RPS DI ONLINE June 2023

COVERIMAGE

ABOUTTHECOVERIMAGE

ThePhotographer: LoisWakemanLRPS

TheImageTitle: MyBrokenHeart

AbouttheImage:WhyItookit!

ThiswasachancesnapwithmyPixelphonetakeninBridportatthebus station.Whitewashovergraffitiwasaratherdullbeigeandgrey,soI shiftedthehuetoawarmershadetosuitthesubject.Iclonedoutafew distractingspots,croppedittoA4,andfinishedbyblurringthetopleft areawhichwasunpleasantlycrunchy(anannoyingfeatureofGoogle's over-aggressiveJPGprocessing-especiallyatclosedistances).

Withthe‘newlook’DIONLINE,wearemakingsomechangestothefrontcover. TheWinnersoftheMonthlyCompetitionwillnowbefeaturedprominentlyinside thepublication.

Forthe‘newlook’,aseditor,IwouldliketofeaturecreativeAbstractstyleimages onthefrontcoverandIwouldliketoinviteyoutosendmeimagesfor consideration.

Sendmeyourabstractstyleimage,includeyournameanddistinction,ifapplicable, includethetitleofthephoto,andashortsentenceonhowitwascreated.The formatneededforthecovershouldbePortraitorientationandcanbesentasa JPEG,TIFForPSDfile.Pleasemakesurethatthephotoisaminimumof3000 pixelshighand300dpi.Pleasesendyourimageto: dignews@rps.org

EditorDIONLINE: MelanieChalk

Contact: dignews@rps.org

CHAIRMAN’SCHAT

THOUGHTSFROMTHECHAIR…

Theconceptof‘Evolve’istomakewhat wedoevermoreengagingforourDI Memberswithtwonewprojectsalmost atthepointoflaunch.Thistakesalotof volunteerworkandmanhours,forwhich IthankallofourhardworkingDI Committee.Wehavefunandget satisfactionfromvolunteering,butitcan sometimesbeathanklesstaskdueto systemstrugglesorlackofmember engagement.Ihopethesefollowing twonewprojectswillreallycatchyour imagination.

SomuchishappeninginDIrightnow thatIhardlyknowwheretostartthis month’sreport.

InMarchIannouncedtheDIEvolve programmewhereweaimedtorefresh andupliftmanyofthethingswealready ran,aswellasintroducingnew programmes.OurpopularDIworkshops haveevolvedwithmanynowoffering feedbacksessionstohelpconsolidate thelearning.DINewshashadafresh newlookandcontent,plusthename changetoDIOnline.Fromthismonth wewillstarttohavearegularsectionon AI.OurDISaturdaywebinarsgofrom strengthtostrengthwithPaulSandersin June,SimonStreetinSeptemberand BorisEldagsen(heoftheSonyAwards fame)inNovember.Advertsforallthese workshopsandmeetingsaretowardsthe rearofthispublicationorviatheDI

Eventspage HERE

FirsttheTalk-Walk-Talkprojectthatwe areorganisinginconjunctionwith Landscape.Byjoiningforcesonthiswe arehopingtocombineourstrengthsand reachmoreRPSmembers.Thefirst programmeweareplanningislikelyto launchearlyJulyandwewillbestarting withanonlinetalkaboutCoastal photography,followedbyachoiceof 30+coastalwalklocationsaroundthe UK,withafinaltalkdiscussionsession withyourwalkgroup.Thereismore informationwithinthispublicationon page25

OnthetopicofAIwearealsodelighted toannouncethatweappointedJoe HoughtonasourAIconsultant,along withSimonNewlynwhowrotetherecent interestingarticleinourAprilDIOnline. Welcometoyouboth–Iamreallynot surewherethistopicistakingus,butI dofeelweneedtokeepdoorsopenand tostayabreastofdevelopments.

WorkingwithJoeandSimonshould keepDIattheforefrontofatleast understandingthecapabilitiesofthe variousofferings.Weallknowand acceptthatAIgeneratedillustrations aren’tphotography,butasitmerges moreintophotographicprogrammesI amconvincedthatthelinebetween willbeindiscernible.

TowrapupthispieceIhaveonemore request–weideallyneedonemore activecommitteemembertodothe adminco-ordinationroleforthe SaturdayDIwebinarprogramme. Theremustbeoneofyououtthere whowouldenjoybeingpartofthe happybunchofDIvolunteersand willingtotakeonthisrole.Pleaseget intouchifithasyournameonitoryou wanttoknowmore!

emaildigchair@rps.org

Regards

Janet JanetHaines digchair@rps.org

DIGIT97shouldhavealreadyorsoonwill hityourmat!Thenitwillbemade availableonthewebsite,wearejust waitingforthePrintCataloguetobe uploaded,soallisinplace.Enjoy!

MONTHLYCOMPETITION

THEMEMBERSCHOICEOFTHEIRFAVOURITEIMAGE

ThewinnerofourMaymonthlyonlinecompetitionwas‘AlbertDocks’byAlan Collins,whichisfeaturedhere.Alantellsushowhecreatedhiswinningimage.

