I Stopped Using AI Images

When I started my blog, I created most of the images with the help of Bing and ChatGPT. I was especially excited about those anime-style ones that matched the feel of my stories. It felt creative at the time — typing prompts, adjusting descriptions, and watching unique images appear in seconds.

But over time, something changed. The more I used AI images, the less it felt like me. It started to feel too easy, almost mechanical. At some point, I realized that creating my own photos — even imperfect ones — made the whole process more alive. I started taking pictures myself to match each blog post, and that small change brought creativity back into the process.

It’s not that I’m against people using AI to make images. I actually still use ChatGPT for inspiration sometimes. I just don’t let it finish the job for me anymore. There’s that saying, “Good artists copy, great artists steal.” So in a way, when I ask ChatGPT to describe a fitting image for my blog, I “steal” the idea — and then I go make my own version of it.

Is that right or wrong? I don’t really know. But what I do know is that the photo I end up with feels more personal. I made it with my own hands, guided by an idea that started as a spark from AI. Maybe that’s what creativity really is — keeping your hands in the process while staying open to inspiration from anywhere.