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2026-08-04 Synthetic Photography SIG meeting notes We met online using ZOOM 6:00pm-8:55pm 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 1. General AI Topic Discussion Do AI generated artworks have soul? What is AI Slop? Can you always tell if an image or video is created using AI? Should the artistic default be "This work of art might have been created with AI, and if you think that non-AI generated work is special then you should declare that your work is created without AI"? or should the artistic default be "This work of art was created without the aid of any type of AI, and any work created using any type of AI must declare that 'AI was used to create this work'"? AI impact on cost of electronic equipment 2. We discussed "Photographers AI Tool Kit" Photographers AI Tool Kit - 40:55 - by Joel Grimes AI won't replace photographers, but photographers that use AI will replace photographers that don't Best 10 Photoshop AI tools How to use Joel Grimes presets
3. We didn't discuss "Hank Green is using ai but Knitters aren't surprised"
4. We discussed "The Revolt Against Technology" QUESTIONS regarding whether I want to use a technology
AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT SYNTHETIC PHOTOGRAPHY SIG MEETING - Tue 9/1/2026 @6:00pm 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. Thanks, --------------------------- Meeting Summary from ZOOM -----------------------
Quick recapThe meeting focused on a wide-ranging discussion about AI, its definition, applications, and implications in photography and art. Members shared their experiences and opinions on what constitutes AI, with some describing it as "magical" and others explaining it as neural networks and data-driven processes. The group debated the concept of "AI-generated art" lacking "soul," with many suggesting that terms like "style" or "personality" might be more appropriate. The term "AI slop" was discussed, with some viewing it as a dismissive label for low-quality AI content, while others saw it as a reaction to fear of AI. The use of AI tools in photography, such as content-aware fill, neural filters, and generative tools, was examined, with members sharing how they incorporate these into their workflows. The question of whether to disclose AI usage in artwork was raised, with varying opinions on transparency. The conversation also touched on the impact of AI on technology costs, job markets, and the broader societal implications of AI adoption. Next stepsRich RobertsSummaryLocal Fair and AI DiscussionThe group discussed their recent experiences at a local fair, sharing details about attending various events including the carnival, concerts, and rodeo. They also talked about the current smoke conditions affecting their ability to ride bicycles, with several members noting they had modified their riding schedules due to poor air quality. The conversation then shifted to an upcoming discussion about artificial intelligence, with Mike asking the group to define what they consider AI to be, though the full discussion about AI was not captured in this transcript segment. AI and Artistic Soul DiscussionThe group discussed various perspectives on AI, particularly focusing on what constitutes AI and whether AI-generated artworks have "soul." Mike initiated the conversation by asking for definitions of AI, with participants sharing different views including Pam's observation that AI means different things depending on the context and application. The discussion then shifted to exploring what "soul" means in the context of art, with participants debating whether AI could capture human personality, feelings, or spiritual elements in generated content. The conversation concluded with agreement that definitions of soul, spirituality, and religion are subjective concepts that vary between individuals. AI Art and Artistic ExpressionThe group discussed whether AI-generated art has soul or personality, with Rich Roberts expressing uncertainty about evaluating AI art due to limited exposure. The conversation evolved into comparing how human artists like Dorothea Lange, Ansel Adams, and modern abstract artists like Rothko and Pollock convey personality or style in their work. The discussion concluded with practical considerations about using AI tools to generate art in specific styles, with Jim suggesting that sufficient credits and multiple reference images would be needed for effective style transfer. AI Evolution and Public PerceptionThe group discussed the evolution and definition of AI, distinguishing between early algorithmic approaches and modern neural network-based systems. They explored the concept of "AI slop," discussing how the term is often used pejoratively by artists to dismiss AI-generated content regardless of quality, and examined how the general public lacks a clear understanding of AI capabilities. The conversation also touched on the historical development of AI tools in photography and image editing, comparing traditional manual techniques like dodging and burning with modern automated features. AI Technology and Ethics DiscussionThe group discussed the term "AI slop," with Mike expressing discomfort about using the phrase, while Rich Ernst and Rich Roberts explained it originated from poor or misleading uses of AI technology. Pam shared her experience watching the series "Scarpetta," which depicted AI relationships with deceased partners, raising concerns about the implications of such technology. The conversation also touched on how AI is used in film production through techniques like motion capture and green screen technology. AI in Artistic CreationThe group discussed the role of AI in art and photography, with Mike proposing that AI tools should be considered the default in artistic creation unless explicitly stated otherwise. Rich Roberts and Jack argued that AI should be viewed as a tool similar to digital cameras and Photoshop, rather than separate components that need declaration. The discussion touched on how AI can enhance artistic capabilities beyond human skills, with Rich Ernst emphasizing the deterministic nature of camera settings versus the non-deterministic aspects of AI. AI Photo Transformation TechniquesThe group discussed using AI to improve or transform photographs, sharing personal experiences with various AI tools. Jack described using AI to change a summer train photo into a winter scene, while Rich Ernst mentioned using Adobe's neural filters to make his granddaughter's baby photo show a smile, though she didn't recognize herself in the altered version. Mike shared that he uses Topaz Photo AI to fix blurry faces in concert photos, though he doesn't typically disclose when he uses such tools. The discussion touched on broader themes about artistic expression and how digital tools have evolved over time, comparing them to historical changes in other art forms. Adobe AI Metadata DiscussionThe group discussed how Adobe products automatically stamp images that use AI tools with metadata indicating AI generation, even for minor edits like removing objects or adjusting aspects. They explored the implications for photographers and artists, particularly regarding competitions and galleries that may have strict rules about AI usage. The discussion concluded with participants sharing their approaches to disclosing AI usage, with some choosing to label AI-generated content while others prefer to remain silent about it, believing that the stigma around AI-generated work could diminish its perceived quality. AI Photo Tools in PhotographyThe group discussed Rich Ernst's experience with Blake Rude's Photo Mentor AI tool, which provides AI-based photo critiques for $297 lifetime access or various subscription options. They explored how AI tools are becoming increasingly integrated into photography workflows, with Mike sharing his approach to using AI for background work and portrait editing while maintaining client preferences. The discussion also covered the evolving standards for photo editing in journalism versus commercial work, with participants agreeing that journalists should be held to stricter standards regarding image manipulation while commercial photographers have more flexibility in their editing practices. AI Photo Processing WorkflowJack described his process of using AI presets in Adobe Camera Raw to process 1,400 photos from a rodeo event, which significantly reduced his processing time by about 75%. He explained how he created a preset that applied consistent color grading, background blurring, and other adjustments to the selected photos. The discussion then expanded into a technical comparison between Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom, with Rich Ernst explaining that Lightroom uses a database system rather than creating sidecar files, allowing for non-destructive editing with multiple versions of the same image stored as database entries. Technology and AI DiscussionThe group discussed various topics including technology, metrics for productivity, and an AI conspiracy theory. Pam closed the meeting, and later participants shared casual conversation about weather and travel. The main discussion centered around a YouTube video about technology and metrics, with Mike explaining how measuring certain aspects can change how we value things. The group also discussed a conspiracy theory video about AI, with Rich and Jim expressing skepticism about whether it was AI-generated content, though they found the information presented interesting. AI Impact on Job MarketsThe group discussed various topics around AI, including its impact on job markets, particularly affecting entry-level programming positions. They debated whether AI contributes to human flourishing and discussed the role of HR departments in screening candidates. The conversation also touched on the separation of issues around AI value versus infrastructure concerns like data center locations and environmental impact.
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