Is Artificial Intelligence Taking Over Photography?
As a photographer, I get why people worry about how artificial intelligence will impact the photography industry.
There are some impressive AI tools out there:
DALLE 2, Stable Diffusion, Midjourney, and chatGPT.
And these will impact photography, for sure.
But what does all this mean for photographers, whether you're a pro or a beginner?
The truth is that AI already helps artists and programmers create professional-level work.
And they're only going to get better.
For example, the Sony A7RV camera has an AI chip that makes it better at recognizing subjects.
And other cameras will follow suit.
This means that the gap between professionals and amateurs is getting smaller.
And even someone new to photography could take great pictures.
All the hard work and training photographers have put in become less important, all of a sudden.
But there's one thing that AI can't replace: the emotional connection that we have with our craft.
For many photographers, photography is more than a job or a hobby.
It's something that we care about.
There's a feeling that comes with holding a camera like framing a shot and capturing a moment in time.
A machine cannot replicate these emotions.
The physical experience of taking photos is as important as the result.
Adjusting the camera settings, focusing, and pressing the shutter are all part of the creative process.
Photography isn't just about taking pictures.
It's also about the experience of creating those pictures.
It's about seeing something beautiful and capturing it in a way that's unique to you.
Of course, photography isn't just about the technical side of things.
It's also about telling a story and showing emotions.
A good photographer has an eye for composition, lighting, and framing.
But they also know how to connect with their subject and bring out their personality, emotions, and character.
This is especially true when it comes to portrait photography.
It's critical to create a comfortable environment and put the subject at ease.
And yes. AI might be able to help with the technical stuff.
But it can't replace the human connection that's necessary to create great images.
There is no doubt: AI is changing the world of photography.
But it's not going to replace the emotional connection and creativity that we bring to our craft.
Taking pictures is a personal and unique experience.
We'll use AI to help us be more creative and efficient.
But we'll still bring our unique perspectives and emotions to the table.
So, if you're worried about how AI is going to affect your photography career, don't be!
It's an opportunity to explore new techniques and ideas.
The reason why you must keep improving your skills.
AI might be changing the way we take pictures.
But it's not going to replace the heart and soul of photography.
I’ll speak to you again next week.
Until then, happy shooting!
Hakan.