Has photography become too easy?

Modern digital cameras packed with features, modern software allowing for 10 stops or more adjustments in exposure, the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to add or subtract elements to images plus a plethora of other tools and equipment. All these things make the work of a photographer so much easier, but has it become too easy? I don’t believe so and I’ll tell you why.

For me, these tools are time savers, allowing me more time to spend taking the photographs and getting the results I envisioned. Let’s face it, reality has never been a goal of an artist, at least in my mind. Yes, I want it to look real, but often not to look exactly the way it was by nature. Photographers have altered reality from the beginning. Photographers have pushed the limits of creativity throughout time. I know there are those that claim to be “purists” who strive to copy “reality”, but I believe they are fooling themselves.

One of my new favorite tools is the use of A.I. in programs like Photoshop and Lightroom, allowing me to make selections faster, more accurately, and easier. In addition, the use of removing distractions has never been easier or faster. Today’s featured photograph had a number of people in the original photograph. While it has been possible to eliminate distractions such as people for a long time by use of other tools or methods, it often required special tools or was time consuming. Today, it can be done in a matter of moments.

Photography hasn’t gotten easier, but the tools have become more powerful allowing us the ability to generate our art faster and allowing us more time to be creative with our cameras.