It’s a question I’ve heard lately more than once, especially in today’s world of instant content, AI-Generated images and algorithm chasing social media. Every time I hear it, I pause… not because I believe it’s true, but because I think it’s worth asking: What has photography become, and where is it going?

The State of Photography in 2025

We live in a time where everyone has a camera in their pocket. Billions of images are uploaded every day. You can ask AI to generate a hyper-realistic landscape image that never existed- and it will, in seconds. Tools that once took years to master are now simplified, automated or replaced altogether.

On the surface, it can feel like photography has become disposable. Scroll, like, scroll, repeat. We’re flooded with images, and in that flood, it’s easy to wonder if the craft itself has been diluted beyond recognition.

Has The Soul of Photography Been Lost?

Some would say yes.

They argue that photography has become a popularity contest… more about attention than intention. The pressure to go viral can overshadow the persuit of meaning or technical skill. Filters can mask flaws but also remove character. AI can produce “perfect” images, but perfection can feel hollow.

To some purists, these shifts feel like the death of something sacred. The slowness, the patience, the storytelling- replaced by trends and speed.

I see things a bit differently.

The Evolution of a Craft

Photography isn’t dying… it’s evolving.

New tools do not erase the value of the old. They just change the landscape. Yes, AI is here. So are smartphones that rival some DSLR’s in convenience and quality. But instead of mourning what has changed, I think we should look at what’s still thriving- and even rebounding.

Look around. Film photography is making a comeback, as if it ever disappeared. Vintage glass is increasingly popular. Shooting in manual mode isn’t as intimidating as it once was . Communities are forming around slowing down, being intentional, and returning to craft. I shoot older Nikon DSLR bodies and use many classic lenses, not because I reject the new, but because I love the connection they give me to the process.

Photography isn’t about the newest gear or the loudest image. It’s about our creative vision. That my friends is timeless and something AI can never replicate.

Krishna Celebration on the Venice, California Boardwalk

Why I Still Love Creating My Photographs

For me, photography is about capturing moments that may well never happen again. It’s about the creative process and finding that connection with the subjects and the time. It’s about an emotional vibe we seek for ourselves and those we share our images with.

Light. Shadow. Patience. Sometimes it’s about the solitude of a star filled sky or the joy of editing an image late at night and watching it come alive.

I don’t chase trends. I shoot and create because it fills my soul.

I believe in the power of a single image to move someone… to inspire, to heal, to provoke thought and emotion. I believe photography still matters because stories still matter. Every time I press the shutter, I am telling a story.

Whether it’s through a Nikon D800, a phone or even a drone, the camera is merely a tool. What matters most is the heart behind it.

So, Is Photography dead?

Maybe yes, it certainly could be.

Photography can die when it becomes nothing more than noise… when it loses it’s soul to shortcuts, trends and artificial perfection. It dies a little every time it’s stripped of purpose or reduced to chasing likes.

But here’s the thing. It Doesn’t Have To Stay Dead.

Photography also lives every time someone slows down and sees the world with intention. It lives in the connection between a photographer and their subject. It lives in the patience of a long exposure, in the grain of film, in the honesty of an unfiltered moment.

So yes, photography can die… but it also rises again, every time we pick up a camera and choose to create something real.

THE CHOICE IS OURS.

What About You?

If you’ve ever felt disillusioned about photography you are not alone. But maybe it’s not about giving up… it’s about returning to what drew you to it in the first place. Maybe it’s time to shoot for yourself again.

So, I’ll leave you with this: Why do you still photograph?

Feel free to leave a comment or share a story. I’d love to hear what keeps the craft alive for you.

Is Photography Dead?