Taking faster product photos with artificial intelligence
We often think of complex issues and technological challenges when we think of applications of AI, but sometimes it is much simpler than that. ICT & Media Design student Diego van Loenen started his own studio during his studies and specialised in product photography. Normally a time-consuming process, but now a lot easier and faster thanks to his clever use of AI.
Repetitive process
Product photos are actually taken continuously in the same way, so this is a repetitive task. Product placement, taking the photo, post-processing. Can you automate steps in that? Initially, Diego had the idea that post-processing could be automated, but soon came to the conclusion that the time gained was in fact in minimising post-processing by a smarter photography process.
More photos, less work
Normally you take one product photo, which you will edit. What Diego does in his process is take 3 photos. The product photo, a silhouette photo and a highlights/shadow photo. That silhouette is taken with a Fresnel lens, and used to immediately create the crop. AI helps with this when it comes to larger objects that are not quite in focus. Then the highlight/shadow image is used to overlay over the photo to finish it. How exactly this works, Diego explains in the video.
Result
With this technique, each photo was taken in 5 seconds, instead of 15 minutes. To perfect this technique, Studio Litstill applied for an HBO start-up grant, together with Fontys and Gerard Schouten's AI & Big Data lectorate and SIA. With that budget, the studio plans to develop a photography robot, which will also further automate the photography itself.
This project was carried out by Diego at his own studio Litstill, as part of his studies in ICT & Media Design. The grant came about in collaboration with Gerard Schouten, Lecturer in AI & Big Data and leading lecturer of the Applied AI For Society Knowledge Centre.
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