Will AI destroy photography? Absolutely not, and this is why
Mar 1, 2024
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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AI images have been in our lives for a while, and it looks like they aren’t going anywhere. Many photographers have started dreading that AI will replace them and that AI images will destroy photography. But is it really the case? Jay P. Morgan has an optimistic view on the matter and believes that there’s no chance AI will destroy photography. He discusses this topic in his latest video, and we wholeheartedly recommend it if you need an optimism boost.
Why AI will never destroy photography
First, I completely agree with Jay in his attitude towards AI in relation to photography. I wrote my own article on the matter, giving you some examples of both AI and real images – and why, although marvelous, the AI ones can never replace my photos.
Jay discusses many aspects of AI versus photography and why AI will never be able to kill our favorite activity. He relies on his photography experience, which has lasted since the film days.
- Each transition brings great tools: The arrival of digital photography was met with concerns similar to those now surrounding AI. However, digital cameras ultimately proved to be a valuable tool, just as AI has the potential to be.
- Photography records important events: The act of capturing life’s significant moments is an integral part of photography. Honestly, I don’t think there’s a way for this ever to be replaced by AI.
- People use their phones: The rise of smartphone photography demonstrates the enduring desire to document experiences, regardless of the camera used.
- Photography is an experience: Photography offers more than just image creation; it provides a sense of purpose, connection, and personal satisfaction. We get both social and personal experience through photography. It fosters a sense of community through shared experiences and discussions with other photographers. At the same time, the individual experience of creating and capturing images is another irreplaceable aspect of photography.
- AI will not destroy our desire to go out and shoot: For most photographers, the thrill of capturing the perfect moment and the satisfaction of creating a well-composed image will outweigh the convenience of AI-generated photos.
- Photography is about capturing good composition: The challenge and reward of finding and arranging elements within a scene to create a compelling composition is a core aspect of photography.
- Photography is about capturing the moment: The ability to capture fleeting moments and the artistry involved in doing so are irreplaceable aspects of photography. Just remember Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” – it’s not something you can capture with AI. You can’t capture anything with AI when I think about it.
What will AI change?
Of course, we can’t deny that AI influences various industries, including photography. Jay gives some examples of the current or potential changes it will bring:
- AI will affect advertising: The advertising industry will likely be the most impacted by AI, as AI-generated images offer a cost-effective and efficient way to create visuals. However, the need for authenticity and human experience in advertising will still hold value.
- Advertising photographers who can create AI images will survive: Related to the previous point, photographers who adapt to and embrace AI will have an advantage in the advertising industry.
- New career – promptographers: The ability to craft effective prompts for AI image generation may become a specialized skill and a new career path for photographers.
- AI as a fine art tool: AI can potentially be a valuable tool for artistic expression in photography. After all, you can use it to create concepts and mood boards for an actual shoot.
“So in the end, is AI going to kill photography?” Jay wonders. “Absolutely not, because it’s not going to change you, and you are photography!” Amen to that!
[Is AI Destroying Photography? | Jay P. Morgan]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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23 responses to “Will AI destroy photography? Absolutely not, and this is why”
I agree with this.
It will have absolutely zero effect on my photography.
Zero effect on my pictures.
Not on my photography, but yes, people are already being kicked out of competitions because they were found out to be AI
Will AI kill the truth, Yes! Will AI be harmful to photography, Yes! because people do not take the time to find out what is true.
Bill Purvis When a woman puts a makeup on, it’s not truth either. Yet, we are fine with that.
Bill Purvis already happening. all over facebook is clear AI images ppl think are photos getting 100k + likes. humans are doomed lol
Bill PurvisBlack and white photo is not true because the world is colorful. Right?
Gee I am so dumb!!
Bill Purvis If you don’t know the people in a photo, why would you care about it?
Yeah, and I don’t think AI will quickly eliminate copywriting jobs like mine, either! Haha, Just kidding, it’s already starting to happen.
No.
Completely disagree. The big difference between AI and the evolution of digital photography from film is that digital improved processes, but didn’t change the purpose or realities of the medium. AI changes everything. Right now, it’s fairly easy to tell a real photo from AI. In 3-5 years, it will be impossible. AI will shape and replace reality. People won’t know which event is real, which person is an actual human or a prompt-created batch of one’s and zero’s. The idea that AI will help “mood boards” for real shoots is laughable. AI will complete the image in seconds for no cost. The best photography can do is separate itself from AI as its own medium and reposition AI as “PromptArt” or something else. No matter what, livelihoods are going to be destroyed.
It will cull mediocre photographers from the marketplace for sure. It will also drastically drop prices all photographers can charge. Will it affect hobby photographers? Probably not, and it will open up a lot of creative images to people who can’t travel to places with great backgrounds.
AI will never destroy the wedding photography.
Sergi Yavorski thats the 1st thing to go
Art Nau Maybe your weeding business is the first to go. Either that, or you are completely clueless.
It might hurt stock photographers and product photographers
because AI has no IQ?
AI is complicated and could become dangerous altering and or copying documents that would be almost impossible to detect changes made with AI. Today we alter our photographs with programs like PS, Lightroom and other photo editing programs. Ansel Adam’s altered his images in the darkroom using dodging and burning. ( A lost art today) JMO
AI will make editing so easy anyone can take wedding photos with a phone and make it printable. Same goes for portrait, landscape, food, etc. Phone cameras will continue to improve. I am afraid photography as a business will die out in my lifetime . The future is all about creative videography. Every social media platform is encouraging video contents, even yelp.
This is well said. Will it be used in product photography or maybe fashion, yeah, but street photography or photojournalism? Hell no.
AI can’t replace images that have inherent value.