Photography is an art form that constantly evolves, and with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) software, many professional photographers now face a common question: Should they fear AI in photography?
As a photographer whose business revolves around creativity, it's natural to have reservations about technology encroaching on your creative process. So, let’s address the fears and hesitations photographers have about using AI software and shed light on the remarkable benefits it brings to the table.
Squashing Common Fears About AI In Photography
Loss of Control
No photographer wants to lose control over their creative process. Some photographers worry that relying on AI algorithms for tasks such as editing or retouching may result in losing their personal touch and style.
However, photographers can rest assured that AI is a tool meant to enhance their creativity, not replace it. By leveraging AI software effectively, photographers can maintain complete control over the artistic direction of their work while using AI algorithms as valuable assistants in their editing process.
Lack of Originality
Photographers worry that AI editing software may generate similar-looking photos or apply generic filters, diminishing the uniqueness of their work.
While AI software can automate certain tasks, it’s important to remember that photographers ultimately retain the ability to infuse their unique style and vision into their work.
By using AI as a starting point or a source of inspiration, photographers can still apply their creativity to customize and refine images, ensuring each image maintains its originality and stands out from the crowd.
AI Replacing Creativity
One of the most common fears photographers have about AI in photography is the idea that it will replace or diminish their creativity. Don’t forget, AI is only a tool, not a replacement for the artistic eye and vision of a professional photographer.
AI software is here to empower photographers by offering new possibilities and streamlining certain tasks. No software can replace a photographer’s creative vision; that’s an intrinsically human aspect of this art form.
Job Displacement
The fear of job displacement may seem far-fetched to some, but it is common among professionals in various industries, and photography is no exception. Some photographers worry that the automation and efficiency brought by AI may lead to a decline in demand for their services. But once again, there’s really no need for concern. The human touch cannot be replaced in photography, no matter how intelligent AI becomes.
Rather than fearing AI taking their jobs, photographers should embrace AI as an assistant that can increase efficiency and productivity. It will allow them to focus more on their artistic pursuits and explore new opportunities that arise as the demand for visually compelling content continues to grow.
Dependence on AI
Photographers may worry that they will become dependent on AI for tasks like image enhancement or composition, potentially hindering their ability to develop their skills and adapt to different shooting conditions. While AI software can be a valuable asset, photographers should remember that it is just one component of their skill set. By striking a balance between using AI for certain tasks and honing their craft through traditional methods, photographers can maintain their independence and continually develop their abilities in response to different shooting conditions and client preferences.
Ethical Considerations
Some photographers may worry about issues such as privacy, data security, and the potential misuse of facial recognition technology embedded in some AI systems. These concerns surrounding AI in photography are valid. Therefore, photographers must approach AI technologies responsibly. By being mindful of privacy issues, seeking explicit consent when using facial recognition, and adhering to best practices in data security, photographers can navigate the ethical landscape and use AI software responsibly and respectfully.
Technological Learning Curve
AI technology is constantly evolving, and photographers may feel overwhelmed by the learning curve of using new AI software. They may resent the need to invest significant time and effort to adapt to new tools and techniques.
Luckily, numerous resources are available, such as tutorials, online communities, and workshops, to help photographers adapt to AI technology effectively. Yes, additional time may be required to learn how to use new AI tools effectively, but the good news is photographers will make up for that time with these tools. The primary purpose of using AI software is to speed up and streamline processes such as culling and editing, so in the end, they’ll get that time back and then some!
AI Tools Boost Efficiency in the Photography Workflow
Let's face it, culling and editing are the most time-consuming and tedious tasks for photographers. The most significant benefit of AI in photography is the speed boost it adds to the post-shoot workflow.
AI culling solutions like Aftershoot revolutionize this process by utilizing machine learning algorithms to quickly analyze and categorize images, allowing photographers to make final selections much more quickly and giving them more time to focus on their creative endeavors.
Aftershoot takes it a step further by including AI editing capabilities that automate the editing process while staying true to a photographer’s unique editing style with 90%+ accuracy.
This intuitive software will keep adapting and learning from a photographer’s input and additional adjustments, meaning Aftershoot’s algorithms become more effective the more you use it. With a significant speed boost comes vast amounts of time saved. On average, photographers save more than 10 hours per week using Aftershoot. That's more than an entire workday back in their pockets!
By automating mundane post-shoot processes, AI software frees up valuable time for photographers to focus on what they love and do best: capturing breathtaking moments. That alone should be enough to compel photographers to employ AI software in their workflows.
Don’t Fear It, Embrace AI in Photography
In conclusion, professional photographers should not be afraid of AI in photography at all. Instead of viewing it as a threat, photographers should embrace AI as a powerful tool that enhances their creativity and boosts efficiency.
As the world of photography continues to evolve, AI will undoubtedly play a larger role in the industry. By harnessing the power of AI, photographers can push their artistic boundaries, save time, and create stunning visual experiences. So, rather than fearing AI, it's time for photographers to embrace it and explore its endless possibilities.
