The Kent State Photo, AI, and the Ethics of Photography: Balancing History and Art in the Studio
Comparison of the before and after photo of the Kent State and the removal of the poll behind her head. Photographer John Filo
In 1970, student photographer John Filo captured one of the most haunting images in American history—the Kent State photo, showing a young woman kneeling in anguish beside the body of a student who had been fatally shot by the Ohio National Guard during a Vietnam War protest. The image became a symbol of national unrest, but there’s a lesser-known detail: a fence post behind the woman's head was removed in some versions of the photo.This small, seemingly insignificant edit raises profound questions about ethics in photography, especially as artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasing role in the industry.
As a photojournalist and portrait photographer, I’ve always placed a strong emphasis on editorial integrity. Whether I’m documenting live events or capturing personal portraits in my studio, I believe that the authenticity of an image is sacred. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Visual First conference in San Francisco, where I had a front-row seat to witness groundbreaking AI technology designed specifically for photographers. The advancements were mind blowing, and I found myself continually reflecting on how we, as photographers, should use these tools responsibly.
The Fence Post: A Historical Example of Ethical Dilemmas
The decision to remove the fence post in the Kent State photo was made in the darkroom—long before digital editing and AI came into play. I distinctly remember this photo because it prompted a robust graduate school discussion between me and my peers. While the removal didn’t change the fundamental truth of the event, it did alter the composition in a way that arguably made the image more aesthetically powerful but it changed the reality of the situation. In journalism, even such small changes can blur the line between truthful documentation and manipulation and this effects the overall trust of the viewer with the photographer, news organization.
As someone who works both in journalistic settings and in portrait photography, I navigate this tension regularly. In my portrait work, I strive to capture authentic moments between my subjects, but I’m also aware of the power that small edits can have on the perception of an image. AI makes it easier than ever to retouch photos, remove distractions, or alter reality in ways that are both subtle and significant. So where should we use it, and should it be used in family photography, or any photography? I think it depends.
AI in Photography: Expanding Possibilities, Heightening Responsibility
At the Visual First conference, I saw firsthand how AI tools can be used to enhance images quickly and seamlessly. The developers talked of data sets. These data sets train AI to do things. These AI tools allow photographers to remove unwanted elements from a shot, smooth out imperfections, change face shape (weird), and even change entire backgrounds or products with the click of a button. While these innovations are exciting, they also force us to ask important questions about the ethics of image manipulation.
The temptation to use AI in portrait photography is strong and is already here. I saw one app that could take an iPhone photo of a baby and put it into a baby in a basket newborn shoot. I found myself asking how do you explain this to your child who asks about this moment in their family photos? It never happened? There were no moments where the baby is crying, peeing or whatever. In fact they created a photo for a baby announcement centering on an event that never happened. This was unsettling to me and also hard to articulate because we are already here. So where do we draw the line between enhancing an image and altering reality? These questions don’t just apply to photojournalism—they’re equally relevant in the studio, where the authenticity of a portrait matters just as much.
Ethical Guidelines for AI Use in Photography
As AI becomes more integrated into our creative processes, I believe it’s important to establish clear ethical boundaries. Here are a few guiding principles that can help ensure integrity in both portrait photography and photojournalism:
1. Transparency: If an image has been edited or altered using AI, it’s crucial to be transparent about those changes. Viewers should know when they are looking at a modified version of reality.
2. Context Matters: In portrait photography, where artistic interpretation is expected, there’s more flexibility for aesthetic edits. However, in photojournalism, where the goal is to document reality, any change—even a small one—can be misleading.
3. **Intent Over Outcome**: The motivation behind using AI tools is key. Are we editing an image to deceive or simply to enhance its clarity? The purpose of an edit should always guide our decisions.
4. **Accountability**: Just because AI makes it easier to alter photos doesn’t mean we should do so without thought. Photographers and editors must remain accountable for the integrity of their work, ensuring that technology serves the truth rather than distorts it.
Balancing Innovation with Integrity
AI offers incredible possibilities for the future of photography, from streamlining workflows saving days and days of post production work, to creating images that were once impossible to achieve which saves thousands of dollars for companies and families. But these tools also raise the stakes when it comes to ethical decision-making. Whether I’m photographing a news event or capturing a family portrait, the core principle of editorial integrity guides every decision I make.
The removal of the fence post in the Kent State photo reminds us that even small changes can have lasting effects on how an image is perceived. In today’s world, where AI can make those changes with unprecedented speed and precision, it’s more important than ever for photographers to remain mindful of our role as storytellers – and to discuss this with our clients. We must ensure that our images—whether taken in the studio or in the field—are both truthful and authentic, even in the face of evolving technology, and as our field evolves, we must evolve with it, but as always it is never the camera or the technology that makes the photo, it is the photographer. Technology is just a tool.