Focus Market Newsletter
Posts
The Future of Photography With AI

The Future of Photography With AI

Does AI pose as a threat to photography?

December 13, 2022

GM! This is Focus Market Weekly Newsletter, and we're back once again to give you quick updates and insights on what's going on in the NFT photography space.

Topics:

FOCUS Deep Dive: Post-Photography In The Light of AI
Portraits of Survivors of Nazism and Shoah (Part 1)
Biggest 1/1 Sales on SuperRare

FOCUS Deep Dive: Post-Photography In The Light of AI

If you've been following us for the past few weeks then you are probably already aware of AI, its implications in photography, and some of the artists who are exploring this novel technology.

Things are moving really fast and that only adds more fuel to the discussion.

If we look back at the history of photography, the premise has always been about capturing real-life moments in different shapes and forms.

On the other hand, AI is bringing a whole new approach, which now allows you to generate images using text-based input prompts.

Historically, any new technology would receive pushback due to the uncertainty that it would bring to the ones directly affected, and the same can be said about AI-generated photography.

Blake Wood is one of the few established world-class photographers exploring the possibilities of AI in his work.

A black and white photograph showcasing two lovers lying on the grass while staring at each other.

“Fields II” by Blake Wood, 2022

He uses his experience as a photographer to instruct the AI on lighting and composition, resulting in realistic and emotional photographs. Wood's work explores the relationship between humanity and machines, challenging our perception of what is real.

Looking at this type of work, you might immediately assume that there's only one way photography could be headed now—straight down the bottom.

However, that is not necessarily true.

The whole purpose of technology and, in this case, AI is to improve our lives. With that being said, instead of looking at machines as an enemy, we have the chance to collaborate with them.

AI operates based on human input, so if you build generative art using the technology, it's going to be a reflection of your ideas and feelings expressed with words. Not to mention your specific knowledge of the niche you're targeting.

Even though photography has been tied to the physical world since its inception, it is quite clear now that these lines are getting blurry.

We are witnessing a continuous shift from the physical world to digital, especially among the younger generation of people. Modern technological advancements are injecting new immersive experiences into our everyday lives and making them a status quo.

For many, online experiences are as important - if not more - as the ones in the real world.

This is where the intersection of AI and photography comes in.

People now have the unique opportunity to express their ideas or experiences visually, even if they are outside the real world.

The easy access to AI applications will lower the barrier to entry for those who want to pursue this new field of photography. However, it will still require specific knowledge, technical skill, theory, and an understanding of art history to generate great work.

Portraits of Survivors of Nazism and Shoah (Part 1)

A photograph of a Holocaust survivor Nathan Schachter in Venezuela, 2010. He is standing in his office in a front a desk full of documents.

#008 - Nathan Schachter Venezuela, 2010

This series of 10 portraits is Part 1 of a total of 41, documenting Holocaust survivors who arrived in Latin America to start a new life.

The project aims to immortalize the stories of survivors through portraits, biographies, and testimonies. It is also ongoing with the possibility of including more survivors.

The holders of these photo NFTs will receive a printed deluxe book with a signed copy and contribute to the continuation of the project.

View the collection