Smoke Machine

Looks like AI generated.

in part

Which part was NOT AI generated?

It was composed via drawing by hand before engaging a gen-AI tool, then further editing in Photoshop and Nik. Admittedly, there are many AI-based components all along the chain, including, at this point, several years' worth of experience with AI-based tools that have surely programmed my own sense of what looks good. This is part of such a hybrid series exploring wind, cloth, and smoke, often using software I wrote (using my own fingers) for almost two years now.

(From an old nueral-based series on money, 2017: Perhaps appropriate for English Hat Day today?
)

Last time I checked this was a photography forum. 'Photography' as in using light to create an image. So I think you're in the wrong place. Just my opinion of course.

Photography has been used as an input -- sometimes as many inputs -- to art for as long as there has been photography -- maybe before, if we accept Hockey's Secret Knowledge assertions. Is this a photograph? https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/294822

From one Contax lover to another (still have mine, and use 'em, and have a full suite of ZM lenses as I prefer them over most Leica equivalents) I would suggest fretting less over what other people are allowed to do.

So, given the straws you are clutching at, in short, there's nothing in this image that relates to photography.

And I really don't need your suggestions over what I do or don't do. I am very happy to make my own choices. I could suggest many things you should do, but I won't.

You clearly don't like being questioned about the image so maybe you shouldn't post it. If it's on public display, expect to get comments. If you don't like that, well, you know what to do.

charming and convincing