Great article! Much of this is predicting the future and we'll just have to wait and see how things play out. But you say, "The human touch cannot be replaced in photography, no matter how intelligent AI becomes."
I think that statement is philisophically true, but I do think corporations and clients will replace many professional photographers with AI. It's already happening - clothing manufacturers have fired fashion photographers and models and replaced them with AI-generated images. Stock photography is being generated by non-photographers using AI at an alarming rate.
I don't want to be a pessimist, but I've had technology disrupt a couple of previous careers and I've found that correctly anticipating changes in an industry can allow people to prepare themselves for long-term success.
Philosophically true! Think again Tony. This is the early days of the application of AI that’s been in development for more than a generation. I had a friend working on AI based speech recognition back when the 386 was cutting edge. Most people today would not know what a 386 was! People once predicted the human body could not withstand speeds of more than 60mph. We make rash claims all the time based on insufficient data and out of date mind sets. Very few could have predicted the combination of the WWW, new algorithms such as h.264, the production of inexpensive video capturing devices along with increased bandwidth would lead to YouTube, TikTok and other streaming services. It’s pretty obvious now but it certainly was not back in the day. I clearly remember arguing with a superior way back trying to convince him streaming video was going to have a huge impact. He did not agree. The organisation I worked for lost out massively. It’s not just going to be AI on its own. Once married with other technologies who knows what the eventual outcome will be.
A good amount of thinking and research went into this article. It was excellent! (And thank you, Tony Northrop, for your comment. As always, you bring a great deal of experience and expertise to any discussion of photography.) As a “recently retired” professional photographer, I’d just like to add my two-cents worth: Of course, software like PS, Capture One, LR, OnOne, etc., and the many plugins and add-ones—like NIK, Topaz, Luminar, Professional Portrait etc.—have sometimes been accused of making photographers “less professional, and more geekish.” I have never agreed with that. I’ve always believed that the vast majority of professional photographers used these products not in place of their talent, but just as another tool for their creativity. What I saw as a problem, was the advent of the smart-phone camera. My contention is the vast majority of people became content with the less-than-professional quality of their smart-phone pics. And over time, the general public lowered its standard for creating a photo, in favor of taking pics quickly, and posting them with ease. The lowering of expectations made it easier to think: “Why should I hire a professional photographer who takes longer to complete a session than it takes me to press a button on my phone and post it?” In other words, I think people have come to conclusion that taking a photo on their smart phone is better/easier/ less expensive than paying a photographer who—all things considered—would do a much better job. Of course, there are some folks who still value the quality a professionally made photograph. But, unfortunately, I think their numbers are dwindling. I don’t believe AI solely will be responsible for photographers losing their jobs. Instead, I believe AI will finish the work the smart phone began.
Just as AI cannot think what has not been thought, AI cannot create what has not been created. Nothing AI produces is original. Someone somewhere has programed the machine to respond in a predetermined way. Don't worry about AI and go forth and create.....
I think your statement misunderstands totally what AI is all about. In other fields AI is used to create ‘new things’. For example AI created new proteins not found in nature. That means they did not exist before AI. Creating new as yet unimagined images will be AI child’s play. All the AI system is dealing with is a matrix of pixels.
https://news.mit.edu/2023/ai-system-can-generate-novel-proteins-structur....
I’m not sure I agree, while there are for sure some very handy AI tools available, noise reduction and ‘item removal tools’ that do help and enhance creativity there is now the AI full photo creation process which is so much more than a one task tool. It’s a do it all tool with little creative skill required beyond the ability to produce a catchy little creation phrase. This month our society is running its annual photographic print salon for the 159th time with around 160 photographic images on display. There is one image in particular that looks suspicious and can be replicated with a natty little phrase. I’m not saying the image hanging there with the other 159 is AI generated but it’s the type of image that can so easily be created with no camera required..
The outcome and long term effects of the introduction of new technology can be notoriously difficult to predict. The world will just need 5 computers and the introduction of the video cassette will kill the film industry! Those two along with many other pronouncements were so far off the mark! I’ve got more than 5 computers in my bedroom where I’m typing this! Who can say how AI will eventually impact photography but at this moment in time it’s all looking rather worrying. To say it’s just another creative tool is possibly not factoring in and understating its eventual capabilities.
This sponsored article is like a stone skipping across a pond: It never gets into the topic in depth. Each section repeats the formula "people have this fear, but don't worry about that because AI is great!" Never does it offer a comprehensive perspective as to why.
It is also conflating, as far as I can tell, different types of AI. Tools that learn your editing style are not inherently based on Generative AI. There is a technological difference between culling your images and creating a new image (or fill) based on a text prompt. Many of my (non-photography) clients are asking for GenAI solutions to challenges we've been able to solve for a while with other data science / AI approaches. So while this has captured our imaginations, most folks have no concept of where we are or where we may be going because of this type of conflation.
I'm not saying GenAI is the doom of photography. People worried that photography was the doom of painting; while in several respects maybe it was, there are also many real ways in which it wasn't. I don't think we can quite figure out what the future holds with GenAI just yet. And to me, that means that some caution is warranted.