Keeping It Real: Why AI Can’t Replace the Raw Emotion of Wildlife Photography
- Jordi Woerts
- Apr 7
- 2 min read
Today I had the chance to attend the MPN Photography Fair, a great stage where like-minded photographers share their expertise. One of the standout speakers for me was Ines Thomsen. Her approach to photography, especially the way she incorporates AI into her creative process, was both eye-opening and interesting.
Ines shared how she uses AI to generate specific backgrounds digitally, photograph models in a studio, and later merge the two elements seamlessly using editing tools. It is an incredibly efficient and innovative method that lowers production costs, saves time, and opens up a world of creative possibilities. Her work is thoughtful, beautifully executed, and undeniably clever.
But as much as I admire her approach, it also made me reflect on how different our worlds really are.
I am a wildlife photographer.
My studio is out in the wild. Every image I take is rooted in a real moment that I witnessed. It is unpredictable. It is emotional. It is raw. No AI can recreate the feeling of locking eyes with a lion or watching a herd of elephants cross a river with their calves in tow. Those moments are filled with excitement, respect, awe, and yes, sometimes even fear.
Wildlife photography is not just about capturing a beautiful image. It is about telling the story of what is happening right then and there. There is no do-over. No perfect lighting setup. No green screen. And that is what makes it so powerful.
For me, authenticity is everything. My editing process is minimal because I want to stay as close as possible to what I saw and felt in the field. I want my audience to feel like they are right there with me, hearing the sounds, sensing the tension, witnessing nature unfold in real time.
AI has its place, and I am excited to see how it continues to evolve and inspire creativity in all kinds of photography. But when it comes to wildlife, there is no substitute for the real thing. The wilderness does not follow scripts. It tells its own story, and I will always be there to capture it exactly as it is.
Do you think AI has a future in Wildlife photography?
Yes, I do!
No, don't think so.
I am not sure.
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