Embracing Authenticity in Photography: My Stance on AI

There is no AI in any of my photos, artwork, video or written work.

Last July, I penned a blog about the Emptiness of AI in Photography. Little did I know that just a year later, AI would evolve so dramatically.

Some AI-generated videos and photos are incredibly realistic. Yet, many are wildly inaccurate and downright nonsensical, especially when it comes to animal behaviour. The animals, people, and places depicted in these images are often fake and placed in scenarios that never occurred. There’s nothing educational or inspiring about these fabricated stories. Their primary aim seems to be to provide a dopamine hit, keeping you endlessly scrolling through a digital abyss.

Every creative needs to be clear about their interaction with AI. Failing to do so can lead to misleading assumptions about the origin of an image. It raises questions about how much of it is fact or fiction, how much stems from the artist's skill and creativity, and how much is merely the product of an algorithm.

My Goal with Photography, Film-Making, and Art

My mission is to tell authentic stories about people and wildlife in the great outdoors. I aim to use imagery to showcase the natural world, the wonder of creation, and the adventure playground that awaits us outside. If my images inspire you to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature, then I’ve done my job!

Generating AI images doesn’t align with this vision. Only real images that capture genuine stories can inspire you to embark on real-world adventures in the raw, wild beauty of nature.

So, if you’re a creative, does using AI resonate with your vision, values, and goals? If it does, be transparent about it.

What About AI in Photo Editing?

This is the real question I needed to ponder deeply. AI is now integrated into Photoshop tools and is available in the premium Affinity 3 package.

Personally, I’m not a fan of subscriptions, so I’m sticking with the free Affinity photo software, which has recently become available. It’s professional-grade software without the AI features. I also use DaVinci Resolve for professional video editing, which is also free.

While I’m committed to using free software, I don’t have access to AI tools. But if I did, would I use them?

To answer this, I must return to my goal: capturing the beauty of the world around us, documenting stories, and inspiring adventure and nature conservation.

During the editing process, I often adjust parts of a photo to reflect what I see in reality. A raw image straight out of the camera can look flat, dark, or discoloured. Editing often involves layering and stitching multiple photos together to create an image that truly captures the essence of the real world. One photo alone often isn’t enough.

A panorama photo made up of 11 different photos stitched together in Affinity to create one large scene.

At this point, I find it hard to say I will never use AI in photo editing, as it’s being integrated into so many basic functions. However, I would only use AI to enhance the tasks I already perform—like selecting fur on an animal more easily, improving sharpening, or better organising my photo files! I always want my photography to be primarily about the camera work.

For me, editing is part of the creative process. I wouldn’t hand a robot my paintbrush, so why would I give it my mouse?

Skipping the Process

After years of honing my photo and video editing skills, the last thing I want to do is relinquish my creative process. Creating artwork or a photograph is a story in itself—an imperfect human journey that requires skill and time.

Time is something we seem to have less of in our fast-paced society.

Simply jumping from an idea to an image is akin to leaping from a mountain base to the summit—you miss the entire journey filled with challenges, triumphs, and additional discoveries along the way.

During an art group I attended, someone once remarked that they love all the marks in abstract art because they are so human. Although I’m not an abstract artist, I appreciate the sentiment. The creative process is profoundly human and unique. It’s built into us as a form of expression and a means to inspire others.

My watercolour paintings are inspired by what I see in nature.

The Importance of Authentic Storytelling

Authentic storytelling is at the heart of my work. It’s inspired by real-world experiences, not generated by AI. I strive to showcase the beauty of nature through my lens, capturing moments that resonate with the viewer.

When I edit my photos, I aim to enhance them to reflect what I see. I avoid heavy-handed editing or generating images using AI. The stories I tell are rooted in reality, and I believe that authenticity is what connects us to the natural world.

Conclusion - My Stance on AI

• I do not use AI in my creativity. There is no AI in my writing, artwork, filming, or photography. My creative process requires time, research, and skill development.

• When researching topics, I fact-check against the views and opinions of professional organisations and scientific research journals.

• Authentic storytelling is inspired by real-world experiences—not by ChatGPT.

• I strive to showcase real-world stories out in nature.

• My photo editing reflects this goal of enhancing an image to make it more like what I see. I don’t use heavy-handed photo editing or generate images using AI.

  
  

In this rapidly changing landscape of technology, it’s essential to remain true to our roots. Let’s cherish the beauty of the natural world and the stories it has to tell. Together, we can inspire a deeper connection with nature and encourage others to protect it.