How to Generate Video from Photos
Neural networks can do almost anything, making work or entertainment simpler and more convenient. And if a short time ago AI could only answer questions (not always successfully), now it can write various texts, create pictures, and even video clips. It’s a multifunctional tool that expands the creative possibilities of every person. But for those who seek impressive content, the question of how to generate video from photos is becoming more and more relevant. We’ll discuss the possibilities and nuances of such generation in this article.
Is It Possible?
Yes, it is possible to generate short videos from suitable photos or pictures using neural networks. There are several generation options:
- “Animating” a photo. Many have seen those videos where the Mona Lisa “comes to life” or an ancient statue dances. Yes, these are examples of complex work that can’t be done in five minutes, but it demonstrates the capabilities of artificial intelligence.
- Creating a video from several frames. Each frame is a separate photo or picture accompanied by a prompt (scenario).
- Generating a video where the photo becomes the base of the clip — for example, taking a landscape photo and adding other objects, animated or static, animation, or special effects.
How to Generate a Video from a Photo
There are three options for working. However, there are no major differences in how to generate video from a photo in neural networks — the algorithms are the same, with differences in details.
The first step is to find a suitable neural network. There are already dozens of services for generating images and videos, each excelling in specific tasks. Hence, it’s not accurate to say one neural network is better than the others. Each is suitable for certain purposes, depending on your ideas, functional requirements, etc.
Among the services, there are free ones (like Kandinsky) and those that provide limited generation for free. But if you need high resolution, detail, and realism — only paid neural networks are suitable. Specifically, those that work with prompts and uploaded images.
How to work with them? Regardless of the program’s functionality and advancement, the algorithm is roughly the same:
- Launch the main page, select the start of work (new clip, start generation).
- Upload a photo.
- Write a prompt — a text description for the video. For example, you upload your photo and want to “animate” it. The prompt will contain a list of actions of the person in the photo (turns head, walks, smiles). Alternatively, in the prompt, you specify how to change the appearance, what to add in the background, or what to remove.
- Set the video settings.
- Start the generation process, wait for its completion, and evaluate the finished video.
Depending on the AI’s specifics on a particular service, you can continue working with the resulting video — change the plot, add or remove elements, experiment with lighting, camera effects, special effects, add music, and so on. Yes, the work is not a couple of clicks, especially if you want a high-quality clip or film.
Problems and Solutions
To create a video with AI, upload your image and write a description text in the comments. But it’s not that simple. Neural networks are a good tool but not perfect, so you may encounter such problems:
- Inconsistent or unnatural movements — the more complex the movement, the worse it turns out. Therefore, stick to simple movements for each frame, then combine several frames into one video clip.
- Distortion of objects — usually happens when changing angles or scaling. Animating living objects is more difficult, but this can be solved by refining your prompts.
- Appearance of artifacts (blurring, stripes, etc.). There is only one way to remove unwanted elements — write another prompt or set different generation parameters.
Conclusion
Using artificial intelligence, it’s essential to remember: despite the name, it is a program. Yes, a multifunctional one with vast capabilities, but still a program. It has its limitations, and its database is not comprehensive enough to create a perfect clip from a simple task at the first try. Although it can happen accidentally. But the key to success often lies in meticulous work — only then can you create that very content that will amaze everyone who sees it.
