Interesting as always Alex. For me the kernel of this is a clearer distinction between “digital image making” which can encompass AI, photoshop etc etc and the documentary “bearing witness to the world” function of some photography. I look forward to hearing more of your views … ! All best, R
Thanks Richard. Glad we’re connected on Substack. I think there’s an interesting thought experiment to do - what if there was a person with a camera, living today, and they became disconnected from the world - perhaps living on a desert island like that Japanese soldier!)? He would take pictures in exactly the same way he had and they would still be read as ‘photographs’ when eventually he leaves the island 50 years later - perhaps in a world entirely mediated by AI imagery. AI is a new way of image making - important to the world at large but photography and the human experience of it as both progenitor and viewer remains exactly the same. Of course there would be a problem if AI renders all ‘photographic’ imagery as transitory and we lose the ability to ‘see’ a photograph.
Yes - the ability to discern between AI and documentary will be vital. In many ways that’s a battle already lost with news and information, perhaps not quite lost photographically yet ….?
Interesting as always Alex. For me the kernel of this is a clearer distinction between “digital image making” which can encompass AI, photoshop etc etc and the documentary “bearing witness to the world” function of some photography. I look forward to hearing more of your views … ! All best, R
Thanks Richard. Glad we’re connected on Substack. I think there’s an interesting thought experiment to do - what if there was a person with a camera, living today, and they became disconnected from the world - perhaps living on a desert island like that Japanese soldier!)? He would take pictures in exactly the same way he had and they would still be read as ‘photographs’ when eventually he leaves the island 50 years later - perhaps in a world entirely mediated by AI imagery. AI is a new way of image making - important to the world at large but photography and the human experience of it as both progenitor and viewer remains exactly the same. Of course there would be a problem if AI renders all ‘photographic’ imagery as transitory and we lose the ability to ‘see’ a photograph.
Yes - the ability to discern between AI and documentary will be vital. In many ways that’s a battle already lost with news and information, perhaps not quite lost photographically yet ….?
Nice to see you here, Alex!!
Thanks Annika! It’s a breath of fresh air here into which I’m pouring a lot hot air..! Hope all good with you.
Exactly. I like it here a lot. Which reminds me I need to finish my draft. Yes, all fine here — hope in London, too!!