Is generative AI the end of photography? Exploring the impact on creativity and commercialization

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In the rapidly evolving realm of digital photography, a new player has emerged: generative AI. Powered by advanced algorithms, generative AI tools like Midjourney have enabled users to transform ordinary images into stunning artistic visuals, ranging from realistic photographs to intricate sketches and captivating illustrations. However, as this technology advances, concerns have arisen regarding its potential to replace traditional photography and impact the livelihoods of photographers who have dedicated years to honing their craft.

The Rise of Generative AI in Digital Photography

Generative AI has witnessed a remarkable surge in recent years, revolutionizing the creative landscape of digital photography. Tools like Midjourney leverage powerful machine learning algorithms to analyze vast amounts of visual data, enabling them to generate striking images that mimic various artistic styles and mediums. From transforming a landscape photo into a breathtaking painting reminiscent of the great masters to converting a snapshot into a whimsical pencil sketch, the possibilities seem limitless.

Impact on Traditional Photography

While the advent of generative AI has unlocked new artistic potentials, it has also sparked concerns among traditional photographers. Those who have invested countless hours refining their skills and developing a unique style worry that their expertise could be overshadowed by AI-generated imagery. After all, why hire a professional photographer for a marketing campaign when AI can create compelling visuals at the click of a button? Have a look at some of the images I created using Midjourney. What do you think?

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AI-Generated Imagery in Branding and Marketing

One area where the impact of generative AI is particularly felt is in branding, product advertising, and social media marketing. Traditional photography has long been the go-to choice for businesses seeking authentic and relatable visuals to convey their message effectively. However, the rapid advancement of generative AI is challenging this norm.

AI-generated imagery offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses. It allows for the quick creation of visually striking content, eliminating the need for elaborate photoshoots or costly licensing agreements. Furthermore, AI tools can adapt to specific brand guidelines and styles, ensuring consistency across marketing materials. As a result, some businesses may be tempted to rely solely on AI-generated imagery, potentially marginalizing traditional photography in certain sectors. Have you experienced the impact of generative AI on your services as a photographer?

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The Coexistence of Generative AI and Traditional Photography

So, where does this leave us in Doha? As an architectural and commercial photographer operating in Qatar's demanding luxury and corporate sectors, I see generative AI not as a threat, but as a barometer. It forces me to ask: what can a machine never capture? It cannot read the shifting golden light across a West Bay high-rise at 5:47 PM. It cannot anticipate the cultural sensitivities of a Qatari family's private majlis during a branding shoot. And crucially, it cannot build the trust required to secure access to this country's most exclusive construction sites. Midjourney produces beautiful pixels; I produce proven deliverables for clients who cannot afford a liability. AI is my sketching tool for pitch decks, but the final frame will always belong to my camera, my network, and my 15 years of experience behind the viewfinder.

What about you? Have you been pitched AI-generated visuals by a marketing agency here in Qatar? I want to hear your experience. Drop a comment below… let's separate the hype from the reality, together.

How to Plan Supermoon Photography in Qatar: A Case Study

📌 Case Study Note: This article documents my planning process for a past supermoon event. While the specific angles and locations are historical, the methodology using PhotoPills, scouting for foregrounds, and understanding Qatar's light pollution remains valid for any supermoon. For current supermoon shooting locations in Qatar, refer to my updated guide “Supermoon Photography in Qatar: Best Doha Locations & Guide”.

How do you plan a supermoon shoot in Qatar when the moon's trajectory changes with every event? This is the question every astrophotographer in Doha must answer before heading out to the desert. In this article, I take you behind the scenes of my planning process during a past supermoon event, showing you exactly how I scouted locations, used PhotoPills to calculate azimuth and elevation angles, and adapted to Qatar's unique light pollution challenges. While the specific dates and angles in this case study are historical, the methodology is timeless. Whether you are preparing for the next supermoon or simply want to understand how a professional photographer approaches a celestial event, this guide will give you the framework you need.

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The Guide

Qatar may not be the best spot on Earth to observe the supermoon tomorrow but it is still good enough. As days are getting shorter, we are in luck. The guide below will help you make the most of the event tomorrow. For your convenience, all the timings mentioned in the article are according to Doha local time, which is GMT +3.

When to Look

Supermoon peak time

Moon below horizon

Moonrise at 4:58pm

Distance from Earth

The supermoon will reach its peak tomorrow at 4:53pm local time.As you can see from the snapshot above, Supermoon will reach its peak size at 4:53pm tomorrow. But there are two tiny problems. Firstly, the sun will set at 4:46pm (see above) tomorrow so by the time the supermoon reaches its peak, we will still have the Sun's orange light, with some blues on the opposite side in the sky.Secondly, the moon will still be below horizon at 4:53pm time (see below). Now that's a bummer, but not to worry as we will still be able to catch quite a lot of the spectacle tomorrow if we wait just a few minutes longer.Luckily for us Doha residents, not all hope is lost. The moon will begin to rise at 4:58pm (see below). And I would strongly suggest that you are already at your sightseeing spot in advance.At 4:58pm, the moon will begin to touch the horizon as it rises so you will have to wait few more minutes until it rises a few degrees and becomes observable. If waiting is not your thing (well, it's no body's), and you want to stay motivated, here is something that could help.The moon is usually at a distance of 404,000 km or more from Earth. But tomorrow's supermoon will be at an incredibly close distance of just 356,511 km from Earth at its peak. Enough to keep you excited?

