Will AI (Artificial Intelligence) replace my film photography?

Lately, I have been playing around with AI to see if it has a place in my editing workflow. As photography continues to change, I think it is important to explore new tools while still staying true to the creative process. I had some photos from photoshoots I did last year that I remember looking at and thinking, “I wish I had shot these on film.” So I decided to experiment with Photoshop AI and gave it a simple creative prompt: make this photo look like it was shot on a Hasselblad 500 with Kodak Portra film pushed from 800 to ISO 1600.

I have to say, I really loved how the images turned out. The edit gave the photos a softer, more film-inspired feeling while still keeping the original image intact. It was interesting to see how AI could help me explore a different creative direction, especially with images that already had a strong mood but needed something extra to bring them closer to the feeling I had in mind. For me, this kind of editing is not about replacing the original photo. It is about using the tools available to reinterpret the image and bring out a new version of the story.

Now, I already know what some people might say in the comment section: “Will this replace your film photography?” or “Are you only doing this because of the cost of film and developing?” The answer is no. I still love shooting with film. Film forces me to slow down, focus on the shot, and be more intentional before pressing the shutter. That is something digital photography can sometimes cause us to lose. With digital, it is easy to take hundreds of photos and figure it out later. Film reminds me to take my time, trust the moment, and work toward getting the shot right in camera.

Summary:
AI has become an interesting tool for experimenting with my editing workflow, especially when revisiting digital images that I wish had been shot on film. While Photoshop AI helped create a film-inspired look that I loved, it will not replace my love for real film photography. For me, film is still about slowing down, being intentional, and respecting the process of creating the perfect shot.