Make a Photo Quality image

Written By Jayne Perry

As part of a creative project, I needed a photo of a recurring character. Not a stock image. Not a real person. A consistent, believable “leader” I could use as a recurring character in a multi-media narrative project.

Here is how I built one. In this example I used ChatGPT as my AI partner..

First I defined my purpose with pen and paper:

The narrative requires an image of a character who looks like a successful, benevolent, business person turned politician. He should look middle-aged, warm and friendly. Versions of image should include Headshot, Upper Body and Full Body. No background should ne created to provide the maximum utility.

Using ChatGPT, for AI image generation, I prompted simply:

Create realistic photo style image of Fair-skinned, typical business Man dressed in a dark suit, with a red tie, standing.  There is no setting, as this will become an image used in many others.

This netted a simple photo as a good start:

The First Attempt

This wasn’t exactly what I needed. The character in the narrative was older, showed the signs of spending too many years behind a desk, and is not quite this handsome. I need him to convey authority. So I iterated and prompted:

Use this image as a base.  Add about 25 pounds to his physique.  At a hint of gray to his hair. And add a pocket square to the suit jacket that matches the tie.

This is what I envisioned.

The base image I wanted.

Next I created multiple versions, framing the photos as headshot, upper body, full body, Allowing the story to use them.

Then I tested something important: Is this a real person? Since I am working on a creative story with no connection to reality, my character needs to not resemble too closely any real person. So, I ran reverse-style searches and similarity checks (with more than one AI tool) with this prompt (LeaderHead is what I called the head shot)::

Using “LeaderHead,” search the web to determine if this is an image of  real person.

The result was clear, as this excerpt from one AI states:: “The image reflects a common pattern seen in stock and AI-generated portraits. It represents a type, not an identity” (ChatGPT)

That is the point.

Collaborator

AI works best here as a collaborator. It helped create a reusable asset that is consistent, flexible, and safe to use. AI does not replace creativity. It collaborates, and stimulates creativity, if you know how.


#ArtificialIntelligence #BrandStrategy #MarketingInnovation

Jayne Perry