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Writer's pictureGerard Kunkel

The AI-Generated Joyride: Who’s driving that Aston Martin DB5?


Picture this: a silver 1964 Aston Martin DB5, the embodiment of 60s suave, roaring down a picturesque country road, powerful cinematic lighting capturing its every curve. This was the vision I hoped to bring to life using AI image generators, inspired by my long-standing admiration for the car ever since its iconic appearance in the James Bond film, "Goldfinger." I chose this subject because I have obsessed over this iconic car since the first time I saw it. I know every curve of the fender and shape of the grill and it seemed like a perfect subject for comparing the output of some of the popular AI image generators out today.


I am an early adopter of IA and my prompt was meticulously detailed, hoping to capture the DB5's essence: "1960's advertising photography. Leica M, Close up of a silver 1964 Aston Martin DB5 racing on a country road. Dramatic, powerful, cinematic lighting." Yet, as I sifted through the outputs from various AI platforms, the results were as varied as the landscapes of England!


Certain platforms, like MidJourney and Gencraft, captured the DB5's grandeur exquisitely, delivering lifelike renderings that would make any automobile aficionado's heart skip a beat. They were true to the prompt, showing off the DB5 in all its glory, as if it was taken straight out of a glossy 1960s magazine ad.


However, Adobe Firefly and Photoshop painted a different picture—quite literally. It was evident they hadn't been extensively trained on the DB5, with their images reflecting a more generic, and dare I say, confused depiction of this classic car.


And then there was the humorous observation: across these varying depictions, there was a consistent absence of a driver! It seemed the DB5, in its digital avatar, was embracing modern autonomous driving trends and decided to go solo.

So, how should we navigate the world of AI-generated art?


  1. It's All in the Details: A detailed prompt might bring you closer to your envisioned result. Still, as showcased, different platforms interpret details in diverse ways.

  2. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Referencing specific images or styles, like the ones I included in my experiment, can give AI a clearer direction.

  3. Know Your Tools: Some AI platforms excel in specific areas. For instance, while MidJourney and Gencraft beautifully realized the DB5, others like Adobe Firefly might not have had the necessary training data to render usable images.


As we journey deeper into the digital age, the marriage of AI and art promises to reshape the landscape of media, art, and entertainment. Imagine a world where movies, ads, or animations are created with AI tools that can generate realistic visuals in seconds, tailored to the preferences of individual viewers. Art, traditionally a domain of human expression, will see a democratization where even those without traditional skills can craft masterpieces with the guidance of AI. This synthesis of technology and creativity will usher in a new era of collaborative artistry, where humans and machines work in tandem to produce content. While purists might argue that AI-generated art lacks the soul or essence of human touch, there's no denying its potential in enriching storytelling, enhancing visual effects, and making art accessible to all. The future of entertainment could be a blend of human creativity augmented by the limitless possibilities of AI, ushering in experiences we've only dreamt of.


To wrap up, my digital dalliance with the Aston Martin DB5, through the lens of AI, was enlightening. It reinforced that while AI can craft beautiful images, the nuances that make art truly resonate often lie in the heart, soul, and historical knowledge of the beholder. And as for the missing driver? Well, let's just say the DB5 is way ahead of its time!


Certainly!



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