ALBERTDOCKSBYALANCOLLINSARPS

'Firstly,abigthankyoutoeveryonewhovotedforAlbertDocks,itisalwaysniceto winacompetition,especiallywhenitdoesn’thappenveryoften,andespeciallynice whentheimageischosenbyyourpeers.

AlbertDocksstartedoutasastraightforwardrecordshottakenonaverybriefvisitto Liverpoolandtimewasverylimited.Itisratheraplainimage,thereisnodetailinthe skyandthereistoomuchwaterintheforeground.Ididn’thavemyusualSonyfull framecamerawithmeasthiswasnotaphotographytrip,Ididhoweverhavemy smallpointandshootcamerainmypocket.Thepicturewastakenwithatrusty CanonPowerShotS110,shootinginjpegatf4,12mm,ISO160.Thesmalllensgives agreatdepthoffieldandtheresultingimageis4000x3000pixelsat180ppi

Takingtheimageintophotoshop,Ifirstcreatedareflectionofthebuildingsandthen anadjustmentlayertobrightentheimagealittle,thisresultedinaratherpleasing colourimage.

Havingwatcheda coupleoftalksrecently onblack&white photographyIdecided toturnthisimageinto monoandmakeitas highkeyaspossible whichIfeltsuitedthe subject.Iamgladthe resultwasapopular choice.'

Alan

FIRSTPLACEALBERTDOCKSBYALANCOLLINSARPS

FIRSTPLACEALBERTDOCKSBYALANCOLLINSARPS

ECIRCLES

Critiquee-Circle

AsIwritethis,weareabouttoholdourfourteenthcritiquesession.Westartedout withafullcomplementoftenpeople,andIguessthatlikemetheyweren’tentirely surehowitwouldgo.Inevitablythefirstfewsessionswerealittletentativeand perhapswewerealittletookindtoeachotheraswefeltourwayintotheformatand gottoknoweachotherbetter.

Wenowknoweachotheragreatdealbetterandwedohaveanhonestandmore valuablediscussionaboutourwork.Eachmemberhastheirownstyleandapproach tomakingpictures,sowealwaysgettoseeavarietyofimages.Oneofourmembers makesbeautifullysharpandwell-constructedstudioimages,anotherisgettinginto infra-redandwehaveafewICMsthrowninaswell.Eachbringstheirown‘eye’tothe mix.

Overthelastyearasmallnumberofpeoplehaveleftthegroup,notenjoyingthe sessionswasn’tareasonforthat,everyonewhohastakenparthasfounditvaluable, andothershavetakentheirplace.

Ifyouwouldliketoputimageswhichyouareproudoformaybearen’tquitesure aboutinfrontofothersinordertogetusefulfeedbackthenIwouldrecommend signinguptoacritiquee-circle.

MartinTomesLRPS

ECIRCLES

e-Processingcircles. Inthesegroups membersallworkona RAWfilevolunteeredby onememberanddiscuss differentapproachesto processingtoachieve thevolunteer’s visualisation.

e-Projectscircle. Agroupwhich discussesprojects thatmembersare workingon.

e-Critiquecircles. Inthesegroups memberssharean imagefordetailed discussion

Oure-Circlesaregroupsofbetween6and10photographerswhomeetmonthlyon Zoom.Ifyouwanttoimprovesomeaspectofyourphotographyandarepreparedto meetupwithcolleaguesforconstructive,honestgivingandreceivingoffeedback whynotconsiderjoiningoneofoure-Circles?

Tofindoutmorecontact digmem@rps.org

Someimagesfromthecritiquesessions:

Topleft‘AutumnColourinGlencoe’byMartinTomesLRPS

Bottomleft’TheMarriageTree’byLizBarberLRPS

Below‘GentlemanRogue’byPeterKnight

PRINTCIRCLES PrintCircleUpdate–May2023

Sincethecovidera,wehavecompletedseveralroundsandtheimagesattachedare ourrecentwinners.Varietyremainshigh,rangingwidelyfromsemi-abstractdesign, flowers,posedportrait,PJandlandscape.

Notwoofusviewimagesexactlythesame.Wecanusuallyallagreeonqualityorits lack,butpersonalchoiceismorethanthat.Thereforeinourcommentsandratingsof alltheentriesthereisneveraunanimouswinnerandmostroundsareveryclose ‘battles’.Thereweretworecentexceptionstothisrule,ieveryclearwinners–not unanimousofcourse,butveryclearlypreferred.ThesewereJohnShaw’s‘Reflected Beauty’andHeatherCarslake’stotallydifferent‘Covea,aStudy’.Whateveryour personalinterestsare,Idohopeyoulikeatleastsomeofourefforts!

AsIhavesaidinpreviousreports,wecompleteabout4roundsperyearwitheach memberputtinginanewA4printintoeachround..TheCircleoperatessatisfactorily withanywherebetweenaminimumof8memberstoamaximumof12.Wehave usuallybeenluckyinrecenttimestobeabletokeepmembershipuptoourmaximum of12asIhaveusuallyhadashortwaitinglistofwillingrecruitstoreplaceleavers. However,justinthelasttwomonths,wearesufferingtheloss,foravarietyof personalreasons,of3valuedmemberswhoareleavingoverthenexttworounds,two beingLRPSsandoneanARPS.Thiswillbringusdownto9membersforthe moment,stillOKbutabitonthelowside.Thereforetherehasnotrecentlybeena bettertimefornewvolunteerstocontactme!

