AI Generated Art vs Stock Photos: A Comprehensive Comparison for the Modern Creative
Picture this: you're working on a visually-driven project and need eye-catching, engaging imagery to bring your ideas to life. Where do you turn?
Stock photos have long been the trusty sidekick of creatives, but a new contender is stepping into the spotlight: artificially generated artwork. These cutting-edge visuals, powered by generative AI models, offer a fresh take on visual content.
So, which one is right for your masterpiece?
In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of AI-generated images and stock photos, helping you make an informed decision.
The Evolution of Visual Content Sources
The Rise of AI-Generated Images
Like a painter with a palette of infinite colors, AI-generated art has emerged as an exciting frontier in the creative world.
Early generative AI technologies, such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), could generate photorealistic images from scratch.
With the advancement of machine learning algorithms, subsequent versions have enabled digital artists to create abstract and surreal visuals that weren't previously possible.
Thanks to breakthroughs in machine learning and neural networks, artificial intelligence image generators like DALL E, DALL E 2, Stable Diffusion, MidJourney and Jasper Art can transform simple text descriptions into stunning, one-of-a-kind visuals. With AI image generation, the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination.
Some AI tools allow the user to train machine learning algorithms to produce art in the style of a particular artist, while others let you draw on generative creativity by combining pre-existing datasets.
Experienced artists and novices can benefit from AI-assisted tools that help make their visions come alive faster. There has been a flood of AI-generated images appearing on popular stock photo sites like Adobe Stock, where you'll find a whopping 798,075 results for the search term "AI-Generated". Adobe Stock was one of the pioneers in accepting AI-generated image submissions. They do have some guidelines in place to ensure legal and technical quality, but it's all designed to help you creators with showcasing and selling AI-generated art.
The Dominance of Stock Photos
Stock photos have been the trusty workhorses of the visual content world, like a well-stocked library with a book for every occasion.
Platforms like Depositphotos, Adobe Stock and Shutterstock offer vast collections of high-quality, professionally-shot images that have become staples for designers, marketers, and content creators. With easy access and clear licensing options, stock photos have remained a popular choice.