Getting Started with AI – Part 4: How to Create Stunning Images & Videos for Your Blog with AI

Words are powerful—but when you add images and videos, your blog truly comes to life. Whether you’re sharing a memory, telling a story, or explaining a lesson, visuals help readers connect more deeply. And the good news is—you don’t need design skills or a video camera to create them anymore.

Thanks to AI tools like Canva AI and Pictory, anyone—even an 80-year-old grandpa like me—can create beautiful content right from home.

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📷 Why Visual Content Matters

• Images grab attention—especially on social media

• Videos explain better than plain text

• Visuals make blogs more inviting

• They help preserve memories and stories in new ways

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🖼️ Tool #1: Canva AI – Smart Image Design Made Simple

What it is: Canva is an easy drag-and-drop design tool. With Canva AI, it now helps you design faster with features like text-to-image, Magic Write (content ideas), and automated layout suggestions.

Best for:

• Blog headers

• Facebook or Instagram graphics

• Quote posters or storytelling images

✨ How to Use Canva AI

1. Sign up for a free Canva account at Canva.com

2. Go to “Magic Design” or “Text to Image” in the left menu

3. Type a phrase like:

   “A grandpa writing at his desk by the window in autumn”

4. Canva will generate several images for you to choose from

5. Add text, icons, or your blog title—and download!

Canva’s Magic Write can also help brainstorm titles or captions.

👉 Try Canva here: https://www.canva.com/

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🎞️ Tool #2: Pictory – Turn Blog Posts into Short Videos

What it is: Pictory lets you turn a written blog post, story, or script into a video with music, AI voice narration, and subtitles—all automatically.

Best for:

• Video versions of your blog posts

• Travel stories or reflections

• YouTube, Facebook, or even family sharing

🎬 How to Use Pictory

1. Sign up at Pictory.ai

2. Select “Article to Video”

3. Paste in your blog post (or a story you’ve written)

4. Choose a style or theme (calm, cinematic, classic, etc.)

5. Pictory will:

   • Select video clips that match your text

   • Add music and AI narration

   • Generate a ready-to-download video

You can customize the voice, text, and scenes as you wish—or just let it do the work for you.

👉 Try Pictory free: https://www.pictory.ai

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👵 Friendly Tips for Beginners

• Start small—try one image or one 30-second video

• Use visuals to enhance, not replace, your stories

• Don’t worry about perfection—AI makes it easier than ever

• These tools are free to try, and you don’t need special equipment

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📌 Example: Blog + Visual Combo

Blog Post: “5 Lessons I’ve Learned from My Grandchildren”
Canva Image: A smiling grandpa and kids, with the title text overlaid
Pictory Video: A 1-minute summary of each life lesson with music and photos

Now your story is not just written—it’s seen and felt.

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💬 Final Thoughts

You don’t need a fancy camera or editing skills to create something beautiful. AI tools like Canva and Pictory help bring your stories to life, one image or one video at a time. For someone like me, this has been one of the most joyful discoveries in retirement.

👉 Try Pictory
👉 Try Canva

Next time, we’ll explore how AI tools can help you stay mentally sharp, curious, and connected—a big part of aging well in the digital age.

Until then, keep sharing your light.

Warmly,
David Au