In my youth, I had a book titled Knight Mine of Useless Information by Richard Gregory. It was packed with peculiar facts — useless yet fascinating tidbits that only a teenager would find entertaining. I remember using it at Toastmasters to create Table Topics, a form of impromptu speaking where participants respond spontaneously to a prompt for two minutes. One of my prompts inspired from the book was, “What’s the price of a bath in Singapore?”
Much like the trivia from that book, my deep knowledge of film photography, exposure, processing, printing, and darkroom manipulation might seem like useless information today. Chemistry, physics, and mathematics underpin these skills, yet they continue to shape our understanding of photography – even in the digital age. Many of the techniques I once used in a darkroom are now embedded in digital tools, shaping our expectations of how photos should look.
The Power and Responsibility of Image Manipulation
Photos have always been easy to manipulate. Before the digital revolution, photographers used darkroom techniques like dodging and burning to alter exposure. Today, digital photography has amplified this ability, making manipulation more accessible than ever. With this power comes great responsibility.
Poorly executed compositing and generative AI sometimes create images that feel “off.” We may not always pinpoint the exact flaw, but something about them triggers a sense of unease. This reaction stems from a combination of instinct, learned behaviours, and visual literacy – the ability to critically analyse and interpret images. Visual literacy improves with experience, much like reading; the more images we read, the better our comprehension and communication skills become.
The Uncanny Valley of AI-Generated Images
Coincidentally, a recent Petapixel blog post referenced a study published in Appetite about AI-generated food images. Participants experienced an uncanny valley effect when shown these images – an instinctive discomfort likely rooted in our evolutionary drive to avoid spoiled food. This unintended consequence highlights a critical pitfall for advertisers: if an image triggers an innate sense of distrust, it fails in its purpose.
Lessons from the Early Digital Era
I recall attending a Press Photo Awards ceremony in the early days of digital photography. The industry had decided that any image manipulated with Photoshop would be classified as a “photo illustration”, not a photograph. One entry featured a composite of a bushfire and a man running while carrying his child. However something looked off, the man was running towards the fire, and the perspectives of the two images didn’t align. The manipulation took away from the image’s authenticity.
The Role of Visual Literacy in Professional Photography
As professionals, photographers leverage visual literacy to craft compelling images that resonate with audiences. Understanding light, colour, perspective, and composition is integral to our visual vocabulary. Equally important is knowing what not to do.
Interestingly, many of Photoshop’s most powerful tools – dodge and burn, layer masks, and brushes – are digital counterparts of traditional darkroom techniques. This historical knowledge makes using these tools more intuitive for those who have worked with them.
In an era where AI-generated visuals and digital manipulation are increasing, cultivating visual literacy is more important than ever. The more we engage critically with images, the better off we will be to navigate a world where seeing is no longer believing.