AI vs Photographers: Mission Santa Clara Edition

Last week I introduced my new project: AI vs Photographers! I'm challenging artificial intelligence to create stunning images of landmarks, and then I'll recreate those pictures myself. The goal is to show off some exciting local landmarks (most of them would make beautiful locations for couples by the way) and put AI to the test to see if it can truly replace me as a photographer. In today's world of AI's exploding popularity, questions are being raised about whether or not AI is up to the task of competing with humans in many different jobs and roles. My aim is to test it out in the photography setting. This all came about while visiting Fort Point in San Francisco with my wife. We took many pictures while exploring and afterwards I was curious to see if AI generated images could authentically show what we saw. Last week was Fort Point in San Francisco, CA and this week it is Mission Santa Clara in Santa Clara, CA.

With the Fort Point images from last week I noticed a trend that AI was making simplified versions almost like it was focused on making a post card image rather than an accurate representation. This first image continues that trend, planting flowers in front of the mission. There are some inaccuracies such as the placement of the footpath and the second tower off to the right side that does not exist in real life, however it does closely resemble real life. I was able to find some flowers to frame up in front of it.

Next up is a rather interesting result. It comes at it with a side view but puts the tower on the wrong side. There is a side building that came out of nowhere. Interestingly the footpath is more accurate than the last one. The facade has less details than before and is less accurate overall. All images were made in the same ChatGPT model with the same prompt. I simply ask it to create another one.

Next up we did visit inside the chapel during a service and asked the AI to re-create it after the fact since that was not the original plan. This result is so far off I am not even sure what church it was modeling after. I did Google the mission and found loads of pictures of the inside. This result truly baffles me and serves as a reminder that while AI is useful for many things it is very important to double check it’s work. These images share nothing in common.

A large part of the California missions are the iconic bells placed along the El Camino Real that linked the missions together. The bells served as path markers so travelers would be able to find their way, they were made over 200 years before GPS after all. Mission Santa Clara has one of these iconic bells outside the main entrance off to the side. ChatGPT was tasked with placing a bell on the side of the mission; it placed a statue in that spot instead. The bell was placed in the wrong place and in the wrong shape. At least this time the facade of the mission is far more accurate than the interior rendering. This is the first image to have the palm trees represented.

Wrapping up the comparisons it is clear that while AI image creation does have the resources to understand what the prompts are referring to, they fail to output images that accurately reflect reality. Please do note that these comparisons are meant to be a fun exercise in understanding technology and the area around us. This is not meant to be a serious examination.

Unfortunately the privilege of being married in this church is only for students and staff of Santa Clara University. While I normally try to exhibit more inclusive venues I am showing it because of it’s historical significance, it is part of the California Missions system. A common theme you will notice if you follow this series is historical landmarks. Next week I will be showing historic Murphy Avenue in Sunnyvale. It is a pedestrian space that is public property and open for engagement photo sessions.