Photoshop Firefly and Thoughts on Ethics

My journey with Photoshop composites has been a long and passionate one, dating back to my high school days. It played a pivotal role in my Art AP portfolio, and even years later, I find myself drawn to the art of compositing. In 2019 and 2020, I dedicated myself to building a series of composite pieces, and among them, this shark artwork remains a personal favorite.

Now, fast forward to this year when I had the opportunity to attend Adobe MAX in LA, my third in-person event and fifth Adobe MAX overall. The event was a game-changer for me, especially after witnessing Anna McNought's demonstration of her swift composite process. Inspired by her techniques, I embarked on a journey to recreate my beloved shark piece with a few significant edits.

The process of recreating this artwork was an interesting blend of human creativity and artificial intelligence. I fed Adobe Firefly prompts like "wall with wood floor" and "gold frame," and while some lighting, shadow, and minor AI edits still need refining, the transformation is truly remarkable.

What strikes me the most, though, is the ethical dimension of using AI in the creative process. As I revisit and revamp my older works, I contemplate the role of a designer versus a creative director. The shark and splashes are my own, products of my artistic vision, while the rest was collaboratively created with AI assistance.

In the end, it prompts me to question at what point I become the designer and the AI the creative director. It's a fascinating intersection of human creativity and technological innovation, and it keeps me thinking about the evolving landscape of art and design in the digital age.