Discovery Technology
by Tony Karp

Some of my AI-Plus images - part 2

As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. In the past, I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.

Now I'm looking at AI as a new source of stock images to start my artworks. There's an advantage to using AI over stock photos as you can give prompts to direct it, rather than searching through stock photo catalogs for something interesting.

With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus.

Here are some examples of AI-Plus. They all started as images from an online text-to-image AI.
- I close my eyes and I can see the spirit of this lens.<br>My mind reaches out to its elements<br>as I carefully de-tune them. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
I close my eyes and I can see the spirit of this lens.
My mind reaches out to its elements
as I carefully de-tune them.
- Adding bits of unicorn dandruff <br>to give this lens some swirly, lucious bokeh - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Adding bits of unicorn dandruff
to give this lens some swirly, lucious bokeh
- This is the chief tech of our vintage lighting department. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
This is the chief tech of our vintage lighting department.
- This is a de-collimator.<br> It is used to calibrate de-tuned lenses. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
This is a de-collimator.
It is used to calibrate de-tuned lenses.
- A lens technician working in our freeze chamber.<br>Fabricating one of our ice-diffusion lenses. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
A lens technician working in our freeze chamber.
Fabricating one of our ice-diffusion lenses.
- One of these ladies works on front lens elements.<br>The other works on rear lens elements. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
One of these ladies works on front lens elements.
The other works on rear lens elements.
- Lens de-tuning using heat, to give that 'Cooked Look' - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Lens de-tuning using heat, to give that "Cooked Look"
- One of our projects, still in progress. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
One of our projects, still in progress.
- This is our bokeh team.<br> They handle fore-bokeh and back-bokeh.<br>They feel that the unsharp areas tell more of the story.<br> Their lens designs are the favorite of bokeh-pullers. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
This is our bokeh team.
They handle fore-bokeh and back-bokeh.
They feel that the unsharp areas tell more of the story.
Their lens designs are the favorite of bokeh-pullers.
- Our lens rehousing facility - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Our lens rehousing facility
- Lens de-tuning through<br>the application of butterfly essence. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Lens de-tuning through
the application of butterfly essence.
- This is Charlie. He is our main lens de-tuner. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future - - This is Charlie. He is our main lens de-tuner. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
This is Charlie. He is our main lens de-tuner.
-- Click on picture to see original version --
- Creating vintage lenses at our Artificial Aging facility. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Creating vintage lenses at our Artificial Aging facility.
- A butterfly lens de-tuner. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
A butterfly lens de-tuner.
- Monitoring our lens-cooking operation - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Monitoring our lens-cooking operation
- An AI focus puller, at the end of the day, <br>complaining about having to work with humans - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
An AI focus puller, at the end of the day,
complaining about having to work with humans
- I could swear I've seen this movie - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
I could swear I've seen this movie
- De-tuning a lens by adding atmospheric haze. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
De-tuning a lens by adding atmospheric haze.
- A set of test instruments for <br>measuring a lens's 'Cinematic Look.' - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
A set of test instruments for
measuring a lens's "Cinematic Look."
- Still working on the user manual - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Still working on the user manual
- This apparatus is designed specifically for<br> de-tuning the lenses on doorbell cameras. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
This apparatus is designed specifically for
de-tuning the lenses on doorbell cameras.
- - A Wizards Guild Sci/Tech Award Submission -<br>Inventor of the Buzz Lightyear lens.<br>It focuses to infinity and beyond - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
- A Wizards Guild Sci/Tech Award Submission -
Inventor of the Buzz Lightyear lens.
It focuses to infinity and beyond
- Choose your own adventure. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
Choose your own adventure.
- This is a lens sharpener.<br> Vintage lens a mite too soft?<br> A few passes through the sharpener will fix it. - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
This is a lens sharpener.
Vintage lens a mite too soft?
A few passes through the sharpener will fix it.
- A meeting of the Council of Elders discussing<br>the true meaning of 'the cinematic look.' - As an artist, I have sometimes used a stock photo as the starting point in creating a new image. I used a CD-ROM that had thousands of low-quality images as my source.<p></p>With AI-Plus, I'm using an AI-created image as my starting point. It's where I take it from there that adds the Plus. - - art - photography - by Tony Karp - Discovery Technology - Cinematography - The Godfather - Designing the Future -
A meeting of the Council of Elders discussing
the true meaning of "the cinematic look."
After working with AI images for a while, I can see the possibilities, but also the drawbacks. Creating AI images is, in some ways, too easy. And, for me, it won't replace photography. I see AI as another tool, adding to the things I can do.

Copyright 1957-2024 Tony & Marilyn Karp