September 2025
Rugeley & Armitage Camera Club
The use of AI is clearly a hot topic in the Photography world, we are guided by the PAGB (Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) rules.
How an Individual creates an Image for their own use, and what source material is coopted for Image creation, is entirely at the Individuals discretion.
However, when an Image is submitted alongside the Images of others into a competition or exhibition, then each participant needs to be assured that the other participants are using their own original work.
Images MUST be entirely the work of the photographer. In composite Images, all component Images must meet this requirement. For the avoidance of doubt, use of Images from any other source Including, but not limited to, Royalty free Image banks and clip art are not permitted.
Examples of Prohibited Generative AI
Features in software like Photoshop etc. that create or generate contents, Including:
Generative Fill
Generative expand
Harmonisation
Examples of permitted AI – assisted processing
AI powered processing, such as algorithmic adjustments within camera or post- processing software, is permissible as long as it doesn’t Introduce new, generated content.
The use of AI features that do not Import new pixels into your Image, such as AI – powered removal tools that do not use generative AI
To round it up….
Images with elements generated by AI where the source of data is not the members own work is not permitted.
Be honest with yourself, only you can know.
Do you believe in your heart that you have contributed enough to feel that this is your own Image? If you don’t feel that way, and you are successful In competitions with it, then what have you won? You may have won a certificate or a trophy but where is the personal satisfaction if most of the credit is due to someone else? Your name may be on the certificate or trophy, but YOU know that it should be someone else being recognised. Be honest with yourself and you will gain much greater satisfaction from your photographic success.