2023 was clearly the year of generative artificial intelligence.
With all the emerging tools and use cases, I challenged myself to learn how to use them to generate and edit photos.
This led me to experiment with Photoshop’s Generative Fill and see if I could use it to create different variations of my profile photo.
Once I realised how easy it was and the fun ways I could use it, I came up with this idea of creating specific photos to go along with my different Slack statuses.
This is just one of the countless applications of generative AI, with numerous others yet to be discovered.
AI is what now?
Generative AI - that moment when the creativity of machines blows our minds.
ChatGPT, buddy, tell us more about it (generative-ception):
Generative AI refers to a class of artificial intelligence algorithms designed to create new content, ranging from text, images, and music to interactive experiences.
Unlike traditional AI models that are primarily focused on analysing and interpreting existing data, generative AI models can produce entirely new and original outputs.
This technology has wide-ranging applications, including in the fields of art, entertainment, design, and content creation, enabling new forms of creativity and innovation.
Many visual editing tools have incorporated generative AI to enhance image editing and creation. Here are some examples:
- Adobe Photoshop: integrates Generative AI for advanced image editing.
- ChatGPT: AI model capable of generating creative text, including image descriptions.
- Midjourney: specialises in AI-driven visual explorations and creative imagery.
- DALL-E 2: generates novel images from textual prompts.
- RunwayML: provides machine learning and AI tools for creative visual projects.
- DeepArt: uses AI for transforming images into various artistic styles.
Even though I primarily use Affinity’s image tools (like Affinity Designer) for design related tasks, I decided to give Photoshop’s Generative Fill a go to see if I could use its AI features to enhance my photos.
Photoshop: a blast from the past or future-proof?
Is Photoshop still a thing? Yes, Canva didn’t kill it yet.
In May 2023, Adobe introduced Photoshop's "Generative Fill" - a feature that enhances image editing using generative AI.
It allows users to create new images, delete or replace objects, or transform images, filling in the content automatically. Users select an area in an image and then use text prompts to guide the AI in generating content.
When I saw this feature being announced I wasn’t surprised, but it still managed to amaze me. I immediately started thinking about ways I could use this, either for professional or for personal projects.
To test it, I edited my main profile photo and I quickly realised it was easier than expected to get some good-enough outputs.
Then, I started creating profile photos showing all kinds of professions. I wouldn’t miss a chance of seeing myself looking like an astronaut!
During that ideation process, I figured this could actually have a concrete application - I could create custom-made photos to follow along my different Slack statuses.
Slack status? What’s that?
ChatGPT, please help us again:
A "Slack status" is a customisable feature in the Slack messaging platform that allows users to display a short text message or emoji next to their name. This status can be used to convey the user's current availability, activity, or mood to colleagues, helping to communicate context in a remote or digital workspace environment efficiently.
It's a simple yet effective tool for team members to share their work status, such as being in a meeting, working on a deadline, or being out of the office, enhancing communication and coordination within teams.
There are many different ways we can use to update our Slack status. However, all of them have the same end result: we’ll be left with a short message and emoji showing our current availability.
So I thought: let's add a bit more fun to it!
Even though my Slack photo is not directly connected to the Slack status, I surely can change my photo at the same time as I have a specific Slack status active. I just need to update the photo whenever I change the status.
Too much manual work? Yes - for sure I won’t be doing it every time I change my status. But, after all the fun I had building this project, it would be a shame to waste it.
Until next time,
Pedro