Wehopetokeepthrivingandenjoyingeachotherswork,especiallyascovidappears tobefadingintoamurkypast.Ifyouwanttojoinus,myemailis abroch@btinternet.com

AndrewBrochwicz-LewinskiARPS

RECENTWINNERS

Knock,KnockbyDennisRussLRPS

WhathaveIdonebyJohnShawARPS

ExtinctionRebellionProcessionWestminsterbyAndrewBrochwicz-LewinskiARPS

TopMountainandForestbyJohnBloomfieldARPS

BottomEveningWalkontheBeachbyPeterBrookLRPS

ReflectedBeautybyJohnShawARPS

TALKWALKTALK

RPSLandscape(LS)andDIgroupshavejoinedforcestodeliveranewprogrammefor members.ThefirstonestartsinSeptemberwhenwefocusonCoastalphotography.

Byworkingtogetherinthiswaywecan combineourstrengthsandwidenour audience.Weshareafairproportionof membersandthoseindividualswill knowthatbothoffergreatopportunities formemberstoengageinavarietyof programmes.Soweareagoodfitfor workingtogether.

TheT-W-Tprojecthasthreeelements-

Talk–anonlineZoomtalkon7September,bytherecentpastLSgroupChair,RichardEllis. Richardwilldeliverapresentationthatwillguideandadvisethoselessfamiliarwiththe genreastohowtoachievethebestresults.

Walk–wewillhaveaseriesofwalksaroundtheUKmainlandandUKislandsthroughoutlate SeptembertoendofOctober.Thesewillbeleadbylocalpeoplewhoknowtheirareawell. Theyarenotexpertsinthesubjectbuttheretosimplyleadasmallnumberof photographersonthewalk.

Talk-thefinalsessionisthefeedbackwhereyouwillmeetlocallyatanagreedtimeand placeforyourwalkgrouptomutuallydiscussandenjoyviewingeachother’simages.

Costs

TheTalkandWalkareFREEforRPSmembers.ThefinalTalk(feedback)sessionisdownto localgroupstoorganisethemselvesandsharethecostaccordingly.

Booking

AspecialwebpagedisplayingamapoftheUKwillshowallthevariouswalklocations.You clickontheonethatyouwishtojoinandcompletethebookingthere.Thisalsoincludesthe bookingforthe7Septemberonlinetutorial.Ifyouwishtogotomorethanonewalkthen thisisperfectlyfine.BookingswillopeninJulyaswearecurrentlycollectingtheinformation fromtheWalkLeaders.

MoreinformationwillalsobeavailableontheLandscapeandDIwebsites.

Goto:https://rps.org/di/talk-walk-talk-coastal/

AFACETOFACEEVENT

ANEVENTFORTHOSEINTHESOUTHOFENGLAND

TheWater’sEdge

InthispresentationTonythatexamines numerousapproachestophotographingthe coastandlargelyfeatureslocationshereinthe UK.Theaimisnottodwellonthemore "romantic"elementsoftheBritishcoast,butis areminderthatthenotionof"thecoast"can embracemanyaspects.

TheIntimateLandscape

ThisissomethingthatTonyIfeelsverystrongly about.ManyvenuesbothhereintheUKand abroadhavebecome"honey-pot"locations, whichultimatelysaysverylittleaboutthe individualphotographer.Thispresentationaims toencouragethelandscapeworkertolook awayfromtheobvious,anddevelopapersonal responsetotheirphotography.

ThesearePDIpresentationsincludingsome prints.InhispresentationsTony,asamember oftheRPSA&FLandscapeDistinctionsPanel, Tonywillbeindicatinghowthesetopicsmight betheinspirationforaDistinctionPanel.

TonyWorobiecBiography

AFellowoftheRoyalPhotographicSociety,a memberoftheVisualArtandLandscape DistinctionsPanels,Tonyisafineart photographerwithworkinthepermanent collectionofTheRPS,TheFoxTalbotMuseum andinnumerouscorporateandprivate collectionsaroundtheworld.

Authorof17books,TonystudiedfineartatThe UniversityofNewcastleuponTyneandspent18 yearsasheadofalargedesignfacultyin Dorset.Hehaswonawardsforphotographyin theUKandinternationally.Tonyalsotaughtart andphotographyformanyyears.

Website: www.tonyworobiec.com

Allwelcome:DIGMembers£5, RPSMembers£8,Non-Members£12.00.

BookOn-Line-

Link:https://bit.ly/RPSDISouthern-TW

AdvancedBookingStronglyAdvised

NEXTONLINESPEAKER

PAULSANDERS

EnglishfineartphotographerPaulSandershasbeeninvolvedinphotographysince leavingschool,firstasablackandwhiteprinter,thenasafashionphotographer,a careerthatledtoapostatReuters,andthenTheTimesnewspaperasPictureEditor, overseeingtheentirevisualcontentoftheprestigiouspublication.PaulleftTheTimes attheendof2011topursuehisloveofnatureandthelandscape,Paul’sapproachto landscapephotographyisoneofmindfulconnection.

