is AI really a danger to photography?
It's Saturday again, another word from me, but in this case it's a little dense. So stay with me.....
The world of photography has always evolved—film gave way to digital, darkrooms were replaced by editing software, and now AI is entering the frame. Each shift comes with uncertainty, and this time, it’s no different. I’ve seen conversations swirling about AI threatening photography, and I’ve spent some time reflecting on whether this fear is justified.
It’s understandable why many photographers feel uneasy. AI can generate realistic imagery, automate tedious tasks, and even create work that might rival what some of us produce. For those who rely on photography as a career, the thought of being replaced by a machine is daunting. Will clients still need us? Will the artistry survive if the process becomes automated?
There’s also the very real fear that AI will reduce the demand for human touch in photography. Tasks that once required skill—like retouching or compositing—are becoming automated, potentially displacing freelancers, assistants, and editors. For many creatives, this feels like standing on the edge of an uncertain future.
And that's not all! I see 3 big existential risks to photography that we need to consider.
Image Theft and Unauthorized Use for AI Training: Many AI models are trained on vast libraries of images scraped from the internet—often without the original creator’s consent. This means that our work, the result of countless hours of planning, shooting, and editing, is being used to feed algorithms that create AI-generated imagery, potentially displacing photographers from the market. This is a breach of trust. Imagine spending years developing your style, only to have it diluted or imitated by a machine that’s learned from your work without permission or credit.
Disinformation and the Erosion of Trust: AI-generated imagery opens the door to disinformation on a scale we’ve never seen before. Fake images, deepfakes, and manipulated photos are already spreading rapidly, making it harder for viewers to distinguish between truth and fiction. This not only puts journalists and documentary photographers at risk but also undermines the value of visual storytelling as a whole. If audiences can’t trust what they see, the power of photography to tell meaningful, truthful stories is diminished.
Legal Challenges in Proving Image Authenticity: As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to authenticate original work. Photographers might soon need to provide legal certification to prove the authenticity of their images. Copyright disputes and legal challenges may rise, forcing photographers to grapple with questions about who owns what and how to safeguard their intellectual property in an era where machines can recreate nearly anything.
"Even deciding how to frame a shot implies editing
and control on some level.”
Here’s where I stand...
AI isn’t the death of photography; it’s simply the next phase in its evolution. If we look at history, every time a new tool or technology emerges, the creatives who survive are the ones who adapt and find ways to leverage it. AI won’t replace the need for photographers—it will reshape it. Yes, some roles may shift, but there will always be space for creativity, human connection, and storytelling.
If anything, TRUE photography will be MORE VALUABLE to people, right?
The truth is, photography has never been about the tools alone. A camera, just like AI, is only as powerful as the mind behind it. AI might help generate ideas, enhance workflows, or automate repetitive tasks—but it can’t replicate the nuance of human experience or the ability to capture authentic moments. That’s where the artistry lives.
So, here's my advice. Take it or leave it...
Educate Yourself on Copyright and Image Use in the AI Era
- Familiarize yourself with the Copyright Alliance and Creative Commons to understand how to protect your work.
- Follow developments in legal frameworks surrounding AI, such as the European Union’s AI Act, which seeks to regulate the use of AI technologies.
- Use platforms like PhotoShelter and Pixsy to monitor unauthorized use of your images.Use Authenticity Tools to Protect Your Work
- Explore NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) to secure ownership and originality of digital images. While controversial, NFTs offer an emerging solution for proving authenticity.
- Consider using blockchain tools like Provenance or Adobe’s Content Authenticity Initiative, which helps certify your work at the point of creation.Build Visual Literacy and Awareness in Your Audience
- Share resources such as Poynter’s News Literacy Project or First Draft News, which teach audiences how to spot misinformation and manipulated imagery.
- Educate your followers and clients about how to differentiate AI-generated content from authentic photography. Transparency can strengthen your reputation and trust with your audience.Leverage AI, Don’t Fight It
- I don't use AI features too much (I'm just a control freak) but I do understand how they can sped up a workflow. Lightroom has some incredible features, as does Photoshop of course, but they can be convoluted. Tools like Topaz AI for noise reduction and sharpening or Luminar Neo for quick editing can enhance your creative output without compromising your artistic intent.
- Am I fan? Not really, but as I've argued, you don't really need to be, it's here to stay, so pick your poison...
(Image credit: Pierre Suu / Getty Images)
Annie Leibovitz, one of the most celebrated photographers of our time, recently made headlines when she shared her perspective on AI. During her induction into the French Academy of Fine Arts, she emphasized that photography itself has never been fully “real.”She stated, “I use all the tools available. Even deciding how to frame a shot implies editing and control on some level.”
Her view resonates with me and I have argued this for sometime in my podcasts and YouTube videos—tools have always been a part of the creative process. From darkroom techniques to Photoshop, technology has always evolved, and artists have always found ways to embrace it. AI is just another tool, no different from those that came before.
Will You Adapt or Resist?
Experiment, Don’t Fear: Use AI to streamline parts of your work, so you have more time to focus on what matters—creativity and storytelling.
Find Your Unique Voice: AI can’t replicate your perspective. Your personal story, style, and vision remain your most powerful tools.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: The industry will change, but those who learn and adapt will always have an edge.
And remember the uniqueness that is you, and your voice, and the value of that, especially as real photos become more sparse as AI becomes more dominant.
The question is: Are you ready to evolve with it?
Happy Shooting,
