Season 2, episode 2.
Tilting at windmills, as the idiom from Don Quixote goes. My internal compass and my urge to have an opinion about the countless AI-generated posters are having an overheating issue. I just think this episode will be the cooling solution?
*I didn’t have any windmill photos, so I found one I can use. It’s not hard.
Time is a valuable commodity. As a creative (photos, videos, sometimes text), I have a rough idea that solid results take time. The same goes for good food, training your body for a marathon, or learning to play an instrument…
What triggers me is when a person trying to promote his brand or his service uses AI-generated slop with little to no effort, expecting genuine engagement or conversion.
AI has its place, and it’s genuinely a useful tool to have, but for the love of what is good and holy, I ask you to have some self-restraint and awareness.
Wall of shame
My heart breaks when I see a good restaurant or a pizza place I love using AI slop for every notice, poster, menu… What happened to good photographs? What happened to genuine pen on white A4 paper? Preaching to the choir, but still – it’s my sandbox.
If you’re a restaurant with all AI-generated posts, I wonder: does AI do your recipes? Cooking? Accounting?
What hurts even more is when I see a fellow photographer or a promoter proudly posting and promoting those same AI templates I see everywhere, from the bars and restaurants to a neighbour who paints nails and cuts hair and even a local fitness/yoga studio. For me, it’s like using the same junior designer who only has one or two templates to start from. Sad.
And I try to get it! Not everyone is a designer; not everyone has a friend who is one. Maybe you’re on a limited/no budget, just starting out, trying a new thing – we’ve all been there. I also get that sometimes visuals are not a priority for you; you just want to get the message out with as little hassle, engagement and cost out there. I really try to get it.
Same as a detailer or a mechanic noticing that my car is not polished, that I’m running on a damaged rim and not changing the oil often enough. The car works; those details are not my priority – and they will still consider me a bad owner who doesn’t give a fuck. Which is exactly what I’m ranting about above. Almost done with the Cervantesque battle, but here’s an optimistic request: Pay attention, care about what you post and do better. Please?
Almost there.
Another rant? I love it when artists post my work on their private or business profiles. It’s somehow a nod that I did a good job, that the person who’s the subject of my photo liked how I portrayed them, approved of my work and found it good enough to serve as their personal branding.
I love it a bit less when my name as the author isn’t mentioned anywhere. I know captions take time and I don’t use watermarks in most cases, but sometimes…
When I do use them, I REALLY LOVE it when the artist crops it out, posts the photos and, of course, without any tag or mention anywhere.
I also LOVE it when, upon filing an Intellectual Property Report, the only response I get from Facebook/Instagram/Meta says: “We’ve reviewed your report, and it’s not clear that the reported content infringes your copyright. In particular, the reported content appears to be different from your work.” Despite providing original, uncropped files. Just peachy.
It’s not all bad – it can be done properly, if you care about such things.
Thank you, Hel.
Now I feel better.
Got my new-job medical exam done at Clarus, surprised by their amazing service. Comparing it with Barsos, which I did a few years back – night and day. Highly recommended.
Cinnamon buns from Zebra are a delight. It’s been 10 working days at Razum, and, as my coworker Janez organised a seafood feast-like picnic on Monday, I wanted to show some gratitude and brought a box of Zebra’s buns to the office. Not part of my job description, but I think I got a few extra points.
Thank you, Zebra.
Consumed
I’ve finished American Gods 10th anniversary edition and still have 2 seasons of the TV show left. Neil Gaiman is an incredible author, and I genuinely loved the extended book. If you have an Audible account, I really recommend the multicast version.
Finishing up said book, I followed it up with Jesse Itzler’s Living with the Monks, and it’s been a struggle, to be honest. The punishment of not checking the reviews prior weirdly coincides with a topic of the book. I wonder if I can battle through a few more chapters, but strangely it feels like a copy of the previously mentioned Living with a SEAL. But I bought it, and the cheapskate in me wants to get his money’s worth.
One of the highlights of consumed content this week
So you’re your own architect of your own destiny, and your past, no matter how painful it has been, it’s the past. The gift of life is present.
Hungry? Me too.
Happy beeps that aren’t mine
A few more highlights that have nothing to do with me, but following up on all the ranting above and in the news, I feel like we need more happy beeps.
Živa Remic is an 800m world champion (U20). Vid Botolin set a new bar and finally broke Peter Svet’s 52-year-old 5k Slovenian record. Gregor Žakelj (VBG) won his second Red Dot Award for his stunning bottle design. In Badwater, Nataša Robnik, Alenka Pavc, Mirko Bogomir Miklič, and Luka Videtič all finished up 217k with 4k+ elevation, running between 42-50 degrees Celsius. Amazing humans.
Shameless self-promotion
If you don’t know who Katja Šoltes is, check her out. I helped her move and update her old WordPress.com website to a refreshed standalone installation to feature her work. I love working with amazing professionals. Thank you Žabec for assistance.
The new Ljubljana magazine is out, and there are a few of my photos featured inside. Quite proud of the work we did with Nina Kožar, Miča Vipotnik & Ana Eterović.
Despite some heated debates on social media and pictures of several magazines in the trash, fighting the “battle” with our current mayor and his office – I genuinely enjoy co-creating the magazine.
I’ve met some amazing people, found secret corners of our capital, and had some great meals I otherwise wouldn’t have. It’s not always simple or delicious, but I’m proud of our work.
Do The Thing
Alpijada newsletter part II. An apology and important announcement were sent out on Thursday. This episode was not.
PSA: We’re less than a month away from the event! Excited? I am.
Song of the week
Following up on a friendly random encounter at the clinic, this is my song of the week.
I Pray for Peace by Grit Cathedral feat. Kati Cher.
Album of the week
So many new albums on my playlist, from Kasabian and Phoebe Bridgers to Seether and Electric Callboy, but this one is currently on repeat:
One Assassination Under God – Chapter 2 by Marilyn Manson.
Too much yelling at windmills?
Episode 2 done. Thank you for reading.
Therapy Sunday (don’t ask).
Marko
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Cover & thumbnail image by Saša Krajnc.