I’ll second Mallory on this being well written! I’ve been trying to explain all your points to my peers ever since I first started playing with Stable Diffusion last year. There are so many dials to turn, it’s almost more complicated than using a camera. To be able to consistently achieve results one has to be skilled in the medium. For example, I tried AI software for music and I simply didn’t have the terminology to prompt. Thank you for the post, it’s a nicely cohesive piece on the current, and likely future state of photography.
Thank you Jonas! That’s such a great point... yes, AI may be accessible, but mastering it as a medium still requires skill and an understanding of the language, just like any other creative tool. It’s fascinating to see how the learning curve varies across different creative disciplines. Appreciate your thoughts and glad this piece resonated with you!
This the best take on AI in art photography I've read. Thanks for this perspective and insight Chris. I'm actually in the beginning stages of designing a photobook, so it was so great to read about its relevance. I agree and I'm excited to have this physical piece of art to share with collectors.
Thank you for the feedback! I’m really glad this perspective resonated with you. Designing a photobook is such a meaningful process, it’s one of the most powerful ways for artists to present photography as a lasting, tangible experience. In a time when so much of our visual world is digital, having a physical piece of art to share with collectors is more valuable than ever. Wishing you all the best with your photobook... would love to hear more about what you’re creating!
Great read with lots of insights. There is much to consider as we move forward. I think at the core of A.I. is that it generates while artists create. The line is becoming blurred but I think they'll always be a line dividing the two, albeit a faint line.
Hi George, thank you for your comment... I agree. AI generates, but artists create. That distinction is important. While AI can produce compelling visuals, true artistry comes from intent, vision, and storytelling - elements that machines can’t replicate in a meaningful way. Even as the line between the two continues to blur, I believe the value of human-driven creativity will always remain distinct.
Hi Chris. All very well said. Have very much been exploring AI possibilities ourselves and trying to establish best practice here. As you might imagine, a lot of resistance from some quarters as we start to represent an AI artist (a photographer evolved from shooting on film!) for the first time! If you have time check
Very nice article, Chris. It has me wonder, as AI is continuously breaking boundaries, if laying out a photo book with a sensitive narrative won't be just another feature offered in an upcoming release of Midjourney or another such tool.
Bookmaking has been a passion of mine and I pride myself on such creations - from paper selection and quality of printing and binding to the artistic flow of the material. It's good to know that this package, at least for the time being, is a special offering that cannot be replicated.
You raise a great point, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about as well. AI is rapidly evolving, and it wouldn’t be surprising if future iterations of AI tools begin offering more book design and layout capabilities. I don't think this would be a feature Midjourney would be offering, but another company might come out with some sort of AI design and layout tool. Even with Canva's ability, it's still templatized.
Having said that, I believe there’s something irreplaceable about the human touch in bookmaking, especially when it comes to crafting a narrative, selecting materials, and ensuring the creative flow feels intentional and personal. AI could potentially generate layouts or suggest sequencing, but it lacks the ability to truly curate meaning with nuance, intuition, and emotion, the things that make a photobook more than just a collection of images, but a cohesive statement.
And yes, your passion for bookmaking, choosing the right paper, quality printing, binding, and storytelling is in fact what makes it special. And that’s exactly why handmade, curated books will continue to hold value in a world where automation and templates increase. As you said, for now, this package is something AI cannot replicate, and perhaps, even as technology advances, the desire for something crafted by human hands will remain just as strong, if not stronger, as bookmaking is an artform itself.
I’ll second Mallory on this being well written! I’ve been trying to explain all your points to my peers ever since I first started playing with Stable Diffusion last year. There are so many dials to turn, it’s almost more complicated than using a camera. To be able to consistently achieve results one has to be skilled in the medium. For example, I tried AI software for music and I simply didn’t have the terminology to prompt. Thank you for the post, it’s a nicely cohesive piece on the current, and likely future state of photography.
Thank you Jonas! That’s such a great point... yes, AI may be accessible, but mastering it as a medium still requires skill and an understanding of the language, just like any other creative tool. It’s fascinating to see how the learning curve varies across different creative disciplines. Appreciate your thoughts and glad this piece resonated with you!
This the best take on AI in art photography I've read. Thanks for this perspective and insight Chris. I'm actually in the beginning stages of designing a photobook, so it was so great to read about its relevance. I agree and I'm excited to have this physical piece of art to share with collectors.
Hi Mallory! It's so nice to hear from you.
Thank you for the feedback! I’m really glad this perspective resonated with you. Designing a photobook is such a meaningful process, it’s one of the most powerful ways for artists to present photography as a lasting, tangible experience. In a time when so much of our visual world is digital, having a physical piece of art to share with collectors is more valuable than ever. Wishing you all the best with your photobook... would love to hear more about what you’re creating!
Great read with lots of insights. There is much to consider as we move forward. I think at the core of A.I. is that it generates while artists create. The line is becoming blurred but I think they'll always be a line dividing the two, albeit a faint line.
Hi George, thank you for your comment... I agree. AI generates, but artists create. That distinction is important. While AI can produce compelling visuals, true artistry comes from intent, vision, and storytelling - elements that machines can’t replicate in a meaningful way. Even as the line between the two continues to blur, I believe the value of human-driven creativity will always remain distinct.
Hi Chris. All very well said. Have very much been exploring AI possibilities ourselves and trying to establish best practice here. As you might imagine, a lot of resistance from some quarters as we start to represent an AI artist (a photographer evolved from shooting on film!) for the first time! If you have time check
out our own thoughts here https://www.horton-stephens.com/our-ai-approach/ Cheers.
Hi Niall, thanks! Yes, I’ll check out the link. Much appreciated!
Very nice article, Chris. It has me wonder, as AI is continuously breaking boundaries, if laying out a photo book with a sensitive narrative won't be just another feature offered in an upcoming release of Midjourney or another such tool.
Bookmaking has been a passion of mine and I pride myself on such creations - from paper selection and quality of printing and binding to the artistic flow of the material. It's good to know that this package, at least for the time being, is a special offering that cannot be replicated.
Hi DAK, thank you for sharing your thoughts.
You raise a great point, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about as well. AI is rapidly evolving, and it wouldn’t be surprising if future iterations of AI tools begin offering more book design and layout capabilities. I don't think this would be a feature Midjourney would be offering, but another company might come out with some sort of AI design and layout tool. Even with Canva's ability, it's still templatized.
Having said that, I believe there’s something irreplaceable about the human touch in bookmaking, especially when it comes to crafting a narrative, selecting materials, and ensuring the creative flow feels intentional and personal. AI could potentially generate layouts or suggest sequencing, but it lacks the ability to truly curate meaning with nuance, intuition, and emotion, the things that make a photobook more than just a collection of images, but a cohesive statement.
And yes, your passion for bookmaking, choosing the right paper, quality printing, binding, and storytelling is in fact what makes it special. And that’s exactly why handmade, curated books will continue to hold value in a world where automation and templates increase. As you said, for now, this package is something AI cannot replicate, and perhaps, even as technology advances, the desire for something crafted by human hands will remain just as strong, if not stronger, as bookmaking is an artform itself.