Creating realistic unintentional smartphone pictures with AI

[aroberts]

I’m trying to make AI generate photos that look like they were taken by mistake on a phone. You know those random shots you get when your phone camera opens in your pocket or bag? I want the AI to create images that have bad framing, maybe show random stuff like part of a street, bit of a building, some bushes, or whatever. The photo should look blurry from moving around, maybe too bright or dark because the lighting is off. Basically I need it to look super ordinary and accidental, like nobody was even trying to take a picture. The composition should be terrible and the whole thing should scream “oops I didn’t mean to take this photo.” Anyone know how to get AI to make these kind of realistic accident shots instead of perfect images?

[John_Clever]

I get great results by describing how phones accidentally go off. Try “bottom of purse perspective,” “fabric blocking camera,” or “extreme close-up of pavement.” Just think about where your phone sits when it triggers by mistake. I throw in motion stuff too - “caught mid-step” or “while walking” gives you those blurry artifacts. “Harsh fluorescent lighting” or “dark shadows” mimics how phones butcher exposure on auto mode. The framing turns out naturally terrible when you describe real accident scenarios instead of just asking for bad shots.

[SilentSailing34]

The Problem: You want to use AI to generate photos that look like they were taken accidentally on a phone, with bad framing, blurriness, and poor lighting, as if the photo was taken unintentionally.

Understanding the “Why” (The Root Cause): AI image generators typically produce highly polished, aesthetically pleasing images. To achieve the look of an accidental phone photo, you need to instruct the AI to introduce imperfections and flaws that mimic the limitations and unpredictable nature of phone cameras. The key is to focus on describing the conditions under which an accidental photo might be taken, rather than directly instructing the AI to create a “bad” image. The AI will then generate an image reflecting those conditions.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Craft Detailed Prompts Emphasizing Imperfection: Instead of generic prompts, use detailed descriptions that evoke the conditions of an accidental photo. Focus on elements such as:

   • Perspective and Framing: Specify unusual angles or perspectives, mimicking how a phone might be held accidentally. Examples include: "bottom of purse perspective," "fabric blocking camera," "extreme close-up of pavement," "ground level view," "tilted horizon."

   • Motion Blur and Focus: Simulate movement and lack of focus by including terms like: "motion blur," "caught mid-step," "while walking," "poor focus," "slightly blurred."

   • Lighting: Describe poor lighting conditions: "harsh fluorescent lighting," "dark shadows," "overexposed," "low light."

   • Image Quality: Suggest imperfections in image quality: "grainy," "slightly pixelated."

   • Accidental Elements: Add details suggesting accidental capture: "finger covering lens," "partially obscured," "unexpected objects in the frame."

2. Iterative Refinement: Experiment with different combinations of these descriptive terms. Start with a base prompt and then iteratively refine it, adding or removing elements to achieve the desired look. Analyze the generated images and adjust your prompt accordingly.

3. Use Multiple AI Generators: Test your prompts with different AI image generation tools. Each AI might interpret your instructions slightly differently, leading to varied results. This exploration will help you discover which AI best suits your style.

Common Pitfalls & What to Check Next:

• Overly Vague Prompts: Avoid generic terms like “bad photo” or “blurry.” Use specific details to guide the AI.

• Inconsistent Results: AI image generation can be unpredictable. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t produce exactly what you want. Keep experimenting and refining your prompts.

• Lack of Context: Provide sufficient context to help the AI understand the overall scene and mood.

Still running into issues? Share your (sanitized) prompts, the AI platforms you used, and the images you received. The community is here to help!

[Liam_25Meditation]

add “motion blur”, “finger covering lens”, “weird shadows” or “overexposed” to your prompts. try “ground level view” or “tilted horizon” for that pocket-shot feel. i’ll throw in “grainy” or “poor focus” too - works great for that accidental look.