prompt: Black and white fashion portrait of an Asian woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat in a pool, close up shot in the style of Peter Lindbergh with a grainy film filter, cinematic lighting, soft shadows, clean sharp focus, highly detailed photography, cinematic composition, cinematic scene, hyperrealistic octane render with film grain.
“All photographs are accurate. None of them is the truth.” – Richard Avedon
On Image Engineering
AI-generated imagery is revolutionizing visual storytelling, blending human creativity with machine efficiency. This fusion opens doors to unprecedented visual possibilities, allowing us to materialize abstract concepts and explore alternate realities with startling speed and detail. However, it also challenges our perceptions of authenticity and authorship.
However, we must balance the awe-inspiring potential with ethical considerations, ensuring that AI augments rather than replaces human creative vision.
The true power lies not in the technology itself, but in how we harness it to expand our imaginative horizons and communicate in ways previously unimaginable.
More thoughts
As I continue to work in this space, on personal, but also client led projects, I am constantly challenged.
As a photographer, designer, painter, illustrator, these AI tools are amazing extensions to my craft, but they also come with baggage, sometimes disguised as Rimowa, beautifully, but comes at a price. Sometimes it looks like Samsonite, does the job, easy to buy, but does anyone even notice?
The Power of AI in Visualising the Invisible: Shedding Light on Sensitive Social Issues
Image Engineering in the Age of Generative AI
prompt: Create an image in the style of documentary photography from the 2000s, capturing a candid and unprofessional moment taken with a disposable camera. The scene is set in a bustling supermarket, focusing on a plain, casual woman with an unremarkable face, distinguished by a larger than average nose, freckles, and thin lips. Her appearance is straightforward and simple, embodying the essence of everyday life. She has long, messy hair pulled up into a loose bun, emphasizing her approachable and unpretentious demeanour. The shot is dynamic, taken in haste, portraying the woman mid-action as she navigates through the supermarket aisles, possibly reaching for an item or examining a product. The lighting is natural, akin to the fluorescent overhead lights found in stores, casting soft shadows and highlighting the spontaneity of the moment. 50mm lens
prompt: Capture a realistic, journalistic-style photograph that blends elements of street photography with a fashion editorial feel. The scene is set on a bustling city street at dusk, where the ambient light softly illuminates the environment. The subject is a stylish individual walking confidently across a crosswalk, exuding a sense of casual elegance and urban sophistication. They are dressed in contemporary, high-fashion attire, perfectly blending into the city's dynamic atmosphere. The background features the vibrant life of the city: blurred figures moving, the soft glow of streetlamps, and the architecture of the buildings. This photograph aims to convey a moment of everyday elegance, capturing the essence of modern life and fashion in an urban setting. The image, taken with a Leica M10 and a Summilux 50mm f/1.4 lens, emphasizes the subject in sharp focus against a softly blurred background, creating a sense of depth and motion. The overall composition is candid and spontaneous, reflecting the authentic, true-to-life essence of street and fashion photography.
prompt: a photograph of an older couple who are traditional mezcal farmers standing next to a large harvest ready agave plant in a commercial agave production field. The photograph is taken as a full body portrait style, showing the juxtaposition of the traditional and modern clothing, the harsh environment of the fields and the joy that farming is bringing.
prompt: a portrait of a millennial social media manager working in an office. shot with a disposable camera.
