My chat with an algorithm

I had a enlightening chat with a ...uhh a thing.

Jan 21, 2023

By now, I guess everyone must have heard of ChatGPT. If not, where have you been these last two months? ChatGPT has been exploded in both media coverage and usage. Almost every television show, newspaper or blog have published articles on this new phenomenon and the ways it can (or will) transform our way of working and living. I’ve used it in my work as well and I’m very impressed with the outcome. For me, ChatGPT is a keeper!

I’m not gonna write on what ChatGPT can do. If you’re interested, just Google it. Or even better, use You.com, the AI search engine. Besides searches you can also chat at YouChat. I gave it a try the other day by asking:
What would Henri Cartier-Bresson think of AI generated images?

The immediate answer I got:
Henri Cartier-Bresson was a proponent of capturing authentic moments without too much manipulation or interference, and he believed that the best images were ones that told the truth. He may not have been a fan of AI generated images as he likely would have seen them as too contrived and not reflective of a genuine moment. He may have also seen them as too perfect and lacking any human touch or perspective.

Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

That answer didn’t leave my head and I kept thinking on it. I formed the idea of having a chat about photography, copyright, the opportunities this current age has in store for us, etc.

So without further ado I present you the chat I had with an algorithm:

Marcel: What would a photographer in the pre-digital era think of copyright if they knew about the internet and massively widespread of photos over the web?

ChatGPT: It is difficult to say exactly what a pre-digital era photographer would think of copyright if they knew about the internet and the widespread distribution of photos over the web. However, it is likely that many photographers would have concerns about the ease with which their images could be copied and distributed without their permission. They may also be worried about the potential for their images to be used without proper attribution or compensation.
Given the pre-digital era photographers have been used to have a certain control over their work, they would be surprised by how easy it is for people to copy, share and distribute their images online. They would also be concerned about how challenging it could be to track down and enforce copyright infringement in the digital realm.
On the other hand, many pre-digital era photographers may also see the internet as an opportunity to reach a wider audience and promote their work in ways that were not previously possible. They would also be excited to see how the digital age allows for new forms of creativity, collaboration and distribution of their images.
Overall, the pre-digital era photographer's perception of copyright would likely be complex, with a mix of concerns and opportunities.

Marcel: True. But given the fact that they are aware of the internet now for many years and probably have been sharing their work on a personal website or social media, how is the overall perception on copyright and its infringement?

ChatGPT: Given the fact that many photographers have been aware of the internet for many years and have been sharing their work on personal websites or social media, their overall perception on copyright and its infringement may have evolved.
In general, many photographers have come to accept the reality of the internet as a means of distribution and promotion of their work. They have learned to adapt to the new digital landscape and have found new ways to protect their rights and control the use of their images.
They have probably discovered that copyright infringement is a common problem on the internet and have come to understand that enforcing their rights can be challenging. They may have adopted new strategies such as using watermarks, metadata, and other means to protect their work. They have also likely learned the importance of registering their work with copyright office, and/or using digital rights management (DRM) technology.
Additionally, they have learned the value of licensing and the importance of being able to monetize their work by using various platforms, like stock photography agencies, or the use of microstock platforms.
Overall, photographers' perception of copyright and its infringement in the age of the internet is likely to be more nuanced and pragmatic. They understand the challenges but also the opportunities that the digital age has brought to the photography industry.

Marcel: What do you think are the most promising opportunities for photographers nowadays?

ChatGPT: There are a number of opportunities for photographers in the digital age. Some of the most promising opportunities include:
Social media: Photographers can use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to showcase their work, build a following, and connect with potential clients.
Stock photography: Photographers can sell their work through stock photography agencies, like Shutterstock, iStock, or Getty Images, which allow photographers to license their work for use by others.
Microstock photography: Photographers can sell their work on microstock platforms like Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay, which offer a low-cost alternative to traditional stock photography.
E-commerce: Photographers can sell their work directly to customers through online marketplaces like Etsy and Society6, or through their own e-commerce website.
Freelancing: Photographers can work as freelancers and offer their services to a wide range of clients, including businesses, publications, and individuals.
Virtual and augmented reality: As the technology develops, photographers can create immersive and interactive experiences for their clients.
Niche photography: Photographers can specialize in specific areas of photography, such as drone photography, virtual tours, 360-degree images, food photography and many more.
Educational content: Photographers can create educational content, such as videos, tutorials, and e-books, to share their knowledge and skills with others.
Overall, the digital age has brought a wide range of opportunities for photographers to showcase and monetize their work in ways that were not previously possible. It also offers a lot of potential for innovation, collaboration and new forms of storytelling.

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ChatGPT: It is possible that AI-generated images may eventually play a role in the stock photography market, but it's hard to predict how this will play out in the long term.
Currently, AI-generated images are not yet at a level of quality and realism that would make them a direct replacement for human-made photographs. However, they could be used in certain specific use-cases, such as product shots, architectural visualization, and virtual backgrounds.
Additionally, it's worth noting that there are other factors at play in the stock photography market, such as the need for authenticity and originality, which may be difficult for AI-generated images to replicate.
Moreover, AI generated images may be used in a complementary way, for example, as a source for inspiration for photographers or as a tool for them to enhance their workflow.
It's also important to note that stock photography relies on the copyright law and the question of authorship, originality, and creativity when it comes to AI-generated images is still not fully resolved.
In any case, it is likely that the stock photography market will continue to evolve and adapt to new technologies, and photographers will need to stay informed and adapt their strategies accordingly.

Marcel: When do you think the questions on authorship regarding AI-generated images will be resolved? And what might be possible outcomes?

ChatGPT: The question of authorship regarding AI-generated images is a complex issue that is currently being debated in legal and academic circles. It is difficult to predict when a resolution will be reached, as it will depend on various factors such as the evolution of technology, legal precedents, and societal attitudes.
However, it is possible that we will see some developments in the near future. Governments and international organizations are starting to address this issue and some countries have already established laws and regulations regarding AI-generated content.
As for the possible outcomes, there are several possibilities that are being considered:
AI-generated images may be considered as derivative works, and thus the copyright of the original image would still be respected.
AI-generated images may be considered as unique and original works, and thus be protected under copyright laws.
AI-generated images may be considered as not eligible for copyright protection, similar to the way that facts and ideas are not protected under copyright laws.
A new type of licence or agreement could be created for the use of AI-generated images.
It's worth noting that the issue of authorship and copyright is a complex one and it will require the collaboration between legal experts, computer scientists, and ethicists to come to a resolution that is fair for all stakeholders involved.
It is also important to note that the way this issue is resolved will have a significant impact on the way AI-generated images will be used and distributed and will shape the future of the photography industry and the creative industry in general.

Marcel: OK, thanks for this conversation. I'm sure I will get back to you in the near future for a follow up.

ChatGPT: You're welcome, I'm glad I could help. I'll be here when you're ready for a follow up, don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions or need further information.

That’s it for this newsletter. If you haven’t given ChatGPT a chance I think it’s time for you to do. This will stay and we can benefit if we know how to use it in a proper way. You can find it here: https://chat.openai.com/

Like to hear your thoughts on this chat. Please leave a comment.

Till next time,

Marcel Borgstijn