Frans Gunterus, QPSA
October 2026 - Warrior
Original
Original 2
About the Image(s)
This creative process is fun, but not always easy. For me, the most difficult part is often finding the idea??”what can I create from my original photographs? Sometimes I ask AI to help explore ideas based on what I have in mind, then use the AI result only as a visual reference. I build the final composite myself in Photoshop, using mostly elements captured with my own camera. The technical challenge is creating soft, precise masks to achieve smooth and natural transitions between the different elements. This month, I would appreciate your feedback not only on the final image, but also on the idea of using AI as a source of creative inspiration.
15 comments posted
Looks a good film to go and see!!
I think the blending of the two images have been done really well and the colours in the background are great.
The text at the bottom has been done well and I especially like the two spots of "glare" which all adds to it.
Well done. Posted: 10/01/2026 15:14:47
I think the blending of the two images have been done really well and the colours in the background are great.
The text at the bottom has been done well and I especially like the two spots of "glare" which all adds to it.
Well done. Posted: 10/01/2026 15:14:47
Hi Angela. Thanks for your nice comments. Posted: 10/25/2026 06:07:42
This is exceptionally well done. The composite feels completely cohesive, and the way the two images have been brought together gives the warrior a real cinematic presence. The tonal treatment, atmosphere, and poster-style composition all work beautifully together.
I particularly like how the character remains the clear focal point-the image has drama and scale and the overall treatment genuinely has the polish of a movie poster. There's very little I'd want to change here; if anything, it's a great example of how compositing can enhance a photograph while still retaining its visual authenticity. Really impressive work. Can you tell I am a fan? Posted: 10/03/2026 02:47:58
I particularly like how the character remains the clear focal point-the image has drama and scale and the overall treatment genuinely has the polish of a movie poster. There's very little I'd want to change here; if anything, it's a great example of how compositing can enhance a photograph while still retaining its visual authenticity. Really impressive work. Can you tell I am a fan? Posted: 10/03/2026 02:47:58
Thank you so much, Leony! Your generous words really made my day. I'm especially happy that you appreciate the creative effort behind the composite. And yes, I can certainly tell you're a fan! What more could a photographer ask for? Posted: 10/25/2026 06:10:09
AI uses what has come before, to estimate what it assumes you want. As such, an AI composition will look like every other composition.
Is this a good image? Absolutely. Well balanced, good palate, tons of interest... Flawless.
Is it a fresh and innovative idea? Not so much. It's an idea that incorporates accepted norms and standards. Posted: 10/04/2026 06:03:03
Is this a good image? Absolutely. Well balanced, good palate, tons of interest... Flawless.
Is it a fresh and innovative idea? Not so much. It's an idea that incorporates accepted norms and standards. Posted: 10/04/2026 06:03:03
Thank you, Steve, for your thoughtful comments. I think I understand your point about AI drawing upon established artistic conventions rather than creating something entirely new. It's an interesting perspective. However, I also believe creativity lies in how we interpret, combine, and transform familiar elements into something that reflects our own vision. After all, isn't much of art inspired by what has come before? ???? Posted: 10/25/2026 06:13:46
Absolutely. However, art inspired by YOUR unique experiences will be more original and connect through you, to the viewer. AI inspired art will connect through the lowest common denominator. The obvious. The typical. With lots of familliar and comfortable form, but almost no intent. It may be possible to create a prompt that expresses your idea, but AI can't know your audience the way you do. The connection will be more superficial. Posted: 10/25/2026 14:30:14
Frans,
Great AI question :) Mostly I say take inspiration however you can get it. My concern is that AI can become addictive. I do think you did a great job of composting the two images together.
For me, the one with the least skill in this group, I do not love that it is the same person, big face on top of whole body. I think for a movie poster your original photos are super creative and would have been stronger with just one of the images.
In our original photo you have the model standing in water - I have to assume that was done in post? I think that is very impressive Posted: 10/05/2026 00:03:39
Great AI question :) Mostly I say take inspiration however you can get it. My concern is that AI can become addictive. I do think you did a great job of composting the two images together.
For me, the one with the least skill in this group, I do not love that it is the same person, big face on top of whole body. I think for a movie poster your original photos are super creative and would have been stronger with just one of the images.