Extreme Wide Angle, skateboarder mid-air at skate park, urban graffiti backdrop, high saturation colors, 8mm fisheye lens, late afternoon light, dutch angle, distorted perspective and lens flare
prompt: A Documentary photograph, a bustling city street with pedestrians walking and cars driving, a modern cityscape with tall skyscrapers and a mix of old and new architecture, heavy fog blanketed the streets obscuring the view, vibrant and varied colors, true to life, Wide-angle lens, high resolution, Daytime with natural sunlight casting shadows, a perspective looking down the street, with buildings on either side and the street extending into the distance, detailed textures on buildings, vehicles, and pedestrians; street signs and traffic lights visible
prompt: A black and white architectural photograph of the interior library in an amazing brutalist building designed in the style of Tadao Ando. The room is filled with large windows that rim concrete walls, two story ceilings covered entirely in bookshelves, long tables for reading and places to sit on a wooden floor, a small garden outside the window, brutalism architecture
prompt: As you gaze upon the photograph captured by Dorothea Lange you are transported to a world that seems like it's straight out of a classic Western movie. You find yourself standing along the wooden fences of a rodeo, shoulder to shoulder with a group of cowboys, all watching intently as the action unfolds before them. The scene is filled with movement and energy. In the foreground, a bull rider clings on for dear life as the massive beast bucks and twists, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its hide. In the background, the stands are packed with spectators, their faces turned towards the arena with a mix of excitement and anticipation. But it's the cowboys along the fence that catch your eye. They are a study in contrasts - some young and fresh-faced, others weathered and grizzled by years of hard work in the saddle. They are all dressed in their finest Western wear, from their Stetson hats to their pointy-toed boots. Despite the danger and excitement of the rodeo unfolding before them, there is a sense of camaraderie and community among these cowboys. They joke and laugh with each other, offering words of encouragement and support as their friends and fellow riders take their turns in the arena. As you take in the scene, you can't help but feel a sense of awe and respect for these rugged, hard-working men who have dedicated their lives to the cowboy way. And you can't help but wonder what other adventures and challenges await them on the open range beyond the rodeo arena.
prompt: photograph of a group of exotic romantic couples wearing luxury clothes full body background an exotic private French nightclub that caters to romantic and curious couples that are exploring their desires of physical intimacy and affection and desire intricate detail hyperrealistic photograph professional colour grading sharp focused clear detailed glamorous fashion magazine Leica 80mm Fujifilm Neopan 100 course film grain detailed hair
prompt: a modern gallery space with large image projections, set in modern frames. A diverse group of visitors, young and old, eyes wide with wonder as they converse with a life-sized, animated projection of historical figures. Visitors engaged in conversations with animated figures: Marie Curie in her lab coat, Confucius in traditional robes, and Maya Angelou holding a book of poetry. Their diverse appearances and surroundings subtly reflect their origins.. Style: Hyperrealistic, cinematic lighting, a touch of the fantastical. People are standing in front of the giant images looking intently.
prompt: an editorial photograph of a small office with multi coloured post it notes covering the walls, and a whiteboard with detailed plans written on it. In the center of the office is one person standing looking overwhelmed.
prompt: You're halfway through a journey exploring the vibrant culture of San Francisco, and you stumble upon a crowded vinyl record store like Amoeba in the heart of the city. As you make your way down the aisles, you notice a person, standing in the center of the aisle, surrounded by rows of vinyl record album covers. They are staring right at you, directly in front of the camera. You're a talented photographer, and you know that capturing the essence of this moment will require more than just a quick snapshot. You take a deep breath and begin to plan your shot. How can you use the lighting, composition, and framing to capture the beauty of this scene? How can you convey the person’s sense of wonder and curiosity, as they explores the aisles of this huge but lively record store? As you ponder these questions, you pull out your camera and begin to experiment with different angles and settings. You adjust the aperture, allowing the shelves of colorful products to blur into a dreamlike background. You position the person in the center of the frame. Finally, you find the perfect shot. The person’s eyes are bright with excitement as they reach for a record, their fingers delicately brushing against the packaging. The vibrant colors of the products surrounding them provide a stunning contrast to the simplicity of their outfit. You snap the photo.
