Jan 03, 2026
1. AI in Photography and the Cow That Was Never There
The topic of artificial intelligence in art, especially in photography, is dynamic and emotionally charged. On my homepage and Instagram channels, my photography with its creative and artistic aspects is the focus. Here, I want to share some thoughts on the use of AI technologies and transparently explain whether and how they support my creative process.
Images have always been a central medium of human communication and culture. They serve not only documentation but also interpretation, staging, and conveying meanings, emotions, and ideas. “Reading” images is a cultural process in which viewers derive meanings from visual signs, symbols, and compositions—often context-dependent and subjective.
Photography is a special form of image historically associated with the claim to depict reality. At the same time, it is an artistic medium shaped by composition, lighting, perspective, and post-processing. Photographs are therefore never pure “truth” but always interpretation.
1.1 Why Do We Accept Stylistic Changes?
- The Hovering Bird: Our eyes perceive movements as fluid and cannot isolate single moments. The camera, however, “freezes” a moment that would otherwise be hidden from us, such as a bird seemingly motionless in the air. This freezing of a moment is accepted as an aesthetic motif because we understand that photography opens a different level of perception.
- Black and White Images: Black and white photography is a deliberate stylistic device that focuses on shapes, contrasts, and composition. Although the world is colorful, we accept this abstraction as an artistic choice.
- Color Grading: Color corrections and stylistic adjustments are part of creative design that creates moods and atmospheres. We know that colors are manipulated to achieve a certain effect.
1.2 Why Is There an Uproar About Manipulated Content Like a Cow That Was Never There?
Here, ethical and cultural boundaries are touched: If an image shows elements that did not exist in reality and this is not made transparent, trust in the authenticity and credibility of photography can be shaken. Especially in documentary, journalistic, or scientific contexts, there is an expectation that images represent reality as unaltered as possible.
The criticism is therefore not fundamentally against image manipulation but against deception and lack of transparency. If a cow appears in an image that was never there and this is presented as reality, the boundaries between art and forgery become problematically blurred.
1.3 Key Message
People feel deceived when the expectation of image truth is not met and manipulations are not openly communicated. This feeling arises from a breach of trust and the discrepancy between perception and reality. Trust and transparency are therefore crucial to maintaining the credibility of images.
2. My Technical Workflow
2.1 My Camera and Lens
Currently, I work with a Nikon Zf and a Voigtländer 40 mm F1.2. The lens is fully manual but has a chip that transmits some information (e.g., selected aperture, focal length) to the camera body. However, this chip does not control autofocus motors since the lens is manual.
In-Camera Image ProcessingThe Nikon Zf uses image processing in the camera software. Depending on camera settings and firmware, modern, learning-based methods may also be used. Typical processing steps include:
- Noise Reduction: The camera reduces image noise, especially at high ISO values, while preserving details. This noise reduction mainly affects JPEG files created in-camera, while RAW files contain the unprocessed sensor data.
- Sharpening and Detail Enhancement: Edges and structures are emphasized to create a sharper impression. This sharpening is primarily applied during JPEG creation.
- Color and Tone Correction: Colors, contrast, and dynamic range are adjusted for JPEG creation to achieve an appealing look.
- Lens Corrections: Distortions, vignetting, and chromatic aberrations can be automatically corrected, even if the lens is manual. These corrections are usually based on classical algorithms but can sometimes be AI-assisted.
It is important to note that these processing steps mainly affect JPEG files. RAW files remain unprocessed and contain the raw sensor data.
Focus Assistance in the EVF:
The Voigtländer lens is manual, but the camera supports focusing with displayed aids (e.g., focus peaking, magnification, focus lines). Additionally, the camera uses subject recognition functions that detect faces, eyes, animals, or other subjects and display them as guides for focus assistance. This subject recognition is based on AI technologies and analyzes the image in real time to automatically align focus points on relevant subjects.
Important: Although subject recognition uses AI, the actual focusing with a manual lens remains in my hands.
Conclusion: I do not actively use subject recognition. The focus aids themselves support me greatly in my work, especially at an aperture of F1.2. The in-camera image processing leads, in my view, to optically higher-quality results and significantly reduces the amount of post-processing. This allows me to concentrate more on my creative process. This is support I gladly use.
2.2 Image Editing with Capture One and Affinity
Besides the camera, image editing plays a central role in my photographic workflow. I mainly use Capture One and Affinity for this. Both programs offer powerful tools that support my creative process. AI technologies are also used here to facilitate and improve certain steps.
2.2.1 Capture One
Capture One is a professional RAW development software that, in addition to classic editing functions, integrates AI-supported features such as:
- Automatic Image Enhancement: AI algorithms analyze the image and automatically suggest optimizations in exposure, contrast, and color tailored to the image content.
- Skin Tones and Portrait Retouching: AI helps detect skin areas and enables targeted, natural retouching without manual masking.
- Object and Subject Masking: AI-based tools automatically recognize subjects or objects in the image and create precise masks that facilitate targeted editing.
- Noise Reduction: Modern AI models effectively reduce image noise without losing details, which is especially helpful at high ISO values.
These AI functions in Capture One are designed to support users without taking over creative control.
2.2.2 Affinity
Affinity Photo is a versatile image editing software that also uses AI technologies, though to a somewhat different extent
- Intelligent Selection Tools: AI-assisted algorithms help quickly and precisely select objects, people, or backgrounds, making complex cutouts easier.
- Content-Aware Fill: AI analyzes image areas and seamlessly fills cut-out or removed parts with matching image information.
- Automatic Corrections: Affinity offers AI-supported functions to improve exposure, color, and sharpness that respond to image content.
- Noise Reduction and Sharpening: Learning-based methods are also used here to optimize image quality.
2.2.3 My Approach to Image Composition and Retouching
I choose compositions carefully and isolate distracting elements. Generally, I try to avoid cropping later. Sometimes, distracting details only become apparent during editing, which usually leads to discarding the image. For smaller elements, I reserve the right to remove them if possible.
Since I mostly work with high-contrast black-and-white images, light is an important element of visual guidance. If I have overlooked reflective objects like metal parts, keys, or similar during shooting, it can be very annoying. These reflections are then retouched by me if possible. If it seems reasonable, I also sometimes remove people or problematic company logos. Overall, these are minimal adjustments that probably only my picky self notices.
Important: No foreign content, neither AI-generated nor from other sources, is inserted or exchanged in my photos. So, there is no cow that was not there in my work.
3. Final Thoughts
For me, photography is a creative and personal expression based on authenticity, craftsmanship, and artistic interpretation. The conscious and transparent use of modern technologies, including AI, is an enrichment, not a threat. My photos arise from my own perspective and artistic claim—without inserting foreign or AI-generated content.
I warmly invite all interested parties to engage with me about the role of AI in art and to learn more about my creative process. Authenticity and trust are the foundation of every artistic work for me, and I am happy when my images convey exactly that.