Why you should ditch stock photos for AI art

We all know stock photography sucks. Generic, tired images are a knife in the heart of any creative. And they aren’t doing a whole lot for your business, either.

Having spent a decade in B2B tech companies in marketing, I have seen more than my fair share underwhelming, uninspired and just plain boring imagery. And if I ever have to see another photo of someone touching floating data or putting a marker to an invisible whiteboard, I’m going to fork my own eyes out.

Luckily, generative art has come a long way in recent years. With advances in artificial intelligence, we now have the potential to create unique, dynamic, and captivating visuals that can replace the tired old stock photos that plague the digital landscape. Generative art is created by algorithms that use mathematical formulas and random inputs to generate images, animations and other visual content.

The possibilities are endless, and the results can be stunning. You can direct the artistic style, provide directive on an aesthetic, apply specific brand colors, and then describe exactly what you want, and get high-quality results instantly. Get custom digital works, art in the style of your favorite artist, photorealistic imagery, even 3D photos.

Why generative art is better

This level of sophistication isn’t just impressive, its also dirt cheap compared to the price of stock photography. Stock photography can be expensive, especially if you need exclusive rights or high-quality images. With generative art, you're only paying for the algorithm and the resources needed to create the image, which can be a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

Beyond the attractive price point, another big benefit of generative art is its versatility. Unlike stock photography, which often feels staged and artificial, generative art can be customized to fit the specific needs of your brand or message. Want an image that captures the energy and excitement of your event? No problem. Need a design that conveys the complexity and interconnectedness of your data? Easy. You can literally order up exactly what you want.

Another advantage of generative art is its scalability. With stock photography, you're limited to a set of pre-existing images that may not be high enough resolution or suitable for larger formats like billboards or trade show displays. Generative art, on the other hand, can be created in any resolution or aspect ratio, making it a great solution for a wide range of media formats.

Why you still need a professional

Of course, there are some challenges to overcome when it comes to using generative art for your visual content needs. The algorithms need to be carefully designed and trained to create the desired results, and there may be some trial and error involved in the process.

While it is possible to create great images with just a few keywords, you’ll get better results with a professional who understands how to select the right generative art platform to meet your needs and is skilled at prompt writing to produce predictable responses.

If you want to explore creating generative art for your business, Machine Elves can help. Contact us to get the conversation rolling.