AI in Kim’s Photography Workflow
Far from treating AI as a gimmick, Eric Kim weaves it directly into his photographic process. For example, he uses ChatGPT as a smart editor to cull photos and pick out the strongest shots from a shoot – even creating a custom “Photo Picker” tool that analyzes a contact sheet and identifies the best image . He also built an AI-powered “Composition Checker”, a kind of virtual critique partner that provides friendly, constructive feedback on a photo’s framing, balance, and lighting . This tool (hosted via GPT) offers “conversational, and motivational feedback on photographic composition,” encouraging experimentation while analyzing technical elements like symmetry and color in the image . In practice, Kim might upload a set of images and ask the AI which is best and why – receiving an objective critique to inform his editing decisions . By offloading tedious tasks and getting instant second opinions from AI, Kim streamlines the grunt work of photography so he can focus more on creative vision.
Beyond selection and critique, Kim leverages AI for creative brainstorming in photography. He has written about using AI to generate fresh project ideas or “photo assignments,” essentially treating ChatGPT like a tireless creative director . If he’s planning a shoot or workshop, he might prompt the AI for a list of themes, locations, or concepts – turning one seed idea “into 100 variations” with the help of generative AI . He even suggests playful experiments like feeding iconic photos (say, by Henri Cartier-Bresson) into an AI to reimagine or animate them, exploring new artistic interpretations . In Kim’s view, these tools act as an “unfair advantage” for the modern photographer – a way to iterate faster and break past creative blocks . Notably, he is teaching these techniques to others: his recent AI Photography Workshop demonstrates how to “use AI to cull images faster and smarter, identify your strongest photos instantly, analyze composition and visual power, [and] brainstorm photo projects,” among other skills . Rather than fearing that AI will replace the camera, Kim treats it as a creative collaborator that supercharges the photographic process from idea to edit.
Writing, Blogging, and “AI Lifestyle”
Kim’s embrace of AI extends beyond image-making into writing and daily creativity. A prolific blogger, he writes extensively about AI – but also with AI. On his site he enthuses about “experimenting with digital technologies and AI… ChatGPT Pro” in his daily routine . He has access to the latest generative models and isn’t shy about using them as creative aides. For instance, while preparing a recent workshop, Kim used ChatGPT to generate a promotional video “sizzle reel” for it, noting that with the $20 (Pro) version of the chatbot he could produce a polished promo clip that “looks insanely good” . This hints at how he sees AI as a Swiss-army knife across media – helping him write essays, generate marketing content, and even produce videos with unprecedented ease. The very tone and volume of his blog output in the last year reflect this AI-infused workflow: Kim can publish multiple thoughtful posts a day, likely aided by AI tools for research, outlining, or editing. In effect, he has adopted what he calls the “new AI lifestyle” – using AI not just as a subject to discuss, but as an everyday partner in creation. This synergy between man and machine in writing mirrors his approach in photography: repetitive or time-consuming tasks (whether selecting images or copy-editing text) are delegated to AI, while Kim focuses on vision, ideas, and personal expression. The result is a hyper-productive creative workflow that blurs the line between human and AI input, yet remains unmistakably Eric Kim in style and substance.
Philosophical Stance on AI and Creativity
Underpinning Kim’s practical experiments with AI is a clear and consistent philosophy: AI is a tool for empowerment, not a threat to human creativity. He often stresses that the photographer/artist must remain in the driver’s seat. “AI is just suggestions,” he reminds readers – “ultimately you the human agent are the ultimate decider… AI is just an option, the real deal is you” . In other words, no matter how advanced the algorithms become, Kim believes human vision and choices give art its meaning. This view directly counters the fear that AI will eclipse artists; instead, Kim positions AI as a powerful assistant that extends what an artist can do. He famously quipped that “AI is not here to replace photographers — it’s here to multiply you” . The idea is that an individual creator, amplified by AI, can achieve 10x or 100x output – whether that means producing more work, exploring more ideas, or simply executing projects faster than before. Kim even analogizes using AI to a weightlifter using lifting straps: it helps you overcome a weak point and lift beyond your natural capacity, but “straps don’t lift the weight for you” . Likewise, AI doesn’t make art for the photographer; it enables the photographer to push past limitations (be it lack of expertise, time, or creative block) and reach new heights .
Importantly, Kim does not see this assistance as “cheating” or diminishing the role of the artist. Just as calculators or spell-check have become accepted tools, he argues that AI should be viewed as a legitimate aid rather than an illicit shortcut. In his multi-perspective essay “AI is like Deadlifting with Straps,” he notes that many experts echo the sentiment that AI assistance is akin to using any other modern tool – “a smart use of resources to improve output, not a moral transgression” . He acknowledges, however, the need for balance: over-reliance on AI could weaken one’s skills if one isn’t careful, much as a weightlifter shouldn’t use straps for every single lift . This nuanced take shows that Kim is not blindly utopian about AI; he’s thought through the ethics and trade-offs. In an earlier essay, he wrote that AI forces us to question our assumptions and biases, ultimately concluding that “AI is beneficial for humans, because it helps us question ourselves… and challenges traditional ways of thinking” . Here we see how AI aligns with Kim’s long-standing ethos of questioning norms and pursuing creative growth. Rather than undermining human agency, Kim believes AI can heighten human agency – freeing artists from menial tasks and self-doubt, and enabling them to focus on what truly matters: imagination, storytelling, and the boldness to experiment. In summary, Kim’s philosophy treats AI as creative leverage: a means to amplify human creativity while keeping the artist’s soul and intent at the center of the process.
