Beyond the Mind’s Eye: How AI is Shaping the Future of Visual Storytelling
As photographers, we often pride ourselves on our ability to see the world in unique ways—to capture moments, emotions, and stories that others might overlook. But what happens when you can’t visualize those moments in your mind? For me, as a portrait photographer with aphantasia, this has been both a challenge and a source of creative inspiration. Aphantasia, the inability to visualize images mentally, has shaped my approach to photography. Instead of pre-visualizing, I rely on the world around me to guide my work. But with the advent of AI, I’ve discovered a powerful new tool that bridges the gap between my blank mind and my creative vision.
In this blog post, I want to share how AI is transforming the way I approach visual storytelling, particularly in my long-term collaborative portraiture project that empowers young South Asians to push beyond cultural confines, challenge stereotypes, and define how they want to be seen by the world. I’ll also share a small experiment I conducted using AI to visualize my ideas—a process that has not only empowered me but also deepened my connection with my subjects.
The Blank Mind as a Creative Canvas
Minor White, the legendary photographer and educator, once wrote about the "blank mind" of a photographer—a state of heightened receptivity, akin to a sheet of film waiting to capture life. For me, this concept is deeply personal. My aphantasia means I can’t pre-visualize a portrait, but it also means I’m hyper-aware of the world around me. I notice the way light falls on a face, the subtle shifts in expression, and the stories hidden in the details.
Yet, when it comes to planning a shoot or communicating my vision to others, I’ve often felt at a disadvantage. How do I explain what I want to create when I can’t see it in my mind? This is where AI has become an invaluable tool.
The Experiment: Using AI to Visualize a Concept
For my ongoing project, I wanted to explore how I could use my Pentax 67ii medium format camera and a 105mm f/2.4 lens to create portraits with a cinematic feel. I envisioned using Cinestill 400D film, a flash fill with a soft diffuser to create Rembrandt lighting, and a color palette that evokes warmth and depth. But without the ability to visualize these ideas, I turned to AI for help.
I used Dreamshaper XL Lightning, an AI model known for its ability to blend art and realism. I started by writing prompts that described my vision:
"A medium-shot portrait of a South-Asian teenage girl in stylish colorful Western clothes during the New York Fashion Week. She is in an empty street, looking into the camera. The portrait is shot with the medium-format Pentax 67ii with a 105mm lens using the Cinestill 400D film and Rembrandt lighting."
"Cinematic film still, shot on v-raptor XL, film grain, vignette, color graded, post-processed, cinematic lighting, 35mm film, live-action, best quality, atmospheric, a masterpiece, epic, stunning, dramatic."
With each cycle, I refined my prompts, tweaking the details to get closer to what I wanted. The AI generated hundreds of images, and while not all of them were perfect, a few stood out as compelling representations of my vision.
Empowering Collaboration with Subjects
These AI-generated images have become more than just visual references—they’ve become a bridge between my ideas and the people I photograph. When I meet with potential subjects, I can now show them these images as a starting point for our collaboration. I can say, "This is the aesthetic we’re going for, but it’s just a starting point. How do you want to be seen? What story do you want to tell?"
This process has been incredibly empowering. It allows me to communicate my vision more effectively while leaving room for my subjects to bring their own ideas and identities to the project. It’s a true collaboration, one that challenges stereotypes and celebrates individuality.
A New Frontier for Visual Storytelling
Historically, every major technological advancement in photography has faced resistance before being embraced. When color photography was introduced, it was initially reserved for advertisements and exotic subjects. But pioneers like National Geographic showed that color could be a powerful tool for storytelling, redefining what was possible in visual journalism.
Similarly, AI is often met with skepticism, especially in documentary and portrait photography. Critics argue that it undermines authenticity. But as my experiment shows, AI can be a tool for enhancing creativity, not replacing it. For photographers with aphantasia, it offers a way to externalize ideas and communicate visions that might otherwise remain elusive.
The Future of Photography: Collaboration and Innovation
The future of visual storytelling lies in the collaborative dance between technology, the photographer, and the real world. AI is not here to replace us; it’s here to empower us. For emerging photographers, it offers new ways to experiment and refine their craft. For established photographers, it provides tools to push creative boundaries and explore new possibilities.
As I continue my project, I’m excited to see how AI will evolve and how it will shape the way we tell stories. But one thing is certain: the heart of photography will always lie in the connection between the photographer, the subject, and the audience. Technology can enhance that connection, but it can never replace it.
Your Turn: Experiment, Collaborate, Create
If you’re a photographer—whether emerging or established—I encourage you to explore how AI can fit into your creative process. Use it as a tool for brainstorming, for visualizing concepts, or for sparking new ideas. But always remember: the magic happens when you bring those ideas to life in the real world, collaborating with your subjects and capturing the stories that matter.
What are your thoughts on AI in photography? Have you experimented with it in your own work? Share your experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear your perspective!
