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Conor Doherty

Is AI ruining Photography?

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AI Photograph

AI generated photograph created by German artist Boris Eldagsen which won the Sony World Photography Awards.

 

Photography is a rapidly developing technology, where every camera utilizes some sort of computational power, leading to numerous possibilities for enhancing data processing. The field of photography is continuously evolving with the introduction of advanced lens technology and new equipment such as drones.

However, the latest and most significant advancement is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). In this discussion, we will delve into the world of AI photography and explore how it is revolutionizing the field of photography.

AI is changing photography in numerous ways. For example, Automated adjustments. AI can detect and recognize various subjects in photos and make automatic adjustments to improve the image quality, such as adjusting exposure, colour balance, and sharpness. Another way is Object recognition. AI can detect and recognize specific objects in photos, such as landmarks, animals, or plants, providing helpful information and context for the photo. But this is AI built in to camera systems to help photographers take great photos. Overall, AI is helping photographers to capture better images with less effort and time, while also enhancing the quality and accuracy of the photos. What about AI photo generation? Lets see how AI is changing the photography landscape and if this could be a problem for professional photographers.

What is AI Photo Generation?

AI photo generation, also known as generative adversarial networks (GANs), refers to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to generate new images or manipulate existing ones. This technique involves training two neural networks simultaneously: a generator network that creates new images based on a given dataset, and a discriminator network that evaluates the generated images and tries to distinguish them from real ones.

As the two networks continue to learn and improve, the generator becomes better at creating realistic and high-quality images, while the discriminator becomes better at identifying fake images. This process can be used to generate new images that resemble real-world objects or even to create entirely new and imaginative images.

AI photo generation has numerous applications, such as creating realistic avatars for video games or virtual reality environments, enhancing images for medical or scientific purposes, or even creating new forms of digital art. However, it can also raise concerns about ethics, privacy, and the potential misuse of AI-generated images.

Camera Lens

Is it a problem?

AI-generated photographs can present various problems, depending on the context in which they are used. Here are some potential issues:

Misinformation: AI-generated photographs can be used to create fake images, videos, and other visual content that misleads people and spreads false information.

Privacy concerns: AI-generated photographs can be used to create realistic images of people without their consent, potentially violating their privacy and causing harm.

Bias: AI algorithms used in photography may be trained on biased datasets, leading to discriminatory results and perpetuating existing social biases.

Artistic integrity: Some people may argue that AI-generated photographs lack the artistic integrity of traditional photography, as they rely heavily on computational algorithms rather than human creativity and skill.

Legal issues: There may be legal issues surrounding the use of AI-generated photographs, such as copyright infringement or the need for model releases.

 

Conclusion

It’s likely that you will encounter someone who complains about AI technology, and they may argue that it signifies the demise of genuine photography. It may be beneficial to consider photo manipulation, which has been prevalent long before the digital era. In the past, photographers would use their hands on an enlarger to dodge and burn images. They would also cut out different sections from negatives and impose them on others to create a new image. In light of this, we can view AI as a natural progression in photography, rather than a threat to the authentic art and expression of photography. In fact, AI can assist point-and-shoot photographers in capturing better photos, and it can also play a significant role in preserving valuable images for future generations.