No one's ready for this --- Our basic assumptions about photos capturing reality are about to go up in smoke.

[Mousetoescamper]

4. I don't object to removing depressingly ubiquitous power lines from photos.

Your alteration is flawless and the photo is splendid!

I've experimented with some free trial software, including a Photoshop product, and decided that it's not only too expensive, but adds more layers of technology that come between me and the subject.

Nothing will stop the onslaught of AI and other technologies that are reducing human creativity to zeros and ones. The future may seem bleak after reading about the Pixel 9, but I think art created by actual humans will continue to appeal to some us. Handcrafted items, live music and photos that represent consensus reality will still have a place, although they might not continue providing a means of making a living.

I'd like to see more discussions in the Photography group, not so much about gear and ISOs, but about the art of photography and the emotional connections you touched on above.

Thanks for replying.