Can AI tools like DeepSeekAI help you choose camera settings?

[cbum63]

Hey fellow Canon fans,

So, here’s the thing — I’ve been experimenting with AI tools lately (yes, the same kind that writes emails faster than I can find my lens cap) and it got me wondering… could they actually help us pick the right camera settings?

I mean, imagine telling an AI: “I’m shooting a sunset over a lake, handheld, and my coffee hasn’t kicked in yet”, and it replies with, “Use f/8, ISO 400, and a shutter speed of 1/250 — and maybe switch to decaf.”

Has anyone here actually tried asking AI for advice on aperture, ISO, or shutter speed? Did it get anywhere close to what you’d choose yourself, or did it suggest something that would make even the most patient tripod walk away?

Curious to hear your thoughts — and if you’ve done it, I’d love to know whether AI nailed it or turned your photos into modern art.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

While AI can be used for guidance, nothing is going to take the place of your own skill and experience.  Many situations are unique. There is  no way for AI to accurately determine the shooting conditions reliably.

[Tintype_18]

If I was buying a camera, I would start here using the experiences of the many members.

[FloridaDrafter]

"could they [AI] actually help us pick the right camera settings?"

It's what cell phones do all the time, so yes.

Newton

[mglotspeich]

I agree. We don't want to take away the fun and challenges of photography.

Mike

[kvbarkley]

Sounds like an "H-bomb to kill an ant" issue. If you don't trust the camera's AI to choose the settings, and aren't familiar enough to critique a setting suggestion, then how can you blindly trust some random AI?

[JFG]

One more thing is that all AI have a disclaimer clauses that state the following:  "This content has been generated by an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content."  So just be aware that AI is not error free and makes mistakes.  I myself rather learn from my own mistakes and not AI mistakes.  Also if you are using AI for information you should at least know enough to recognize when AI is off in ourter space.  Just my two cents. 😉

[TimBird]

How many apps are already on our phones to assist with exposure in different scenarios... a.k.a. Photo Pills? But I agree with others that a solid understanding of the craft and technique of photography will serve anyone well in the field.

[vantage]

I'd go a step further: All situations are unique. Lighting changes, subject changes, distance to subject changes,  etc from one frame to another. 

There's no way a *language* model that's just copying text wholesale from photography articles/websites  can evaluate a given scene let alone the photographers' objective. 

The full-auto firmware in the camera already picks the best settings in real-time while allowing the user to change things (PASM) for the desired effect.