Fort Collins Digital Camera Club

You are invited to join us on ZOOM for the "Synthetic Photography SIG". I expect that this will be a controversial SIG as the topic of AI generated art seems to polarize people into 2 camps, they either love the concept that now they can make beautiful art or they hate the idea that "unskilled" people can make better art than they can. I am sure that we will have different views, but I hope that we can get along and respect everyone's views. I want to expand the focus of the Synthetic Photography SIG to include other image editing tools and techniques while maintaining our main focus on AI tools and techniques.

"Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The right to freedom of expression has been recognised as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and international human rights law." - Wikipedia

ATTENDEES
Mike Barry
Chris Christopherson
Ken Eis
Rich Ernst
Jim Fellion
Pam Jordan
Jim Limburg
Jack Lipscomb
Paul Marcoux
Michael Schrader
George Theodore
Albert Wang

1. We discussed results of current Nano Bananna image modification inside Photoshop. Jack used Nano Bananna to change the scene to winter on a very large image. One pass cost 40 credits.

2. We discussed Jim's experience asking ChatGPT to critique and "improve" his lake image.
AI seemed to want the image to look like the "iconic postcard" style image. It created a nice image but it removed Jim's story, or it change his story of the image to "I used ChatGPT..."

3. We discussed the video "Why Photography is Always Under Attack" by Blake Rudis.
https://f64academy.com/photography-always-attack/
It seems that new technology adoption follows a consistent pattern:
1. A NEW TOOL ARRIVES
2. THE TOOL IS DEEMED INAUTHENTIC
3. ARTISTS BEGIN TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGE
4. THE TOOL BECOMES NORMALIZED
5. THE ARGUMENT MOVES ON TO THE NEXT DISRUPTION

4. We diiscussed the video "The AI Algorithm Authenticity" by Blake Rudis
https://f64academy.com/ai-algorithm-authenticity/
We got about half way through the video.
This discussion was interesting because Blake made many controversial statementss which we are trying to understand or even debunk.

5. We will finish the video "The AI Algorithm Authenticity" by Blake Rudis next month.

I also want to discuss how much water AI actually uses next month. This video is a good start.
Why is Everyone So Wrong About AI Water Use?? - 23:59 - by Hank Green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_c6MWk7PQc

I also want to discuss how much energy AI actually uses next month. This video is a good start.
Energy Demand in AI by aleb Writes Code
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN7c5S9k5L0

If we have time let's continue discussing general AI topics next month.

RESOURCES (Where you can find sources of inspiration)

Why is Everyone So Wrong About AI Water Use?? - 23:59 - by Hank Green https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_c6MWk7PQc

Energy Demand in AI by aleb Writes Code
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN7c5S9k5L0

AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT SYNTHETIC PHOTOGRAPHY SIG MEETING - Tue 3/3/2026 @6:00pm
1. Finish the video, discuss AI water and energy usage, questions, ethics, techniques, what is happening with AI in general
2. Decide what we want to do at the next meeting

If there is anything related to AI that you would like to discuss at our SIG meeting, please email me so I can add them to our agenda.

Please email Mike, info@fcdcc.com, when you find mistakes, missing information or if you have suggestions for the Synthetic Photography SIG and I will try to address the issues.

--------------------------- Meeting Summary from ZOOM -----------------------

Meeting summary

Quick recap
The meeting focused on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in photography and its impact on authenticity and artistic expression. Participants discussed how AI tools like Photoshop and Midjourney are transforming image creation, with some members sharing their experiences using AI for photo enhancements and background replacements. The group explored the concept of authenticity in photography, debating whether AI-generated images can truly capture emotional intent or if they merely replicate technical perfection. They also examined how social media algorithms may favor AI-generated content over traditional photography, though questions remained about whether this preference was due to algorithmic bias or genuine audience preference. The discussion concluded with reflections on how photographers can adapt to these technological changes while maintaining personal artistic vision.

Next steps
- Jack: Try the 4 or 5 different AI image generation models in Adobe (including Firefly) with the same picture and prompt, and report results before the next meeting.
- All interested members: Send Mike an email if there are specific topics or tools (e.g., nano Banana credit usage, Digicam, etc.) to be added to the agenda for the next meeting.
- All interested members: Bring information about how much energy and water AI uses (e.g., Hank Green video, local utility data) to discuss at the next meeting.

Summary

Human Evolution and Screen Savers
Jim Limburg and Mike discussed the scientific classification of humans and fish, noting that humans are more closely related to trout than to sharks. They explored the concept of phylogenetic trees and how species are grouped. Jack joined the conversation later and asked about projection screens or screensavers for TVs, to which Jim Limburg mentioned using a TV screensaver that displays pictures for about 2 minutes, which he found suitable for creating a background.

