New photography: Humans & machines, pt 2

A trilogy on the future of image-making. Part 2: AI as partner - Friend or foe?

Photography is at a turning point. As a photographer, I experience how rapidly our craft is changing. Not just through new cameras or lenses, but through a fundamental shift in how we create images and what they mean. In this three-part series, I share my observations about this fascinating development, started with the new reality (part1) we find ourselves in. This is the second part:

AI as a partner - Friend or foe

Last week, I discussed how the technical reality of photography is changing. Today, I'm diving into a development that's equally intriguing: artificial intelligence as a creative partner.

Recently, I sat at my computer, staring at hundreds of photos from a recent shoot. In the past, this meant hours of selecting and editing. Now, AI suggests which images are technically strongest. It feels like having an assistant who understands me, who knows what I'm looking for. But sometimes I can't help wondering: am I still truly photographing myself?

It's a question that occupies many …