Photography And Artificial Intelligence⊠âDonât Panicâ
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 15. 04. 2023
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Great video! I think the move towards analog, early digital photography & living off grid is an indication that people want to be creative & control their own lives.
Great video. And again totally in love with the colors. It remembers me a question to a french artist : "Why can't you do better?", "Because I can't ... or maybe I don't want to.". AI is so close to us, and so far hopfully...
Interesting video, Lucy. "Artificial Intelligence" is a collective term for a number of technologies. Where it touches on photography, it takes the form of apps which create imagery from a set of written or verbal instructions - which could be from anyone - whether they're a photographer or not - and/or augments photographs given to it, in ways similar to how film negatives are manipulated in darkrooms (altering contrast, brightness, etc). There are also apps which can add to / remove from / replace items from photographs as part of (or plug-ins for) proprietary photo-editing software. However, many people seem to conflate "digital imagery" with "photography". Photography is drawing with light. With AI, no actual light hits a piece of film or a sensor. Therefore, AI is NOT photography. Nor does AI create photographs. AI is learning how to create fantasy images and adapt actual photographs - sometimes in a photorealistic way - but that still isn't photography. IMO, we need to stop referring to "AI photography". Photographers need to build and maintain process flow / audit trail from their original photographs to whatever the end result is. This will enable them to demonstrate to customers / viewers their value and their creativity as photographers / artists. If they fail to do that and they allow AI apps to just scour the net and build digital imagery which fits the specified brief, they only have themselves to blame. I've been intrigued by what AI can do but, aside from using the basic AI photographic enhancements that the likes of Lightroom and Capture One can do, I'm not remotely interested in using it. AI is unquestionably "intelligent" but it isn't "photography" and the end results are always "artificial".
The resurgence of film photography is actually proof that old methods have a bright future. I find myself not retouching my portraits anymore. I mean in a world where AI filters and AI generated images are becoming more and more indistinguishable from actual photos, what's the point of producing a "perfect" image by retouching a photo? Imperfection is the future of photography, at least in portrait, fashion and beauty. Pretty sure the point and shoot flash look/trend is part of that. Nostalgia for an era of imperfect images.
They said synthesizers would replace human musicians also lol. Didnât happen
Yes this is so true and such a good point that I wish I had included!!!! Iâll have to consult you before I finalise my videos haha
@@LucyLumen Iâm good for like one insight a day, tops lol
They kind of did in a way. Leaving aside composing artist, being a musician was a viable career for many people in earlier times - think big bands, music at theatres, cover bands, etc. Now itâs pretty much restricted to a few orchestras. While not quite the same thing itâs as common to have a DJ with a groove box entertain a crowd as a band.
@@geofff6671 not really. Music just has evolved .
I use DXOâs AI noise removal/sharpening and itâs truly impressive. Iâve recently down-sized my gear from a full-frame system to aps-c as I wanted to have a lighter/smaller setup. Having a reliable AI tool to remove noise has let me crank my iso further on aps-c and has levelled the playing field between different sensor sizes.
At the end of the day, AI is just another tool in my repertoire that I utilise to make my true vision come to fruition.
Adobe just introduced a new product called Firefly for this very reason. AI is getting to the point where it is very useful for photography. The problem is that the results end up looking a little bit waxy. But then that might be OK if you're used to that look from a Fuji APS-C camera... I can still look at AI photos and find them artificial.... There are some cool things occasionally, the results will never replace humans, nor can it anyway. Laws about marketing in general don't allow for misleading advertisements. But then I shouldn't make a global statement, that is my perspective, the courts may think differently about that.
@@roumelio I shoot on a Fuji X-H2S and never had the waxy-skin issue. I think a lot of those issues were from the noise reduction at higher ISO that would affect the JPEGs straight out of camera. I turn down NR and never have an issue. I get a lot of detail and Iâm impressed, even coming from full frame.
I hear lightroom doesnât play well with some Fuji files, but I guess if that happens, itâs recommended to use Capture One instead.
But yeah, I think it sounds pretty cool and it should only get better with time, when he algorithms get ironed out.
