I’ve been considering the idea of starting a podcast to share my thoughts on AI photography for quite some time. Initially, I hesitated because I’m unsure about adding more discourse to a topic that has been widely discussed and debated. However, it seems that AI photography and tools are here to stay. So, I’ve decided to share my reflections, questions, and personal ethics surrounding this subject. Below, you’ll find a video and a substantial amount of text.
AI is Ruining YOUR Photography… For Me
My main sentiment regarding AI in photography is that it hasn’t affected my own passion for photography at all. My love for taking photos remains intact. I’m not driven by competition, admiration, or even financial gain. I engage in photography for the sheer joy of the process. I cherish the challenge of combining various elements to produce an intriguing photo, especially in just a single frame.
Over the years, however, I’ve noticed a significant decline in my enjoyment of other people’s work. This shift is partly due to a waning trust I have with photographers. It began with feelings of skepticism over sky replacement techniques, intensified with the introduction of added elements, and has almost vanished entirely with the rise of AI photography. Now, I often find myself questioning whether the photographer actually captured the image I’m viewing.
I’ve spoken to other photographers who feel disheartened by AI, thinking, “Why compete against cheaters?” I don’t share that sentiment; my passion for creating photos remains stronger than ever. But the joy I once found in appreciating others’ work has diminished.
Distinction Between AI Photo Editing Tools and AI Photo Generation
It’s imperative to clarify that the term “AI” has been used rather loosely lately. Essentially, anything automated is now referred to as AI. Specifically in photography, I refer to two categories:
AI Editing Assistance Tools
When I mention AI editing tools, I’m talking about features like the auto button in Adobe Lightroom or creating masks in Lightroom that identify the sky. I’m mostly comfortable with these tools as they expedite the editing process and are designed to handle tasks that could be done manually but are time-consuming.
Speaking of which, I eagerly await the day Adobe introduces an AI spot removal tool — now that would be helpful!
AI Photo Generation
On the flip side, we have AI photo generation. This involves using software like Midjourney or Imagine.Art to create an image based on a text or audio prompt. For example, you might use a prompt like, “A mountain valley with an alluvial river flowing through it, against a backdrop of a vibrant sunset and glowing mountain peaks, with pine trees and visible wildlife.” The software then utilizes its database to generate an image that aligns with your description. Sometimes the results are stunning; other times, they don’t quite capture your intentions. The artistry lies in how well you can prompt the software.
Did You Really Create That?
When discussing AI photography, particularly AI photo generation, I’ve encountered a few analogies that resonate with my perspective. One analogy compares the process to Lego blocks — if you had an infinite supply and instructed workers to build something based on your ideas, are you the true creator if they assemble the final product? It’s like hiring an architect to design your dream house; you provided the vision, but did you actually build it?
In all honesty, I do not feel like I’ve created anything when utilizing AI photo generation, much like I wouldn’t claim to have built a house if I merely provided ideas to a team of builders.
That said, if AI-generated images bring you joy and fulfillment, embrace it! My personal views shouldn’t deter you from enjoying your creations or art.
The Legality of AI Photography: Who Owns the Rights?
There are intriguing discussions around the ownership of rights regarding AI-generated images and their components. It’s almost humorous how people passionately defend both sides without definitive evidence; I feel this debate is still unresolved in the courts.
In the realm of AI photo generation, I’ve noticed two predominant viewpoints. The first argues that because a human must hold the rights (as programs cannot), the person issuing the prompt holds ownership — this viewpoint is supported by some court cases.
Conversely, AI does not create from nothing. It references pixels, images, and data from various sources. Therefore, if my image influenced the generation of an AI photo, I believe I should hold at least partial rights over it.
There’s also the issue that current copyright law states that only humans can own rights to AI-generated images, which could lead to chaos. For instance, if an artist creates an image using well-structured prompts and sells it, the original creator might not be protected since they don’t legally own the image. This situation leaves room for exploitation, where anyone could download and exploit those images without accountability.
I think this issue will eventually be addressed, but for now, it’s prudent not to assume you own rights to anything generated by AI.
I even prompted ChatGPT for a captivating photo idea, and it provided me with: “depicting a futuristic metropolis at twilight, with sleek, luminescent skyscrapers towering over bustling streets filled with hovering vehicles, all under a sky adorned with vibrant neon lights reflected off the rain-slicked pavement below.”
Digital Art vs. Photography
Since photography transitioned to digital formats, the lines between photography and digital art have blurred. Does all digital photography equate to digital art? Is traditional photography confined to film or slides?
There aren’t definitive judges, laws, or courts to clarify this; we rely on popular opinion, including my own. I believe photography transforms into digital art when elements absent from the original photograph are added. I even contend that if something is removed from a photograph, it becomes digital art. Editing for exposure or contrast using tools like Lightroom doesn’t count as digital art in my view; it’s merely refining what already exists in the photograph. In my opinion, it becomes digital art when new elements are incorporated, like sky replacements or additional reflections.
The blurred lines appear most when photographers combine multiple images taken within the same frame. Personally, I consider images captured over 15 minutes apart to be digital art, while those taken in close succession remain photography.
In any case, it doesn’t matter if you practice digital art or photography; do what brings you joy. For me, transparency is crucial. Don’t misrepresent your composite images with elements from different locations as a single photograph. When sharing with the photography community, be open about your process.
Should We Just Go Back to Film?
The straightforward answer is: yes. If you’re a photographer frustrated by the shift away from traditional photography towards digital art, then absolutely, consider reverting to film. Unfortunately, this may be the only way to ensure our work retains its status as photography without scrutiny.
Will I switch to film? Absolutely not. I genuinely don’t care about others’ perceptions of my photos or how they were created. My passion for photography is rooted in the challenge of piecing it all together.
Examples from Imagine Art with Prompts
During my podcast, I discussed some examples I created using Imagine Art, and I’ve included those examples throughout this post along with the prompts used.
I’m curious about whether using the exact same prompt would yield a dramatically different image than what I’ve produced. If so, this strongly suggests that the prompt is merely a small piece of the creative process.
Interestingly, some of my favorite images came from prompts I asked ChatGPT to generate. Essentially, I requested various cool prompts for AI-generated photos, and I took no further action.
Summarizing My Thoughts on AI Photography
As I mentioned in my podcast introduction, I’m not particularly bothered by AI-generated photography. It hasn’t diminished my passion for the photo-making process, nor do I believe it threatens my career as a professional photographer. However, one notable effect is my diminished ability to appreciate others’ work. I often find myself feeling underwhelmed, questioning the effort that went into creating an image. While it’s possible the photographer genuinely captured the photo, I can’t shake that nagging doubt.
Brutally honest, I’m not in awe of those who showcase AI-generated images either. Many friends, colleagues, and clients proudly share their creations with me, which is great, but my reaction tends to be lukewarm. Ultimately, how do I sum up my thoughts on AI-generated photography? Meh.
