Image creation is one of the many fields being revolutionized by artificial intelligence. Another fun application is using AI to make ordinary photos into works of art. This technology has huge potential, but the results can vary wildly depending on the tool you use. But I thought I’d test out some of the most popular AI platforms that turn images of photos into artwork, and the results were, to say the least, mixed. And here’s what I found when using three different AI tools.
1. Deep Dream Generator (DDG)
The first tool I tested was Deep Dream Generator (DDG). On this platform, there’s a lot to choose from, with one of these being called “Visual Prompt.” I uploaded one of my amateur photos, picked from one of the design styles, and clicked “Generate.”
- Ease of Use: Super simple. No advanced input or creativity needed…just upload and go.
- Result: Other than the walls and water, the design more became stylized and personalized. Only the changes were subtle and artistic, but the quality was high. It’s hard to tell it’s AI generated unless I put in a disclaimer first.
- Verdict: Highly recommended. The results produced by DDG give off an impression of real artistic interpretations of your original photos.
2. Getimg.AI
Next was AI image generator Getimg.AI. Unlike DDG, you need to input a text prompt alongside your photo with this tool. Taking that same photo, I put the prompt as “photorealistic, 8k.”
- Ease of Use: It is slightly more involved as you have to think of the prompts. It also was slower to make the images, sometimes over 90 seconds.
- Result: The output was disappointing. The textures looked unnatural, like they were low quality video game graphics, but we maintained our original perspective. It was a clear miss for design, reducing once appealing aesthetics into something more like cheap wallpaper.
- Verdict: Not recommended. What we saw were quite artificial, of poor quality and far from photorealistic.
3. Artbreeder
Lastly, I gave Artbreeder, which is just really a no registration required platform, a go. All you do is upload the image and optionally add a text prompt.
- Ease of Use: Simple but limited. Just Upload an image, some basic prompt, and you’re done! No account needed.
- Result: But the result was worse than Getimg.AI. Everything but perspective was distorted and unnatural—from the window arch, to the textures in the image. The whole thing felt off, like the stones in the image had been dragged in from cheap video game graphics.
- Verdict: Not worth it. And the final image was poorly rendered and lacked all art or visual appeal.
Final Thoughts
Of all the tools I tested, Deep Dream Generator was the only platform where I was able to get good looking, high quality results. The other two, Getimg.AI and Artbreeder, produced images that were all but professional, like unfinished video game textures more so than art.
If you would like to try something similar using AI to generate art from your photos, you have to try DDG. It’s simple, it produces effective results, and it offers a good balance between concept overhaul and keeping original details. Other tools, however, unless they get better, I wouldn’t advise you wasting your time on.
But then if you want to use AI to make your photos into art, you need to find the right tool or else it won’t be as fun or creative.