This is a really interesting article that has kept me busy for a long time.
The commentary I am trying to write below is certainly far too short and does not cover all the aspects you have addressed here.
I have not yet worked with these image generators myself, but I have read quite a lot about them, especially in the German-language magazine DOCMA.
There is also a lively discussion in photography circles, and the fears that you have mentioned here are also being articulated. I was recently able to take part in a very interesting discussion about AI and portrait photography. The conclusion was quite positive: I don't believe that photographers who can respond to their clients individually and create a relaxed atmosphere during the shoot will become unemployed because of AI. After all, none of the people being portrayed want to have such a smoothly ironed mass image created of them as AI produces, and then not even the number of fingers is right, which regularly happens with AI.
In the long term, the stock photographers' images may be flooded with AI images containing standardised objects that the AI can easily recreate.
However, this is definitely not possible in our field, for the reasons you have explained in detail. AI doesn't recognise microbes, and I think it will stay that way for a long time.
I don't see this tendency with my picture agency, sciencephotolibrary, either. AI cannot generate images of very specific microorganisms in their specific environment.
We've been using tools with AI for a long time, such as Photoshop or Lightroom, and as long as they make some of our tedious work easier, that's perfectly fine, as long as we continue to educate ourselves.
In any case, my motto in connection with AI is: stay cheerful and confident...
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful reply. I completely agree, and I like your motto! As you say AI has already been part of creative tool kits for some time, whether or not we were aware of it, although generative AI takes it a step further than anything that was there before. I guess if one does choose to use it, the biggest thing is to stay mindful that it doesn't undermine your own skill and integrity. I'm glad we can feel somewhat safe for now in our little micro world, but it will certainly be interesting to see how the future plays out :)
What an interesting post! The AI images look pretty neat honestly, but it looks very… well… AI. I’m glad I found your Substack, your art is beautiful!
Thank you so much, I'm glad you're here!
Super interesting. The examples were very helpful. I'm glad to see that your work is still safe for now!
Hello Kate,
This is a really interesting article that has kept me busy for a long time.
The commentary I am trying to write below is certainly far too short and does not cover all the aspects you have addressed here.
I have not yet worked with these image generators myself, but I have read quite a lot about them, especially in the German-language magazine DOCMA.
There is also a lively discussion in photography circles, and the fears that you have mentioned here are also being articulated. I was recently able to take part in a very interesting discussion about AI and portrait photography. The conclusion was quite positive: I don't believe that photographers who can respond to their clients individually and create a relaxed atmosphere during the shoot will become unemployed because of AI. After all, none of the people being portrayed want to have such a smoothly ironed mass image created of them as AI produces, and then not even the number of fingers is right, which regularly happens with AI.
In the long term, the stock photographers' images may be flooded with AI images containing standardised objects that the AI can easily recreate.
However, this is definitely not possible in our field, for the reasons you have explained in detail. AI doesn't recognise microbes, and I think it will stay that way for a long time.
I don't see this tendency with my picture agency, sciencephotolibrary, either. AI cannot generate images of very specific microorganisms in their specific environment.
We've been using tools with AI for a long time, such as Photoshop or Lightroom, and as long as they make some of our tedious work easier, that's perfectly fine, as long as we continue to educate ourselves.
In any case, my motto in connection with AI is: stay cheerful and confident...
All the best,
Gerd
Hi Gerd!
Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful reply. I completely agree, and I like your motto! As you say AI has already been part of creative tool kits for some time, whether or not we were aware of it, although generative AI takes it a step further than anything that was there before. I guess if one does choose to use it, the biggest thing is to stay mindful that it doesn't undermine your own skill and integrity. I'm glad we can feel somewhat safe for now in our little micro world, but it will certainly be interesting to see how the future plays out :)