Artificial Imagination: A Comparative Journey from Midjourney AI to GPT-4 Image Creation
I stumbled upon Midjourney by chance in September of 2022, after I read an article about Denverite Jason Allen and his AI generated art piece Théâtre D’opéra Spatial that won an award at the Colorado State Fair. This sparked instant controversy over what is considered art. What was this program Allen used, and what kind of quality artwork could it produce? As an artist myself, I couldn’t resist delving deeper into the world of Midjourney. As I began experimenting, I was immediately struck by the abstract and otherworldly images it created from my prompts. They were like peering through a kaleidoscope, filled with vibrant colors and dreamlike patterns. While impressive, these creations still felt distant from something that could completely replace human artists in the future.
Fast forward to the present and Midjourney reigns supreme in the realm of AI image generation, creating breathtakingly realistic images at an astonishing speed that even the most skilled artists could not hope to match. As an artist, am I envious of this technology? Not really. In the past, painters were only accessible to the wealthy who could afford to commission their portraits. Then came photography, bringing the opportunity for everyone to capture moments of their lives.
And now with camera phones, even more people can easily snap photos of their pets, meals, and loved ones without needing an expensive camera. Did this stop people from painting? No. Did it deter others from using traditional cameras to take photographs? Of course not. Just like how AI image generation will not impede artists who prefer to create with a paintbrush or pencil on paper. Will it affect their ability to earn a living as an artist? The struggle has always existed, just look at Van Gogh who only sold a handful of pieces during his lifetime but is now revered and showcased in some of the world’s most prestigious art institutions and museums.
This incredible tool offers artists a new level of freedom in their creative expression, all at an affordable and accessible price. While Midjourney may appear to be expensive with monthly fees ranging from $10-$60 (or less for yearly subscriptions), and Chat GPT 4 priced at $20 a month, these costs are actually quite low when compared to the exorbitant prices of traditional art supplies. As an artist myself, I have been forced to purchase a single paintbrush for a college course that cost me $40 — making the $10-$20 monthly subscription seem like a bargain. And the best part? You can pause your subscription anytime and come back whenever you want. Additionally, there are many other AI image generation websites available at even lower costs. The options for artists are truly endless with these innovative and affordable tools.
The burning question lingers, debated among creatives and tech enthusiasts alike: which is superior, Chat GPT-4 or Midjourney? While the widely renowned and highly utilized Midjourney holds a dominant position in the market, does that automatically make it the ultimate choice? In truth, both platforms offer impressive capabilities, catering to different needs and goals. For those seeking to conjure up stunningly realistic images, there’s no contest — Midjourney reigns supreme. Its advanced algorithms consistently delivers photographic quality results.
Briar Rose as a modern bi-racial woman created with GPT-4
For those seeking to design specific images for a book, clip art, website, or other project without spending countless hours figuring out how to create a prompt, GPT-4 may be the ideal choice. Through my experience, I have had great success in generating consistent and high-quality images based on a simple concept using GPT-4 compared to Midjourney. However, for more complex designs and a larger volume of images needed in a short period, the chat style format of GPT-4 struggles to keep up.
The two AI generators, GPT-4 and Midjourney, both have the remarkable ability to create stunning images. However, GPT-4 surpasses Midjourney in its skill at creating realistic hands and understanding simple instructions, making it accessible for anyone to produce a high-quality image with just a casual conversation. On the other hand, Midjourney may require some occasional guidance and modifications. Nevertheless, it is impressive how far both AI generators have advanced from their initial capabilities, and I am eagerly anticipating what advancements will come next for them.
Midjourney image of astronaut with balloon on the left and GPT-4 image on the right created with the same prompt.
When faced with the decision of which AI image generation tool to use, it can be a tough choice. Personally, I have found value in both GPT-4 and Midjourney’s offerings. While GPT-4 has proven to be incredibly versatile and assists in various tasks beyond just image creation, it falls short when I want to create many different concepts quickly. Midjourney offers an unlimited image generation plan for $30 a month, and as someone who frequently needs a large number of images produced, I find their $10 a month option to be insufficient. But it could be perfectly suited for a more casual user or someone who wants to try out image generation and get beautiful results. For those looking to design for personal use or for small businesses or websites, GPT-4 would likely be the better choice. Not only can you utilize other GPTs for additional support, but their chat feature also provides assistance with article ideas, marketing strategies, coding tips, website concepts, and more. The possibilities are endless with GPT-4 at your disposal.
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