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I overheard some people talking today about how AI erodes our practical skills.

I chimed in my agreement and left it at that.

But who knows?

We could be mistaken.

So I did some research, and sure enough, Michael Gerlich at SBS Swiss Business School did a study and found a link between our diminished critical thinking abilities and our use of AI tools.   

"Cognitive offloading" is the main reason for the decline.

What is cognitive offloading?  

In a nutshell, it's when we reduce the cognitive demands of a task by effectively using tools to "offload" our mental process to an external environment, such as a tool like AI.

As photographers, we engage in cognitive offloading when we work in automatic exposure modes.

And beyond chippin' away at our cognitive skills, our pictures, when made automatically, are "standardly exposed" but lack human creativity.

The ability to push a button to make a picture in automatic exposure mode has been around for a while.

It's the photographer's version of in-camera AI.

It's easy to get hooked on our camera doing our work for us, but at some point, hopefully, we realize that our picture lacks "us."

The only way to make a picture that is truly an example of our creativity is by working in manual exposure mode.

It involves some learning and using our cognitive skills," but when we work in manual exposure mode, since we get involved in every aspect of camera operation, composition, and observing and describing the light we see, we use our minds instead of machine/computer algorithms to make our pictures.

We've got two options: our camera mindlessly takes a picture for us, or we use our mind and control the camera to make a picture.

I think it's better to use our minds.

Remember, understanding camera operation, composition, and light is essential to use our mind to control the camera to make a picture made by a human, so if you want to learn to rely on your mind, instead of a machine, to make picture think about joining my Introduction to Photography class.

In short, it'll help you be a better photographer.

And if a more personalized approach to learning is more up your alley, there's always Private Photography Lessons tailored to your specific needs, whether you want to refine your skills or explore new techniques.

Keep making pictures!

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The Introduction To Photography class starts soon. 
  
More ways to study and practice photography with me are below.

Call me if you need help determining the best course for you.

I'll help you be a better photographer—study and practice photography with me. 

Currently scheduled classes are below.

Smaller classes mean better learning, so class sizes are limited to 5 participants plus me.

But smaller classes also mean spots fill up quicker, so sign up soon. 

And what if the timing doesn't work for you in any of my scheduled group classes? Private in-person lessons suited to your schedule are always an option.

And remember, we learn and improve by doing, so practice making at least one picture daily.