This Month's Free Photos - In Your Dreams

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Just a reminder: It's okay to leave comments!

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This month is going to be a little different. I've been playing around with CNN. No, not that network—Google's convolutional neural network (aka CNN). Yes, they let you do that. For free. And it doesn't hurt a bit. Let me explain...

You may have noted that I do a little artwork. Very little, unfortunately. Still, I like to check out what's happening in the art world from the periphery on which I exist. Sometimes I even draw or paint something. A while back I stumbled onto a tool that really caught my attention and I've finally had a chance to work with it.

Google has created code for modifying images called DeepDream (or Deep Dream, depending upon the source). You can read about it HERE. I've spent a little time playing around with it on the web (link below) and thought I'd share a little of what I've done with you. Literally.

It works like this:

1. You create a user id / password to get into the app (they don't ask for a lot of info)
2. You upload an image (I've used both JPEG and PNG)
3. Select whether you want to do a Deep Style or a Deep Dream (and how many levels!)
4. Pick the parameters you want to apply
5. Click on the generate button

The picture you make can be saved, downloaded, deleted, or re-edited, and can be kept private or made public.

This is a sample of what you can do with an image:

Original image of pocket watch

Both of the following images were made from the original using the Deep Style algorithms.

This one is done using one of the Deep Dream filters. You'll have to open it to a larger size to get the full effect.

Here's a closeup of the dial. Slightly disturbing, isn't it? Looks like the watch is the one doing the watching!

Now let's see what happens when we work with some nice flowers...

Original wood hyacinth photo I took last year

For the first step, here are the parameters:

• Type = Valyrian
• Resolution = normal 1200x1200
• Inception depth = deep
• Neural network layer = inception_3b-output

For round 2:

• Type = Neuron
• Inception depth = deep
• Transformation = none
• Neural network layer = inception_3b-output 

Finally:

• Type = Spirits
• Inception depth = deep
• Transformation = none
• Neural network layer = inception_3b-output

Even though a version of the original photo is here and I've given out the parameters I used, if you tried to do the same transformation the final output would not be exactly the same. There's something in the way the algorithms work that makes it slightly different each time.

Anyway, these are my free photos for the month! Use them any way you want!

And, as promised, here's a link to the site: Deep Dream Generator

If you're so inclined, you can read about convolutional neural networks HERE. Personally, I'd skip it and just look at the pretty pictures.

Check back again when you can. Maybe I'll have something even better!

Bonus image! click HERE to see an image generated from one of my photos  of a statue in McPherson Square, Washington, DC!

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© 2017 K. R. Smith All rights reserved

Anonymous Comments and Backups

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I do read all of the comments I get, even the ones that never get posted. Like this one:

Anonymous <noreply-comment@blogger.com>                     3:22 AM (4 hours ago)

to me

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "FSF Challenge - Thunder":  

 Hi there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing several weeks of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?

Take a look at my homepage :: time home buyers  (I've not copied the link for your protection - krsmith)

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Moderate comments for this blog.
 Posted by Anonymous to K R Smith at January 16, 2015 at 3:22 AM

Hackers? Such as folks who post questionable links in my comments section hoping someone will click on it? Occasionally. And, yes, I actually do have methods to prevent hackers from spreading their favorite malware or virus—such as not clicking on links sent in anonymous e-mails! Also, I don't post comments like this for the protection of others. And, unlike my anonymous friend, I do make backups of my blog. It's pretty easy.

In the upper right-hand corner of your screen, you'll see your account pulldown. Click on it to see the following window. Click on "Account" inside this window.

I know the guy in the image above looks incredibly shady, but he will serve as an example. After clicking on "Account," a long list of items to update about your blog or tools you can use will appear. Somewhere down toward the bottom, you will see "Account tools." Select "Download data."

Next, select the items you want to download. In this case, I want my Blogger posts and pictures.

Once you've selected the items you want to back up, click "Next" at the bottom of the page (not shown here). On the screen that appears, you can select the appropriate file type for downloading. If you use Windows, a .zip file works.

Once you click "Create archive," a file will begin being built.

Once it's finished, you can see the size. With pictures included, it can be quite large. Click on "download" to save the file.

The file you download will have a long name.

The one I created here was:  takeout-20150117T153725Z.zip. It contains two folders that holder the backup files.

Inside the Blogger folder will be an "atom" file that can be used to restore the blog or move it to another blogging service. The Google Photos folder will contain a file with the images used on your blog.

In case you didn't download the archive right away, you'll get an e-mail reminder like this:

That's about all you have to do to make a backup of your Blogger blog!

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© 2012-2015 K. R. Smith All rights reserved