Artificial Intelligence In My Work

Advances in Artificial Intelligence are changing the world around us in many ways, blurring what is created by humans and machines. As a lens-based artist working in a digital process, it’s essential to clarify how AI affects my work.

All fine art photographs are processed after capture.  Post-processing is necessary to realize the artist’s vision. Ansel Adams called the negative the “score,” comparing it to musical notes on paper and printing the “performance,”  the ultimate presentation of the notes to an audience.  In the recent past, tools such as Photoshop largely automated and streamlined the processes used by photographers in the darkroom.

AI is changing things.

Today, AI advancements allow the creation of images without a camera from simple text prompts. As AI capabilities evolve, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish a generated image from a captured image.

I believe art represents the creativity of a human and not a machine.

AI enters the image-creation process in two ways, adding to confusion within the photographic world and among patrons.  AI can be used within processing tools to streamline and simplify the processing flow.  AI can also generate or replace parts of a scene with content not captured by the artist.  Unfortunately, we do not yet have clarity in our language to seperate these two uses.

I support initiatives such as VerifiedHuman™, which are working to establish language and definitions to clarify the dialog.  Their standard for visual artists is comprehensive.

My Work, My Standard.

I do not use any generative AI in my image capture or processing.  When viewing my images, you see a human artist’s work unaided by computer-generated content in any form.  I regulary use AI-based tools to streamline post-processing. However, all content and artistic choices are mine.

All my work is either VH5 on the  VerifiedHuman™ spectrum.

—Eric Hagemann, Fine Art Photographer