From Welles to AI: Can We Still Trust What We See?
Sep 11, 2024
A Historical Parallel: The Orson Welles Broadcast Incident
In 1938, actor and director Orson Welles caused nationwide panic with his now-infamous radio broadcast of H.G. Welles' War of the Worlds. On the evening of October 30th, the program aired as a special Halloween episode, presented in a live news bulletin format. The realism of the broadcast led many listeners to believe that Earth was under attack by Martians.
© R. Gino Santa Maria / Adobe Stock
The reports were so convincing—complete with breaking news updates, field reports, and realistic sound effects—that thousands of people thought they were hearing about an alien invasion. Some listeners fled their homes, and there were widespread reports of panic across the United States.Although not meant to deceive, the War of the Worlds broadcast was a strong reminder of the impact and trust people have in media. It revealed how easily perceptions can be manipulated when the boundaries between fact and fiction become unclear.
The Rise of AI in Photography: Blurring the Lines
AI can manipulate images in a variety of ways, from subtle enhancements to creating entirely imaginary scenes:
Subtle Enhancements:
- AI can retouch photos, smooth skin, adjust lighting, and enhance colors without significantly altering the original image.
- Sky replacements and image restoration are common, making photos look more polished while keeping the core content intact.
Moderate Modifications:
- AI can remove or add objects or change backgrounds, altering the context of a photo.
- Style transfer can apply a different artistic style to an image, modifying its appearance without changing the subject.
Full Creations:
- AI can generate entirely new landscapes, people, or scenes that never existed. Deepfakes and synthetic images are so realistic they blur the line between truth and fiction, making it harder to distinguish between reality and AI creation.
This spectrum of manipulation—from subtle tweaks to complete fabrications—raises important questions about the future of photography as a trusted medium.
AI Generated Fill on the Right Side
“Monument Valley Mittens” by Debra Gail
The Shift from Capturing Reality to Creating It
The role of photographers is evolving rapidly in the age of AI. Traditionally, photographers were seen as documentarians capturing moments and scenes as they existed. Now, many are blending reality with creativity, using advanced tools to alter, enhance, or even wholly reimagine the world around them. AI has shifted the role of photography from simply recording what's in front of the lens to creating images that align more with the artist’s vision, often crafting scenes that push beyond the limits of reality.
© Sondem / Adobe Stock
While this opens up exciting possibilities for creative expression, it also challenges the traditional concept of photography as a medium of truth, requiring photographers to balance creativity with authenticity.
In the AI era, people are increasingly questioning the trustworthiness of photography as a tool for documenting reality. Traditionally, photographs were considered reliable evidence—visual proof of events, people, or places that existed at a specific time. However, the line between reality and fabrication has blurred with the rise of AI tools that can seamlessly manipulate images, from altering minor details to generating entirely fictitious scenes. AI can easily remove or add objects, modify lighting, or even create people and landscapes that never existed, making it difficult for viewers to determine what is real.
Erosion of Trust: Photography as Evidence
Like the Welles broadcast challenged trust in radio, today, AI is challenging trust in photography.
AI can generate highly realistic scenes or modify images so seamlessly that it's often hard to tell what's real.
Photograph No. 34334274; “Building Survey, Two Story House with Fire Escape Ladder, 1920s Auto Parked in Front,” December 8, 1924; Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives at Kansas City
AI-Generated image with the prompt described as the image photographed above.
The Viewer’s Role: Responsibility and Critical Thinking
In an age of limitless creativity, the viewer holds the power to safeguard the integrity of images. Just as listeners had to adjust their perception of radio after the Welles broadcast, today, we must become more critical of photographic content in an era where AI can fabricate imagery.
To approach images with a more discerning eye in the age of AI, viewers can take several practical steps to help distinguish between authentic photos and digitally manipulated or AI-generated content:
1. Look for Transparency: Check if the photographer or artist provides information about how they created the image. Many professionals will mention whether they used AI or digital manipulation tools through tags like "AI-generated" or "digitally altered." Platforms and creators that value transparency will often label their work clearly.
An AI-generated photo that represents a deepfake or synthetic image to show how AI can create convincing but false imagery - totally fake Santa
2. Examine Signs of Digital Manipulation: Subtle signs like unnatural lighting, mismatched shadows, or reflection inconsistencies can indicate that an image was altered. Understanding the extent of what AI can do—such as generating entire landscapes, changing facial expressions, or even replacing skies—helps viewers become more aware of the potential for manipulation.
3. Use Reverse Image Search: Tools like Google’s reverse image search can help you trace a photo's origin to see if it has been manipulated or altered over time. This can be particularly useful for identifying deepfakes or altered images that have been reused in different contexts.
4. Consider the Source: Images from reputable news outlets, museums, or trusted photographers are more likely to be genuine or clearly labeled if AI is involved. Conversely, images from unknown or dubious sources may warrant closer scrutiny.
By combining these practical steps, viewers can develop a more critical eye when engaging with visual media, helping them navigate the increasingly blurred line between reality and digital creation. As viewers sharpen their critical eye, photographers must uphold transparency to ensure trust in their work.
An AI-generated image that looks convincingly real - a lamb and a lion, snuggling up like best friends
Balancing Creativity and Trust
If we lose trust in photography, we risk losing our ability to capture history, document the present, and connect with the reality of the world around us. As AI revolutionizes photography, it opens up exciting possibilities for creativity, allowing photographers to push beyond the boundaries of reality and craft stunning, imaginative scenes. Embracing AI as a creative tool can enhance artistic expression and bring new dimensions to visual storytelling. However, it's equally essential to maintain trust in photography as a medium.Transparency about the use of AI and a commitment to authenticity will help ensure that photography remains a trusted form of documentation. By balancing creativity with integrity, photographers and viewers alike can enjoy the best of both worlds—pushing the limits of innovation while preserving the core values of truth in visual media.
