. Have fun!

    OMG, it's been extrememly hot and humid here as well. For the past week it's been over 100 degrees with the heat index. I am so looking forward to Autumn and Winter. I love being cold. Heat wipes me out.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Abby! Have a faaaaaaaabulous rest of your week!

    X

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  13. I was totally ignorant on the subject, so thanks for this introduction. To be honest, I’m a little bit afraid of AI. I don’t like the invasion of privacy aspects and I don’t like it taking people’s jobs. I’m glad you compared your actual photos to the AI edits. The difference is quite noticeable in the plant growing in the bricks. The AI one looks like a photo of silk leaves from the dollar store! And why do you think it removed the William Penn statue in your Philadelphia photo? It’s odd how it took away some of the antennas/poles, but then added some in at other spots.

    I agree with you that the imaginary imagery is the best. It’s quite beautiful and looks like it belongs as illustrations in a book. Thanks for the education, Ron. Hope you’re having a good week. XO

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  14. So much of what you shared are my feelings as well! I too feel apprehensive about certains things pertaining to AI, such as taking people's jobs. I mean if you can generate a photograph with AI, why do companies need to hire photographers?

    "The difference is quite noticeable in the plant growing in the bricks. The AI one looks like a photo of silk leaves from the dollar store! "

    Ha! You are so right, they do!!!! The whole image looks too contrived. Almost like an image you would see in a dream, that's not real. I don't like how smooth they made the original look.

    "And why do you think it removed the William Penn statue in your Philadelphia photo? It’s odd how it took away some of the antennas/poles, but then added some in at other spots."

    That's the one I feel the most passionate about. I don't like that AI removed William Penn because that was one of the cool thing about the original photo.

    " It’s quite beautiful and looks like it belongs as illustrations in a book."

    Beautifully stated! My sentiments exactly!

    Thanks so much for stopping by this morning, my friend! Have a superb rest of your week!

    X

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  15. I see nothing wrong in using AI generators as long as the images are labeled as such. But what does concern me is whether AI will take work away from film/digital photographers. If companies can generate their own photographs, why bother paying to hire a photographer?

    I've seen some AI images where I instantly knew were AI's. But I've also seen some that I really couldn't tell until it was pointed out to me. Very much like the one you share of One World Trade Center. That is excellent!

    I haven't played around with AI, but you've got me more interested in it, Ron. Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts. Good topic!

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  16. I'm with you, Ron. The AI generated photos have a fake look to them. I think it's the same with the AI generated text. And it really worries me that we're becoming a world of robots, seeming to prefer fake art (photography, writing, etc.) to what real people can create.

    I suppose there's a place for AI, but only if it's identified as the fake stuff. (Can't tell I'm being an "old fogey" about this mad rush to a technological world, can you?!?)

    Interesting post, as always. Enjoy the cool front we're sending your way! xx

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  17. Clair, you brought up some excellent points! I don't have anything against it either, as long as the image is labled as such. And you're right, I think about how this may end up causing professional photographers who make their living doing it, lose jobs. Thus, losing money.

    Isn't the One World Trade Center excellent? That was one that I thought AI did a great job in creating an image that looked REAL.

    Do try it out for youself if you have the desire because I found the process very interesting. Before that, I knew nothing about AI.

    Much thanks for stopping by, Clair. And thank you for your input!

    Have a fabulous rest of your week!

    X

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  18. cheering loudly

    Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, Debbie! I am so glad to see that you were able to log in and leave a comment. I guess my recent attempt to fix it worked!

    I've never tried AI generated text, so I can't give my feedback on that. But I may have to try that as well, just so I know how it works.

    " And it really worries me that we're becoming a world of robots, seeming to prefer fake art (photography, writing, etc.) to what real people can create."


    SO true! It's really kind of scary to see just how the world has become a world of ROBOTS. It's like looking back on the cartoon, The Jetsons, and seeing how much of that was a TRUE look into the future!

    "I suppose there's a place for AI, but only if it's identified as the fake stuff."

    I don't think you're an "old fogey." I just think you see things for what they are...FAKE. And I see the same thing.

    I'm glad I tried it, but AI is not something I feel the desire to pursue.

    Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, my friend. Muchly appreciated!

    X

    P.S. And THANK YOU for the cool front because we started to get it today. It's been the first day in which I didn't MELT on the streets. The rest of the week (and next) is supposed to be cooler as well.

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  19. Ron, as you know, my girlfriend is a graphic artist and has used AI for various projects she worked on. Her opinion is that AI serves a purpose, such as illustration. But she also believes that it can't take the place of real photographs. She works with some really professional AI apps and even still, the results can end of looking unreal. And maybe not the whole image, but definitely areas of it does. She uses it, but is not a huge fan of AI.