PaulSanders'talk'GoYourOwnWay'isaboutfindingyourownstyle,senseof expressionandvisionwhilerisingabovetheneedforperfectionandvalidation.

RPSDISTINCTIONS

AIINTHESPOTLIGHT

TherehavebeenvariousdiscussionsonsomeRPSFacebookgroupsabouttheroleof AIinphotography,notleast“howmuchistoomuch?”,giventhesophisticated algorithmsnowbuiltintomuchpost-processingsoftware.

HQhascomeoutwithapreliminarystatementthattriestodefinetheRPSview,viz: “ForDistinctions,ourstanceisthefollowing: ImagescreatedbyAI,includingthosemadefromtheapplicant’sownfiles,arenot acceptedinaDistinctionapplication.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemail distinctions@rps.org”

TherehasalreadybeenoneRPSdiscussionwithShutterstock,andanotheroneis scheduledforlaterthismonthwithAdobe.

FINDOUTMOREABOUTHOWTOSTARTYOURDISTINCTIONS JOURNEY:

Eachofthepagesbelowincludeshandylinkstoguidelinesandgenresfor distinctions,anda“howtoapply”document:thesearemostlylinksontheoriginal website,bytheway.

• Licentiate(LRPS)

• Associate(ARPS)

• Fellowship(FRPS)

ThePhotobookgenre,availableforalldistinctions,hasitsownspecialguidelinesand submissionprocess(asopposedtoanLRPS,ARPSorFRPSsubmissioninbookform) Youcanfindoutmorehere: Photobooks.Youmightalsoliketoseea talk hostedby StewartWallwhichisbothinformativeandinspiring.NextassessmentdateOct‘23

Tohelpyouprepare,youcanrequestaone2oneportfolioreview–anonlinesession withapanelmemberappropriatetoyourgenre/distinction.Seethispageformore information:

Howtobookaone2one(rps.org

Therehasbeensomeconfusionoverwhathappensnext–someonefromHQwillfind youanadvisorandputyoubothintouchtoarrangeadateandtosendimages/ presentationplan.Thiscantaketimedependingonhowmanyvolunteerassessorsin yourgenreoratyourlevelareavailable,andyouareadvisedtomakeyourrequestat least4monthsbeforeanassessment.

SomeregionsareofferingAdvisoryDaysonlineand,increasingly,inperson,or use thislink https://portal.rps.org/s/event-listing andclickthe‘AdvisoryDay’buttonat thetop–besttodisregardthefiltersatthelefthandsidewhichoftenseemtofind nothingorhidesomeevents!Youcangenerallyattendasanobserverifyouaren’t readytostepupyet(usuallyadvertisedaweekbeforehandontheFacebookgroup). Inaddition,someChaptersandRegionsofferonlineDistinctionsStudyGroups.You canfindtheseby searchingtheRPSwebsite (theseareinrandomdateorder includingpastdates,soyoudoneedtobepatient).

Alltheassessmentdatesupuntiltheendof2023areonthewebsite.Youcansend yourbookingformsto distinctions@rps.org orbyposttoheadoffice.Asforadvisory days,youcansignupto observeanAssessmentDay (inpersonoronline)ticketsfor assessments–currentlyfree.

Anddon’tforget,aswellasprojectedandprintedimages,youcanalsoapplyfora Film,DigitalandMultimediaDistinctionatanylevel,andalsoawrittenResearch Distinction: Film And Research.TheResearchpageonthewebsitehasjustbeen updated,andmorechangesarescheduledforotherpages.

MOREAVENUESOFSUPPORT:

IfyoumissedanyoftheexcellentDistinctionsLivetalks,youcan catchup here.(Alsoaccessibleviathe RPSDistinctionschannel onYouTube.)

TheFacebookGroup RPSDistinctions**OfficialGroup**has recentlycelebratedits3rd birthdaywithmorethan4700 members,andincludesnewsfromHQ,linksforobserverplaces atassessments,andpostscelebratingdistinctionsuccessesto inspireyou.It’sacivilizedvenuetoaskquestions,shareyour successes–anddisappointments–andaskforcritiqueorexpert adviceonyourproposedportfolio.

Ifyouaren’tsurewhichgenreorleveltoapplyfor,youcanpost 6images(plusyourSOIifappropriate)andrequestmoderator advice.

Accolade,whichcelebratesDigitalImagingmembers’distinction successes,isusefulforinsightintotheprocessinmanydifferent genresandatalllevels IssueAccolade12 isavailableonIssuu(backnumbersalsoavailable).

AISNAPSHOT

UNVEILINGTHELATESTINNOVATIONSINAI-DRIVENPHOTOGRAPHY WITHNEWS&VIEWSFROMOURROVINGREPORTERS!

calledDragGAN Photoediting indevelopmentCheckitout.

I startedmylastarticleabout AIwiththestatement:

‘Warning:Beforeyougetto theendofthisarticleitwill probablybeout-of-date!’