In our original photo you have the model standing in water - I have to assume that was done in post? I think that is very impressive Posted: 10/05/2026 00:03:39
Thank you, Sylvia! I really appreciate your thoughtful and honest feedback. You make a good point about keeping things simple. Sometimes less is more! I agree that AI can become addictive, but I see it as another creative tool rather than a replacement for our own imagination. And yes, the water effect was part of my post-processing. That's where much of the fun begins! Posted: 10/25/2026 06:15:22
Hi Frans,
The image itself is great studio photography, and I wouldn't think you need much DD help with the technical side. But then you slipped in that much bigger question-the one that gets right to the heart of the future of mankind!
So, is your glass half full or half empty? Or, knowing photographers, are we going to spend our time arguing about the lighting on the glass? ; ) Posted: 10/07/2026 21:12:13
The image itself is great studio photography, and I wouldn't think you need much DD help with the technical side. But then you slipped in that much bigger question-the one that gets right to the heart of the future of mankind!
So, is your glass half full or half empty? Or, knowing photographers, are we going to spend our time arguing about the lighting on the glass? ; ) Posted: 10/07/2026 21:12:13
Haha, Bob, you certainly made me smile! I guess my glass is half full, and as a photographer, I'd probably spend more time finding the perfect lighting than worrying about what's inside! Thanks for your kind words and wonderful sense of humor! Posted: 10/25/2026 06:16:35
I'm always happy when I can make someone smile! :-)
AI is changing so much more than just creative art, and I'm still trying to find my comfort level with it. For now, I'm happy to use the tools Adobe provides without venturing too far beyond them. If I were a professional, I'd feel more pressure to keep up with all these changes, but as an amateur, I'm fortunate to have the opposite problem-I have far more ideas than I have time to bring to life! I still enjoy the challenge of creating things myself, and there's certainly no shortage of inspiration to keep me busy. Posted: 10/25/2026 13:23:22
AI is changing so much more than just creative art, and I'm still trying to find my comfort level with it. For now, I'm happy to use the tools Adobe provides without venturing too far beyond them. If I were a professional, I'd feel more pressure to keep up with all these changes, but as an amateur, I'm fortunate to have the opposite problem-I have far more ideas than I have time to bring to life! I still enjoy the challenge of creating things myself, and there's certainly no shortage of inspiration to keep me busy. Posted: 10/25/2026 13:23:22
Your expertise is on full display here Frans. Impactful photography, flawless compositing, creative end result. The text at the bottom is very cool and the starbursts add nicely to the lighting on your subjects. I think perhaps using only the close-up warrior would work well too, although you would probably need to use AI to generate the rest of his headdress, or create it yourself from other photos of the feathers.
I think we're in a transitional phase regarding AI. Personally, I think if you use it in your initial planning stages to "brainstorm" ideas, but then use only your own photos in your final version, it's just another way of sparking your own creativity. Inspiration can come from anywhere. You might enjoy the article I wrote for the PSA Journal this month about creativity and inspiration. Being able to notice inspiration in even the small details of our everyday lives helps us find creative ways to use our photography for personal expression. Posted: 10/10/2026 18:59:52
I think we're in a transitional phase regarding AI. Personally, I think if you use it in your initial planning stages to "brainstorm" ideas, but then use only your own photos in your final version, it's just another way of sparking your own creativity. Inspiration can come from anywhere. You might enjoy the article I wrote for the PSA Journal this month about creativity and inspiration. Being able to notice inspiration in even the small details of our everyday lives helps us find creative ways to use our photography for personal expression. Posted: 10/10/2026 18:59:52
Thank you so much, Jan, for your thoughtful and encouraging comments! I really enjoyed your article in this month's PSA Journal and exploring your website. Your creativity and passion for photography are truly inspiring. But what I appreciate even more is the time and dedication you put into organizing our group discussions and encouraging us to learn from one another. You make this group such a wonderful place to share, explore, and grow creatively. We are very fortunate to have you leading us! Posted: 10/25/2026 06:21:19
Incredibly kind words Frans. Thank you so very much. I feel fortunate to have such great members in our Group! Posted: 10/27/2026 21:13:19