Wednesday 5 April 2023

AI-Generated | Models & Fashion

I've gone much deeper into the 'rabbit hole' of AI-Generated images using MidJourney, and have learned quite a lot during the past couple of weeks about 'prompt engineering'. I also started on a fun project -a handy excuse to stay indoors when it's raining in NYC- involving generating fantasy images of individuals, and using the power of ChatGPT to generate short fictitious stories about these individuals.

For the image above (I would never describe it as 'photograph' because it's not) which was generated by my prompts in MidJourney, I had ChatGPT produce the following story in about 10 seconds:

"Li Mei was a successful Chinese model who graced the covers of countless magazines, but her true passion lay in the delicate beauty of purple lotus flowers. Every morning, she took a stroll by the lake where they bloomed, drinking in their exquisite fragrance and admiring their serene grace. To her, they were a symbol of resilience and purity, reminding her to stay true to herself in the cutthroat world of fashion."

"As a young Chinese model, Sui Wang loved exploring the countryside during her rare days off from work. One day, she stumbled upon a massive red poppy flower, larger than any she had ever seen before. Mesmerized by its beauty, Sui took a photo of the flower and posted it on social media. Within hours, her post went viral, and people from all over the world flocked to see the giant red poppy, bringing much-needed tourism to the small village. Sui felt proud that her accidental discovery had brought joy to so many."


"Margaret Fung, a rising starlet in the film industry, lands the lead role in the highly anticipated remake of "In The Mood For Love." As filming begins, she immerses herself in the character of Mrs. Chan, a woman torn between duty and desire. Margaret's portrayal captivates audiences and earns her critical acclaim, but behind the scenes, she struggles with her own tumultuous love life. Despite the challenges, Margaret perseveres, delivering a performance that solidifies her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation."


"Apo Oggay's hands may tremble with age, but her spirit is as vibrant as the ink she etches into skin. At over 100 years old, she is the last surviving traditional tattoo artist in her village in the Philippines. Her skills based on "batok," a 1,000-year-old Filipino art form, were passed down through generations, but her children and grandchildren have chosen different paths. She knows her legacy will die with her, but she intends to continue creating beauty until the very end."


"Namthip Charoenpura, better known as "Bee" in the Thai rap scene, began her music career in the late 90s. Her debut album "Bee-Coming" was a huge success and helped to popularize rap music in Thailand. Despite facing criticism and backlash for her provocative lyrics and performances, Bee continued to push boundaries and challenge societal norms. Today, she is regarded as one of the pioneers of Thai hip-hop and a cultural icon in the country."

"Puteri Nur Nawal, the Malayan Princess, is known for her philanthropy and compassion towards her people. She dedicates her life to improving the lives of the less fortunate, and her kindness and generosity inspires many. Her palace is always open to those in need, and she personally ensures they receive food, shelter, and medical attention. Her acts of kindness and selflessness earned her the respect and admiration of her people, who consider her to be a true embodiment of love and compassion."


"Lin Leung, a Chinese-Indonesian, dedicated her life to preserving the old Chinese books in Jakarta. She inherited her passion for literature from her grandparents who fled China during the Cultural Revolution. Despite facing challenges from the religious community, she tirelessly protects and restores these precious artifacts. Her work has gained international recognition, and she hopes to inspire younger generations to appreciate the value of their cultural heritage. With every book she safeguards, Lin feels a sense of pride knowing that she is helping to keep a part of her ancestors' history alive."


KUNCHOK | In Fuchsia

I photographed Kunchok (कुनचोक) for a couple of hours on the streets of Soho. A New York University student, she posed for my cameras on a l...