Can an AI Art Prompter be Called an Artist?
Where Does Creativity Proceed From?
Is Doing AI a Creative Experience?
Of course, anyone can put a subject into a prompt field and get an image, yet do you think everyone can compose prompts that will result in images comparable to world class art? Is every AI user even aware of the elements and influences that produce world class art? I consider that people with a background in hands-on art, photography, and extensive knowledge of art history, and the patience to run many variations, continually modifying the prompt will produce far more appealing images than a person who has not invested in such skills and knowledge.
Kind of the difference between someone who takes a haphazard snapshot with a cheap camera, and a professional photographer who picks up the same camera and shoots a masterpiece.
It fascinates me that having Alan Bean’s name in the sequence makes such a difference in an image, also how a change of color in the prompt can change the entire ambience. All part of the incredible warp and weave of AI algorithms and all so fluid.
I had an interesting experience recently while prompting MidJourney. I came upon the style by accident or maybe I should say serendipity?
I came upon it not by the “style” words in the prompt, but by the “subject” words. Which meant I couldn’t repeat the style with other subjects. So I took one of the images and had MidJourney “Describe” it, then I had a prompt I could use with other subjects. And every time I get an awesome one, I have MidJourney Describe it — so I’m accumulating wonderful prompt text that generates images that make my heart sing!
In the argument that an AI user is not a creative artist I consider the origins of “art.”
AI is more in the realm of photography, and certainly in the way photography was first disputed in contrast to hands-on art. The difference is the technology: first a knife or stone carving on a cave wall, or juices brushed on; then paint brushes and walls, or papyrus, then canvas; then pencils, inks, chalk; eventually light affecting light sensitive paper, then cameras; then digital application of all these devices…to finally arrive at AI like MidJourney.
One question is, where does the creativity derive from?
Ultimately the individual is the medium, and in this case an individual interfacing with AI. I do understand the point that AI doesn’t equate to physical art as I also studied and do hands-on art. Yet it is the aspect of creativity that is my point. I find my experience using MidJourney to be extremely creative. It employs all my creative juices.
AI doesn’t compare in regard to hands-on manual skills. Neither does photography. What it does employ is creative thinking, research, knowledge, word-crafting. In a way it is a merging of writing and digital graphics. To be really effective in AI takes a vast range of knowledge of all of art history including artists, genres, techniques, styles, and so on; plus the ability to render with the most effective words and sequences, making small modifications to nudge AI to the concept imagined. And of course there is always that instance where MidJourney just goes ‘BOOM’ and gives you that masterpiece!
Yes, people can get impressive results with no knowledge, just using AI’s inherent resources, yet there is a distinct difference between default AI output, and the results of well-crafted artistic prompts. It’s worth repeating the similarity of AI art to snapshot photography with a decent camera versus masterpiece photography with the same camera.
AI as produced using MidJourney is the art of word-crafting and imagination.
To produce creative output beyond a one or two or three word prompt that brings up stock images takes knowledge of art, art history, lighting, words, word sequencing and how to weight the elements of the prompt among other things. Because I also do hands-on art and recognize different degrees of capability in the various art genres, I genuinely respect the artist behind masterful AI images and consider AI another genre of art.
In my estimation the value of a creative piece is first in the experience of the one who inspires it, influences it, births it; then secondly in the beholder. I don’t think it depends on anything as much as simply experiencing it. The joy of the experience having nothing to do with monetary value, simply that it in some way inspires and vitalizes.
Of course there are art pieces that don’t bring inner joy and vitality but instead evoke emotions. They have their own value as a person experiences the drama of his/her life in response to the art stimulus. In this respect, I consider that an AI prompted online image has as much or as little value as any kind of art.
The way I can tell MidJourney AI can actually generate creative art is by knowing — by experiencing — the creative inspiration and drive that I have while working in it. I have spent up to four hours rewording, doing needed research, resequencing, and re-rolling prompts to finally generate the image I’m aiming for. And I have fun doing it!
I hope you enjoy my MidJourney Art & Mindfulness. I would love to hear your comments or questions!