in what way do you feel things might get messed up if AI content gets its own place on Photrio?
It's a fair question to ask and perhaps we should include it in the scope of the discussion, although in my mind, they're distinct things with distinct problems. Concerning AI-generated text on the forum: I'm personally OK with it only if it's very clearly recognizable, for instance like so:what about AI generated text contents?
Pros of Allowing AI-Generated Imagery
- Broader creative exploration
Members could experiment with hybrid workflows—combining analog capture with AI augmentation or inspiration.- Attracting younger demographics
AI art is popular among younger creators. Allowing it could bring new members who might later discover film photography.- Cross-pollination of ideas
Discussions about AI could spark debates on authenticity, aesthetics, and the philosophy of image-making—deepening the forum’s intellectual scope.- Inspiration for analog projects
AI-generated concepts could serve as sketches or mood boards for analog shoots, darkroom experiments, or alternative processes.Cons of Allowing AI-Generated Imagery
- Dilution of Photrio’s identity
Photrio is explicitly an analog photography forum. Allowing AI risks undermining its core mission and alienating long-time members.- Confusion and authenticity concerns
Mixing AI with analog could blur lines—users might not know whether an image is film-based or machine-generated.- Cultural clash
Many analog photographers value the tactile, chemical, and mechanical aspects of photography. AI imagery could feel antithetical to that ethos.- Moderation challenges
Distinguishing between AI-generated and analog images would require new rules, tagging systems, and moderator oversight.- Risk of disengagement
Long-term members who joined for analog purity might leave if AI content dominates or even appears alongside traditional work.
Final Recommendation
For a forum like Photrio, the safest path is to keep AI-generated imagery out of the main analog sections to preserve its identity. If there’s interest, Photrio could experiment with a separate “Hybrid & AI Experiments” subforum, clearly labeled, so discussions don’t dilute the analog focus but still allow exploration.
This way, Photrio maintains its credibility as the home of analog photography, while offering space for those curious about blending analog and AI workflows
AI generated imagery can be quite fascinating
@tcolgate thanks for your thoughtful response and giving insight into your reasoning behind this. I assume that @Alan Johnson feels similarly about this; perhaps he can confirm.
I think what you said about digital photography resonates with how I see it - as long as people who object against this can navigate around it, I don't really see what harm it would do if we give it a place. I can see how it would concern people if it would somehow suppress or swamp other content or discussion. However, with digital, we haven't seen that happen so far, even though it creeps in on analog discussions from time to time - but so far that seems to be largely be accepted (think of digitizing film with a DSLR, performance of lenses on analog vs. digital cameras etc.) and/or we can effectively separate the two sufficiently to keep people on board. In my mind, if (it's an IF!) we allow AI in some way, the ground rule would be the same - that it cannot replace/displace/kill the existing spirit of Photrio which is rooted in conventional photography.
What company proposes this new deal?
The second statement is arguably true by definition. The first at least when taken literally is more debatable.But AI imagery has nothing to do with photography! Those are not photographs!!
Exactly. Sean's image is not in any sense a photograph.But AI imagery has nothing to do with photography! Those are not photographs!!
Btw, it's fairly easy to find the registration for Photrio Ltd. in NZ's company register.
Here comes an AI-generated answer to the question what the pros & cons of allowing AI-generated content on Photrio would be:
Yes, it can be. But it’s NOT photography and has no place here. Please don’t let the slop in!!!
What company proposes this new deal?
The second statement is arguably true by definition. The first at least when taken literally is more debatable.
Isn’t a photo site something that is found on a digital image sensor?. It doesn't belong on a photo site.
We may want to draw a distinction between "prompt generated imagery" versus "AI aided editing" (such as the spot healing brush in Photoshop)...
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