Pretty Photos v AI

The threat of AI on making pretty photographs exists

There is quite a bit of commotion about the influence of AI in photography. From spot removal, changing skies to creating full images there is little chance of escaping it.

Some will argue the resurgence of film from basement shadows to the mainstream will be the response to AI generated imagery. But with digital cameras capable of churning out ‘the film look’ is this not already under threat?

Maybe. But what is actually under threat?

The final image. That single frame capable of grabbing enough attention to have it circulate virally to create a compound effect of much attention of many humans, which is being defined as ‘success’.

Therefore, the pursuit of attention has never been stronger.

The pursuit of attention is under threat.

Attention comes from the final image.

The final image is under threat.

Photography is under threat.

Three Sails

There have been some really interesting discussions and writing about this subject already, which I am not going to go over. What I will say is that those commentators make sound, rational, points and offer good ideas for fellow photographers.

I believe pretty images can still exist, but with the benefit of one addition.

Words.

Words bring the real story behind the image. When I look at a spectacular image I create my own form of reality, and then, if available, I love hearing or reading about the real story behind it.

Words can also be created through AI but experiences can’t.

Six Sails

If it’s 50 or 500 words, it doesn’t matter in my view. The wonder of the image paired with the relatable reality of the story behind it can turn pretty pictures into beautiful stories that will outlast technology. Or, by the time AI catches up trying to recycle a photographers words the next evolution will be taking place.

Photo stories are really powerful vessels for transferring information. Pretty pictures can be powerful means of transferring feeling and sensation. What if there is a way to combine feeling with a story? The photographer’s story.

Some of my favourite photographers reveal the ‘behind the glass’ and what I love is that there is sometimes a contrasting, sometimes complimentary, story behind the image. Both have the same focal point, the image, but two different versions of the story.

Chasing Sails

Writing might not be for everyone who wields a camera, but everyone is familiar enough with words to create audio or visual support roles for the image.

This is not to say that pretty images cannot exist in isolation, they absolutely can. But if it’s attention you desire you might have to accept the competition has changed (and grown).

What this could do is start to separate the technologists from the creatives, forming a more distinctive spectrum to hang our hat on. Who knows?

For me there’s an ultimate priority, and that is to create time and space to be creative. If the outputs are deemed pretty, then that’s great, but I also want to convey the story behind the output - the feeling and the narrative.

I’d love to see your pretty images, please do share with me and connect on social media.