BLADE RUNNERS AND IMAGE MAKERS: THE FUTURE OF VISUAL STORYTELLING

Visual storytelling is changing, and the more technology enables us to create, the easier it is to lose touch with why we create in the first place.

Cicchetti, Venice

Artificial Intelligence is perhaps the most disruptive force in modern photography, but there’s an undeniable difference between creating an image from data and capturing one in the real world. And just like Blade Runners, we are all challenged to distinguish between true artistic expression and algorithmic output.

Photography today is supposed to be everything—news, art, influence—and photographers are expected to be influencers, storytellers, artists, and sometimes even brands. Photojournalism held a near-sacred role in capturing truth but now faces a crisis of trust. The need for authentic, real storytelling is more critical than ever, because some things—like capturing a person’s essence, an unplanned moment, or raw emotion—can’t be faked, even by AI.

So, where do we go from here? Perhaps the answer lies in creating for yourself, not for likes or algorithms. There’s value in specialising, in finding a niche, and becoming an expert in it. Or maybe adapting with new technology and exploring fresh ways to connect, as we always have.

The future of visual storytelling will depend on our ability to preserve the uniquely human elements of creativity and emotion in an age when technology can replicate much, but not the soul, of authentic imagery.