    You made some really good ones! Being a Gothic lover like you, that castles is stellar! As well as the angel and One World Trade Center. That one totally ROCKS!

    I'm with you, dude, your original photos looked better than the AI edits.

    Really enjoyed this post. Glad you had the chance to work with AI and experienced it for yourself. Well done!

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  20. Matt, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your girlfriend's opinion working with AI. And that she is a graphic artist and works with AI, I really value her feedback. You know, I did so reasearch before posting this and discovered other's who feel as she does. They are in the business and work with AI, and are not 100% sold on it. And especially professional photographers. Now, some do use it for editing, but not for creating a photograph.

    Isn't the One World Trade Center image fabulous? I was very impressed with how AI did with that one. And the castle as well. I also loved the angel, suspended over the city.

    Yeah, I was not particularly pleased with the photo edits. I honestly think they look way too phoney.

    Again, thank you for stopping by and sharing on this topic. I really appreciate your girlfriends professional feedback.

    Have a great rest of your week, Matt!

    X

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  21. Ron, just wanted to stop back real quick to tell you that (today) we finally got some heat/humidity relief and it feels wonderful! Hope you get some too! X

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  22. Yes, we did too, Abby! This morning when I opened my apartment window, I could instantly feel a COOL breeze blowing in. And I was ELATED! Hope it stay this way all weekend. Thanks for stopping back to let me know!

    X

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  23. Oh Ron, seeing that photograph of One World Trade Center brought back so memories of my lifetime in New York! You're right, it does look real! Do you know though? Whenever I see it, I'm reminded of what was there for so long, The Twin Towers. Bittersweet. Love the angel too! It almost looks like it's hovering over New York City.

    I don't know much about AI, so thank you for explaning what it is and for sharing your experience. Hands-down, I think your originals are much better. And look more like a real photograph. When something looks too "perfect" and "polishe" it loses its naturalness. I can see where AI would come in handy, but not all the time.

    That's photo of the house covered in snow made me smile because I am so looking forward to summer being over and excited about fall and winter moving in!

    Question - I noticed on your blog page that you highlighted the movie/documentary "Faye." I want so bad to see it because I saw a trailer clip on YouTube. It's looks fantastic! Did you enjoy it?

    Stay cool, Ron! xoxo

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  24. Hey there, Elaine!

    " Do you know what though? Whenever I see it, I'm reminded of what was there for so long, The Twin Towers. Bittersweet."

    I feel the same way! Also, whenever I see a movie where the Twin Towers are visible in the background, my heart breaks. I just recently rewatched the movie, "Moonstruck", where the opening shot in one of the scenes is the skyline of Lower Manhattan and you can see the towers.

    You're right, AI does (in some instances) removes the naturalness of an image. To me, there is much perfection in something not being "perfect."

    Me too! Cannot WAIT for summer to be over. I've already seen people posting pictures of AUTUMN on Instagram. They too are over summer.

    OMG, yes, I LOVED the documentary. In fact, I watched it TWICE in one week! It really reveals a lot of Faye Dunaway; things that I never knew about her private life. For me, the best part of the documentary was her son. He is such a sweet, gentle, and loving person. And you can feel that coming through in the documentary. He loves his mother so much. So, yes, watch it. It's awesome!

    Have a fabulous weekend and stay cool, my friend!

    X

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  25. This was very informative! I knew nothing about photography involving AI, so this was fascinating.
    I loved your photos over the AI ones as well. I am definitely going to have fun with the image generator today. Thank you for sharing the link!
    I've seen lots of AI pictures of homes and decor on Pinterest, and it's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between real and fake. Stuff like that is kind of scary.

    You always get me thinking, my friend. I hope you're having a good weekend! 😘❤️

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  26. Hellooooooooo there, Kari!

    I didn't either, but I started getting very curious about how it worked and what kinds of results I would get. So I found several AI generating websites and decided to go with the one I listen at the end of this post. I was the easiest and it was FREE!

    "I've seen lots of AI pictures of homes and decor on Pinterest, and it's sometimes difficult to tell the difference between real and fake. Stuff like that is kind of scary."

    Yes, it is scary, considering you can't tell is what someone is sharing with you is authentic. What I discovered on Instagram is that a lot people post AI photographs and don't tell their readers, until one of the readers asks in their comment if it's AI. Only then do they reveal it.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're having a good weekend too! We finally got some relief from the hidious heat and humidy, THANK GOD!

    X

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