AI in Photography Workflow: Creating Stunning Product Images

In today's competitive market, visually appealing product images are critical for success. While traditional photography methods remain important, artificial intelligence (AI) offers new ways to enhance and streamline the product photography workflow. This article explores how to integrate AI image generation tools like Midjourney and DALL-E to create captivating visuals that elevate your brand and attract customers.

Why Use AI for Product Photography?

Product Photography traditionally involves significant resources, including Studio space, props, and experienced photographers. While these elements remain crucial for high-quality results, AI Tools can offer a cost-effective and efficient way to supplement the process.

Consider a Scenario where a beer company wants to showcase its new "Castle" brew but lacks access to an actual castle for a photoshoot.

AI image generation provides a solution. Instead of relying on expensive location shoots or complex CGI, AI can create a captivating castle-themed backdrop, allowing the photographer to focus on capturing the product itself. This approach opens up creative possibilities that would otherwise be impossible or financially prohibitive.

Navigating AI Image Generation: Midjourney and DALL-E

Two prominent AI image generation tools are Midjourney and DALL-E. While both offer impressive capabilities, they have distinct strengths and weaknesses.

Midjourney excels in creating photorealistic and visually stunning images with a unique artistic Flair. It’s particularly Adept at generating environments and landscapes. Its ability to handle different aspect ratios provides flexibility in composition.

DALL-E, on the other HAND, shines in its editing and inpainting capabilities. This allows users to make targeted changes to existing images, seamlessly adding or removing elements. However, DALL-E's editing features work primarily with square images, requiring some adjustments to accommodate different aspect ratios.

The choice between Midjourney and DALL-E depends on the specific needs of the project. Midjourney is excellent for generating the initial background or environment, while DALL-E is useful for refining details and making targeted edits. Both Midjourney and DALL-E can be powerful assets for photographers looking to expand their capabilities and reduce costs.

Step 1: Generating the Base Image with Midjourney

The first step in creating a compelling product image is to generate a suitable background. In this example, the goal is to create a castle-themed setting for a beer called "Castle." The user starts with Midjourney, leveraging its strength in creating photorealistic and atmospheric environments.

Crafting the Right Prompt: The key to successful AI image generation is crafting effective prompts. The initial prompts may result in images that are too illustrative or lack the desired photorealism. Experimenting with different keywords and phrases is essential to guide the AI towards the desired outcome.

For instance, starting with prompts like “Dramatic fantasy medieval castle interior with moody atmosphere, looking upward, larger fireplaces candles, chandelier, stone, low perspective, wide angle close up at edge of old wood table, cinematic, photorealistic, Hyper detailed” can generate interesting options. However, refining the prompt to focus on specific surfaces, materials, and photographic styles is crucial for achieving a realistic composite.

Iterating for Perspective: The initial attempts might yield promising overall scenes, but the perspective may not be ideal for showcasing the product. Trying to create the perfect viewpoint can take a few attempts. Rephrasing and focusing the prompt on the close-up of the table, using a stein as a reference point, helps shift the focal plane to where the beer can would be placed.

Close up of lower view of edge of rustic wood table, in large dramatic fantasy medieval castle interior with moody atmosphere, looking upward, large fireplaces candles, chandelier, ornate stein smokers, candles, low perspective, wide angle.  

Experimenting with Test Parameters: Midjourney's test parameters, such as “--testp”, which prioritizes photo references, offer enhanced realism. However, they may limit the variations generated. Balancing realism with creative flexibility is crucial.

Addressing Quirks: AI image generation is not without its quirks. In this case, Midjourney consistently combined steins and candles, creating unexpected results. This highlights the importance of being prepared to address and correct such anomalies in later editing stages.

Step 2: Refining the Image with DALL-E's Inpainting

Once a suitable base image is generated, DALL-E's inpainting capabilities come into play.

This allows for targeted edits and enhancements within the AI-generated scene.

Removing Unwanted Elements: First, unwanted elements, such as the candle in front of the stein, are removed using Photoshop. This creates a clean canvas for DALL-E to work with. You can simply choose and delete elements. The selection tools in photo editing software are invaluable in tasks such as this.

