What you need to know

Gone are the days when you had to hire a professional photographer to take editorial photos of you or take countless shots to get that one perfect image. Thanks to the rise of AI, creating photorealistic images is easier than ever.

But with the increasing popularity of AI-powered image generation comes many questions. The two most important of these are: “Is the old way of photography becoming obsolete?” and “What does this mean for the future of photography?”

• AI can create high-quality photorealistic images from just a few text inputs or by uploading a few snapshots or selfies.
• AI can improve photo editing by automatically adjusting lighting, removing imperfections, and highlighting other details.
• AI platforms are relatively inexpensive and can save you a lot of time and effort compared to hiring a professional photographer.
• The future of AI image generation looks bright as realism, multimodal generative AI tools, and AI videography continue to improve.

AI image generation uses machine learning software and algorithms to optimize various parts of the traditional photography process, from ideation and composition to post-production. In most cases, AI is used for two main reasons: to create AI-generated images or to edit and enhance photos.

But what if you’re not a budding photographer and just want to enhance selfies or simple photos? AI still offers many benefits to the average person.

To have professional photos taken, you may need to find professional photographers, make an appointment, have your hair and makeup done, drive to a photo studio, sit in sometimes uncomfortable poses for long periods of time during the photo shoot, and wait for the photographer to develop the finished images – which can take up to several weeks.

Additionally, hiring a professional photographer can be relatively expensive, with prices ranging from around $100 to over $1,000. And there’s no guarantee you’ll like the end result.

This is where AI tools come in. For example, AI headshot generators like Portrait Pal can create high-quality and realistic headshots for LinkedIn or other professional purposes in a few hours or less and at a fraction of the price.

No expensive studios and equipment needed

Lighting and background are almost as important to the photo as the shot itself. Unfortunately, for photos taken in real life, you’ll need to rent or buy special equipment like light reflectors, softboxes, diffusers, tripods, and more. These can be hard to find and expensive to purchase.

Most AI apps have built-in airbrush tools so you don’t have to figure out how best to position your lights. And if studio backgrounds are a must, you can choose from a range of suitable backgrounds.

Almost unlimited customization options

Using photography for artistic purposes requires pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This is difficult in real life as many factors affect the final result, including location, background, lighting, subjects, props and equipment.

AI makes the impossible possible, making it a much-needed tool for photographers specializing in abstract or avant-garde photography. But that doesn’t mean you or I can’t find unlimited customization. Turning photos into memes with Photoshop or changing the look of a face is possible with the use of AI.

Easy removal of bumps

In the past, if a photo had a flaw, such as a messy background or an unexpected photobomb, you probably had to retake the photo or spend hours touching it up in Photoshop to get a natural end result.

Today, AI-powered editing tools can automate the removal of imperfections with just a few clicks, making it easier than ever to create whatever comes to mind. However, this also challenges the perception of what is real and what is fake. The problem of AI-created deep fakes and unethical image editing remains a widespread societal issue and an important aspect for the future of AI.

Albert Einstein’s famous quote still holds true today: “If you want to know the future, look at the past.”

Although AI will reach unprecedented heights in the coming decades, there is still a need for human-generated content and photographs that look realistic, appeal to our emotions, and tell a story. So the traditional way of taking photographs has not become obsolete. Traditional photography is still relevant. There is also a need to combine AI with traditional photography to take it to a new level. And even images created entirely by AI play an important role today.

Some predictions suggest that we will likely see a rise in multimodal generative AI, AI tools that can create images and text simultaneously, rather than just one of them. This could also open up a new perspective on art and content creation.

According to the PixelPose team, future trends in AI photography could include:

• Less reliance on stock photos, especially for commercial use, as AI tools can easily create niche photos.
• More realistic AI-generated images by improving AI software.
• More nationwide guidelines on AI image generation, especially with regard to copyright, content distribution and child protection.
• Advances in AI photography are leading to an increasing popularity of AI videography, such as Sora from OpenAI.

The continued rise of AI is inevitable. And for many, it has now become an invaluable part of everyday life, from how people run their lives to enhancing their photographs – of themselves and the world around them.

Now the question remains whether you want to use it for your photography or not. Ultimately, it is a decision that depends on your photographic needs and preferences. But with such exciting advances in AI photography, it would be a shame to let the opportunity pass you by.