Just a few weeks in the past, I used to be strolling by means of Entire Meals after I noticed a chunk of broccoli that, oddly sufficient, jogged my memory of a Joshua Tree. Severely. That random grocery retailer second ended up sparking a whole photograph shoot on the spot, and, extra importantly, a deeper reflection on how I can use instruments like AI in my images with out letting them take over.
I Wanted to Reclaim My Creativity
You’re wanting on the ultimate picture now. It’s stylized, surreal, and virtually cinematic. However right here’s the factor: it didn’t begin in Photoshop or Midjourney or ChatGPT. It began in my head, with a foolish little piece of broccoli and a need to play once more.
Not lengthy earlier than this shoot, I walked away from a poisonous job the place I’d been the inventive director, working all the pieces A to Z. Someday, in a gathering, I heard myself say, “This place is a graveyard for inventive concepts.” And I meant it. That line got here straight from my intestine—not as soon as, however twice—to the shock of the CEO. Adopted by, “I believe my time right here is finished,” and my soul knew I needed to go.
Past that have, the reality is, I had stopped making issues for enjoyable. Each shoot was for a shopper. Each photograph had a deadline. I like my purchasers, however I forgot what it felt wish to {photograph} simply because I needed to. This venture with my godson, some wand lights, and a desert go was the primary time I had enjoyable with images in a very long time.
Testing the Idea
Earlier than we hit the desert, I did a take a look at run at dwelling, lighting that very same broccoli with a tiny LED mild to imitate sundown colours. I requested myself: What occurs if I mild it blue? What if it’s purple? Can I make it really feel like a mystical panorama?
That’s when AI entered the image—to not create the picture, however to assist my creativity. Similar to I might use Photoshop to scrub up a background or improve a sky, I used AI instruments to construct on high of the photograph I had already composed and shot. The photograph was mine. The imaginative and prescient was mine. The thought was born in my mind—pure intelligence.
The AI simply helped me improve it, broaden the background, usher in refined surreal components, and create an immersive ultimate product that matched the story in my head. I used AI to play and add to my idea, not provide you with an idea. There’s a distinction.
Use AI, However Don’t Let It Use You
There’s quite a lot of noise on the market proper now. Photographers saying AI is “dishonest,” that it’s the top of images. Humorous that I heard the identical factor when digital cameras changed movie.
Right here’s my take: AI could be a highly effective assistant. Not the director. Not the visionary. If the unique concept has soul—if it incorporates humanity—then utilizing AI is not any totally different than hiring a retoucher or utilizing a filter. It’s simply one other device.
But when the concept begins with the AI? That’s when issues begin to really feel soulless. That’s when the ultimate picture is gorgeous however empty.
Let’s Discuss About It
I made this photograph—and this video—for myself. However I’m sharing it as a result of I believe we want extra open conversations about how AI suits into our inventive lives. It doesn’t should be black or white. You don’t should be for or in opposition to it. You simply have to steer it.
So I’m asking you: Have you ever used AI in your work but? Do you assume there’s a proper manner and a flawed strategy to combine it? Does it improve your creativity or make you’re feeling such as you’re dishonest?
This ought to be a dialog, not a debate. Watch the video, and let me know what you assume—whether or not you assist this stance or not. I’ll be the primary to confess: I’m nonetheless figuring it out. However I do know that when you lead along with your coronary heart, your mind, and your concepts, AI can observe. Similar to Photoshop. Similar to a digicam.
Let’s maintain creating. Let’s maintain experimenting. Let’s not let the instruments outgrow the artist.
