Welcome to the new biweekly blog coming from Sync NI: 'Tech Trends'. We'll be looking into the hot topics of the technology world and giving our view on it.

If you don't know me, here's a bit of background as to why I've chosen this as the first piece I'll write about. I'm an avid photographer and I mostly focus on landscapes, astrophotography and product/brand photography. So needless to say when something has been talked about as much as Generative AI has been in the realm of photography, I definitely wanted to be first in line to test it, utilise it, and eventually write up something about it. So where is Generative AI's place in photography?

It has really exploded onto the scene in the last few months with Adobe Firefly's Generative AI addition to Photoshop Beta as well as Thursday's Generative Expand, which is similar to Generative AI just more based on seamlessly expanding images.

Generative AI in photography can empower artists with innovative tools that can automate image enhancement, inspire creativity, and even create entirely new and unique visual styles called Style Transfer. This can be looked at in both positive and negative lights and that's what I'll delve into.

The Advantages

The fusion of photography and generative AI opens up thrilling prospects for exploring uncharted creative territories that were once unattainable. By harnessing AI algorithms capable of crafting entirely novel visual encounters, artists and photographers can now stretch the limits of possibility, resulting in the birth of genuinely exceptional and captivating art forms.

Endless Creativity

Generative AI in photography provides a virtually infinite source of creative inspiration. AI algorithms can generate unique and diverse visual content, enabling photographers to explore new concepts, styles, and perspectives that they might not have considered otherwise. This abundance of creativity allows artists to experiment, innovate, and express their vision in unprecedented ways, leading to fresh and captivating imagery.

Time and Efficiency

Generative AI can significantly enhance the efficiency of the creativity process in photography. By automating certain tasks such as generating background elements, enhancing colours, or applying artistic filters, photographers can save valuable time that can be redirected towards refining their artistic vision and perfecting their craft. This time-saving aspect enables photographers to work on multiple projects simultaneously or devote more attention to the finer details, resulting in higher-quality and more polished final artwork.

The Disadvantages

Authenticity and Originality Concerns

Generative AI in photography raises questions about the authenticity and originality of the artwork produced. As AI algorithms generate images based on patterns and data from existing photographs, there may be concerns about whether the final output truly represents the photographer's creative vision or if it is merely an amalgamation of existing works. This blurring of authorship can challenge the traditional notions of artistic expression and lead to debates about the true source of creativity in AI-enhanced photographs.

Ethical Implications in Competitions and Exhibitions

In photography competitions and exhibitions, the use of generative AI raises ethical dilemmas regarding how these AI-enhanced photos should be labelled and categorised. Without clear guidelines and regulations, there may be cases where AI-generated images compete directly with traditionally captured photographs. This could lead to unfair advantages or dilution of the value and recognition of genuine 'human-made' photographs. As a result, there is a need for transparent labelling and standardisation in the presentation of AI-enhanced photos to maintain the integrity of photography competitions and exhibitions.

Conclusion

Generative AI has undoubtedly revolutionised photo editing, serving as a valuable aid that offers photographers new avenues for exploration and pushing the boundaries of their art. The authenticity, originality, and emotional depth that arise from human experiences and perspectives remain the cornerstone of photography, and generative AI serves simplify to amplify and enrich these aspects rather than supplant them.

Ultimately, I believe it’s evident that human creativity and artistic sensibility continue to be the central force driving photography's evolution and significance in the world of visual storytelling and expression.