As you snap away with your smartphone, it's likely that AI is hard at work behind the scenes, enhancing and editing your photos. But just how much control do you really have over what you're seeing?
Modern phones are equipped with advanced algorithms and AI processing tools that can perform trillions of operations in mere seconds, all to produce a final image that's supposed to be better than an individual snapshot. And while this technology is designed to enhance image quality while preserving authenticity, some critics argue that it goes too far, producing images that sometimes have a weird, plasticky feel or flat textures.
The Power of AI in Mobile Apps
When you take a picture with your phone, it's not just capturing one image – it's actually taking anywhere from four to 10 images, blending them together for a final result. This process can include noise reduction, colour correction, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) to fix problems that might appear as grainy textures or blurry areas.
In addition to these baseline processes, AI-powered features like Deep Fusion on iPhones use neural networks trained on millions of images to identify objects in a picture and process them differently. This allows for high-level segmentation, where individual pixels can be changed based on other pictures the AI has seen before.
The Fine Line Between Reality and Art
While some people are satisfied with the results of these advanced algorithms, others argue that modern phones go too far in producing images that sometimes have a weird, plasticky feel or flat textures. And when you zoom in on the fine details, some critics say it looks like AI hallucinations.
But there's another way to look at this – automation has made certain capacities available to amateurs that were previously only accessible to professionals. Instead of fiddling with different parameters, your phone can do most of the editing for you, freeing up time for more creative pursuits.
The Balance Between Authenticity and Artistry
As AI continues to play a bigger role in mobile photography, it's essential to strike a balance between authenticity and artistry. While some people may prefer the overly-polished results of these advanced algorithms, others will appreciate the ability to personalize their photos as they'd like.
Ultimately, the question remains – is your phone changing reality? Or is it simply helping you capture memories in a new and innovative way? As AI-powered photography continues to evolve, it's up to each individual user to decide what kind of creative control they want over their digital images.