rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I just happened upon a presentation by Blake Rudis. For those of you unfamiliar with Blake, he owns f/64 Academy and presents techniques and practices that enhance processing photographs. This presentation focused on the use of AI.

His contention is that its use is up to the individual but there are consequences. Aren't there always?

AI is a new buzzword. There's always going to be the next best thing. There is always something to entice the average photographer to purchase new software. There will always be improvements otherwise there's no need to upgrade software. But, is AI the way of the future, Blake doesn't think so. He then presents 3 good points why.

1. AI is just a buzzword. It's nothing more than a buzzword to make folks think this is the future.

2. Absolutely nothing can replace handwork and experience. If one wants to be a true artist, one is going to want to spend the time making the best one can make. That instead of letting some artificial intelligence take over and do the work for you.

If one is jumping on the AI bandwagon, they are probably, at best, an average photographer. Any true artist-photographer is going to put in the hard work and personal experience to obtain the best photographs they can create. Artificial Intelligence just can't do that.

3. When one places their trust in AI what they are saying is they are letting some company determine the benchmark for their success.

Trying something and succeeding provides motivation to keep going. Trying something and failing leads to learning and betterment. Without the bedrock foundation of failure, one can't measure success.

Until AI can express the emotional experience of producing a beautiful photograph, it's not something on which to rely. It simply allows one to think they are a better photographer then reality will show.

This brings up the speed at which processing can be done. Sure the one-button approach to processing leads to more time of going out and clicking that shutter. I agree with Blake. Photography involves both making the exposure and making a photograph. If one is going to rely on AI to produce that photograph, one will never be any better than the software they use.

These are some of the points Blake made in his presentation. I agree with them. It might be the dividing line between being a photographer and being a button pusher.

If you're interested in Blake's presentation you can search for

Blake Rudis 3 Reasons why AI is NOT the future of Photo Processing!
--Bob

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

AI will never replace humans.

AI is based on the logical probabilities of sets of conditions.
Humans are based on feelings and impulse.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Can you imagine telling an AI program about your feelings about an image as to what you like and don't like and the program gives you options based on your feelings?

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

But it sure can give the average photographer some warm fuzzies about how good "their" work is.
--Bob

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Stan, I'd have to imagine that because it won't happen in real life.

I do, however, share my feelings with Ps all the time. Our communication is through sliders, masks, etc.
--Bob

Lemon Drop Kid Loc: Greeley, CO

Mmmm. Were not now-currently well-accepted processing programs at one time "the next best thing?" Just wondering.

Hip Coyote

i dont think it will replace the human, but it will dramatically alter what equipment we use. While the current mirrorless / DSLR transition and debate continues, I do think that AI will eventually replace all that with a different way of doing photographs. In fact, the notion of "pixels" may become obsolete. A photograph might be taken and AI can fill in the photograph with excellent rendition, even with substandard lenses. There are some AI systems that allow a computer to image (by filling in reasonable data assumptions) in areas that are not seen...such as the back of a head. Who knows where this is going, but it is an exciting time to see it happen. Meanwhile, I am going to talk to my digital assistant on my watch- phone, call the Chief and have a discussion under the cone of silence to stop this CHAOS.

captivecookie Loc: Washington state

I opine that ai will, indeed, replace the effort of getting an acceptable photograph. It won't obliterate other ways to do it. Instead of letting a technology such as that, or such as color photos, smooth grained high iso photos, lenses that can see a gnat wink a mile away, or anything else, I will rely on my personal abilities or lack thereof to get a photo the way I want. Even if I use everything technology has to offer, in still the one taking the picture.

I'm exhausted from a lifetime of seeing new technologies poo pooed, afterward they improve the baseline standards and help more people rise to higher accomplishments.

Thats an opinion. Its probably wrong in seven countries and illegal in four states.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Bob, Sorry to differ with you. Look at the medical field. Very complex and varied but today hospitals and doctors are using AI to aid them in patient cures. In fact one hospital using it was told that they did not consider X for the patient.
Today law firms no longer have law libraries. They use AI to assist them.
Sliders and masks are one form of adjustment we use. We shall see what the future will hold.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Of course it won’t replace the human. Think of it more as a helper.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Actually what you say is already in the works.

It’s your choice. You can resist technology or you can embrace it and use it to advantage to save time or money.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

You don’t need a program for that! You can go to one of many sharing sites to get that. Lol.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Stan, you make some good points with the examples you provided. However, those examples do not involve artistic creativity. Additionally, a tremendous amount of schooling and education, including continuing education, is required in the examples you cited.
--Bob

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I embrace it. I worked for IBM for 28 years in engineering and product development. I understand how technology is working today.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Yes, but the processing shouldn't remove the artist from the work being done. That's a bit different from the push a button and this software will make you the photographer you couldn't be on your own.
--Bob