AI & THE MODERN PHOTOGRAPHER: GET ON THE TRAIN
with Jay Cathell, M.Photog.,Cr.
The times are changing, and AI is no longer optional. It is the new norm. You can stand in the way of it, or you can get on the train and enjoy the ride.
This workshop is about making AI work for you, not replacing you.
We will explore how photographers can use AI to supercharge their workflow, generate new ideas, break out of creative ruts, and deliver stronger, more intentional products for clients. You will learn how to build custom tools instead of buying generic presets, discover new visual directions, and even explore Old Master aesthetics through a modern digital workflow.
You will learn how to tell AI what you want, whether that means letting AI work an image from start to finish, using AI to build tools you control, or posting an image and asking for visual direction and creative suggestions. We will uncover powerful, often overlooked tools within the Adobe photography suite and explore how AI can help you see your work in an entirely new way.
There is no single “right way” to use AI. The creative breakthrough happens when you ask “What if?” then try it, refine it, and make it your own.
My approach is straightforward: ask for suggestions, try the results, and fine-tune relentlessly. AI’s first answer is never the final answer. You will learn how to drill down, refine your prompts, and guide AI until it responds to your vision instead of generic defaults.
This class is designed for photographers who want to break out of the pack, deliver something fresh or intentionally vintage, build a lean and efficient editing workflow, stop paying for presets, and start creating their own. AI does not replace creativity, it amplifies it, if you know how to drive it.
If you still have reservations about producing AI imagery, let the next sentence sink in. Bottom line, if your client likes the AI image you did better than the non-AI image you did... which one do you think they would buy?
Jay Cathell’s photographic journey began in the 1950s, assisting his father in the darkroom, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to the craft. While building a career in telecommunications, he remained deeply engaged in photography as a serious amateur. After retiring, he devoted himself to
formal study of photography and Adobe Photoshop, joined Professional Photographers of America and its affiliates, and began competing, teaching, and mentoring through PPA-sponsored programs, earning both Master Photographer and Craftsman degrees. A regular attendee of MARS since 2014, Jay now focuses primarily on teaching and mentoring photographers in person and via Zoom. His current passion lies in exploring AI-driven tools, continually asking “what if” as he integrates emerging technology into his creative workflow.