Above - AI generated art.
During one of my recent camera club iPhone Photography presentations an interesting question came up: "Is it acceptable to enter a smartphone photo in a competition, especially with the AI these cameras use?"
My answer was straightforward: Check the rules! Every competition has its own playbook. Some welcome smartphones with open arms, while a few still look at them suspiciously. I went on to offer my take that the tech is just the tool; what really matters is the vision and intent behind the shot. Whether captured with a smartphone or a dedicated camera, creativity should be the real star of the show.
But with computational technologies at play, like Portrait Mode, Selective Focus, Night Mode, and Smart HDR, am I being naive? I’ve been doing these talks for a decade, and I've seen the line between smartphones and other cameras fading fast. But now, AI’s crashed the party, and it’s stirred the pot once more.
The question I was asked touches on the broader, growing debate around AI's role in photography. It's worth noting that AI assisted features are being introduced into traditional camera systems, not just smartphones.
In the realm of photo competitions AI art has sparked controversy and it's no surprise that organisers are treading carefully. With instances of AI-generated images bagging top prizes without judges even catching on, no competition jury wants to find themselves in the same predicament. As AI continues to evolve, the stakes are high, and the landscape is rapidly changing, making this a challenging time for everyone involved.
Historically, the introduction of new technology in photography has led to similar apprehensions. When digital cameras first emerged, many competitions hesitated to accept them, fearing they would compromise the authenticity of the art form. This scepticism extended to the use of editing software like Photoshop, with some competitions imposing restrictions or outright bans on digital manipulation. The prevailing belief was that these tools threatened the integrity of photography, which had traditionally revolved around capturing moments on film without any computerised assistance.
Over time, as digital photography and editing became more mainstream, many competitions adapted their rules. Digital cameras, once the scourge of competition organisers are now the norm. Likewise, opinions have evolved significantly over the years regarding smartphones with many competitions allowing the inclusion of smartphone images.
The upcoming launch of Apple Intelligence has sparked Apple’s own “What is a photo?” debate. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi said the company aims to offer AI-powered image editing tools while maintaining the authenticity of photos.
On the other hand, I've noticed a growing desire for more authentic, hands-on experiences in smartphone photography. Halide’s Process Zero mode is gaining interest as the app allows a photo capture without AI enhancements, offering a raw aesthetic that harks back to the principles of film photography.
As the photography world navigates the complexities of integrating AI, it’s easy to see this technology as a negative force, but that view overlooks its numerous advantages. Rather than being inherently detrimental, AI can significantly enhance creativity and streamline workflows, allowing photographers to concentrate on their artistic vision instead of getting bogged down in technical details.
It’s clear that AI is here to stay, fundamentally reshaping how we capture and edit images. For photographers eager to stay at the forefront of visual storytelling, embracing AI and exploring its potential is essential.
The conversation around AI's role in photography is evolving, it will be intriguing to see how these conversations shape the future of both competitions and photography as a whole, especially in an age where technology continually pushes the boundaries of artistic expression.