AI is transforming the photography industry by providing more affordable options for companies, but it also endangers creatives and is causing a revolution in the field.
Although some criticise AI’s role in photography, it offers motorsport photographers a valuable opportunity to streamline their editing, colour grading, and enhancement processes, saving significant time.
According to World Metrics, 82% of photographers use AI tools to reduce editing time and enhance images. 68% of those photographers believe AI can help them discover new techniques and styles.
Ellie Majumdar is a mototrsport photographer for Girls Who Eat, Breathe and Dream Motorsport. Spending hours trackside shooting various motorsport events. She discussed the role AI is playing in the future of photography, specifically motorsport photography.
She spoke about how even she uses AI to speed up and aid the editing process.
“When editing images, I use the AI function to remove objects in Lightroom.” She said.
“I know that using AI to cull images is on the rise, and some photographers find this useful. Personally, I wouldn’t fully trust this as I want to see the images I cull, but I can see why others use it.”
While there are benefits to AI in the photography industry, she recognises that it can also pose a threat to her future in it.
“The most significant conflict I see is places wanting to cut costs and therefore replacing talented photographers. I think that it works in tandem with AI when it comes to editing.
“It’s concerning if taking images without consent becomes a reality, but I try not to fret too much, as the future is uncertain with AI. Photography is already an under-protected art form. AI should push the industry towards stronger safeguards, not weaker ones.”
![AI still lacks the ability to recreate specific overtakes. [Photo Credit: Ellie Majumdar]](https://themouth.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EllieM_FE_Valencia-49.jpg)
AI still lacks the ability to recreate specific overtakes. [Photo Credit: Ellie Majumdar]
The distinctive nature of Motorsport photography
Motorsport is a unique industry when it comes to photography; it has aspects that cannot be replicated by AI. Majumdar touched on this while admitting that AI is an inevitability and that how it is used is more important than its overall use.
“To an extent, since AI can’t recreate a specific overtake or the emotion seen on the podium. The cars are also designed specifically for each season and series they take part in, which would be difficult for AI.
“Whilst I would prefer work given to people, I can understand the reason why. I think as long as places are transparent when they use AI, it can be used in small amounts.”
When looking at photographers and publications that use AI alongside their own original work, Mujamdar said she believes AI should be built on and used to help generate ideas. Rather than the creation itself. Otherwise, it can compromise ingenuity and creativity.
“AI mimics, but it doesn’t have a lived experience or personal narrative. I think you can use AI to your advantage, take ideas and actually build on them yourself with your own creativity.”
This aligns with World Metrics statistics showing that 64% of consumers trust brands more when they use real images rather than AI-enhanced or generated images.