Creating & Modifying Images with Generative A.I.
This short guide will cover the following:
Recommended Tools
Adobe Firefly — You can access Firefly’s image generating capabilities for free via the browser-based app (log in with your SLU credentials or create a free account on your own device or any computer) or via Adobe Photoshop (log in with your SLU credentials on any ODY Library or NCAT computer).
Nano Banana — You can access the impressive Nano Banana image generator via the browser-based app (try for free with account sign-up) or by using the image generator in Google Gemini.
Leonardo AI — You can access Leonardo AI in the browser-based app. A free tier exists, but you must sign up for an account. Note that you use the new Nano Banana model to generate images in Leonardo AI.
MidJourney — Interested in MidJourney? MidJourney no longer offers free accounts, but you can contact us at digital@stlawu.edu to schedule time to access the app in ODY Library.
How to Generate A.I. Images
- Open or access the AI image generator of your choice. Create an account and log in. When given the choice, select the “Text to Image” tool.
- Write a text prompt. Type a detailed description of what you want to generate in the prompt field. Start with five or more words — for example, “a sunflower in a sun-lit field.” Add specific keywords like “lighting,” “perspective,” “mood,” “angle,” “or “depth of field” to shape the result.
- Generate your AI image. Click Generate and watch as the app generates a set of images. If you want a more specific style or layout, upload a reference photo.
- Refine and regenerate. Refine your image by tweaking the prompt, adjusting the settings, and re-generating. for a new result.
- Download. Once you’re happy with your creation, download it. If you think you’ll need to cite your use of a generative AI tool, be sure to document the exact wording of your prompt, the app and model used, and the date.
Tips & Reminders
For best results, keep the following in mind:
- Most image generators allow you to upload one or more Reference Images — existing images that will influence the composition or style of your generated images. Experiment with the settings to tweak the results and regenerate.
- Most image generators (including Adobe Firefly) operate on a credits or tokens basis. Check your account and the details for each image generator to learn the details of how many credits you need to generate an image, and how many credits you have remaining.
- If you are generating an image for use in a St. Lawrence University class, ensure that your instructor permits your use of generative AI. Likewise, if you intend to publish the image, consult with your publisher to learn their AI-related policies, including any required attribution for the AI-generated image.