Well,theout-of-datebit happened:Adobehas releasedPhotoshop24.5with theRemovetoolgivingusan AIdrivencontentaware(plus) toolcapableofgenerating someamazingresults.In addition,youcandownload Photoshop24.6totryouta BetaversionofPhotoshop whichincludesthenew generativetools-againsome incredible(goodandbad) results.

Plustheannouncementofa furthermindblowingAIphoto editingsystemindevelopment

Thisisnotafullblownarticle butcanIencouragethoseof youwho,perhaps hatetheconceptofAIand photographytoeither downloadtheBetaversionof Photoshoporviewoneofthe videoslistedbelow. Doingeither,willhopefully show,how(andnotwhen)AI isgoingtoplayarolein photographyandwhy,tohelp maintain‘traditional’ photography,weneedto recognisethatAIwillbecome aphotographicformorgenre. Inshort,weneedtoavoid gettingstuckbytalkingabout the‘olddayswhen…..’and welcomeanotherforwardstep intheevolutionof

photographythatinmyview shouldalways,bydefinition, beanevolving,developing andchallengingartform.

Ifwedogetstuckwill somebodypleasetellmehow arewegoingto‘police’the useofAIgenerativeediting withinpostproduction:in

cameraAIdrivenautofocus andimagestabilisation systemsandtheincreasing incorporationofAIwithin smartphones?……….. 84%ofallphotographsare takenwithasmartphone.

Interestingvideos/data coveringtheaboveinclude:

PhotoshopBeta

GotoyourCreativeCloud homepageandclickonApps andthenBetaappsto download

DragGAN -photoeditingin development

NewPhotoshopGenerative Editingtoolsinaction

GlynDewis

AaronNace

ChrisParker -whohatesthese newdevelopments

AndCameraUsageStatistics

AI…UPDATING THE OUT-OF-

DATE BY SIMON NEWLYN

Listening toallthe current kerfuffles aboutAI, it’sclearto methat there’sonly onewayto resolvetheissueofAIin photography.Wemustbanany imagebeingsubmittedtoany photographiccompetitionthat wasshotorprocessedona digitalcameraorelectronic device.

It’squiteclearthattheonly “real”photographisone capturedonafilmbased camera,preferablyafully manualonewithnofancy apertureorshuttermodes. Photographsmustbe processedinadarkroomusing paperandchemicals,and submittedviatheRoyalMailor inperson,andallclubentries aretobesignedininkusinga quillpen.

Dearreader,changeisuponus yetagain,andwemustadapt orbeleftinthemarginsof history.AIimageryishereto stay,andwill-likeitornotreplacewhatwehaveupto

nowconsideredtobe “photographs”foralmost everypersonontheplanet apartfromthoseveryfew concernedwiththefine distinctionofhowthisfinal imagecametobe.

Mediatodayisawashwith imagery,andthishasprovided the“photographer”withrich pickingsforalmostacentury(it was1826or27whenNiépce tookthefirstphotograph).But generatingphoto-realistic imagesisnowacommodity, notthepurviewofatechnically competentelite.Should’tbe allowed-Icanhearthe anguishedcries!

Soifwewanttoseparatethe “artificial”AIgeneratedimage fromthesomehowmore valid(???)cameragenerated photograph,weneedasetof definitions-andQUICK-to makeitcleartothosewhocare (allthreeofthem)whatthe

acceptabledifferencesare. Inourverysmall(intheoverall schemeofthings)pondof amateurphotography,thisisadmittedly-athing.

Thousandsofuslovetosubmit imagesandhavethem critiquedaswelearntomaster

theaperturetriangleand achievealevelofmasteryover ourcamerakit.ThosenastyAI imagesthreatenthissafespace withstrangeandsometimes scarilygoodimagesthathave nobusinesslookingasgoodas theydo-butthey’renot“real” arethey?.Becausetheydidn’t comeoutofacamera.Asuper computerwithmorepowerin itthansentmentothemoon. Ofcoursethey’rereal.And 99.9999%ofthepopulation don’tcarehowtheyaremade. Theylookgood-andfor everyoneelse,that’sgood enough.If“we”wantto somehowdifferentiate betweenAIimagesand camerageneratedoneswe needasetofrulestoclearly separatethe2-andgoodluck withthatgiventhedegreeof computationalpowernowbuilt intoeverymoderncameraand phone.Ormaybeweshould justacceptthatanimageisan image.

Ormaybeit’stimetogiveup judging-it’simpossibleto knowjusthowanimagewas createdanymore….

That’sit-banallcompetitions! Jobdone.

WEMUSTBANALLIMAGESSHOTONACAMERA!BY JOE HOUGHTON

AISNAPSHOT

shakinguptheworldof photography:Artificial Intelligence.

Havingbeenencouragedby mygranddaughterAimeeto embraceAI.Shehadtold me,“Youhaveanincredible eyeforcapturingbeautiful moments,andAIcanbea supportivecompanioninyour photographicjourney!

Eventhoughyou’re85!

SoIstartedreadinguponthe subjectandherearemy thoughts…..

