I Tried Flux 1.1 Pro by Black Forest: It Blew My Mind
Well, the hits just keep on coming! Black Forest Labs, the creators of Flux, the stunning AI image model, have just released Flux 1.1 Pro, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. What’s even better? You can try it out for free (with a little bit of an asterisk there) or at least for super dirt cheap. So, let’s dig in and find out how this AI model performs in real life.
Want to see the power of Flux Pro without spending a dime? Anakin AI has partnered with Black Forest Labs to bring you Flux Pro for free — no strings attached! It’s the perfect chance to test out one of the most advanced AI image generators available. Don’t miss out — head over to Anakin AI now and start creating your own stunning visuals!
What Is Flux Pro 1.1? Project Blueberry Unveiled
Over the last week or so, there have been whispers about something called “Project Blueberry,” which, obviously, was kind of a playful poke at OpenAI’s “Project Strawberry.” Well, we now know it’s much more than just a funny name. Project Blueberry is actually Flux Pro 1.1 — the latest and most advanced image generation model from Black Forest Labs.
Flux has always had three versions: Flux Schnell (which means “fast” in German), Flux Dev (okay, that one’s not German), and Flux Pro. And now, with the release of the 1.1 model, Flux Pro has taken a giant leap forward. Exactly how big of a leap? Well, Germans do love their efficiency, and the Flux 1.1 Pro model generates images six times faster than the previous version. That’s right — six times!
So, How Fast and Efficient Is Flux 1.1 Pro?
To put it simply, Flux 1.1 Pro isn’t just fast — it’s ridiculously fast. We’re talking less than 5 seconds per generation. And in terms of the ELO score (yes, it’s named after Arpad Elo, the Hungarian chess master), Flux 1.1 Pro beats the previous model by a long shot. Not just in speed, but in satisfaction scores too. The images look better, and the process feels smoother.
Of course, the elephant in the room is MidJourney, which was mysteriously absent from the comparison charts. But even so, I think it’s fair to say that Flux 1.1 Pro holds its own, even when compared to some of the big names out there.
Where Can You Try Flux 1.1 Pro?
If you want to give Flux 1.1 Pro a spin, you’re in luck. A bunch of platforms have teamed up with Black Forest Labs, including FreePick, Replicate, Fall.AI, and Anakin AI. The best part? Anakin AI is offering Flux Pro for free! Just head over to Anakin AI to check it out.
FreePick is also offering free generations for a limited time (if you’re a premium member), and Fall.AI offers images for just $0.04 per megapixel. That’s 25 images for a dollar — pretty good deal!
I Put Flux 1.1 Pro to the Test
So, I decided to try out Flux 1.1 Pro with a few prompts to see how it actually performed. Below are some of the images I generated, and let me tell you, it was an interesting ride!
Cyberpunk Adventure Scene
My prompt was “a cyberpunk woman with white hair wearing black armor, walking in a snowy alley with shadowy figures following her.” And wow, the result was impressive. The model captured the overall cyberpunk vibe with some fantastic lighting effects. The woman’s expression conveyed the idea of leading her pursuers into a trap, which was exactly what I was going for. Sure, there were minor quirks — like the skin texture needing a little more detail — but for the most part, it was spot on.
Casual Cafe Conversation
Next, I wanted to see how well Flux could handle a casual scene. I prompted, “two friends sitting at a cafe, chatting.” The result? A cozy scene with soft lighting, and it felt very natural. The model did a great job capturing subtle details like the expressions and the depth of field. One thing I noticed was the realistic lighting on the subjects, which made the entire composition feel warm and inviting.
“My Boring Snapchat Photos” Series
This is where things got fun. I prompted Flux to create something from the “boring Snapchat photos” series, and the result was both quirky and charming. It had that raw, imperfect look, which made it feel like a genuine candid photo. The AI nailed the essence of casual, real-life moments — though we still saw some classic AI quirks like slightly off fingers. But that’s part of the fun, right?
Women in Low Lighting
Finally, I tried a more artistic shot. I prompted, “a woman standing near a window, holding a coffee cup in low light.” The atmosphere came out pretty spot on — the sense of light and shadow was captivating. The only downside was that the coffee cup looked a bit small, and there was some weirdness with the hand, but honestly, the mood of the shot made up for it.
What’s New in Flux 1.1 Pro?
Black Forest Labs promised improvements in prompt adherence and diversity, and they certainly delivered. The results were nuanced and varied, offering more diverse outputs than what you typically see with AI-generated images. Characters weren’t just clichés; they felt different and unique.
For instance, I tried a classic “man in a blue business suit walking down a busy city street” prompt, and the results were well-lit and realistic. The lighting was handled beautifully, adding depth, and the character didn’t look copy-pasted into the background. However, on subsequent tries, I did get some typical-looking stock photo guys — so it’s not perfect, but it’s getting there.
The Human Touch: Imperfections Make It Real
One of my favorite aspects of Flux 1.1 Pro is its ability to handle imperfections. Community-generated images, like the “My Boring Snapchat Photos” series, looked incredibly human. Imperfect hands, stray hairs — it all added up to a level of realism that I haven’t seen in many other AI models.
Sure, there are still some AI quirks — like tiny coffee cups or odd hand positioning — but honestly, that’s part of the journey. Flux is still in its early days, and these small oddities are likely to get ironed out soon, especially with high-res capabilities improving.
My Final Thoughts: Is Flux 1.1 Pro Worth It?
So, what’s the verdict? I gotta say, Flux 1.1 Pro is definitely worth checking out. The speed, quality, and accessibility make it a solid contender in the AI image generation space, and the fact that it’s open-source and free through Anakin AI is a major plus.
I’m especially pumped about the upcoming features — like video generation — which could take this tool to a whole new level. If you’re an artist, a designer, or just someone curious about AI, give Flux 1.1 Pro a try. It’s not perfect, but it’s getting there, and the journey is just as exciting as the destination.
So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Anakin AI and see if Flux 1.1 Pro lives up to the hype!
