The world of image editing is undergoing a revolution: Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the past, we spent hours in Photoshop tweaking contrast, lighting, and composition. Now, with just a few prompts, an algorithm generates photorealistic artworks in minutes. Does it sound like competition? More like a new tool for creative minds!
Today, I’ll introduce you to the 5 best AI image generators – their advantages, disadvantages, and the big question: free or paid? Let’s dive in!
Advantages: MidJourney delivers impressively detailed, photorealistic images with a unique style that blends reality and art. Perfect for creative projects!
Disadvantages: MidJourney operates exclusively through Discord – not everyone’s favorite platform. Also, it takes some practice to craft precise prompts.
Cost: Nothing is free here. There are several subscription plans starting at $10 per month. The advantage? Higher resolution, faster output, and commercial use of the images.
Link: MidJourney
Advantages: DALL·E 3 stands out with its user-friendliness and clear results. It’s especially great for realistic images and product photography. When paired with ChatGPT, you can create highly precise prompts.
Disadvantages: The results can sometimes feel a bit polished and less artistic compared to MidJourney. Additionally, it requires an internet connection to work.
Cost: DALL·E 3 is available as part of the paid ChatGPT Plus plan ($20/month). The advantage? Full access to the best version and fast processing.
Link: DALL·E 3
Advantages: Adobe Firefly integrates seamlessly into Photoshop & Co. – right where photographers already work. It’s ideal for quick touch-ups or creative extensions to existing images. The interface is intuitive and optimized for workflow.
Disadvantages: It’s not as powerful as MidJourney or DALL·E when it comes to fully generated images. Additionally, it requires an Adobe account.
Cost: Free during the beta phase, later likely included in Adobe Creative Cloud plans.
Link: Adobe Firefly
Advantages: Stable Diffusion is open-source – you can install it on your own computer and customize it to your heart’s content. Perfect for those who want to personalize their AI models. It’s incredibly powerful and versatile.
Disadvantages: Installation and handling can be complex for beginners. You’ll also need a high-performance computer with plenty of graphics power.
Cost: Free – but you’ll need the necessary hardware. User-friendly paid versions like DreamStudio are also available.
Link: Stable Diffusion
Advantages: Runway combines AI image generation with video functionality. The platform offers simple tools for image editing, animation, and more. Great for photographers who also work with motion pictures.
Disadvantages: Runway is somewhat weaker for highly complex, photorealistic images. It also operates solely online.
Cost: Free version available, but with watermarks and limitations. From $12/month, you get more features and better image quality.
Link: Runway
AI won’t replace your camera. But it can help you bring your ideas to life faster, more creatively, and efficiently. Test the tools, find your favorite, and take your photography to the next level.
What do you think? Will AI image generation change the way you work, or will you stick to classic methods? Let me know in the comments!
If you have any questions about these tools, feel free to ask me. 😊
You've probably heard of AI-generated images. Over the past few years, they've exploded in popularity, from surreal landscapes to hyper-realistic portraits. The results from programs like MidJourney, DALL-E, or Stable Diffusion are undoubtedly impressive. However, when you take a closer look, you'll quickly notice that this technology has its pitfalls: fundamental weaknesses and frustrating limitations that make life as a content creator much more difficult.
The biggest weakness is obvious: AI-generated images are essentially nothing more than a highly sophisticated random generator. Although the algorithms are trained on massive datasets to imitate styles and motifs, the final output is ultimately based on probabilities. Even if you use the same prompt multiple times, it's nearly impossible to get two identical images. This lack of reproducibility is not only frustrating but also problematic if you need consistent results as a content creator.
Imagine you're a graphic designer and want to create a series of images in the same style and with the same motif. With AI tools, at best, you can hope that the results look somewhat similar. This unpredictability renders the technology almost useless in many professional applications.
Another issue is the lack of control over the final result. While traditional image editing software like Photoshop or GIMP allows you to make precise adjustments, AI-generated images often leave you relying on luck. Sure, you can refine prompts and tweak parameters, but the process feels more like gambling than a targeted creative effort.
This is where hybrid solutions like Adobe Firefly come into play. With tools like these, you can combine the flexibility of traditional image editing with the advantages of AI assistance. This allows you to create or enhance specific parts of an image without giving up your creative control.
You're likely familiar with this problem as well: social media platforms are flooded with AI-generated images that are often presented as real photographs. These images not only create confusion but are increasingly being used manipulatively to influence political opinions or spread false narratives. This undermines trust in visual media and makes it harder for you to distinguish between genuine and manipulated content.
Something urgently needs to change here. Mandatory labeling of AI-generated images would be an essential step toward ensuring transparency and curbing the spread of fake content. Such measures would not only protect you as a consumer but also promote the responsible use of AI technologies.
Even though AI-generated images offer impressive possibilities, they are far from being a perfect tool for you as a content creator. The lack of reproducibility, limited control over the final output, and the overwhelming amount of questionable content demonstrate that this technology still has a long way to go.
The most sensible approach for you lies in combining AI with traditional image editing—just as Adobe does with Firefly. Only this way can you leverage the benefits of AI without losing your creative control and authenticity.
It is to be hoped that the industry will focus on solutions in the future that not only impress but also provide genuine value for you. Until then, skepticism remains warranted—and you should pay close attention to what is being sold to you as “real” images on social media.
P.S. The title image was created using DALL-E. On closer inspection, you’ll notice that the alien in front of the Austrian Parliament is indeed an AI-generated image 🙂 I find the result extremely poor. But with more time, it would surely have been possible to generate an image that looked like a real photo.