My Fantastic Year of Photography with an “AI-Inside” Camera

In 2025, despite all the trials and tribulations of war, climate change, and imminent economic collapse, I’ve had the best photographic year ever! Allow me to show you, courtesy of my “AI-Inside” camera.

Unexpected trade deal benefits

World trade has been substantially disrupted during 2025 but, as we all know, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going!”. The inspired trade deal between India and the UK shows what imagination and determination can create, delivering mutual advantage between nations. 

The first manifestation of this deal was the relocation of the Taj Mahal to the shores of the River Mersey, in Liverpool 😯.

In an inspired choice of location, this Kodak moment setting combines the eternal popularity of The Beatles with the timeless and enduring testimony to romantic love. Photographers can therefore create a perfect “Instagram Banger”, destined to attract millions of ‘Likes’.

Personally, regarding the relocation of Buckingham Palace to Old Delhi; whilst its austere British character provides a marked counterpoint to the chaos of this part of India, I think the Indian Government might have negotiated harder for a better deal. For example, a swap with St. Paul’s Cathedral. But, as can be seen below, it nevertheless provides an interesting addition to the traditional scene 😯.

Some of you may be a trifle surprised that these ‘trade deals’ didn’t cross your news feed. They may, indeed, come as something of a shock. Perhaps, I should confess that your suspicions are well-founded. In truth, I have made these pictures up – with my new “AI-Inside” camera.

My new “AI-Inside” camera

Isn’t she a beauty! About the size of a Fujifilm GFX, she’s a little on the chunky side, but when you look through the viewfinder, what you see is spectacular. I don’t pretend to have mastered all the controls — I’m just mostly using voice commands for now — so don’t take this a full review. It’s very much just a ‘first look’.

The “Saul Leiter” filter

One of the first “image enhancements” I found in the manual was the ability to “Leiter-Up” any scene. So, in the pair of images below, the picture on the left is the scene that I came across in a London pub. Just before I pressed the shutter button, I gave the command “Leiter This Up”. Automatically, it enhanced the image to make a better shot. Wonderful, isn’t it!

Instantly, I’ve become the archetypal photographer that I always wanted to be! But, we’ve barely scratched the surface of this camera’s repertoire….

The “DM Boost” button

Street Photography can be terribly disappointing — I am always wanting that special once-in-a-lifetime shot. But instead, I just wander the streets of Dullsville, seeing nothing but the boring, same old stuff. Not any more, my little photographer buddies!

This “AI-Inside” camera has another trick up its sleeve. Just take a shot of someone in a street location, and, while triggering the shutter, push the button labelled “DMB” (standing for Decisive Moment Boost) on the back of the camera body. Instantly, your image is re-imagined so that when you get home and are asked, “did you get anything interesting today?” you can answer with confidence: “Yes, I most certainly did”. 

For example, here are two pictures; one “as seen” …

… and now with “DM Boost” …

This camera really is a gem, but that’s not all it can do …

“Portrait Enhance” mode

It has often been noted that some people (particularly of the feminine gender) prefer that any wrinkles, blemishes, or imperfections that mark the passage of time, are minimised in their portraits. Well, armed with this camera, I’m certain that anyone could set up the world’s most successful portrait studio.

In the example below, you can see the magical transformation that occurs when photographing the female of the species with “Portrait Enhance” mode engaged. Notice how it keeps the details of the earrings unchanged, whilst adding subtle improvements to the skin tone to ensure that the underlying beauty of the subject is revealed to the viewer’s eye.

Supercharged travel photography

Travel photography is one of my passions. A trip to Lapland to visit Father Christmas was therefore the perfect end to my year. When I arrived, the elves were exceptionally busy and the reindeer excited about their round-the-world-in-a-single-night parcel delivery trip on Christmas Eve. “The Big FC” himself was there to greet me and, to my great surprise, was also carrying his new “AI-Inside” camera!

We chatted about this remarkable device and, of course, I had to grab a quick shot of this legend of gift-giving, showing his evident pride in this most special new toy!

It’s not about the gear!

You and I, we devotees of the photographic art, have learned that what matters in photography is “the experience”. It’s about learning the craft, putting in the hours, chasing the light and “keeping it real”. Well, I believe that this camera will help us all to do that by keeping it “super-real”, or “surreal” even. 

I wish all of you “Happy Holidays” and many good things for 2026. Meanwhile, I’ll close with a quick snapshot of Stonehenge that I took with my new best bit of gear.

May we all remain capable of laughing and smiling through these turbulent times!

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