Woodsy,
I know it's fashionable to criticise AI. But I see it as simply an extension of the creative process. Really not too different to an electric guitar, or a sequenced synthesiser, or 3D printing as opposed to carving. [And I am both a musician and a qualified fine arts artist] and I don't object to AI...
But I digress. Here are some AI sequenced photos of our stringed friends, processed to look like real people. I recognise that not everyone will see the resemblance. But if I'd spent hours and hours trying to make them look completely realistic, the illustration would still not look right to some.
Plus, a meme I saw online that made me chuckle!
Also attached is a teaser of the start of restoration work on the 1966 issue of the Dinky FAB 1.
When I was about 7, I broke off the radiator mascot. Having a close inspection of the original photos, I can see that the original issue had a stylised 'P' instead of 'RR' and the mascot looks remarkably like a rocket!
This looks almost identical to the FAB 1 radiator mascot in the new Thunderbirds series. Clearly WETA Digital must have been inspired by Dinky's solution to get around the image issue, whether be it for copyright reasons or product placement prohibition for children.
We'll see if my carving and filing skills with solder are still up to scratch. [Now I really could do with AI!]
Bill Ev.
I agree Bill. In that second photo Robert looks a lot more natural.
ReplyDeleteA shame they made the Prof a woman!
ReplyDeleteYes, i agree... I could have added more information about tweaking the image when I tried it out, and it was slightly disappointing that the Prof came out somewhat with feminine looks...
DeleteBut it was just playing around with the programme and didnt want to waste time on something that was just essentially playing around.
AI is a great instrument but that is all it is.
Hi Bill,
ReplyDeletenice work!
By coincidence I'm discussing AI with Bill Wotan (because I've used it recently for a card where I didn't have time and base material to do an honest bit of photoshoppery as I've always done) and realised it made me feel like an art director again, directing an illustrator (asI've often done in the past) who in this case wasn't human but very very fast. So the idea is all mine, but I haven't touched a pencil, brush or mouse to make it with my own hands. The instruments/tools you mention you all still operate with your own hands (or model the shape to be printed). To my mind this is a useful distinction that works - art director vs artist even tough both have to be creative and have the conceptual idea to begin with.
Best -- Paul V
Seeing the photo of Scarlet and Blue has got me thinking. It's reminiscent of that famous photo by David Bailey of the Cray Twins!
DeleteIt is indeed. But looking further they're actually opposites I think. Scarlet & Blue aren't real, are on the good side and in colour. The Krays were very real, very evil and pictured in black & white.
DeleteBest -- Paul V
Yes, the antithesis of the Krays! I think the Century 21 photographer must have been inspired by what were 1960s famous photographs.
DeleteHere is an interesting thing... Although the Kray's were profoundly evil nutcases. Here is a true story...
I used to work with a chap who as a teenager, lived in the Kray Twins area. He said, and I quote; "Life for the ordinary people was safe and there was no antisocial behaviour then" [probably because everyone was scared of these psycho's.] And one could leave their front door unlocked with no theft. If you had a problem with an antisocial youth or gang of young people, they would put a stop to it and ask for nothing in return. "They were good to the little people!"
After they were arrested, his mother used to lock their doors. And the streets were a more dangerous place. I guess they were folk hero's to the ordinary folk of the time.
Personally, I would have avoided them like the plague!
I'm with you Bill Ev! Part of the criticism of AI stems from the use of those ginormous data centers. Yes, I do agree with those critics, but also believe a better solution will be found to deal with the issue in a less impactful way to the environment. Just like with the Model-T, we have to start somewhere. AI is just a tool and I've had some really awesome results generating images I couldn't possibly do on my own using 3D modeling. Also, I remember back when Photoshop was the evil flavor of the month. It seemed everyone was anti-Photoshop: "Photoshop isn't creative", "Photoshop is cheating", yada, yada, yad, blah, blah, blah. Now hardly anyone gives it a second thought.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the FAB1 restoration Bill. I recently did a DIY resto of one. Great fun. Unable to replicate the canopy, I bought one from Steve Flowers. Great start with your grille 👍
ReplyDelete