For this project, you’ll tell a story—but instead of writing it, you’ll show it through a single image you create in Photoshop. This is your chance to create a scene from your imagination, a memory, a dream, or a made-up moment in time—using traditional Photoshop skills and some creative help from Adobe’s Generative Fill.

A composite image is made by blending different photos, textures, and elements into one seamless piece. You’ll learn how to do that and how to use the new Generative Fill tool to add or extend parts of your image in a way that supports your story.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Come up with a story, message, or mood you want to share—this can be realistic, symbolic, surreal, or even totally fictional.
• Find, photograph, or create at least four different images to combine into your final piece.
• Use Photoshop tools and the Generative Fill tool to help bring your vision to life.
• Write a short artist statement (just a paragraph) that explains what story you’re telling and why you made the visual choices you did.

You’ll Practice:

• Planning a visual narrative
• Using Generative Fill to generate background, objects, or scene extensions
• Blending images together smoothly
• Working with layers, selections, and adjustments
• Making thoughtful design decisions

Final Image Requirements:

• At least 11″ x 8.5″ (300 dpi)
• Minimum of 4 distinct image sources
• Use of at least 3 Photoshop techniques, including Generative Fill
• Artist statement (1 paragraph)

Grading Criteria:

• Story/Concept: Does your image tell a clear, interesting story?
• Creativity: Are your ideas unique, expressive, or imaginative?
• Photoshop Technique: Did you use tools effectively and cleanly?
• Use of Generative Fill: Did you use AI to enhance your story (not just for shortcuts)?
• Presentation: Is your image polished, detailed, and visually engaging?
• Artist Statement: Does your reflection show thought and intention?

Due Date: Tuesday, April 8

AI image generators can be useful for artists, serving as a foundation for new creations and unique compositions that enhance the creative process. While AI is a valuable tool, balancing human artistry with technological assistance can be challenging. Overreliance on AI-generated elements can hinder an artist’s creativity. Ultimately, AI should not replace artistic skills but instead serve to enhance and expand creative possibilities.

When using AI-generated images in class, we will follow these guidelines based on the NYU School of Professional Studies framework:

1. Define Your Goal: Identify the specific part of your creative process where AI can provide support or enhancement.
2. Generate AI-Assisted Content: Create AI-enhanced content that aligns with your project’s objectives.
3. Incorporate AI Output: Thoughtfully integrate AI-generated elements into your creative work.
4. Experiment and Refine: Explore multiple iterations of AI-generated content and refine your approach through experimentation.
5. Maintain Your Artistic Voice: While AI can support creativity, your artistic input remains essential. Use AI-generated content as a starting point, then personalize it with your unique style, emotions, and perspective.
6. Document Your Process: Acknowledge the use of AI-generated imagery.

Writing effective text prompts ensures that you generate high-quality AI-generated images that match your vision. Here’s a list of ways to craft strong and precise prompts:

1. Be Specific and Descriptive

Clearly define the subject, scene, and elements you want.

Use precise adjectives (e.g., “a majestic golden retriever running through a lush green meadow at sunset”).

2. Use a Structured Format

A good format includes:
[Subject] + [Action] + [Setting] + [Style] + [Lighting] + [Mood]

Example: A futuristic cityscape at night, neon lights reflecting on wet streets, cyberpunk style, cinematic lighting, moody atmosphere.

3. Include Artistic Styles

Specify an art style: watercolor, oil painting, hyperrealistic, cyberpunk, vaporwave, anime, pixel art, 3D render, photorealistic, steampunk.

Example: A surreal fantasy landscape in the style of Salvador Dalí, with floating islands and melting clocks.

4. Mention Lighting and Atmosphere

Use terms like golden hour, soft glow, dramatic shadows, studio lighting, moody ambiance, foggy morning, cinematic lighting.

Example: A portrait of a jazz musician, backlit by a neon sign, with moody cinematic lighting.

5. Use Emotion and Mood

Define the feeling you want: serene, mysterious, dystopian, whimsical, peaceful, eerie, joyful.

Example: A lonely cabin in a snowy forest, warm glowing windows, peaceful and cozy atmosphere.

6. Adjust Camera Perspective and Depth

Experiment with angle and framing: close-up, wide shot, aerial view, macro photography, fisheye lens, over-the-shoulder perspective.

Example: An astronaut on Mars, cinematic wide shot, looking at a massive storm in the distance.

7. Specify Level of Detail

Use “highly detailed, intricate, ultra-sharp, 8K resolution, photorealistic.”

Example: A hyperrealistic close-up portrait of an elderly woman with intricate wrinkles, piercing blue eyes, and dramatic lighting.

8. Avoid Vague Words

Instead of “a beautiful scene,” say: A breathtaking mountain landscape with vibrant autumn foliage and misty peaks at sunrise.

9. Experiment with Negative Prompts (if applicable)

• If Firefly allows, use negative prompts like “no text, no blur, no distortion, no low resolution.”

10. Iterate and Refine

• Generate variations and tweak words to get closer to your ideal image.
• Example: A fairy-tale village covered in snow, soft glowing lanterns, magical and whimsical atmosphere, watercolor painting style.

Still, having difficulty writing effective text prompts? Use ChatGPT to write a prompt template

“Highly detailed black and white vector line art of a flying pig, intricately drawn with fine lines and shading. The wings should have rich feather details, and the pig should have expressive facial features and a dynamic pose. The design should have bold, clean, and crisp outlines, perfect for laser engraving or cutting. The artwork should be in an engraving or etching style, with strong contrast and high-definition detail. No color, no gradients—only solid black and white for maximum clarity and precision. Negative space should be used to enhance depth and readability.”

coloring book style, clean bold black lines on white background, minimal shading