Model based

My images of the Star Wars figures, are real, measuring often around 15 cm in height. The rest is a mix of background element mixed with smaller Photoshop AI generated elements in order to iron our little details (like irregularities in the plastic, and to make arms and legs smoother; where you normally can move an arm or leg, the transition looks weird. There, i use AI to take that away).

Or adding flames in the background.

Flaming Pear Photoshop plugins

Other elements like stars and planets, are generated not via AI, but plug-ins from the company "Flaming Pear" - like "Gitterato", "LunarCell" and "SolarCell", as well "Flood 2" - which have existed for at least 20+ years.

The images below are not exact the same, but similar.

They show how i placed the Storm trooper together with background elements - and how it looks like when the plugin and AI elements are being added, as well details got corrected. I also correct things manually, and/or add local colors via a brush. So, it is in essence all a mix of many different methods. I also use focus bracketing followed by focus stacking in order to increase the depth of sharpness. In this example i used a wide open aperture of ƒ1.2 (!)

Kind of cool, when you think about it.

Pure AI images are not of my interest

The resolution it produces are a joke. Blurry in details. It feels like they sell you the cheapest version of "new technology". Let the goy pay for shit.

AI images often look... I can't put my finger on it... there is no soul present. Sort of brainless without any true input from the photographer.

I am just not into that.