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Generative Model Using Random Weights for Deep Image Representation (arxiv.org)
2 points by tfm on Jun 16, 2016 | hide | past | pdf | discuss on HN

In plain words: Instead of training a network first, this team used convolutional networks with random, fixed weights to rebuild images from noise, make textures, and repaint photos in an artist's style. Rebuilt images were sharper than from the same trained network, and textures looked nearly identical.

Abstract · A Powerful Generative Model Using Random Weights for the Deep Image Representation

To what extent is the success of deep visualization due to the training? Could we do deep visualization using untrained, random weight networks? To address this issue, we explore new and powerful generative models for three popular deep visualization tasks using untrained, random weight convolutional neural networks. First we invert representations in feature spaces and reconstruct images from white noise inputs. The reconstruction quality is statistically higher than that of the same method applied on well trained networks with the same architecture. Next we synthesize textures using scaled correlations of representations in multiple layers and our results are almost indistinguishable with the original natural texture and the synthesized textures based on the trained network. Third, by recasting the content of an image in the style of various artworks, we create artistic images with high perceptual quality, highly competitive to the prior work of Gatys et al. on pretrained networks. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration of image representations using untrained deep neural networks. Our work provides a new and fascinating tool to study the representation of deep network architecture and sheds light on new understandings on deep visualization.

Kun He, Yan Wang, John Hopcroft
arXiv:1606.04801 · cs.CV, cs.LG, cs.NE · submitted Jun 15, 2016 · updated Jun 16, 2016
abstract · pdf · html · 10 pages, 10 figures, submited to NIPS 2016 conference. Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, Neurons and Cognition, Neural and Evolutionary Computing

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