Ahthesweetsoundofthe camerashutter,the intoxicatingaromaofthe darkroomchemicals,thesoulstirringthrillofwaitingfor yourfilmtodevelop–these arethesentimentsechoedby everyold-school photographerintheworld, includingme.But,it's2023 andthere’sasmallrevolution

Now,beforeyoustarthiding yourLeicasandHasselblads underyourvintagebeanies andflannelshirts,let'stakea deepbreathandhavealittle chataboutwhyAImightnot betheendoftheworldfor ourbelovedhobby.

Firstup,AIcandosome prettyamazingthings.Let's startwiththesimplestuff. Rememberthegoodolddays whenyou'daccidentallychop offAuntEdna'sheadinthe familyportraitbecauseyou weretoobusytryingtoget thefocusjustright?Well, thankstoAI-poweredauto focus,AuntEdna'slovely coiffurewillneverbeoutof frameagain.Isn'tthatarelief?

Andthenthere'sthematterof lighting.We'veallbeenthere, right?You'reabouttosnap theperfectshotofthesunset, butohno!Theexposure'sall wrong,andtheresulting photolookslikeatoddler's fingerpaintingproject.Enter AI.Itcanadjustyourcamera

settingsinreal-time, predictingthebestexposure foryourshot.Nomore squintingatdialsandcursing theheavensbecauseyour sunsetnowresemblesa nuclearapocalypse.Withmy failingeyesthishasgottobe abonus.

Butthere’smoreadvanced stuff,nowAIcannow,waitfor it,composeyourphotosfor you.That'sright,nomore needforthatpesky"Ruleof Thirds"or"GoldenRatio". Yourcamera,poweredbyAI, willsuggesttheperfect compositionforyourshot. Isn'tthatjust...liberating? Whoneedsyearsof experienceandartistic intuitionwhenyou'vegot thesethingscalled algorithms.?

Ofcourse,weunderstandthat someofyoumightbeabit skeptical.Iwastoo!

"Photographyisanart!It's aboutthehumantouch,the soul!",youmightcry.Well, dearreader,Ihearyou.But let'snotforgetthatonce uponatime,peoplethought thataboutpaintingtoo.

AIImage

AndlookatwherewearenowprinterscanreplicateVanGogh's "StarryNight"withsuchprecisionthat eventhemostdiscerningeyewould struggletospotthedifference.

Sowhynotembracethechange?After all,astheysay,"resistanceisfutile". Sure,wemightloseabitofthathuman touch,thatindividualitythatcomes witheveryshot.Butthinkaboutthe trade-offs:perfectlycomposedshots, ideallighting,andAuntEdna'sfull headineveryfamilyportrait.

Buthey,ifyou'restillnotconvinced, Igetit.Holdontoyourfilmcameras, keepexperimentingwiththose chemicalsinyourdarkroom,and continuetoenjoythethrillofthewait. Butdon'tbetoosurprisedifoneday, youfindyourselfentrustingyour preciousshotstothecomfortingarms ofAI.Afterall,changeistheonly constant,right?

Intheend,whetheryou'reanoldschoolfilmpuristoranew-ageAI enthusiast,there'sonethingwecanall agreeon:thejoyofcapturinga moment,amemory,afeeling.And that,dearreader,issomethingno amountoftechnologycanevertake away.Sohere'stothefutureof photography,inwhateverformitmay take.

SaycheesetoAI!

Itcertainlyisamadworld,inmorewaysthan one!Averyapttitle!Sowasthisimagecreated byaHumanorAI?

UPDATEONAI EXPERIMENT

Weareenteringthefinalstagesoftestinganupload system toenableyoutoenteryourimagesinourAI experiment.

WeareworkingtowardsJulybeingthestartdate.So ifyouareusingMidJourney,AdobeFireflyorsome othersoftware,whentheuploadopenspleaseshow usyourresults,sowecanmarvelatyourcreativity withalittlehelpfromyourAIfriends.

WEIRD WORLD BY JANET HAINES ARPS

AISNAPSHOT

ThequestionofwhethertheRoyal PhotographicSociety(RPS)should acceptAI-generatedimagesinits competitionsisatopicthatraises significantdebatewithinthe photographycommunity.WhileAI technologyhasmaderemarkable advancementsingeneratingrealisticand aestheticallypleasingimages,itposes challengestothetraditional understandingofphotographyasa humancreativeendeavour.

ProponentsarguethatAI-generated imagesshouldbeembracedasaformof artisticexpression.Theyhighlightthe skillandcreativityinvolvedintrainingAI algorithmsandcuratingtheresulting output.AcceptingAI-generatedimages couldbroadentheartisticlandscapeand encourageinnovativeapproachesto photography.

However,criticscontendthatAIgeneratedimageslackthehumantouch andintentionalitythatdefinetraditional photography.Theyarguethat photographyisamediumthroughwhich individualsexpresstheirunique perspectives,emotions,and experiences.AI-generatedimages,they argue,donotpossessthesamedepthor authenticity.

