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Win a Solo Exhibition this October, Open Theme. Juror Aline Smithson.
Win a Solo Exhibition this October, Open Theme. Juror Aline Smithson.

Photo Book

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By Fred Ritchin
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Publication date: 2025
Print length: 240 pages
Language: English
Price Range:
The Synthetic Eye offers a visionary exploration of the future of photography, one where the fundamental nature of image-making is being reshaped by artificial intelligence. This book is a compelling guide to navigating a world where the boundaries of what a photograph can represent are shifting in profound and often unsettling ways.

Delving into the transformative power of AI, the book reflects on photography's historical significance, its societal impact, and the seismic changes it has undergone in the digital age. From early daguerreotypes to today’s hyper-realistic synthetic images, The Synthetic Eye addresses both the positive potentials and the darker implications of AI-driven photography. It prompts readers to consider how synthetic imagery can be harnessed to enhance our understanding of reality while also questioning the ethical dilemmas this technology presents.

The historical parallels drawn between photography's invention in 1839 and AI’s current revolution are especially poignant. As photography once liberated painting and spurred artistic innovation—leading to movements like Impressionism and Cubism—today’s photographers face similar challenges. The book explores how they are responding to this new reality with creative strategies and asks whether they can push the boundaries of the medium to match the revolutionary transformations of the past.

Through a series of thought-provoking questions and insights, The Synthetic Eye examines the potential for AI to expand photography’s role as a credible witness to reality, while also considering how this technological shift may distort our perception of truth. Will synthetic photography broaden the medium’s reach, or will it blur the lines between the real and the artificial? This book is essential for anyone interested in understanding the future of photography and the evolving role of images in our increasingly AI-driven world.

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