Where to Look

Direction of Supermoon - ENE

Supermoon will be visible in the direction of East North East (see below).As mentioned previously that the moonrise will begin at 4:58pm so you will have to wait few minutes. By 5:15pm, the moon will rise a few degrees above the horizon. The most important requirement for tomorrow's supermoon observation is AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW OF THE HORIZON. Did I just write that in bold and caps? Well then, you can guess the significance of that point.

Best Viewing Spots in Qatar

This whole exercise of trying to observe the amazing supermoon will go in vain if you don't have the best seat in the house to experience the event. I have done my research on it which should help you get the best view of tomorrow's supermoon. Here are my top recommendations of best spots for observing the supermoon tomorrow.

Doha

Instead of sharing snapshots of Google Maps, I'm sharing geo-tags so that you can see the exact spot I recommend. Here are some great spots at the corniche.

• Near Orry statue at the corniche

• Doha Harbour (old Al-Bandar restaurant)

• Green peaks at Museum of Islamic Arts Park

The Pearl-Qatar

If you are a resident at the Pearl or have access to any of the towers, you can see an amazing view of the supermoon. You will also get a beautiful view of the supermoon from the ground if you can be at beach areas in the Pearl.But if you are at the Pearl tomorrow and don't have the options mentioned above while, you may still get a beautiful view of the supermoon from the family park area (see below).

Business District (West Bay Towers)

If you are working tomorrow in any of the towers in West Bay aka Doha Business District, and have access to a roof, or have a big window with clear view looking towards East from a higher floor, you will witness an amazing rise of the supermoon. Below is just one of many towers that will offer a sweet viewing experience for supermoon observers.

Al-Wakra

Some of the great spots for tomorrow's supermoon are:

• Souq Waqif - Al Wakra

In addition to the above, the entire beach area at Souq Waqif in Wakra will offer an excellent view of the supermoon.

• Port Al-Wakra

The entire port area in Al-Wakra is at your disposal to witness and enjoy the supermoon tomorrow.

• Wakra Family Beach

Mesaieed

There are many spots in Mesaieed that fit the bill for a great viewing experience of the supermoon tomorrow. Here are some of my recommendations:

• Ummsaid Beach

• Sealine Beach Resort

If you happen to be at the resort, make sure to head to the beach area by 5:00pm and wait for the moonrise.

• Sealine Beach

No resort, no problem. The beach area next to the resort is open to all.

• Sand Dunes

Of course, if you are up on a sand dune in Mesaieed, you will get an astonishing view of the supermoon tomorrow. So get your SUV ready if this is the spot you'd like to observe the supermoon from.

Outside Doha

There are some far away locations outside Doha that will also offer a spectacular view of the supermoon. Some of my recommendations are below:

• Sumaisma Beach

• Fuwairit Beach

• Al Ghariyah

• Al Mufjar

Miscellaneous

Some other spots worth mentioning are:

• Banana Island

• Isola Dana, ThePearl-Qatar:  these are private islands at the far end of the Pearl and security will generally not allow anyone to go there)

• Hamad International Airport: If you are there by any chance near the departure terminal entrance, look towards East North East and witness an unmatched view of the rising supermoon above the sea (see below).

Photography Recommendations

Supermoon shots literally look "super" when the moon is composed against familiar subjects in a way that gives emphasis to the moon in terms of size. In simple words, if the moon looks much larger in the composition compared to other subjects, such as people, trees, monuments, skyline etc., then your shot will have a wow factor. If you look at the cover image of this article, you can instantly recognise the silhouettes to be people standing against a much larger moon.In order to achieve the above "scale" effect, here are few things to consider:

• Focal Length: On a full-frame sensor, the focal length should ideally be 200mm or above. 300mm and 400mm would be excellent. If you do not have that focal length, you can always use the crop mode on your camera. Or you can just crop it later to emphasize the scale of the moon against your subject.

• Subject-to-Camera Distance: Pairing a 300mm or higher focal length is only first step of the process. The most important step is to place the subject at the right distance from the camera. If you want to capture a silhouette of a person against the moon, your subject should be 100 to 200 meters away. The idea is to bring the subject and the moon in the same plane, that is, infinity. Doing so will eliminate the need to shoot at a higher f-number such as f/11.

• Aperture & ISO: If you follow the steps mentioned above in composing your shots, you will be able to use a smaller f-number such as f/2.8 or f/4. For the best image quality, I always prefer the lowest native ISO. Most cameras have a native low ISO of 100. But you may have to bump it up a bit to 400 to keep a faster shutter speed. I suggest using aperture-priority mode.

• White Balance: You can keep it to Auto but make sure to shoot in RAW format so you can get the most out of your image data while post-processing, and retain the ability to adjust white balance later for creative intent.

• Tripod: Evening, night or most kind of low-light shots should be taken with the camera mounted on a tripod. In the case of the supermoon, a higher focal length is a requirement which makes it even more important to use a sturdy tripod.

The key takeaway from this case study is simple: never rely on a location that worked for a previous supermoon. The moon's path shifts with every cycle. What worked in 2016 will not work in 2026. That is why tools like PhotoPills are essential; they allow you to recalculate azimuth, elevation, and timing for your specific date and your specific location in Qatar. Use this guide to understand how I plan, but always run your own calculations for the event you are targeting.

For the most current supermoon locations and settings, check my updated supermoon guide “Supermoon Photography in Qatar: Best Doha Locations & Guide”. And if you are new to night sky planning, start with my Milky Way tutorial “How to find the Milky Way with a Smartphone… right here in Qatar.” Happy shooting… and may your calculations be accurate.