Why I love Ai
On the one hand, I like it for helping me with writing captions, and doing things like this blog. I don’t rely on it 100%, but like most people, I use it help me come up with ideas and structure.
I do use it in my photo editing to a minimal degree. Resizing images using generative expand for different social media platforms and websites is my main use, but its also great for getting rid of distracting elements, something I use a fair bit.
For client work however, I use Ai with a lot of caution. The main issue being that if you want to print a large image, Ai is in a lower resolution, so it might not look as good printed. For social media purposes however, its too small to notice the difference.
Expanding an image for the correct ratio for Reels
Why I hate Ai
AI-generated visuals pose risks in fields like animal welfare. I’ve seen fake images used in animal rescue campaigns to deceive audiences or promote harmful stereotypes about wildlife interactions, such as cuddling dangerous animals. These misleading visuals harm public trust and can skew perceptions about pets, rescue work, and conservation.
For pet photographers, authenticity matters and its more than just the image, its mainly the experience. AI can’t replicate the warmth of capturing pets in candid or playful moments.
As AI-assisted creations grow more realistic, discerning true photography from AI-generated images will become harder—and this could erode appreciation for genuine work. However, a picture on the wall that is artificially generated is no match for remembering a moment in time by looking at a genuine photograph.
As an artist I really hate it.
Whilst I do love photography, my first love is and always will be drawing and painting.
For more years than I can count, I have practiced my line weight, thought about perspective, played around with colour schemes, learnt about cool and warm colours and how to mix paint without making mud. The process of learning how to draw and the picture coming alive (or failing miserably) is the biggest part of the fun of making artistic creations. I really hate Ai generative art for this. I get no joy from learning how to write better prompts. Its so boring to me.
The ONLY way I think it can help in this instance, is helping to find the composition and colour scheme without having to try out endless trial and error, but even then…I don’t see the joy.
As an artist, I also hate that it takes ideas and images from artists and uses them without compensation, while the software programmers get richer.
Overall…
AI has a permanent role in photography and marketing,I have accepted that, but it’s up to photographers and artists to use it wisely. I am currently making a children’s book that is very heavy on the illustrations. I could finish it tomorrow if I wanted to, by using Ai. I tried it but I lost all the joy, and to be honest, I also just felt really sad…so I went back to doing it the traditional way. It will take me longer, but I really don’t care…because speed is not really the point.