I always try to get shots as perfect as possible in camera, but sometimes you compromise when in a pinch and you just need to get the shot. The idea of being able to save images is a cool one!đ
@@Christo_glenn I've been playing around with AI since Night Cafe became a thing. It's a pretty cool advancement that has come way quicker than what I thought it would.
I am a total end to end Adobe user from RAW files to Photoshop, so I probably noticed the Fuji issue a little earlier than some would. I like the cameras, the Xtrans sensors just don't gel with me though. I wish they would release another model like they once did without it, and then I'd probably buy Fuji gear, but I'm still sitting over here with team Micro Four Thirds.
I spent much of 2020-2021 filling sketchbooks with pencil drawings and filled journals with poetry and daily observations.Then along comes ChatGPT and other art generators that tried to take the wind out of my sails. For thirty years, I've hit the streets taking photographs and now I look at faux street photos that get hundreds of views and likes on Instagram and it's really sad. Again, should I throw up my arms and say, that's it, I can't compete? No way! The satisfaction of getting a shot I like after spending 8-10 hours walking around pushing my body and mind to the limits can no way compare to the feeling I'd get from typing in a short description and getting back an image. Luckily, I'm not chasing likes and views on my photographs. The satisfaction for me is a life well lived, a life of heightened awareness, a life of gratitude and appreciation for every moment and of sharing and rejoicing in what it means to be human. Give me an all manual camera with one lens and I'm already in heaven. I don't need anything more than that. It's perfection.
Thank you Lucy! I think you nailed this issue. There is an ever growing remnant of humanity that craves and values human interaction.
When I switched from dslr to mirrorless, I actually started using less automated features, including autofocus. I now use the technology in my mirrorless camera to better aid manual focus, something I couldn't do well with a dslr. I now only shoot with manual lenses and it feels like my first foray into photography with a manual film camera although now with the convenience of digital files. I have belief that human art will still be valued over AI art and hopefully AI will encourage photographers to question what is really important and hopefully that great art doesn't need advanced technology in order to be able to create it.
A very thought provoking video, Lucy. Thank you. I work with manufacturers and write about AI in the business space. I see the promise in AI as an assistant, but we must realize AI is regressive by its very nature. AI also perpetuates biases from prior work. AI tools 'learn' from prior work and incorporate the components of that work into generated artifacts. Our greatest risk is overconfidence in its abilities. AI is flawed. It can also stifle true creativity, if allowed. You are right in saying that we do need experts in the creative community to look forward, to visualize and to truly create from that vision.
Thanks for All your insights! Love the movies you mentioned, but I really love listening to you expound! Thanks for all you efforts!!!
Beautiful video Lucy as usual from you and Lux! Great topic! As I ponder AI, I often borrow the thoughts of Simon Sinek. Most people can explain what they do and how they do it, but how many can explain why they do what they do? Why does a photographer prefer a certain film stock, why certain colors, certain compositions, certain subjects, cameras, lenses? Can you explain why you love someone? Who knows if AI can achieve the why, but it might be a good start for us humans to focus đ
Thank you Matt! And yes so well said here - the why is so important and the part that really speaks to our humanity. When working in schools children would always struggle most with the question of âwhyâ over anything else after doing reading sessions. They knew the who, what and where but the why was always more open to interpretation and I think itâs important we nurture that part the most in order to cultivate a society that asks the best questions! I think the arrival of AI opens up many questions for all of us. Thanks for watching Matt. Xx
CZcams commentary at its best. Your work is fabulous.
Great video.
This is why I'm going to lean into selling actual prints that I made in my darkroom.
Great plan! Thanks for watching đđ»
You are really putting out great work!
Great points!!! I agree 100%
Great insight and I sincerely hope you are right. Unfortunately more and more of us are becoming consumers rather than creators of anything. Schools more and more are teaching less about thinking than what to think. As we get further and further away from creating and become passive consumers the bigger AI will be and maybe able to supplant the human creator. Too often anymore the free thinkers and imaginative people are laughed at and labeled as radicals and even dangerous. So create something anything even it is just a dinner from scratch or a snapshot of your family. Also my first real camera I bought for myself was a Fujica ST801. I still have it and it mostly works. It has some shutter issues and film advance can be hit or miss.
