To what extent, if at all, does it still make sense to take photographs now that AI makes it great to take pictures?

[Biff]

To what extent, if at all, does it still make sense to take photographs now that AI makes it great to take pictures?

Especially for photographers who don't take photos as a souvenir, but want to take photos "artistically" and take creative pictures?

 

[clee01l]

Where do you think AI is getting the photographic material used to construct your Photo? Other photos. And who takes these other photos?

Artist have used all sorts of medium to make art. Even Photography. Abstraction is photography at its best and worst.

I've used AI (Generative fill) to remove objects I could nor physically remove and to extend the composition for a more balanced aspect ratio.

I don't see it replacing photography so much as enhancing it

 

[Biff]

Where do you think AI is getting the photographic material used to construct your Photo?

From wherever there are pictures, photos, videos, paintings, everything. So AI builds / makes / creates images from what what is available in the world of the Internet. Any maybe more.

I don't see it replacing photography so much as enhancing it

Well, that already has happened partially, I would think.

Yes, of course, AI will undoubtedly improve image processing, I guess. As do endless other areas.

 

[Johan Elzenga]

To what extent, if at all, does it still make sense to take photographs now that AI makes it great to take pictures?

Especially for photographers who don't take photos as a souvenir, but want to take photos "artistically" and take creative pictures?

If you want to take artistic and creative pictures, then you want to create something yourself. Clearly using AI does not fit that description, but if you don’t mind using AI, then use AI. Who cares if you don’t even care?

 

[Jimmsp]

To what extent, if at all, does it still make sense to take photographs now that AI makes it great to take pictures?

Especially for photographers who don't take photos as a souvenir, but want to take photos "artistically" and take creative pictures?

Seems like more of a philosophical question than a technical or tool question, at least to me.
I suppose I could ask the same question about any art form.

Your last question of "who ...wants to ...take creative pictures?" can perhaps get to the roots of what is creativity. As Cletus said, AI is just another tool. Use it if you want, don't use it if you don't want to.

I take photos with both my smart phone and with a pretty good DSLR. Both have their place in what I document or create. AI can enhance either if I want.
In general, if I want to be "creative", I will use my brain more than I want to copy what someone else did.

 

[Biff]

If you want to take artistic and creative pictures, then you want to create something yourself.

Yes, maybe with AI.

Clearly using AI does not fit that description

Well well, I tell the AI what to do.

but if you don’t mind using AI, then use AI. Who cares if you don’t even care?

Actually I would say that is not the point.

Seems like more of a philosophical question than a technical or tool question, at least to me.

Or maybe a practical one.

I suppose I could ask the same question about any art form.

Yes yes, and certainly about any (or at least many other?) other fields, but since this is more of a photography editing forum...

Your last question of "who ...wants to ...take creative pictures?" can perhaps get to the roots of what is creativity.

Sorry, not sure what that means. What do you want to say in this context?

As Cletus said, AI is just another tool. Use it if you want, don't use it if you don't want to.

Sorry, can't understand the point here in this context.

I take photos with both my smart phone and with a pretty good DSLR. Both have their place in what I document or create. AI can enhance either if I want.

Yes, sure, why not. Sorry, do not understand what that means here.

In general, if I want to be "creative", I will use my brain more than I want to copy what someone else did.

Yes, OK, Using the brain is fundamentally not wrong anyway. And copying is probably not creativity in principle. Sorry, I do not get the context.

 

[Replytoken]

Yes, maybe with AI.


Well well, I tell the AI what to do.


Actually I would say that is not the point.


Or maybe a practical one.


Yes yes, and certainly about any (or at least many other?) other fields, but since this is more of a photography editing forum...


Sorry, not sure what that means. What do you want to say in this context?


Sorry, can't understand the point here in this context.


Yes, sure, why not. Sorry, do not understand what that means here.


Yes, OK, Using the brain is fundamentally not wrong anyway. And copying is probably not creativity in principle. Sorry, I do not get the context.

I understood the original question. I read the responses which I thought were reasonable. But in reading this post, I am not sure where you are expecting this thread to go, or what you are looking for from other members?

--Ken

 

[Biff]

I guess I just wanted to ask here, it's an interesting topic.

 

[Replytoken]

I guess I just wanted to ask here, it's an interesting topic.

Yes, it is an interesting topic. And I am sure it can also be a controversial topic if the conversation goes off the rails. I just wanted to make sure the intent was more of the former than the latter.

