How AI Made a Horse’s Neck Out of Me

10 Tips on How to Use AI to Generate Great Quality Images

When I created The Big Gay Cocktail Guide, I faced a significant challenge: how to include vibrant, high-quality images of 100 cocktails without breaking the bank??

Traditional photography, while excellent, was too expensive. Stock photos were another option, but their inconsistency in style made them less appealing for a cohesive book.

Enter AI image generation—a seemingly perfect solution.

I generated beautiful cocktail images that met my needs. But it wasn't easy. I soon learned that a one-liner prompt could lead to some bizarre results.

One particular cocktail, the Horse’s Neck, was illustrated quite literally—complete with a real horse's neck! This experience taught me a valuable lesson: while AI can be a powerful tool, it requires careful handling to avoid unintended results. It also needs work—while using AI saved a ton of money, it needed quite a lot of input from me. The fact is, you only get what you ask for—literally.

10 Tips to Getting Great Images Out of AI

If you're considering using AI for image generation, here are ten tips to help you get the best results while avoiding pitfalls like my horse’s neck incident.

1. Be Specific with Your Prompts: The more detailed your instructions, the better the AI will understand your vision. Instead of just saying "Horse's Neck cocktail," describe the scene: "A glass of Horse's Neck cocktail with a lemon peel garnish, against a clean, dark background." Including specific elements such as lighting, setting, and focus can drastically improve results.
2. Use Simple and Clear Language: AI might need help understanding complex or abstract descriptions. Stick to straightforward language to ensure clarity. For example, “A vibrant orange cocktail with a lemon twist, shot from above” is better than “A zesty drink resembling the morning sun.”
3. Experiment with Different Styles: AI can mimic various artistic styles—from photorealism to abstract art. Don’t hesitate to explore different styles until you find the one that fits your project. For example, you might try “vintage photography style” or “modern minimalist design.”?
4. Iterate and Refine: The first prompt rarely yields the perfect image. Don’t be afraid to tweak and adjust your prompts based on initial results. Sometimes, a minor change can make a significant difference in quality.
5. Leverage Lighting and Composition: Just like in photography, lighting and composition are key to creating appealing images. Specify whether you want soft lighting for a cosy feel or harsh lighting for a dramatic effect. Mentioning the framing, like “close-up” or “wide shot,” also helps.
6. Specify What You Don’t Want: Some AI tools allow you to include negative prompts—things you don’t want in your image. For example, if you’re generating a drink image, you might specify “No human figures” to avoid unexpected elements.
7. Consider the Output Resolution: High resolution is crucial for a printed book. Instruct the AI to generate images at a resolution suitable for print, usually 300 DPI (dots per inch) or higher.
8. Watch Out for Literal Interpretations: AI can be very literal, as evidenced by my “Horse’s Neck” mishap. Add clarifying details when dealing with idioms or product names that might confuse the AI. For instance, describe the cocktail’s appearance instead of relying on the name alone.
9. Incorporate Brand Elements Thoughtfully: If you’re creating images for a brand, include brand colours, logos, and other elements in your prompts to ensure consistency with your overall visual identity.
10. Stay Up-to-Date with AI Capabilities: AI image generation is rapidly evolving. New features, tools, and techniques are constantly being developed. Stay informed about the latest updates to make the most of what AI can offer.

Tip 11 - Check!

Just before we head on to the conclusion, there's one more thing you HAVE to do: Check!

In my book on Gladiators, an AI image showed a handsome Gladiator after a fight in the medical facility with three legs. Look at each part of the image, check the faces and the physicality of each human or animal, and check for random additions like the Lion boots in another image AI produced.

Conclusion

AI image generation is an exciting, cost-effective way to produce high-quality visuals for your projects. However, as my “Horse’s Neck” experience shows, it’s essential to approach this technology with a mix of creativity, caution, and a good sense of humour. By following these tips, you can create stunning images that meet your needs—without any surprises.

Scroll down to see the AI-generated image used in The Big Gay Cocktail Guide.

Have You Got any Crazy AI Images to Share?

Feel free to share your own AI image generation experiences in the comments—whether they’re triumphs or “horse’s necks.” After all, we’re all learning to ride this AI wave together!

This article includes references to websites (Shotkit) (Adept Dept) (Unite.AI) (Easy-Peasy.AI).?

The Big Gay Cocktail Guide

My book is available on Amazon. It has over 100 full-colour AI-generated images. The text is mine!