Preparing for DALL-E: DALL-E primarily works with square images, which requires cropping sections of the original image to fit its constraints. It is important that the photographer accounts for this, ensuring that they crop in a manner that doesn't interfere with the quality of the composition as a whole. By selecting the highest pixel Dimensions available in DALL-E, photographers can reduce any potential problems arising from scaling issues.

Filling the Gaps: With the image cropped, the photographer uses the eraser tool to erase what is missing from the image. The text prompt is then used to instruct DALL-E to fill in the gap. The prompt needs to be descriptive and clear. A vague prompt will deliver less helpful results.

Extending the Canvas: For creating an immersive product image, it is important to consider how the AI can extend the canvas to provide the most engaging image for the potential consumer. Letting DALL-E expand the image leads to an even better final result. The photographer needs to consider what areas of the image require more visual elements. In this instance, it was decided to expand the area where the back wall was. To make this process as easy as possible for the AI, the image was only partially matched, allowing the AI to come up with new and creative variations.

Step 3: Integrating Studio Photography of the Product

After preparing the AI-generated background, the next step is to integrate a studio photograph of the product itself. This ensures that the product is crisp, well-lit, and seamlessly integrated into the scene.

Matching Lighting and Perspective: The lighting and perspective of the product photograph must match the AI-generated background. This involves careful adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color balance to create a Cohesive and believable image.

Cutting and Pasting: Once the lighting and perspective are aligned, the product image is carefully cut out and pasted into the AI-generated background. Fine-tuning the positioning and size of the product is essential for creating a natural and appealing composition.

Final Adjustments: After inserting the can, it is important to consider if there are additional composite adjustments to be made. Additional steps could include more cleaning up, or altering aspects of what is already in the image. By taking the time to be thorough, the photographer can ensure a product advertisement that appears both natural and eye-catching.

Using DALL-E to edit the image with AI

As the video says, we will use DALL-E to edit the AI image with AI, and then composite the can for the final shot.

Following these instructions can help improve your workflow:

• Remove candle in PhotoShop
• Crop sections of the original image
• Using the erase tool to erase what is missing from the image
• Use text prompt and make sure it is clear and descriptive
• Expanding the image leads to an even better final result

By following the directions above, the photographer can create an amazing final product. In addition, following similar techniques can help to add a distinctive flare to other product shots. Being thorough and not being afraid to experiment can provide for a unique image that can enhance sales.

Pricing Overview

Understanding the pricing structure of AI image generation tools like Midjourney and DALL-E is important for cost-effective integration into your photography workflow. The plans offered by each can range from free to professional level.

Key Capabilities of AI Image Generation Tools

Here is a short list of the core features of AI image generation tools.

• Text-to-Image Generation: Ability to create images from textual descriptions, allowing for creative control over the generated visuals.
• Image Editing: Tools to make targeted edits and enhancements to existing images, such as adding or removing elements, changing backgrounds, and adjusting lighting.
• Aspect Ratio Control: Ability to generate images with different aspect ratios, providing flexibility in composition and visual storytelling.
• Upscaling: Increasing the resolution of images while preserving detail and sharpness.
• Inpainting: Seamlessly filling in or replacing sections of an image, allowing for creative modifications and corrections.
• Style Transfer: Applying the artistic style of one image to another, creating visually unique and compelling results.

Understanding these core features allows photographers to leverage AI image generation tools effectively and efficiently, enhancing their creative possibilities and streamlining their workflow.

How Photographers Can Leverage AI

Here are a few ways photographers can use the tools talked about in this article.

• Background Creation: Generate realistic and visually appealing backgrounds for product photography, eliminating the need for expensive location shoots or complex CGI.
• Creative Enhancements: Add creative effects, visual elements, and artistic styles to product images, enhancing their aesthetic appeal and visual impact.
• Conceptual Visualization: Quickly Visualize and prototype product concepts, allowing for rapid iteration and exploration of design ideas.
• Efficiency Improvement: Automate repetitive tasks, such as background removal and image retouching, freeing up time for more creative and strategic work.
• Cost Reduction: Reduce the costs associated with traditional product photography, such as studio rentals, prop purchases, and travel expenses.
• Accessibility: Open up new creative possibilities for photographers with limited resources, allowing them to create high-quality product images regardless of their budget.