Thanks,

--Ken

 

[Biff]

OK, thank you.

 

[Jimmsp]

I guess I just wanted to ask here, it's an interesting topic.

AI is an interesting, and complex topic. I have played with the Photoshop generative fill with my photos. I understand, to some degree, what it can do and not do. I know what my smartphone currently does and does not do wrt AI. I also know what I want from my photography. I also have no interest in having a computer construct an image (not a photo) from my text instructions, no matter how complex and detailed my descriptions are.

You probably need to reword your question so you don't have so many "out of context" comments.

 

[Biff]

Well, actually, the huge problem for me is, since I know what AI (already) can do - I mean the AI that creates images / completely changes (my) photos (not the one to be used as a tool in programs, e.g. for editing) I messed around with it a bit - I doubt that photography still makes sense to me.

You probably need to reword your question so you don't have so many "out of context" comments.

To what wording? What do you suggest? How had you understood it?

 

[nijolcreative]

AI is an interesting, and complex topic. I have played with the Photoshop generative fill with my photos. I understand, to some degree, what it can do and not do. I know what my smartphone currently does and does not do wrt AI. I also know what I want from my photography. I also have no interest in having a computer construct an image (not a photo) from my text instructions, no matter how complex and detailed my descriptions are.

You probably need to reword your question so you don't have so many "out of context" comments.

Fascinating insights into your perspective on AI in photography! It's clear you have a deep understanding of its capabilities and limitations. What specific features or improvements would you like to see AI bring to photography in the future?

 

[Johan Elzenga]

AI is an interesting, and complex topic. I have played with the Photoshop generative fill with my photos. I understand, to some degree, what it can do and not do. I know what my smartphone currently does and does not do wrt AI. I also know what I want from my photography. I also have no interest in having a computer construct an image (not a photo) from my text instructions, no matter how complex and detailed my descriptions are.

Yes, that was exactly my point. I use AI to enhance my images sometimes, so I do see the advantage of having AI tools. But instructing an AI to generate a complete new image is not a creative process to me, regardless of how much effort I would put in the text prompt. If somebody else does enjoy this and does regard it as a creative process, then that’s their choice.

 

[clee01l]

Yes, that was exactly my point. I use AI to enhance my images sometimes

I used to be a regular member of a localCamera club. We had monthly competitions. There were rules on what could be done to alter a SOOC image. Cropping, tone and noise adjustments were permitted but removing unwanted object were not. There was an unlimited category which permitted these, I wonder what that club would do with an AI generated photo.

 

[Biff]

Maybe not even recognize it as one.

 

[Johan Elzenga]

Maybe not even recognize it as one.

I'm sure they would not accept it as a 'photo', because it isn't. But indeed, they may not recognize that is is an AI generated image if the 'author' isn't honest about it.

 

[johnbeardy]

I rather like the word "promptograph" and creating an photorealistic image by typing a prompt gives me little creative satisfaction (almost as much as entering a good search term in Google).

 

[Jimmsp]

I used to be a regular member of a localCamera club. We had monthly competitions. There were rules on what could be done to alter a SOOC image. Cropping, tone and noise adjustments were permitted but removing unwanted object were not. There was an unlimited category which permitted these, I wonder what that club would do with an AI generated photo.

I am a member/VP of our local community Photo Club.
We have two competitions.
The first is a monthly competition that started with the idea of SOOC photos, with only global edits permitted, and no object removal. No HDR or focus stacking. We have added that AI editing of noise and sharpness is ok. You may use photos taken within the last 12 months.

The second is a quarterly competition, all photos taken within the quarter, in which any global or small area editing is permitted, including removal of an object. AI editing of noise and sharpness is ok. You may also add an object that you have photographed within the quarter. No AI additions of a new object.

We are currently having discussions on SOOC photos from the latest Smart phones which have built in focus stacking and HDR and how they fit into the monthly contest.

Jim

 

[johnbeardy]

I am a member/VP of our local community Photo Club.
We have two competitions.

Which one attracts most entries?

 

[Jimmsp]

Which one attracts most entries?

They are very topic dependent.
On the average, they each attract about the same number, with a good sized overlap between the two.
Our monthly contest entries have decreased some because we changed the time period you could pull from your libraries from two years to one year - in the hope of encouraging people to get out and shoot more. Likewise we limit the editing here so it doesn't become a "photoshop contest".

We have a group of volunteer judges who are pros for the contests.
Our membership judges by secret ballot the quarterly challenge.