Excellent video. I agree mostly and believe that non ai art will always command what I am calling an authenticity premium. Just as a hand thrown pot is more expensive than a mass produced one so an image that is in some way authentic will always be more special.
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As a photographer with less than zero aspirations to apply my passion and/or related skills to a profession, AI affects me not a wit, as EyE shoot strictly for my own personal pleasure/satisfaction, which doesnât include or even give a sideward glance to itâs being..... Thank Goodness for the âamateurâ Point of View đâŁïž
AI will never replace photography, because most photos are taken to preserve memories anyway. As for art, I simply see the difference between taking a picture of what really exists ( photography ) and creating something, that does not exist ( AI ). Both can be art forms, but not competing with eachother. đ€·đŒââïž
And ⊠I also see a revival of film, because AI can fake everything. So, how do you know a picture displays the truth ? Unless ⊠it is taken on film. A film negative ( or slide ) as a physical medium can never be faked.
Look up the movie Simone. Great fun forecasting IA 20 years ago. Always enjoy your channel. Best from an old photo dog in Virginia. Mike.
Thanks so much Mike! I know the film but I havenât seen it. Lux and I will have to watch it this week! Sending you lots of good vibes from Australia đŠđș thanks for watching. đđ»ââïžđžđïž
I do hope human art will be valued more as AI moves into the creative space. I wonder what the results will be though as AI replaces algorithms when prioritizing our work as AI creations become more valuable for content creation and retaining our attention in order to advertise to us? As it stands now I do long for a more analog society in general. Good topic, Lucy!
And there will always be luddites like me' who's first inclination when stepping out the door is to grab their film camera.
Loved the red eyes :)
I don't worry about AI for the same reasons as you. In the short term there will be some sort of disruption as people will gravitate to the new shinny thing. But then we will see through the shininess and see its shortcomings. It is just another version of film vs. digital photography and how vinyl records are coming back. We will always crave an analog experience, as we are analog.
I agree. I think we are giving AI just a bit too much credit, personally. However, I do feel like this just makes me want to flex my creative muscles more. I also think that the human element when it comes to storytelling is critical. AI can have the stock image market, as far as I am concerned. I would rather see images that make me think and draw out conversation to unpack the story behind the image. Anyway, great video as always.
A lot of this discourse about AI replacing artists is based on some of our insecurities. I think it can make « real » images even more important.
Thanks for watching Alfredo! Yes absolutely I agree on that - I think we feel threatened and under estimate our abilities and it creates fear around us being âreplacedâ
Good exploration. AI cannot take away the human feeling of connection, of the struggle or enjoyment of doing the thing, whatever it is. It doesn't bother me that AI could create a better image - there's already millions of better photographers than I.
In terms of errors and happy accidents, whilst that is true that imperfection can reveal things - the AI will probably learn to emulate that but I'm not sure it would every understand why we seek or relate to the imperfections. I still remember early Compact Discs being a bit sterile sounding - and the sound engineers then began to use analogue recording techniques to add a bit of noise to the recordings, so that we connected with the music better.
In a way, the rekindling of love for vinyl or pretty ropey old digital cameras shows that people are already rejecting the near perfect, instant experience that their smart phones give them - for something that they can touch, load, charge, explore and enjoy on another level.
I like your video blogs because you leave room for the discussion :)
I fully agree. This is a nuanced, balanced and well reasoned take. Much like technology has destroyed many of our human skills, it places a premium on human skills.
This is great, I do think using the words "working photographer(s)" more so would have been good though. Creative photographers...shouldn't really care about AI doing...almost anything that would maybe replace them in their craft. It only really affects jobs. If you are creative and doin it, just keep doing it!!
Digitalâs not dead!
I think to be human is to be broken, to be imperfect in subtle ways. AI may try to evolve to replicate our flaws but I believe it will always fail, it has no heart, no soul, I use both to capture my images. AI will have its place, it's an amazing technology but it will never replace the enjoyment I get with my camera and the images I make. Great channel Lucy.
