AI and creativity is a heated subject. Before I give you my take I want to ask you a question: Why are you here? I’m going to assume it’s because you love taking photographs of toys. You found your way to this site searching for tips to get better at your own toy photos. Or possibly you’re looking to connect with like minded people who love taking toy photos as much as you do. Finding community around a particular idea is priceless. AI image generation in all its various iterations can’t give you any of this. It can only give you a result.

For me, toy photography which is my current stand in for creativity in all its forms, is not about results. Taking the numerous steps that begin with a poorly thought out idea to a finished image is a journey of discovery, learning, delight, and frustration. Sometimes I end up at an image I’m proud of, sometimes, not so much. But whenever I take that journey I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Something that AI can’t give me.

Even though I’ve never created an image using AI I have it on good authority that it doesn’t even begin to scratch the creative itch. Words like ‘hollow’, ‘unfulfilling’, ‘detached’ are used to describe the process. These words don’t inspire me to give it a try.

AI isn’t creative

AI isn’t creative. It’s a tool that can be used to get to a result quickly, but it is not an act of creativity. If your job demands output at a perceived low cost (thanks late stage capitalism) then I can see it might have its uses to satisfy our demonic overlords. But toy photography is not a creative act that demands output. For me toy photography is a problem to be solved. Each problem is the same, but different. And it’s in this sameness that a unique image miraculously emerges.

From that first spark of an idea, to working out the solution the unexpected always happens. When I think a photo should zig, it often zags. And because I photograph the majority of my images outside, any number of unexpected things might happen. Lighting, scenery, a certain lens flare can all appear in an instant creating an image that I could never have envisioned. Not because I lack the imagination, but because I’ve never experienced it before. How can I give a prompt to AI to create an image with features I’ve never experienced?

The above image was created when a little ray of light fell on the fisherman and his catch while leaving the surrounding areas in shadow. It was a beautiful and magical moment, one I didn’t want to end. Even though I’ve been photographing toys for over ten years outdoors, I’ve never encountered that particular lighting effect before. Somewhere between the location, the subject, the lighting, lens choice and my own experience…a unique image was created. A was able to experience a little bit of magic. Why would I use AI to deprive myself of this experience?

Of course now that I’ve experienced this particular moment in time I’m sure I can devise prompts that will allow me to recreate this image or something similar. Say I wanted to replace the fisherman with a different character. But why? I already did the work. Why would I go back and do it again for the same or similar results?

For me, the creative act is a form of play. My toy photography is my excuse to play, to fart around and to buy more toys. In a good week it’s also an excuse to go on an adventure such as a hike or an extended romp in my local wet lands. Capturing a good photo is a by product of this playful process.

The minds behind AI would love us to believe that by using one of the many AI image generators we are engaging in a creative act. But it’s only a shortcut. Creativity isn’t about shortcuts, it’s a journey, it’s a process where the outcome is often unclear. And that’s the point.

What I’ve learned from my creative journey

Whenever I talk about creativity as a journey, I feel like a cliche. But cliche’s exist for a reason – they can apply to a lot of different people. For me, this life of creativity has given me so much. By pushing myself in my chosen creative pursuits Im often also pushing myself outside my comfort zone. And it’s in this space that I confront my own self limiting beliefs. I’ve come to appreciate this scary and exhilirating space.

Some of the lessons I’ve learned on this crazy twisted creative journey are:

  • Success and failure don’t exist; they’re someone else’s words
  • Falling short of my goal gives me necessary information for my next attempt.
  • Sometimes I create an image far better than I could have ever imagined.
  • Rarely do my images or ideas lead me to where I think they will.
  • I enjoy the process; especially solving the challenges I set for myself.
  • I’ve learned to trust my intuition.
  • I’ve learned to ignore hurtful comments. These say more about the speaker than they do about me or my work.
  • I get to define what success looks like for me.
  • When I succeed I’m filled with pride and a sense of accomplishment.

Maybe I’m an ignorant artists, but I cant see how using a computer to short circuit the process is going to give me this kind of personal growth. I can honestly say that working out my demons through creative expression has helped me to be my best version of myself. There are no short cuts in life.

If you can see your path clearly in front of you, it’s probably someone else’s.

 Joseph Campbell

Here is yet another example of an image that was created in camera. The unique vegetation surrounding the subject helps to create an image that I would be hard to replicate by using AI.

AI and photography

While I’m firmly in the anti AI camp – I use it all the time. I know – I’m a hypocrite. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop use AI to supercharge the editing functions that are so helpful for removing supports. You know, those annoying but often necessary wires, sticks, plastic bars and clamps that keep the toys in place. These AI enhanced tools make corrections not only easier, but more realistic. While I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of doing as much as I can in camera, I appreciate the ease these tools bring to the process. I’ve even used the AI too generative fill to create a narrow image (3 x 4) into a more usable (4 x 5).

The ratio of this image was changed by using AI to add additional information to the left and right edges of the frame.

I appreciate the irony of being anti AI in creativity while at the same time using these tools to help bring my vision into existence. So clearly there is a use for AI. But do I need these tools to receive those benefits I get from my creative practice? Are they worth the high cost to the planet and other people’s livelihood? For me the answer is clearly no.

While I use these AI tools to streamline my process, if they disappeared tomorrow, my creative journey would not change. While I enjoy the results, the journey is what I’m most intrigued by. I can take or leave these high tech tools.

Conclusion

I offer my opinion on AI and its relationship to creativity from the perspective of a long time working artist. My perspective doesn’t reflect any other creative other than myself. Every artist and creative should weigh the pros and cons of using AI in their creative workflow. I understand that AI can be useful. But if I was going to use it as a substitute for actual photography using an image capturing device – I would be robbing myself of the joys of stumbling through the dark into an unexpected result. And somewhere on that journey getting better at my craft.

If you’re the type of person who creates toy photography for your own joy, I hope you will think deeply before using AI. There is so much about the creative process that is based in the unknown and the unpredictable. When I create my photos I try to put a little piece of myself and my values into each story. How can I tell a machine to do this through a prompt? I don’t see how I can create the same emotional connection with my audience by putting a layer of technology between us. And most importantly, how can I take pride in an image that I create using AI?

I started this post by asking: Why are you here? Why are you a toy photographer? Where do you find your joy in the process? I know where I find mind – it’s in the journey from idea to result. While I love the images I create, I love the memories I create around them even more. I invite you to take a moment and think about what you love about your own creative process. And ask yourself does AI have any place in it?

If you’re looking for a supportive community for your creative journey – I invite you to join our MeWe community. Once you download the app, you can apply for admission here.

– Shelly

If you’ve dabbled in the world of AI and creativity, I would be curious about your experiences. What was it like? How did it make you feel? Are you still using it?