In recent weeks, a trend of editing photos in the style of Studio Ghibli has taken social media by storm. Many users are uploading their images transformed into unique and captivating illustrations reminiscent of the beloved Japanese animation studio. This viral phenomenon has sparked curiosity among countless individuals eager to learn how to edit their photos in the Ghibli style, a process that can make ordinary pictures appear as if they were scenes from iconic animated films.
Studio Ghibli, founded by renowned filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki in 1985, is celebrated for its masterpieces such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl's Moving Castle. The studio's works are admired not only for their profound storytelling but also for their distinctive visuals, characterized by unique character designs and breathtaking backgrounds. Given this backdrop, it’s no wonder that people are eager to recreate that enchanting aesthetic in their own photographs.
So, how can one achieve this Ghibli-esque transformation? The article provides a comprehensive tutorial on using artificial intelligence (AI) platforms like ChatGPT (GPT-4o), Grook 3 from X (formerly Twitter), and Gemini from Google to edit photos in the Ghibli style.
Editing Photos with ChatGPT
ChatGPT offers an image generation feature available to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus or Enterprise. To get started, users can follow these steps:
- Access ChatGPT through the website https://chat.openai.com/ or the mobile app.
- Log into your OpenAI account to utilize the AI image generation feature.
- Ensure you are using the GPT-4o mode, as the image generation capability is exclusive to this version.
- If you wish to edit an existing image, upload it using the image editing feature.
- Input a clear and specific prompt to guide the AI in producing the desired result.
For example, one might use the following prompts:
- In Indonesian: "Ubah foto ini menjadi ilustrasi bergaya Studio Ghibli dengan pencahayaan lembut, warna pastel, dan suasana pedesaan Jepang yang damai. Tambahkan efek dedaunan yang tertiup angin dan cahaya matahari yang menyinari jalanan."
- In English: "Transform this photo into a Studio Ghibli-style illustration with soft lighting, pastel colors, and a peaceful Japanese countryside setting. Add effects of leaves blowing in the wind and warm sunlight illuminating the path."
After a brief processing period, users can refine their images further using advanced editing features, adjusting elements like color, lighting, or texture to better align with the Ghibli aesthetic. Once satisfied with the final product, they can save the edited image to their device.
Using Grook 3
Grok 3 is another AI tool available on the X platform that supports various artistic styles, including Ghibli. Here’s how to use it:
- Navigate to Grok 3 via the X app or the website https://x.com.
- Log into your X account and access the Grok chatbot.
- Ensure you are using Grok 3, which supports AI-based image generation.
- Upload a photo you wish to edit or provide a description for a new image.
- Input a detailed prompt to help the AI generate an output reflecting Studio Ghibli's signature style.
For instance, one could enter:
- In Indonesian: "Buat ulang gambar ini dalam gaya ilustrasi Studio Ghibli, dengan detail pegunungan hijau, langit biru cerah, dan suasana damai khas film Ghibli."
- In English: "Recreate this image in a Studio Ghibli-style illustration, with detailed green mountains, a bright blue sky, and a peaceful atmosphere inspired by Ghibli films."
Once Grok processes the image, users can further refine it using built-in editing tools before downloading the final version.
Editing with Gemini
Lastly, Google’s Gemini AI can also be utilized for Ghibli-style edits. Users can follow these steps:
- Open Gemini AI via the app or access https://gemini.google.com/.
- Log into your Google account to access the AI features.
- Confirm that the image generation feature is active, as not all versions of Gemini support image processing.
- Upload a photo or provide a description for a new illustration.
- Use a specific prompt to create the desired Ghibli-style image.
One example prompt could be:
- In Indonesian: "Gambar ulang foto ini menjadi ilustrasi bergaya Studio Ghibli, dengan warna-warna lembut, suasana pegunungan yang tenang, dan pencahayaan khas animasi Jepang."
- In English: "Redraw this photo in a Studio Ghibli-style illustration, featuring soft colors, a serene mountain landscape, and the lighting typical of Japanese animation."
After Gemini processes the image, users can adjust colors, textures, or other elements to enhance the Ghibli feel before saving their creation.
Privacy and Copyright Concerns
While this trend seems fun and engaging, it raises significant concerns regarding privacy and data security. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, one major issue is the voluntary collection of facial data by AI companies. Users may upload personal photos without realizing that these images could be used to train AI models in the future. Companies like OpenAI and xAI have not clearly outlined how these images are managed, how long they are stored, or whether they are used in developing future AI systems.
Moreover, the risks of data breaches and misuse of uploaded photos are alarming. Privacy activists emphasize the legal implications of data collection, particularly under regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). If users voluntarily upload their images, AI companies might gain explicit permission to store and process this data without adhering to stringent internet data collection rules.
Privacy expert Luiza Jarovsky explained that users are essentially granting OpenAI free access to their personal images. "OpenAI gains easy and free access to personal images, and only they possess the original versions. Social media platforms and other AI companies can only see the processed 'Ghiblified' versions," she stated in a detailed post on X.
Additionally, the trend has sparked a debate about copyright infringement. As reported by Business Insider, questions arise over whether OpenAI utilizes original Studio Ghibli works in training its models or merely replicates a popular visual style. There are two legal arguments at play: one regarding 'input' and the other concerning 'output'. Studio Ghibli could potentially claim copyright infringement if OpenAI trained its models using their films or works. However, proving this would require a complex legal process.
On the other hand, OpenAI might be seen as generating images that resemble Ghibli’s original works. Yet, the artistic style or 'vibe' itself is generally not protected by copyright, meaning that mimicking a visual style without copying specific works is typically not considered infringement. "If you are merely evoking the atmosphere of someone else's creative work, it usually does not violate copyright," explained Christa Laser, a professor of intellectual property law at Cleveland State University.
As this trend continues to gain traction, users are advised to exercise caution before uploading personal photos to AI tools. If privacy is a priority, it might be wise to explore alternative options or utilize more secure offline tools. Despite the allure of transforming personal images into Ghibli-style illustrations, the implications surrounding privacy and copyright cannot be ignored.