Dutch Angle Shot, mysterious woman in dark alley, film noir style, high contrast black and white, 35mm prime lens, single source light, tilted perspective, long shadows and cigarette smoke
prompt: a photograph of a couple of researchers looking at data on a computer in her office, with a white board full of notes on social impact projects
prompt: a photograph of a woman wearing business casual attire, sitting at a desk with a computer, notepad, and pen. They should have an eager, friendly expression as they lean forward attentively toward the computer screen, typing rapidly with one hand while jotting down notes with the other. Surrounding the desk, create a slightly chaotic scene with multiple coffee cups, energy drink cans, and snack wrappers strewn about, conveying that the assistant has been working tirelessly. Include a whiteboard in the background filled with complex diagrams, equations, and a few noticeable errors, illustrating their proficiency with data analysis but also their occasional mistakes. Set up additional props like reference books, sticky notes with reminders, and a calendar packed with deadlines and meetings to show their drive to learn and please. However, have a wastebasket nearby overflowing with crumpled papers, and a clock showing a very late hour, hinting that their eagerness may sometimes be a fault leading to overwork and surprising errors. Use bright lighting to give the scene an energetic feel, but include deep shadows from the desk lamp to evoke a sense of late nights. The overall composition should capture a diligent, capable assistant burning the midnight oil, striving to excel and please in their work, even as small imperfections and human flaws persist in the midst of their efforts. the image is created with a disposable camera
prompt: In a meticulously lit photography studio, a stylish woman in her late 40's sits before the camera, her face alight with amusement. The lighting is exceptional, casting dramatic shadows that emphasises the character of the subject's face. With a mischievous glint in their eyes, the subject places a piece of bright pink bubblegum into their mouth. As they begin to chew, the corners of their mouth curl upward in a playful smile. Slowly, they purse their lips and blow, forming a perfectly round, pink bubble that gradually expands. The bubble grows larger, its shimmering surface reflecting the studio lights and creating an almost surreal contrast against the subject's skin. As it reaches its peak size, the bubble remains intact, not so large as to obscure the subject's face, but significant enough to draw the viewer's attention. Throughout the process, the subject maintains direct eye contact with the camera, their gaze unwavering and filled with a sense of joy and nostalgia. The combination of the subject's expressive face, the impressive bubblegum bubble, and the skilful photography creates a captivating and memorable studio portrait that bridges the gap between youth and maturity, reminding us of the child-like wonder that can persist throughout our lives.
Street Fashion Shot, stylish couple walking, urban backdrop, bold complementary colors, 35mm wide-angle lens, deep depth of field, natural light, Center frame, trendy sharpness and environmental context
prompt: Capture a wide shot of a sleek, modern coffee maker prominently placed on a countertop in a well-designed kitchen. The kitchen is equipped with contemporary appliances and features polished surfaces, with the coffee maker as the central focus. The environment should reflect a clean, minimalist aesthetic with neutral colors that complement the coffee maker's sophisticated design. Utilize studio lighting to create soft shadows and highlight the reflective surfaces of the coffee maker and the surrounding kitchen elements. The lighting setup should include a soft key light to illuminate the scene from the front, with additional fill lights to ensure even lighting across the kitchen, avoiding harsh shadows. The camera angle is wide, capturing not only the coffee maker but also the broader context of its placement within the modern kitchen, providing a sense of how the product fits into the daily lives of potential customers. The photograph aims to showcase the coffee maker's elegance and functionality, making it appealing for advertising purposes.
prompt: photograph of a small group of NGO workers casually dressed discussing issues while sitting in a modern office building brightly lit highly detailed
prompt: a minimalistic and clean design featuring a wardrobe filled with ethically made clothing items neatly organised on hangers and shelves. Use soft calming colors like pastel tones to convey a sense of tranquility and mindfulness. Incorporate images of sustainable fashion labels and eco-friendly fabrics
prompt: A group of casually dressed business executives, in Indonesian, standing at a whiteboard in a well lit office in Jakarta, discussing the implications of research, photographed with a disposable camera
prompt: a photograph of a 50 year old female bartender and a 25 year old female bartender talking and sharing how to mix cocktails. The bar is dimly lit. Shot with a disposable camera
prompt: A photograph shot with a disposable camera of a big group of industry experts from around the world including Europe, Asia, Americas and Africa, across a large variety of different industries, nationalities, genders, wearing uniforms, traditional costumes, casual wear and office attire.
A high fashion photograph, captured with a disposable camera, eye level camera angle, positioned at the subject's eye level, brunette woman sitting casually on a sofa, no make up, soft lighting, natural features, authentic look, candid appearance, relaxed with a hint of a smile. morning light, contrasting shadows, warm earthtone hues, 28mm, wide angle lens
Adventure Photography, skier mid-jump on snowy mountaintop, crisp blue sky, dynamic action, GoPro HERO, wide-angle lens, centered composition, immersive perspective and exhilarating movement.