I hope you're right!
You outdid yourself with this one Lucy, or should I say Nexus 6 ?
Haha nice one! đ thanks for watching Alex - appreciate your continued support lovely. X
@@LucyLumen amazing how far you gone Lucy, wishing you further success.
Coincidentally, Iâve just finished watching Her ⊠after this viewing my lasting impression was how did the human race react/change when the global AI collective (hive?) suddenly found us to be irrelevant and dropped us like hot potatoes. Glad that we still have cameras (film and digital) that allow us some good old school creative options. Great video ⊠thanks.
Once you realize that the end goal of capitalism has always been making workers obsolete to maximize profit, you can make peace with it. But I tend to agree that the human experience will carry the day, especially in areas like fine art photography. That and the film "Her" is a masterpiece.
The end goal of capitalism is not making workers obsolete. Without workers earning a wage there is no consumer and no profit to be had. Making workers obsolete is the end goal of communism.
At the moment it is simply impossible to say whether AI will save or destroy anything. One thing is for sure: AI is a huge change, and it will only get bigger. Not only in art and photography. Overall. AI will make workers redundant... That's my impression. It scares me. Maybe I'll get used to it too, but right now I'm not a fan of Ai generated art at all. Thanks for the video!
Hi you say at the very end you are not sure that replicant can truly come of as human and you cite Rachel as a stunning (but flawed) example. The real example, from the film, of a replicant being truly human is of course Deckard. Notwithstanding you make some great points!
I strive for photographs with gesture. It is hard to describe, but I know it when I see it. AI can't do gesture. Looking at what I sell at my stock agency, AI can do some serious damage to stock photography because those clients do not buy art, they buy photographs that depict concepts and AI can do that.
Great video. The only thing that bothers me about AI is that you will question future photography as to be seen on instagram for example. As long as people describe an image as AI I am totally fine. But unfortunately there will be many who won't do that...
It all depends on how the technology is used. It's also a matter of though we can do something is it right to actually do it. Never underestimate greed and lust for power as motivation for wanting to go ahead with something that could very well turn out to be a catastrophe. AI falls under this category. AI can be a tool for good, even in photography, but how far does it have to go? Where do you draw a line in the sand and say "no further". Boundaries need to be clearly set so that what might be a good use for a technology doesn't become an abuse of that tech and of those that use it.
Thats the best way to think about AI...đ
The biggest doomsayers of AI overtaking art tend to be tech bros and wannabe entrepreneurs who detest art, or see it as a commodity only. Because they think in those terms, sure, prompting Midjourney AI to make a plastic looking rendering of a close up a Big Mac would totally overtake product photography. It's faster and free, but just because that is the their entire narrow view of photography doesn't make it true to people that actually appreciate photography, or any other form of art.
I've spent a lot of time dabbling in ChatGPT and Midjourney AI the past month, spending time with the enemy. It's amazing technology, but still extremely limited. Artists aren't going anywhere.
AI will never be photography, it's images!
I agree
swing that hammer John Henery
Every new technology has purported to be the killer of old technology digital was supposed to kill film but film is having a resurgence, mirrorless will kill the DSLR but they are still selling DSLR cameras, the purest say editing pictures is changing the original content. AI will be another tool to either be utilized or ignored the same as any other tool in photography.
Iâm looking forward to seeing a bride and groomâs AI generated wedding photos. Did the best man really make a move on the bride or did it not happen?
Awesome end frame! But isn't that the argument a replicant would give?
Thanks Ron! Haha đ hmmmm yes they would wouldnât they. Haha đ
also, don't forget that Deckard was a replicant too! (more obvious in the book than the film)
You're probably right. Humans are born to create stories and we can also put out creativity in the pictures created by AI, just watching them. I hope that it won't be enough.
Ai will slowly replace humans in so many disciplines in the near future. I remember telling a co-worker (a few years ago) that I had a design for a machine that will do this particular activity/job faster, better and with more precision than a human being. His answer was.. what?? Are you saying that you will replace us with machines?? Not everyone.. the machines will need a few operators..