AI Image Transformation Demo
The group discussed various technical issues, including Jim Limburg's challenges with downloading and using apps on his TV, and Paul's experience with Adobe Lightroom problems on his Mac after updating to macOS 13.2. Jack presented impressive results from using AI image generation tools in Photoshop, specifically Nano Banana Pro, to transform a summer train photo into a snowy winter scene, which received widespread admiration from the group. The conversation concluded with Rich expressing skepticism about the AI's accuracy in removing leaves from trees in the transformed image.

AI Image Critique Tools Discussion
The group discussed using AI tools for image generation and critique. Jim shared his experience using ChatGPT to critique a photograph, which provided both technical feedback and conceptual analysis. They explored the limitations of the free version, including restrictions on the number of images and queries per day. The conversation touched on the historical context of photography being criticized for being too easy or soulless, similar to how AI-generated images are being criticized today. Mike presented a video by Blake Rudis that highlighted this historical pattern. The group also briefly discussed the cost and functionality of Adobe's AI image generation tools, including the credit system and potential premium options.

AI in Photography: Ethics Discussed
The group discussed the authenticity and ethical considerations of AI-generated images versus manually edited photos. They explored how AI tools like Content Aware Fill are changing photography practices, with some members expressing comfort using AI for minor edits while others drew lines at more significant alterations. The conversation centered on when photographers should disclose AI usage, particularly in artistic versus documentary contexts, with general agreement that honesty about photo manipulation is important, especially in competitive or documentary settings.

Ethics of AI in Photography
The group discussed the ethical implications of photo manipulation and AI in photography. They explored how artists and photographers have historically altered images to improve or change the subject's appearance, with Jack sharing examples of his own AI-assisted portrait work. The conversation touched on the evolving norms around photo manipulation, with Mike noting that as AI becomes more normalized, it will be seen as just another tool rather than a separate category of work. The discussion concluded with Albert sharing an example of an intentionally unflattering portrait of a Pope, created centuries after the original painting, to illustrate how artistic interpretation and manipulation have varied over time.

AI Art Authenticity Debate
The group discussed the authenticity of AI-generated art versus human-made art, with Mike sharing that an art studio owner considers Francis Bacon and other famous artists to be frauds. Paul presented Canon's new R50 and R50V cameras, which automatically process images to produce smooth skin tones. The conversation then shifted to the debate between authentic human photography and AI-generated images, with Rich and Chris emphasizing the importance of capturing genuine emotion and mood in photography, while Mike noted that AI can create emotionally impactful images that might be indistinguishable from human-made ones.

AI Image Ethics and Photography
The group discussed the ethics and guardrails of AI image generation tools, with Albert noting that some AI systems lack restrictions and can produce inappropriate content. They explored the concept of photographer credit and copyright, particularly in cases where a camera is used by multiple people or animals take photos. The conversation concluded with a debate about the artistic value of manual versus automatic camera settings, with Rich and others discussing how different shooting modes can influence the final image and the photographer's intent.

AI's Role in Modern Photography
The group discussed the evolving role of technology in art, particularly focusing on digital and AI tools in photography. Ken shared his experience of transitioning from traditional film photography to digital, while Rich recounted an incident from 15 years ago where a gallery rejected his digital art in favor of traditional hand-painted work. The discussion explored how AI and digital tools have become integral to modern photography, with Jack explaining how he uses AI for selective editing and color grading. George emphasized that photography is not just about the final image but also about capturing the emotional experience of the moment, suggesting that AI could help recapture those emotions in post-processing.

Authenticity in AI-Enhanced Photography
The group discussed the concept of authenticity in photography, particularly in relation to AI tools. They explored different perspectives on what makes a photograph authentic, with some arguing that authenticity lies in staying true to one's personal vision and values, while others suggested that authenticity can involve capturing both the intended subject and unexpected elements of a scene. The conversation touched on the role of AI in enhancing or altering photographs, with some participants expressing concerns about the ethical implications of using AI to manipulate images. The discussion concluded with the observation that artists who thrive often redefine their identity in response to new tools or movements, rather than resisting change.

AI vs Human Photography Authenticity
The group discussed the authenticity and impact of AI-generated versus human-made photographs, examining how AI images often have immediate visual appeal but may lack emotional depth compared to photographs created through personal experience and skill. They debated whether photography skills are necessary for capturing emotion and whether AI images reveal themselves over time, with some arguing that AI images can sometimes reveal their artificial nature upon closer inspection. The conversation concluded with plans to explore the energy and water consumption of AI systems in future discussions, as well as the potential for continued philosophical debates on the nature of photography and AI.