My Process, No Fluff: Real Photos → Custom AI → Photoshop → Print

Written By Matthew Blythe

Short version

I take a photo, use a custom-trained AI model to generate a base image from my words, bring it into Photoshop, upscale, and refine. Sometimes it’s a quick clean-up. Sometimes it’s 20+ layers, colour work, and pixel peeping until it’s perfect.

Every collaborator whose photo I license gets paid on sales. No scraping. No stealing.

 

From Landscapes & Corporate Work to Building Images

I started with landscape and corporate photography. That taught me timing, light, and how to make images that actually say something. Outlier Gifts is the next step: I build images, not just shoot them—still grounded in real photos, now with modern tools.

The Process (step-by-step)

1) Start with a real photograph

Most pieces begin with a shot I’ve taken. Sometimes I’ll use a licensed photo from a collaborator when it’s the right fit. Either way, the base is a real scene with real light.

2) Generate a base image with my custom AI model

I don’t sketch. I use words. I prompt my custom-trained AI model to create a version that matches the idea in my head—composition, mood, and direction. It’s a starting point, not the finish line.

3) Photoshop: where it becomes the final artwork

  • Upscale & clean: I upscale early so detail holds up at print sizes.

  • Edit: Exposure, contrast, colour balance. Get the bones right first.

  • Composite (when needed): Add or remove elements, fix perspective, match light and shadows.

  • Blend & tone: Curves, selective colour, gradient maps, plus dodge & burn to guide the eye.

  • Texture & atmosphere: Grain, micro-contrast, and subtle imperfections so it reads like a photograph, not plastic.

4) Pixel peeping (the unglamorous bit)

Zoom to 200–400%, fix edges and halos, align textures, calm noise, add noise, and make sure nothing “snaps” the illusion. If something looks fake, it gets fixed.

5) Print prep

These aren’t just for screens. I soft-proof, check sharpness at the actual print size, and export clean, consistent files. If it won’t print well, it doesn’t ship.

How long does it take?

Anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day depending on complexity. Simple edits are quick; heavy composites aren’t. Sometimes I leave a piece for a few days so I can come back with a fresh pair of eyes.

Why Use AI at All?

Because it speeds up idea → image. The model is trained to respond to my language and style, so I can get to a strong starting point fast. It’s a tool—like a lens or a brush.

What Stays Non-Negotiable

  • Real/licensed photos only.

  • Photographers get paid. If I use a collaborator’s licensed image in a piece, they earn commission on sales.

  • Quality over shortcuts. If it looks off, I rework it.

Collaborations

I collaborate with photographers worldwide. Local knowledge and my process equals work that feels rooted and fresh. If you’re a photographer and you want in, send me a message on socials or an email.

Why People Buy From Outlier Gifts

  • It’s original, detail driven and artisitc. Built pieces that still feel unique and custom.

  • It prints beautifully. Detail holds up in the hand, not just on a phone.

  • It supports photographers. Your purchase helps fund the people out shooting in the rain and getting up before sunrise.

FAQ

Do photographers really earn money?
Yes. If a collaborator’s licensed photo is part of the artwork, they earn commission on sales of that piece.

Are these “AI images”?
They’re photo-led artworks. I use a custom AI model to generate a base from my words, then I finish in Photoshop. The photo and the craft are what make it work.

Do you always do heavy composites?
No. Some are simple edits; others need layers, replacements, and colour rebuilds. The image decides.

Can I commission something custom?
Yes. Tell me the place, size, and vibe. I’ll confirm what’s possible and what it will take.

Matthew Blythe