Title

From Spirit Photography to AI Image Generation

Creator

Michailidi, Anastasia

Abstract

The rapid evolution of photography has laid the groundwork for easier manipulation. This evolution combined with the development of Artificial Intelligence allows one to “bend an image to their will” and make people believe in their creation, which does not necessarily depict reality. However one might wonder, how did this begin? Photographic manipulation has been around for centuries and is particularly evident in 19th century spirit photography as well as haunted hotel photography. This work depicts how manipulated images can lead to the formation of illusions and a distorted reality, a phenomenon only amplified in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Keywords

technology

AI

creativity

Subject

interdisciplinary

Date Available

May 28, 2026

Type

Generated AI Image

Course

HFP 2245 Is a Picture a Thousand Words?

Course Offering Term

Summer Session 2025

Instructor

O'Brien, Emer

Session

Honors Creative Projects

Location

Student Lounge

Event

Year 2026 | 10th Annual Student Research and Creative Arts Symposium