Local photographers are sharing their concerns about the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in photography and visual media.
AI and photography
Wildlife photographer Dennis Fast says the increasing use of AI in videos, writing, and photography is concerning, as it can easily create misleading or false content.
“You see it all the time now on the internet. These wonderful videos, they’re crazy, stupid, and yet people fall for them and think they’re real.”
Fast says he has experimented with AI himself, using a program to generate an image.
“I didn’t even use a picture of mine. I just said to the program, can you make me a snowy owl flying slowly toward me with the snow coming down around it? Two minutes later, there it was, flying right at me. This is bizarre.”
He says AI has changed many aspects of photography, and he is still unsure what to make of its growing presence.
“They can either create an image or steal an image online and turn it into their own, and that’s what you see a lot of.”
Fast adds that AI use extends beyond photography and is now being used in politics and scams.
“They show a public figure talking in that person’s voice and saying totally bizarre things that the person would never say. And that’s what’s scary, and that’s what’s happening with scams, too. One of these grandparent scams, my grandson called me needing money, and I knew right away it was a scam. It was his voice, his nuances, perfectly. And yet it’s a scam.”
Keeping photos natural
Photographer Jen Normand says she chooses not to use AI in her work because she feels it takes away from the authenticity of a photograph.
“If I do show my photos, I want people to see this is exactly what I’m looking at. So, I find that AI takes away from that. For some it may add, but for me it just doesn’t seem real.”
Normand agrees with Fast that AI makes it difficult to tell what is real on social media.
“I like to watch my nature reels, and they have all these videos now and I don’t know what’s real or not. So, for me, it takes away from that experience.”
She adds that she does very little editing to her photos and feels that AI would only make them seem unrealistic.
Photo credit: www.facebook.com/jennifer.normand.photography
Sharing photos through a slideshow
Despite concerns around AI, Fast continues to find new ways to share his work, including having his photography displayed in a local restaurant.
He says the idea came together during regular breakfast meetings with fellow photographer Kevin Friesen, when they noticed a TV screen that was not being used.
“We decided, well, why don’t we put a show together that could just scroll there. And then another friend, Dan Hewson, also got involved and we put together a show that runs here so that people can enjoy some pictures if they feel like it while they’re having their coffee or whatever.”
Fast says selecting the photos for the slideshow was one of the most challenging parts of the project.
“I do have an awful lot of pictures after many years of photography. But we always look for storytelling pictures, pictures with meaning that maybe can reach out to a general audience.”
Inspiring others through photography
Fast says increased exposure has led to more people reaching out to learn from him or request specific work. He says he has done photography for seniors homes, groups of children, and a local photo club.
“To me that’s rewarding because my goal has never been just to make money with pictures. It’s been to inspire people and to get them to appreciate what beauty we have around us, and it’s not just about the beauty around the world. Manitoba is a gorgeous place, and the show here features mostly Manitoba.”
Photographing through winter
With winter in full swing and daylight hours getting shorter, Normand says it has become more difficult to get outside with her camera.
“During the week I’m unable to actually photograph, which makes me sad. But come the weekend, if it’s sunny, you do have less time outside just because it’s dark by 4:30, you need to have good lighting for photography, wildlife photography anyway for me. So, it definitely takes time away being this time of year. I am looking forward to spring.”
While neither photographer uses AI in their work, both continue to explore new ways to photograph, share their images, and connect with the community.
With files from Judy Peters