An AI-generated image was created on the Midjourney platform based on the keywords “a cloudy day and a Chinese couple embracing on a boat traveling along the Three Gorges in the Yangtze River.” Chinese photography critic Hai Jie used the platform to produce a collection of images. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image of “a man stands in a field while a group of birds fly overhead.” Hai found it challenging to distinguish between AI-generated images and real ones when creating the collection. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image was created by using the keywords “a young couple leaning against each other amidst the grass on a grassland in Inner Mongolia.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

Hai repeatedly modified the description in Midjourney to create a style of AI images that blend the documentary and fashion elements. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

A black and white AI-generated image of “an old man wearing a headscarf sits on the ground.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

A tribute to one of Martin Parr’s 1997 photographic works created by Midjourney based on a combination of Hai’s prompts and a photo. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image was created based on the description “Chinese twin sisters wearing red tops, sitting in the back of a truck.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image of a “female shepherd wearing a red coat.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image of “a woman wearing a yellow suit standing in the desert.” AI excels in fashion photography, from color coordination to visual harmony, Hai said. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image of “a group of people wearing coats in different shades of green.” AI struggles with processing distant or macro scenes, Hai said. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image of “a stylish man wearing a pink jacket stands in a crowd.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image of “a boy resting on a desk, with a hawk gazing beside him.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

An AI-generated image based on the keywords “in a freezing Gobi Desert there is a massive billboard with a waterfall streaming down from it.” Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie

Hai believes while AI-generated images disrupt traditional art forms, photography remains irreplaceable in recording memories and emotions, as well as capturing the unique power of being present. Photo: Generated on Midjourney by Hai Jie