Will Skynet Kill Photography?
Generative AI is here to stay. How do we avoid a dystopian catastrophe?
I’m keeping the editor’s blurb short for this edition of our newsletter, because you’ll hear us talking a lot if you come to our next Photoforum… and you can even talk back! We’re at Objectifs on the evening of 7 March where our own Matthew Aslett is hosting a conversation about Generative AI and its implications. This is an in-person event, so if you’re in Singapore, come along and discuss how we take on Skynet, and the benefits and dangers of AI.
We’ve touched on this subject before, so do join us, and let us know how you feel about it all!
Read on for details 👇
- Charlene
JOIN US FOR PHOTO FORUM
Generative AI enables visual storytellers to craft images emulating photography, We can now imagine and document alternative realities.
But should we permit this shift? Does it sever photography's inherent link to reality? Does truth still matter? And how do we preserve authorship in the future?
Join Matthew Aslett and guests Sharmain Lim and Aik Beng Chia in conversation about the implication of AI image making and storytelling.
📆 Thursday, 7 March 2024
⏰ 7 pm
📍 Objectifs Centre for Photography and Film, 155 Middle Rd, Singapore 188977
Matthew Aslett | matthewaslett.com
Matt has supported humanitarian missions for over 20 years, and documented the effects of major global crises since the late 2000s. He's extensively involved in researching and developing strategies for visualising and documenting human conflict, environmental issues and indigenous communities impacted by development. He has recently joined the Content Authenticity Initiative, who promote the C2PA standard - providing publishers, creators, and consumers the ability to certify the origin of media content - for digital image creation.
Sharmain Lim | sharmain.work
Sharmain is a multidisciplinary artist, blending her roles as an art director by day and a creative enthusiast by night. Embracing the newest tech and exploring diverse mediums, she infuses each project with curiosity and innovation. From traditional art to digital experimentation, Sharmain's work reflects a boundless spirit of exploration, inviting viewers on a journey of discovery and imagination.
AikBeng Chia | aikbengchia.com
AikBeng Chia's photography offers layered images that deeply resonate with viewers. He captures unnoticed instances from daily life in Singapore and his travels, providing rich insight into overlooked scenes. He’s authored "Tonight the Streets are Ours" and "SingKarPor," and collaborated with brands such as Apple, Leica, and Singapore Tourism Board. He has extensively explored AI using Midjourney since 2022. Now a seasoned digital creative professional, he promotes AI awareness through numerous workshops.
Image courtesy AikBeng Chia from 我AI你: Return to Bugis Street
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Regional Photo News
Photographers
Shwe Wutt Hmon’s work appears in Foam Magazine #65: Talent. Details on Shwe’s Instagram
Andy Ball is Ruom Collective’s newest member! Andy photographed Forests in the furnace, Monga Bay’s investigation into Cambodian garment factories’ use of illegal timber as fuel. Read Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3
Luke Duggleby recently photographed Changing sand for concrete: Will Thailand’s gamble on coastal erosion pay off? for Hard Stories
Prachatai freelance photographer Natthaphon “Yha” Phanphongsanon was arrested for covering graffiti vandalism.
Jes Aznar photographed ‘We Haven’t Learned Our Lesson’: Victims Recall Martial Law in the Philippines for the New York Times
Muhammad Fadli photographs the construction of Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara for Der Spiegal. A Mega Project Raises Questions in Borneo.
Ulet Ifansasti contributes to the New York Times reporting on Indonesia’s recent election, specifically this article on Climate Change. Indonesia’s Vote: The Takeaways for Climate Change.
Matca.vn has an upcoming talk with Zhuang Wubin on 1st March.
Phuong Nguyen Le’s book “Sunshine” exploring the Vietnamese diaspora in Australia is published in March by Tall Poppy Press.
Writing Foto has republished Parallax Editor in Chief Tom White’s review of Veejay Villefranca’s Signos. Check it out here, or on our own site here.
Grants, funding and opportunities
Vogue has an open call for photography on our relationship with nature. Deadline April 29th. Details here.
Insights has an open call for articles. Check it out here, and stay tuned from some related news from us on this!
The Prince Claus Fund’s call for applications for Cycle 4 of the Mentorship Award: Cultural & Artistic Responses to the Environmental Crisis (CAREC) is now open! Deadline: 21 March. More details, and apply here
The Aftermath Project’s post-conflict grant is open to working photographers covering post-conflict stories anywhere in the world. One winner of their $25,000 grant, and four finalists will be named. Deadline: 15 March 2024. More details, and apply here
The National Geographic Society’s Level i and II Explorer grant deadlines are due 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 11, 2024 with funding decisions in September 2024. More details, and apply here
Festivals and exhibitions
The Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) is launching the Romeo Gacad Lecture on Visual Journalism in March 2024, as part of celebrations to mark its 50th Founding Anniversary. Details here
The World Press Photo Exhibition will arrive in Manila in the last week of February, showcasing winning photographs of important events in 2022. This annual and traveling exhibition encourages discourse about press freedom, and this year it features the worksFilipino winners Kimberly dela Cruz (“Death of a Nation”) and Hannah Reyes Morales (“Home for the Golden Gays”)! Details here
A.G. De Mesa has been posting about photography at the Art Fair Philippines and ALT Philippines. Check his instagram, and subscribe to his newsletter.
Keep us posted
Have work published? An upcoming exhibition? Workshops, opportunities or news? We’d love to include it in our newsletter. Let us know.