AI Art: Taking Photos Without a Camera

Interfacing Human Creativity and the Machine

By now, most of us have encountered images created by AI, whether we realized it or not. Generative neural networks have undergone a spectacular transformation over the past decade. Abstract, and oftentimes gimmicky apps have evolved and various AI-assist features are now essential in every professional toolbox. The game has changed.

For me, as a designer with an art background, this inevitably raised some fundamental questions about the nature of creation. If any image can be generated within seconds, will the artist become obsolete? What is the relationship of technology and the creative evolution of humans?

Embracing Opportunities

At the recent TEDAI conference in Vienna, I met an exceptional artist who devised a process that completely reshaped his approach of capturing portraits. Sarp Kerem Yavuz, originally a photographer, replaced his camera with the generative AI Midjourney.

While achieving photorealism with AI is still an intricate matter of formulating the right prompts, Sarp began exploring different workarounds to accurately translate his creative vision into believable photos. Drawing from his extensive photography experience, he recognized a major advantage of his new process. Emulating photographic systems in the virtual space allows him to not only transcend physical limitations, but the entire storytelling framework.

It seems almost ironic that the final step in materializing his images relies on a near-extinct large-scale Polaroid system—perhaps a reminder that human ingenuity remains a core quality of art. AIs are undoubtedly extending their influence across more areas of our lives, but we can cultivate a symbiotic relationship that actively channels this transformative energy.

Watch the video above to get an inside look at Sarp’s artistic journey, and discover how AI ultimately liberated his creative process.

If you want to see more of his artwork, follow Sarp on Instagram: @sarpkeremyavuz