Perfect video about AI Lucy... Wait, is this... really you??? đ¶
Thank you my friend! Haha hmmmm maybe it is maybe it isnât⊠đ
People do things for pleasure, so where is the pleasure in letting AI do everything for us? The debate about using AI for making pictures has been stirred up lately by German artist Boris Eldagsen's entry to the 2023 Sony World Photography Award, "Pseudomnesia: The Electrician", which won the creative open category.
I think I'm one of the strange ones who's excited by AI. I work in the creative industries so kinda know things are about to go crazy, but hey, beats a dull monotonous life.
If AI can help me reach retirement without a stroke, then I have absolutely no problem with it...
I don't know about y'all but I'm not gonna tell an AI to simulate photos of my wedding anytime soon. I'll just hire a photographer.
Feel free to call me old-school or tech-illiterate: I don't see how AI will challenge photographers. Loosely speaking, isn't photography means standing in front of the object and point your camera to it? If not, then probably you are a painter/graphic designer/digital artists etc. In this context, yes I can understand how AI may poses some challenge to those artists.
So far AI in photography seems to be subscription based. Personally, I only use free software alternatives when editing photos, because, I'd rather spend my money on cameras, lenses, accessories and film.
I think AI has a place in commercial photography - though I bet there will be a lot of cases regarding copyright infringement based on what I have seen so far.
AI of some kind seems to only be a matter of time. It's up to us to make sure society benefits - not suffers because of AI.
All this A.I. is still using other people's work. I heard one of the A.I. programs used a photo from a photographer and that photographer is now sueing the A.I. company.
It's not like this A.I. software is just making up these images but who knows maybe in the future A.I. will. A.I. as of right now is just scraping other people's work. Google has been doing this for years.
Actually I don't believe there's any such thing as "artificial intelligence."
I'm so tired of this debate lol it's plain silly
AI is going to ruin a number of things Art is also going to be negatively affected I truly believe that itâs already out of control and thereâs nothing they can do to stop it and thatâs the reason there sounding the alarm they just want to be able to say I told you so .
Photograph: a picture made using a camera, in which an image is focused on to light-sensitive material and then made visible and permanent by chemical treatment, or stored digitally. A.I. generated imagery is not photography. So stopping calling it as such. Simple ;)
"AI is not photography": Boris Eldagsen, winner of the creative open category at the 2023 Sony World Photography Award last week.
Unfortunately AI is going to blur the line between photography as an art form and a craft/skill, and reduce it to the choices from a long list in the menu. Not so dissimilar to what digital did, and is doing. Digital photography removed the need to understand the science and skill on the part of the photographer, to a great degree. Anyone with enough resources to purchase the latest hardware and software willl be able to become an Adams, Weston, Hass, Avedon etc, etc over night. We must not fool ourselves to otherwise. Personally, I am not sitting so comfortably beside the current AI powered software for conventional photography either. These in essence redraw the pixels in our photos, giving us ' cleaner ', ' sharper' or less cluttered images. This is why they need the latest hardware to run efficiently. On this instance, I disagree with you, Lucy. If I created junk, I'd want it to be mine and if I created a beautiful photograph, I would also want it to be the result of my own creativity and craft/skill and not one in collaboration with AI.
I'm not sure if I like the way you vignetted this with a frame. I agree with your perspective, but the framing here, unless you're actually going to use real film is actually really distracting.. On an element of technicality, all gates (which is what gives the shape of the frame) look different on each camera and 8mm looks different to 16mm looks different to 35mm. Just like all TV sets are shaped different. It's nice to try new things, but I'm not sure I like it, as it looks cheap and inauthentic.
I think I was distracted in this video by the framing... Either full into digital or analogue not both but with the reality that full analogue costs about $100 to get developed and processed every two and a half minutes (and that's conservative for 8mm saved in 4K HDR from our mates over at Nanolab).
IDK if many of us could ever build a channel big enough to absorb those costs.