ThedecisiontoacceptAI-generated imagesinRPScompetitionsultimately dependsontheorganisation’sgoalsand

values.IftheRPSseekstopushthe boundariesofphotographyand embraceemergingtechnologies, allowingAI-generatedimagesmaybe appropriate.However,iftheRPSaimsto preservethehuman-centricnatureof photography,excludingAI-generated imagesmaybemorealignedwithits values.

Amiddlegroundcouldinvolvecreating aseparatecategoryorexhibition specificallyforAI-generatedimages, recognisingtheirdistinctivenesswhile preservingtheintegrityoftraditional photographycompetitions.This approachwouldacknowledgetheartistic meritsofAI-generatedimageswhile maintainingadistinctionbetween humanandAIcreativity.

Ultimately,theRPSshouldcarefully considertheimplicationsofaccepting AI-generatedimages,engagingina thoughtfulandinclusivedialoguewithin thephotographycommunitybefore makingadecision.

TheabovetextisentirelyAI-generated. ItwasproducedbyChatGPTinresponse tothequestion“Writeabout200words discussingwhethertheRoyal PhotographicSocietyshouldacceptAIgeneratedimagesinitscompetitions”. AndittroublesmetosaythatI completelyagreewithit.

HERE IS ANOTHER, INDEPENDENT, VIEW ON THE SUBJECT OF AI: BY ANONYMOUS

WORDSFROMTHEEDITOR

MUSINGSFROMTHECOMPUTER/GARDENCHAIR

SoyouhavelandedonthispageafterreadingeverythingintheAISnapchatpages, oryouskippedit,asyouweren’tinterested.So,Ifeeleitherway,alittleexplanationis needed.InthisissuewehaveintroducedaregularfeatureaboutAIinPhotography, DIconsideritimportanttoengageinthoughtfulandbalanceddiscussionsto understandthepotentialbenefitsandchallengesassociatedwithAIinphotography.

Weknowtherearesomecommonareasofconcernanddoubt:LossofCreativityand ArtisticControl;EthicalImplications;It’slimitationsandaccuracy;It’sEmotionalImpact andhowthatisconveyedbyAIandlastlytheimpactonthephotographyindustry andjoblosses.AlsomanyareconcernedaboutifandhowAIimagesmightbe includedincompetitions,perhapsbythecreationofaspecificcategoryorfor differentrulestobedevised.ThisisbeingdiscussedbytheRPS,and,Iamsure. everyotherOrganisation,CompanyorSociety,thatrunsphotographiccompetitions. Thisneedslengthydiscussionandadvicefromexternalexperts,beforeaconsidered responseismade,butIamsureDIcanofferopinionsandoutlineconcernsthatour membersmighthave,whichcanbepassedontotheTrusteesandManagement Team.

Ourfirstfewarticlesaretheretopromptaresponsefromyou.Youmayhavespotted somewerewrittenbyhumansandsomebyAI,justafunelement,butallraisevalid pointsforcontemplationandconsideration.ThepaceatwhichAIismovingisboth shockingandexcitingbutit’scatchingusalloutwithourpreparednessandwedonot havethereadyanswers.Everyoneisconcernedabouttherapiditybutthereisno goingback,weneedtoembraceitandworkwithit,soonwewillbeunabletoavoid it,asitwillbecomeintegratedinoureverydaylife.

Infutureissueswewillcontinuetoupdateyouregardingsoftwareandanynew advances,commissionarticleson‘HowTo’useAItoolsinPS&LRandhopefully delivertalksandworkshopstoeducateusallinthepotentialbenefitsandchallenges associatedwithAIinphotography.

Abigthankyoutothosewhosentarticlesthismonth,allwascalmandcollectedin theEditor’shouseholdthismonthastheJuneissuewascollated!Ihadlotsofcontent toworkwithandstillhavearticlesinwaitingfortheJulyissue.

Enjoythesunnydaysandhopefullyrainynights,thelongestdayisalmostwithusand thenightswillstartdrawingin!Iwillbebackoutwithmycamerataking‘proper’shots!

MelanieChalk

DIONLINEEditor

RHSPORTFOLIOEXHIBITION

SoIamsittingontheplatformwaitingforthetrainhome,afterattendingtheopeningevent,atthe SaatchiGallery,oftheRHSBotanicalArtandPhotographyPortfolioCompetition.

IenjoyedawonderfuldisplayoftalentandartistrybothfromBotanicalArtistsandPhotographers. ManynamesoftheentrantsInthephotographygallerywerefamiliartomeasRPSmembers,a wonderfulshowcaseoftalentfromtheSociety.

Alloftheportfolioexhibitsselectedanddisplayedareawardedmedals,Bronze,Silver,Silvergiltor Gold,justlikeatChelsea!

Iwasthrilledtoshareinthejoy,thatIreneStupples,wasexperiencingonwinning,asafirsttime entrant,aGoldmedal,forherbeautifulpanel‘FadedIris’!

ImetIrene,atmyDIeCircleandatouronlineworkshops,sohavebeenfollowingherentrywith greatinterest.Thejudgeswerewaxinglyricalaboutthequality,thedelicacy,thecolouringand detailinthepetalsandthesuperbprintingandmountingofherimages.Theyweresoimpressed, theythenunanimouslyvotedherPortfolio,’BestinShow’forthephotographysection.Many congratulationsIreneonyoursuccessfromeveryoneinDigitalImaging.