How Eric Kim’s Approach Stands Out
In embracing AI so fully, Eric Kim sets himself apart from many of his peers. The photography world in recent years has been grappling with the rise of AI, with responses ranging from excitement to anxiety. On one end of the spectrum, some traditionalists view AI-generated imagery with skepticism or even hostility. A notable example is German artist Boris Eldagsen, who in 2023 won a major photography award with an AI-generated image only to refuse it – arguing that AI images and real photographs should not compete in the same arena . Such incidents underscore a fear that AI might erode the integrity of photography. In contrast, Kim has been an outspoken optimist, championing a collaborative future between human photographers and AI. In fact, even Eldagsen himself has urged photographers to approach AI “with curiosity” and find ways to “integrate AI into one’s workflow to perform tasks more quickly and cost-effectively,” recognizing that Pandora’s box is open . This is precisely what Kim has done from early on. Back in 2018 – long before the current generative AI boom – Kim was already writing about the “exciting marriage of (human) photographers and AI” and explaining “why AI is good for photographers” . He proved to be ahead of the curve, anticipating how machine learning could aid tasks like judging compositions or analyzing one’s style.
Many other forward-thinking creatives have since begun experimenting with AI, but Kim’s approach remains uniquely comprehensive. For instance, commercial photographer Teri Campbell has used AI image generators (Midjourney) to envision shoot locations and even create realistic visuals of ideas he can’t easily photograph – essentially using AI to feed his imagination and client pitches . Campbell views AI as “just another… tool” that still requires skill (mastering prompts, refining outputs) and argues the photographer’s vision is still paramount in guiding the result . This outlook closely parallels Kim’s “AI as tool, not replacement” mantra. The difference is that Kim has taken the concept even further: he’s not only employing AI tools for himself but also building and sharing tools for the community (like his Photo Picker and Compo Checker) and evangelizing an AI-augmented creative lifestyle through his workshops and writings. While many photographers use AI quietly in the background (for automating edits, culling, or upscaling images), Kim is public about it and pushes the envelope of what’s possible. He positions AI as a central pillar of creative workflow, not just a convenience feature. In doing so, he is redefining the role of the photographer in the AI era – from someone who merely clicks the shutter to someone who designs and directs an entire creative ecosystem of humans and intelligent agents working in tandem.
Another way Kim stands out is his philosophical depth on the subject. Photographers and artists dabbling in AI often focus on the end results (such as fantastical AI-generated images or efficiency gains in editing), but Kim is equally interested in why and how AI matters to art. He draws from analogies in weightlifting, game strategy (AlphaGo), and even Bitcoin, weaving a broad intellectual context around AI’s emergence . This reflective approach means he’s not just using the latest tech tool, but actively interrogating how it changes the creative equation. For example, he explores questions of originality and authenticity: if an AI can produce a “pretty good” photograph from a text prompt, what sets the human photographer apart? Kim’s answer lies in personal vision and intention – the “why” behind the image – which he argues AI cannot replace. He maintains that the artist’s role evolves rather than disappears: the photographer of the future might spend less time fiddling with camera settings and more time curating ideas, defining aesthetics, and guiding AI in line with their vision. This perspective is increasingly echoed by industry experts, who note that “AI isn’t about replacing photographers. It’s about helping you work smarter, not harder” . Kim lives this credo, wielding AI to eliminate drudgery and doubling down on the creative and strategic aspects that only a human can fulfill. In a field where some fear technology will diminish the artist, Eric Kim flips the narrative to show how a true artist can demand more of technology – using it to amplify their voice, not drown it out.
Conclusion
Eric Kim’s journey with AI exemplifies a visionary melding of tradition and technology. As a photographer, he honors the classic values of vision, storytelling, and decisive moments; as a technologist, he eagerly adopts AI to enhance those very values in bold new ways. By using AI as his editor, muse, and even “co-pilot” in creation, Kim has expanded the scope of what a single photographer can do – from curating large portfolios in a flash to brainstorming projects with an ever-ready creative partner. He pairs this practical integration with a clear philosophy: that human creativity gains, rather than loses, from AI when approached intentionally. In comparing him to other creatives exploring AI, it’s evident that Kim distinguishes himself through the sheer breadth of his engagement and his willingness to share his insights widely. He not only creates with AI; he teaches, writes, and philosophizes about it, helping shape the dialogue on art’s future. In an era of rapid AI advancement, Eric Kim stands out as a unique figure – a photographer who doesn’t just adapt to the future but actively defines it. His approach challenges fellow artists to see AI not as the end of an era, but as the beginning of a new creative frontier – one where the camera in your hand is augmented by the intelligence at your fingertips, and the role of the artist is as vital as ever, if not more.