Photography in the Age of AI: Upholding the Truth of Presence

As generative artificial intelligence increasingly engages in image production, it leverages deep learning to optimize light and shadow, complete details, and even generate content, significantly lowering the barriers to image creation. This presents opportunities for a flourishing new popular art but also raises discussions about the essence and value of photographic art. How should photography respond to technological, cultural, and contemporary inquiries in the AI era?

For both the public and professional photographers, it is crucial to understand the relationship between AI-generated images and photographic art. Some AI-generated images may appear indistinguishable from photographic works, yet they possess essential differences, leading to several issues. Firstly, there is a tendency towards homogenization. While AI-generated images may exhibit visual refinement, they lack the subtle variations of light and shadow, the serendipitous qualities of scenes, and the temporal marks present in live captures, resulting in a tendency for “uniform refinement.” Secondly, there is a superficiality in content. Some creations overly rely on AI effects, diminishing the capture of human emotions and leading to works that are visually appealing but lack depth. Thirdly, there is a detachment from real scenes. Some creations replace real observation with virtual generation, weakening the deep connection between photography and real life, straying from the pursuit of authenticity and warmth in photographic art. These issues stem not from flaws in AI technology itself but from creators’ unclear understanding of the essence of photographic art.

In light of AI’s deep penetration, photographic art must first adhere to the creative principle of “Dao, Ti, Qi, Yong.” “Dao” represents the spiritual core and essence of art, while “Qi” refers to the tools and means of creation. When AI significantly lowers the threshold for “Qi,” “Dao” becomes the “moat” for photographic art to respond to technological changes. The choices of what to capture, express, and present in terms of human warmth and aesthetic intent depend on the photographer’s inner understanding of “Dao.”

Deepening theoretical research and constructing a Chinese photography theory system is vital for solidifying the foundation of photographic art development. Chinese traditional art philosophy provides rich nourishment for photographic art. Concepts from traditional painting, such as “expressing spirit through form” and “the interplay of reality and illusion,” offer significant inspiration for contemporary photographic art. Photographers should further explore the theoretical resources within Chinese traditional art philosophy, clarify the intrinsic connections between Eastern artistic methodologies and the essence of photography, and form a photography theory system that embodies national characteristics, contemporary features, and international perspectives. Additionally, special research should be conducted on contemporary topics such as “exploring the integration of Chinese photography and aesthetics through new productive forces” to ensure that theoretical outcomes genuinely serve creative practice.

The “truth of presence” is an irreplaceable intrinsic attribute of photographic art. The “presence” in photography refers to immersive participation in physical settings, empathetic expression of emotions, and the artistic refinement of contemporary scenes. To guide photographers in upholding the “truth of presence,” the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles focuses on significant themes and organizes creative practice activities, encouraging photographers to engage with grassroots communities, capture the pulse of the times, and showcase the lives of ordinary people. At the same time, professional photographers are encouraged to share creative methods and aesthetic concepts with the public, fostering a creative atmosphere of “universal presence” and building a photography ecosystem characterized by “professional leadership, public participation, and the emergence of quality works.”

Talent remains a crucial support for the prosperity and development of the arts. In the digital age, there is a call for a group of outstanding photography talents who can adapt to contemporary needs and possess innovative awareness and interdisciplinary capabilities. To this end, the China Photographers Association actively implements the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles’ deployment to strengthen interdisciplinary talent development, constructing a talent training system that integrates “Chinese art philosophy + intelligent technology application + public creative perspectives.” This system emphasizes enhancing photographers’ theoretical literacy and aesthetic cultivation, solidifying the foundation of Chinese cultural positions; strengthening training in intelligent technology application capabilities, allowing creators to become trainers and collaborators, establishing logical thinking that coexists with AI, and achieving a unity of technological empowerment and essence preservation; and nurturing a sense of people’s feelings and contemporary responsibility, ensuring that creation remains rooted in the people and serves the times, providing talent support for the high-quality development of photographic art.

Photography in the age of AI is at a critical juncture of theoretical innovation and practical breakthroughs. We look forward to photographers being guided by the spirit of Chinese aesthetics, using “the new era in scenes” as a stage, and following the path of flourishing new popular art, to uphold the “truth of presence” and adhere to “governing technology with Dao,” creating more works of profound thought, human warmth, and contemporary significance.