How to Spot a Real Photograph in an AI-Generated World
Real photography comes from a real human creator and a traceable origin.
In an AI-generated world, the ability to recognize real photography matters.
A real photograph captures a moment that actually occurred, under real light, in a real place, witnessed by a real human photographer.
AI imagery generates a visual representation of a moment that never happened.
They may look similar on the surface.
They are fundamentally different in origin.
A Real Photograph Is Not Verified by Pixels
A real photograph is not verified by pixels.
It is verified by traceable origin, known human authorship, and clear licensing.
To verify that an image is real, you should be able to answer these questions:
• Who created this image?
• Is the creator named and verifiable?
• Was this image captured by a camera or generated by software?
• Where was it created?
• When was it created?
• Who owns the rights?
• What are the licensing terms?
• Can I truthfully label this as a photograph?
If you cannot answer these questions clearly, the image cannot be verified as real photography.
Real Light Cannot Be Fabricated
A photograph captures light as it actually existed in a real moment in time.
It records the relationship between subject, environment, and presence.
AI imagery simulates light.
It does not witness it.
What looks similar on the surface is fundamentally different at its core.
Natural light grounds a photograph in reality.
It gives photography its depth, emotional resonance, and credibility.
Real Moments vs Generated Scenes
A real photograph records a moment that actually happened.
AI imagery generates a representation of a moment that never occurred.
There is no original event.
There is no real subject.
There is no witnessed reality.
Real photography preserves time, place, and relationship.
AI imagery reconstructs appearance without participating in reality.
Why This Distinction Matters
When AI imagery is labeled or licensed as photography:
• buyers are misled
• editorial trust erodes
• licensing becomes ambiguous
• authorship disappears
• photography loses meaning
Photography is not a visual style.
It is a record of reality.
The Ethical Imagery Standard™
The Ethical Imagery Standard™ defines real, authentic, human-made photography.
It requires:
• real human authorship
• real moments
• real light
• traceable origin
• truthful context
• clear licensing
AI-generated imagery cannot meet this standard.
