We have seen so many applications of Photoshop Beta's Generative Fill and AI tools, to the point where many of us are jaded by the concept. I have extensively experimented with what's possible, sometimes blown away by the algorithm's accuracy, and sometimes disappointed. Undoubtedly, this first truly additive AI tool in the software has changed photography as a whole.
As post-processing became more powerful, we saw photographers shrugging off errors or problems because they could "fix it in post" — a term that is now a meme within the photography community. However, it wasn't long before photographers were shooting for post-production, which is an entirely different proposition. Now, as we can see in this video of Serge Ramelli's landscape shoot, we are starting to see people shooting for post-production, but with wholesale, AI changes in mind. What do you make of this new concept?
Photography has always been difficult to define completely and it is significantly more difficult as of 2023.
Incredible. We're in an age where the content almost creates itself.. but really hasn't the universe always done that by itself? Created its own majesty? I prefer to capture the natural beauty of the world. I think this makes me less versatile than artists like Serge here, but that's my choice.. for now. That's the beauty of art!
Personally, I think we are beyond just photography anymore. Why, because it's all about creating an image now. There are so many tools for us to use in post-processing. So now the artistry has shifted to accepted image creation from both resources, Photography and Post-Processing.
Now many have the challenge of learning and working in thinking about what kind of image they have in their minds-eye. For example: instead of just shooting something for what it is, we are now challenged with having a preconceived image in our minds before we shoot something, and that affects how we use the tools of both our camera gear and our software tools. I'm loving moving to this new form of photography, I actually call it Artography.
Here is an example of two shots that I took knowing that I wanted to work them together.
The Before and After.