AI photography is a hot topic. It can range from a workflow tool to an image retoucher and even a full-fledged creative tool. According to a survey of 363 photographers who use AI as part of their work or who are open to AI-based recovery tools, the vast majority believe that AI should help but not take over creative control.
Retouch4me, the maker of AI-powered photo and video editing software, asked 363 photographers working in Europe and the United States about how they use AI in their work and what they want the limits of AI retouching to be.
The majority of respondents, many of whom are already using AI as part of their work, which is par for the course among working photographers, said they want AI to work only on the “repetitive side” of photo editing.
78 percent of respondents said they want AI to handle “70 to 80 percent of their operations.” Only 24 percent of photographers surveyed, who may use or use AI as part of their workflow, are willing to let AI take full control of the creative process.
Photographers have always said that touching a natural, almost invisible effect is their priority, and that authenticity is an important part of their photography. Respondents want simulations to preserve what makes a face unique to a person, including imperfections, wrinkles, and other features that AI tends to erase when left unattended.
“People are getting tired of artificial perfection and striving for situations that don’t exist in reality,” says Polish actor Lukasz Spychala.
“Photographers don’t want their photos to look like they were created by AI. They still want to be known as regular photographers – not promtography.”
84 percent of survey respondents said their primary reason for using AI in their current operations is to save time and streamline repetitive, boring tasks.
“Time saved retouching = time spent taking more photos and working with clients,” says Atlanta photographer Mike Glatzer. If AI doesn’t allow me to grow my business or spend more time with the people I love, it’s pointless.
Almost one in five respondents said that working at a high level after work and recovery takes a toll on them physically, which is where AI tools can help some photographers.
“The amount of money I’ve invested in office supplies to make scheduling sessions easier is ridiculous,” Glatzer says. I want more time without friends, family and my camera.”
Companies like Retouch4me are navigating a tough, fast-changing environment. How useful is AI, how much, what are working photographers looking for, and what should be the limits of AI? These are important questions, and it can be difficult to find the right balance between developing useful tools for working photographers and going too far and creating software that can properly replace human creativity.
“I feel a responsibility to manage this process and finally give the final result of my work,” says photographer Joseph Correa. “AI has become a tool to help with the heavy lifting – but it doesn’t do all the work.”
It’s clear that as a company, Retouch4me is passionate about developing AI tools that photographers want to buy and use. The major players in the region are all dealing with the situation in their own way. Evoto had a very bad experience earlier this year when it released the first version of the app that replaced real photos. Just last week, Aftershoot publicly promised to include real photographers in its product development. As for Retouch4me, it promises to develop AI that focuses on tasks that photographers want help with, leaving artistic and creative decisions in the hands of humans.
Image credits: Retouch4me
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