AI Image Generation for Beginners: Complete Guide

Last week, my neighbor asked me what I do for work. When I mentioned AI image generation, she said, "Oh, like those weird robot pictures?"

Not quite. But I get it—AI feels abstract until you actually use it. So here's what AI image generation really is, without the buzzwords.

AI Technology

What Is AI Image Generation?

Simple version: You describe what you want in words, and AI creates an image based on your description.

Example:

You type: "A coffee cup on a wooden desk, morning sunlight, professional product photo"
AI generates: An actual image matching that description
Time: About 10 seconds

That's it. No Photoshop skills needed. No stock photo subscriptions. Just describe what you want.

How Does It Actually Work?

The technical explanation involves neural networks and training data, but here's what matters:

The AI has "seen" millions of images and learned patterns:

What coffee cups look like
How morning sunlight behaves
What makes a photo look "professional"

When you give it a description, it combines these patterns to create something new. It's not copying existing images—it's generating original content based on what it learned.

Think of it like this:

A chef learns cooking techniques from thousands of recipes
You ask for "spicy pasta with seafood"
They create a new dish using their knowledge
It's original, but based on learned patterns

AI image generation works the same way, just with pixels instead of ingredients.

What Can You Actually Create?

Let me show you real use cases, not theoretical possibilities.

Product Photography

Before AI:

Hire photographer: $500-2,000
Studio rental: $200-500
Editing: $100-300
Total: $800-2,800
Time: 2-4 weeks

With AI:

Cost: $0.04-0.20 per image (2-10 credits)
Time: 10 seconds per image
Quality: Professional-grade

Real example: E-commerce client needed 50 product shots. Traditional photography quote: $3,200. AI generation cost: $8. Time saved: 3 weeks.

Social Media Content

What people create:

Instagram posts
Story backgrounds
YouTube thumbnails
LinkedIn banners
Twitter headers

Why it works:

Custom images (not generic stock photos)
Perfect dimensions for each platform
Unlimited variations
No licensing worries

Marketing Materials

Common uses:

Blog headers
Email campaign images
Presentation slides
Ad creatives
Landing page visuals

The advantage: Every image is unique. Your competitors can't use the same stock photo.

Creative Projects

What we've seen:

Book covers
Album artwork
Concept art
Character designs
Storyboards

What AI Image Generation Is NOT

Let's clear up some misconceptions:

It's not magic You need to learn how to write good prompts. "Make me something cool" won't work. "Portrait of a woman in her 30s, business attire, soft studio lighting, neutral background" will.

It's not perfect First try success rate: about 60-70%. You'll generate multiple versions and pick the best one. That's normal.

It's not replacing photographers For headshots, events, or anything requiring a real person in a specific location, you still need a photographer. AI is for when you need custom imagery but don't need to photograph something specific.

It's not free (usually) Good AI models cost money to run. Free options exist but have limitations. ImageFX offers free trials, then uses a credit system.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Try the Free Trial

ImageFX gives you:

10 free ImageFX Pro generations
5 free SeeDream generations
No credit card required

This lets you test before committing.

Step 2: Start Simple

Don't try to create masterpieces immediately. Start with:

Simple prompts:

"A red apple on a white background"
"Mountain landscape at sunset"
"Modern office interior"

Once these work, add details:

"A red apple on a white background, professional product photography, soft lighting, shallow depth of field"

Step 3: Learn from Results

Generate 4 variations at once (ImageFX supports batch generation). Compare them:

Which one looks best?
What worked in the prompt?
What didn't work?

Adjust and try again.

Step 4: Build a Prompt Library

When you find prompts that work, save them. Modify for different projects.

Example library:

Product shot: "[product], white background, professional product photography, soft box lighting, 4K, sharp focus"

Portrait: "Portrait of [description], [clothing], soft studio lighting, neutral background, shot with 85mm lens, f/1.4"

Landscape: "[scene], golden hour, cinematic, wide angle, professional photography, vibrant colors"

Common Questions

"Can I use these images commercially?"

On ImageFX: Yes. You own the images you generate.

Always check terms for any AI platform you use. Some have restrictions.

"Will people know it's AI-generated?"

Depends on the model and your prompt. ImageFX Pro creates photorealistic images that most people can't distinguish from photos. Other models have more artistic styles.

"How much does it cost?"

ImageFX pricing:

Free trial: 10-15 generations
Basic: $11.99/month (300 credits = ~150 images)
Pro: $27.99/month (1,500 credits = ~750 images)
Max: $55.99/month (4,000 credits = ~2,000 images)

Different models cost different credits. Simple images: 1-2 credits. Complex images: 2-3 credits. Videos: 50-65 credits.

"What if I don't like the result?"

Generate multiple variations. If none work, adjust your prompt and try again. Credits are only deducted for successful generations.

"Can I edit the images after?"

Yes. Download and edit in Photoshop, Canva, or any image editor. They're standard JPG/PNG files.

Real-World Workflow Example

Let me show you how I actually use this:

Project: Blog header for article about productivity

Step 1: Initial prompt "Minimalist desk setup, laptop, coffee, notebook, morning light"

Result: Too generic, looks like stock photo

Step 2: Add specifics "Modern minimalist desk, MacBook Pro, white ceramic coffee mug, leather notebook, warm morning sunlight from window, shallow depth of field, professional photography"

Result: Better, but colors too muted

Step 3: Adjust "Modern minimalist desk, MacBook Pro, white ceramic coffee mug, leather notebook, warm golden morning sunlight from window, shallow depth of field, vibrant colors, professional photography, shot with Canon EOS R5"

Result: Perfect. Used it.

Total time: 3 minutes Total cost: 6 credits ($0.12) Alternative: Find stock photo ($15-30), or hire photographer ($200-500)

Is It Worth Learning?

Honest answer: Depends on what you do.

You'll benefit if you:

Create content regularly (blogs, social media, marketing)
Need custom imagery but have limited budget
Want to test ideas quickly
Run an e-commerce store
Work in creative fields

You probably don't need it if you:

Rarely need images
Have a dedicated design team
Only need photos of real people/places
Prefer traditional photography

What's Next?

AI image generation is getting better fast. What's coming:

Better quality Models improve every few months. Today's "amazing" is next year's "basic."

More control Newer models let you specify exact styles, compositions, and details.

Video generation ImageFX already offers this. Text-to-video and image-to-video are both available.

Easier to use Interfaces are getting simpler. Prompts are getting more forgiving.

Try It Yourself

Reading about AI image generation is like reading about swimming. Eventually, you need to get in the water.

Start your free trial on ImageFX and generate your first image. No credit card required.

If you have questions, email support@image-fx.app. We actually respond.

Bottom line: AI image generation is a tool. Like any tool, it's useful for specific jobs. Try it, see if it fits your workflow, and use it when it makes sense.

That's it. No hype, no fear-mongering, just a practical tool that might save you time and money.