AI vs Photographers, Fort Point Edition.

I am starting a new photography series where I ask AI to create a picture of a landmark and then visit myself to recreate the picture in real life. The goal is to show off some exciting local landmarks (most of them would make beautiful locations for couples by the way) and put AI to the test to see if it can truly replace me as a photographer. In today's world of AI's exploding popularity questions are being raised about whether or not AI is up to the task of competing with humans in many different jobs and roles. My aim is to test it out in the photography setting. This all came about while visiting Fort Point in San Francisco with my wife, we took many pictures while exploring and afterwards I was curious to see if AI generated images could authentically show what we saw.

Hey couples, if you are looking for a beautiful location for an engagement photography session, please read to the end for some more information on this location!

For those who are not aware, Fort Point is a historic San Francisco landmark built between the years of 1853 to 1861. It's mission was to protect the bay from invasions that never came. Today it is a national historic site open to the public and managed by the National Park Service. Without further ado here are the results.

Fort Point as seen from a distance.

Opening shot

I do have to admit that my recreation is not perfect as this shot was a bit of an after thought. Notice how on my picture the fort is partially underneath the Golden Gate Bridge while the AI image is not. Although not in my shot, the AI did accurately portray the chain that was set up as a safety railing. It did, however, put the orientation the wrong way. In real life when approaching the fort the hillside is on your left while the water is on the right. It also put some extra land and hills where water is supposed to be. It also mis-represented the stone work, but the overall shape of the building is within the ballpark.

An AI rendering of Fort Point in San Francisco, CA.

A picture of Fort Point in San Francisco, CA looking at it from the parking lot.

Roof shot

I asked it to make a view from the rooftop, which by the way, in real life has fantastic views of the bay and the inside courtyard. The AI rendering made a very simplified rooftop, there are no mounds where the guns and cannons used to sit, there are no remains of mounts, and the shape is completely off. It looks like the fort is not under the bridge at all. In real life the fort is under the bridge and has a complex design with plenty of leftover history.

An AI rendering of the rooftop of Fort Point in San Francisco, CA.

The view from the rooftop of Fort Point in San Francisco, CA.

The "postcard" response

After receiving plenty of responses that look to be simplified, I asked it to make the next one as photorealistic and accurate as possible. As it started to generate and fill out the top, I got excited that this may be the best one yet. It was showing a mostly accurate position under the bridge, slightly more accurate building shape (minus the fact that it forgot the first floor), and close representation of the landscape. Then it loaded the rest and showed the bottom. It has filled some negative space with the rooftop. The shape was more accurate than previously but still simplified. The overall look reminds me of those post cards in tourist shops that combine multiple things into one photo.

An AI rendering of Fort Point in San Francisco, CA.

In this case I'm ruling that real life photography is superior to AI generated images when it comes to an accurate representation of real life. The big question is, how far can and will AI go? How will this project look in 5, 10, or even 20 years into the future? Stick with me and lets see how this plays out together.

My wife standing on the roof of Fort Point in San Francisco, CA with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.

If you want a historical and scenic backdrop for your engagement or wedding photos, Fort Point does not disappoint! Look at the photo of my wife on the rooftop! It is important to remember the wind factor. If you want dramatic hair and dress bellowing in the wind, look no further. If you want a calm and controlled environment, it may not be the best environment. The wind comes off the ocean and can be roaring across the bay at times and is prone to fog. Native San Franciscans have come to expect that at this point.

Parking lots normally are not scenic, but this one is an exception. Right next to the parking spots is a walkway right on the rocks by the water with great views of the bay. After that make your way inside and the main courtyard provides beautiful brickwork as your backdrop. Move up onto the roof to get a view of the Golden Gate Bridge right above you or the bay behind you.

If you would like to book a couples portrait or engagement session don't hesitate to contact me.