One thing that's interesting to me is that a lot of the ai-generated images shown in the screenshot of the stock image site seem like they are emulating the style of national geographic photographer Steve McCurry who has had some controversy due to editing his images and also allegedly has staged images (which is something that you aren't supposed to do for documentary photography), and also I think has been criticized as feeding into stereotypes about different places.
So it's like there is a certain genre of photograph that is what people have come to associate with poverty in developing countries that may not be realistic in the first place, and then as an additional level of detachment from reality, ai is then reproducing the conventions of that genre without even involving real people or places.
Well said. I have always tried to understand Baudrillard's process of formation of the simulacrum. Only it's a pity that we are no longer content with reimagining mint chocolate or pumpkin spice, now it's time to stereotypize real destitution and sorrow.
Anyway, who will want to continue to fork out money over fraudulent images of victims? How can I know that this or that agency represents actual people in need?
In Zurich, an Oktoberfest-related festival (Zuri-Wiesn) held inside a large tent-like structure put up within the main train station's main hall has recently concluded. On the outside, on both sides, the tent was adorned with large-format prints of vaguely Germanic rural folk in celebratory garments holding up their pint. All generated! Blurry facial features, malformed metal buttons. I'd argue that already damaged the joviality and earnestness of the event. And that's just beer...
So it's like there is a certain genre of photograph that is what people have come to associate with poverty in developing countries that may not be realistic in the first place, and then as an additional level of detachment from reality, ai is then reproducing the conventions of that genre without even involving real people or places.