How AI is changing the game for the worlds next- gen Wildlife Photographers

AI has improved significantly over the last few years. It has now reached the point where it can produce seemingly perfect images. I am sure you have seen countless AI wildlife videos and images across social media. It is said that this may affect the working space for wildlife photographers trying to make a living from their images. They spend thousands on trips, waiting hours for the perfect moment, and here AI can create the same image in a matter of seconds. I get it, that’s terrifying. But what if I tell you that I am not concerned about the effects of AI on my future as wildlife photographer.

Yes, you heard me right I am not fazed by the instantaneous image creation that AI has put before us. In fact, if anything I think it might be more useful to photographers rather than being detrimental.

Firstly, AI has helped photographers a lot in post processing, masking is now easier than ever, with AI powered subject detection. This means as photographers we can spend more time on the actual creative part, deciding on small changes that make a difference in the story we want to tell. AI denoise has also gotten a lot better over the years and has allowed us to shoot in much darker conditions while still getting crisp and clear results!

AI has also enhanced modern technology in our cameras autofocus. This allows us to get images that we’ve never been able to get. Now I am not entirely saying that AI has destroyed the skill of photography, it has simply changed it a bit. There are still a lot of technical skills that go into getting an image. It is still important to remember that the true power behind a photo lies in its story, something AI will never be able to perfect, because a story isn’t just made, it is found by spending time in the field and observing behaviour very closely.

Now, I am kind of making it sound like AI is all good and while that is partly true, it is most definitely not entirely true.

AI is competing with traditional stock photography and that is a fact, driving down the market value of authentic photographs that photographers spent hours on creating. However, who even makes a decent income from stock photography these days? Stock photography is most definitely not the centre of wildlife photography as a career.

So, if stock photography isn’t the main point in wildlife photography, what is? Well firstly, wildlife photography, especially the money-making part of it mainly consists of editing courses, in field workshops, social media content creation and print sales. Monetisation of wildlife photography is truly diverse, and I believe that in some aspects AI, might have made certain things more valuable or accessible.

For Example, with fake AI content now flooding the market, many customers are in search of genuine passion and inspiring people that create the photographs. The story of the photographer is now more impactful than ever, thanks to AI. It seems as if people are now looking for the real deal and might even avoid paying photographers who use AI in their brand, like on advertisements and similar things. If you want to really make an impact, use your true authentic self to stand up above AI and let people see who you are and why you love wildlife photography.

This image was taken with a lot of patience and failed attempts, as the photgrapher I can tell you the whole story that made this image come to life, it makes it interesting. AI couldn't do any of this, it could only create the image.

Sure, AI can generate the perfect picture of an elephant, but it cannot share the experiences it went through getting an image. The dust, the heat, simple moments that make us love what we do. By sharing that we become more than photographers, and something AI could never compete with.

So next time you find yourself thinking about your future as a photographer, always remember why you love what you do and the true stories that shape the images you create.