Ourcongratulationsmustalsogotothefollowing DigitalImagingMembersfortheirsuccesses:

GoldMedalWinnerandBestinShow-

IreneStupples-FadedIris

GoldMedalWinnerMarionSidebottom-HornbeamTrees–Adaptionand Transformation(Carpinusbetulus)

SilverMedalWinner-

JuliePigula-SummerinParadise

SilverMedalWinnerMargaretCampbell-PhotosforFlowerCards

BronzeMedalWinnerLindaWevill-OverlookedBeauty

BronzeMedalWinnerJulieCowdy-BudBloomandBeyond

AndtheseRPSMembers

GoldMedalWinner-VandaRalevska-WinterSun

SilverMedalWinner-PaulMitchell-Cornus-Dogwoods

IrenetalkingtotheJudgeCliveBoursnell

ThewinningportfoliosarenotyetontheRHSwebsitebutIamsuretheywillbeabletobeviewed thereinthefuture.

RPSDIwillbecontinuingtocollaboratewiththeRHSinpromotingthisprestigiouscompetition.We willberunningmoreexplanatorytalksandCritiquesessionswiththeRHSJudgesoverthecoming months.Wewillinformyouviaour GardenandPlantPhotographyMailinglist. Ifyouhaven’talready,dosignuptogetthisnews.

DetailsonthecompetionandexhibitionattheSaatchiGallery

Exhibitiononuntilthe19th June

ImagestakenattheSaatchi

‘FadedIris’byIreneStupplesRHSGoldMedalWinnerandBestinShow(PhotographyCategory)attheRHSBotanicalArtandPhotographyShow2023

‘FadedIris’byIreneStupplesRHSGoldMedalWinnerandBestinShow(PhotographyCategory)attheRHSBotanicalArtandPhotographyShow2023

DIGITALIMAGINGWORKSHOPS

UPCOMINGWORKSHOPSINJULY&AUG

ThesearesomeoftheWorkshopshappeningoverthesummermonthswithplacesavailable.Hannah Carter-Ortonisdoinga newtalkonCynotypePrinting,anintroductionleadingtoworkshops, expandingonthesubject,FREEtoDIMembers,Saturday19th August.

‘STREET’ withJoeHoughtonhasjustcompletedyoumightliketoseetheir websiteofimages,willbe featuredintheJulyIssuetoo.Seethe DIWEBSITE forallthedetailsandfullrangevisit WORKSHOPS

DigitalImagingWorkshops

August9/162023

JonathanVaines Composition

4DatesandTimes

https://bit.ly/RPSDIWS2313

DIGITALIMAGINGEVENTS

WHAT’SONINTHESUMMEROF23?

Continuingourgreatlineupofspeakers,herearethephotographer’sbookedto delightusovertheSummermonths!

GoYourOwnWaywithPaulSandersJuly29

PaulSanders'talk'GoYourOwnWay'isaboutfindingyourownstyle,senseof expressionandvisionwhilerisingabovetheneedforperfectionandvalidation.The presentationisastep-by-stepapproachtomovingforwardwithyourwork,while losingtheneedtocompareyourselfwithothersandfindingcreativebraveryfromthe vulnerabilityofbeingandseeinguniquelyinaworldthatwantsphotographythatis wallpaperandmeaningless.

HowtoCreateBetterPeopleImageswithSimonStreetSeptember2

Simonwillprovidehands-onguidancetoshoot,select,processandprintbetter peopleimagesinmonochrome.Hewilldiveintodifferentpeopledisciplinessuchas Street,Documentary,TravelandEnvironmentalPortraitstosharehisfresh‘How-To’ take-nostudiorequired.Withthedramasofthelast3years,hepromisestomakeus laugh,cryandbettercaptureourfascinationwithpeople‘decisivemoments’thatthe eyesooftenmisses.

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SPECIALINTERESTGROUPLINKS

CLICKTOFINDINFORMATIONONOTHERSIGS

ClickingonanyoftheseadswilltakeyoutotheRPSEventspagewhereyoucanfind moreinformationabouteventsfromotherSpecialInterestGroups(SIGs):

RPSLANDSCAPEGROUP

UPCOMINGEVENTS

InareciprocalarrangementwiththeLandscapeGroup,weareadvertisingtheir upcomingevents.Youmightbeinterestedinlookingatthem?

ToviewalloftheLandscapeGroupeventsandtobookyourplace,please goto: https://billetto.co.uk/users/rps-landscape-group

DIGITALIMAGINGWEBSITE

THEINTERACTIVEIMAGESBELOWREPLICATETHOSEONTHEWEBSITE

Simplyclicktheimagesbelowtoopenthelinktotakeyoutothevariouspages.

OurYouTubeChannel

Themembers-onlylinkfortheDIGITArchive,istobefoundintheemailmessage announcingthisnewsletter.

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Foreveryone’sconvenience,weincludealistofshortcutstothemainDigitalImaging pagesattheendofeachBroadcast.

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