#196 ENG AI and Photography: Threat or Ally?

In this episode, we dive into the impact of artificial intelligence on photography. AI can already generate stock images, retouch portraits, and create worlds that never existed. This brings opportunities—such as saving time and fueling creative experimentation—but also threats: lost commissions, unresolved copyright issues, and the risk of photographers becoming too dependent on machine output.

The real question isn’t whether AI will take jobs, but how photographers choose to position themselves. Those who focus on repetitive, technical tasks will feel the pressure, while those who create authentic, context-rich stories may find their work becoming even more valuable. AI can be a powerful assistant, but it will never replace the human eye, lived experience, and presence behind a true photograph.

The episode closes with a challenge: in a world overflowing with flawless machine-made images, what will your imperfect, human photograph still have to say?

✨ And if you’d like to continue the conversation in real life—join me on September 30 in Amsterdam for a full evening program of talks, meetings, presentations, and inspiration for photographers and photography lovers. Tickets are limited, so grab yours via donkerekamer.com/shows.