Today we had the honor of sitting down with Koen Van Damme, an architectural photographer from the picturesque Flemish region of Belgium. Koen's primary work involves creating beautiful visuals for architects, breathing life into their designs through his lens. But apart from his commissioned work, Koen also follows his passion projects, his photographs finding homes on popular platforms like Instagram and the Capture.
Discovering Capture: A Happy Accident
Koen first stumbled upon Capture in December 2022, a discovery he made on Product Hunt. Always open to trying out new technologies, Koen found the unique concept of Capture irresistible. Since then, the app has become a cornerstone of his creative process, enhancing the quality of his work.
Technology: A Creative Companion
For Koen, technology is more than just a tool; it's a critical aspect of his creative process. He believes the rapid evolution of technology and the realm of ideas often intertwine, eventually giving birth to art that wasn't possible before. To him, understanding and integrating new technologies like Capture into his work is not just a necessity, but a fascinating journey of its own.
While some might argue that technological advancements can overcomplicate things, Koen is a firm believer in the 'less is more' philosophy. Despite the sophistication of the Capture, it's the simplicity and modesty of the tool that appeals to him the most.
AI: A Gamechanger and A Double-Edged Sword
The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has been nothing short of a revolution for Koen. He finds it an exciting, if not overwhelming, shift. While he recognizes the immense potential AI has to benefit photographers, Koen also points out a pertinent concern. The democratization of photography by AI might be a double-edged sword, making the competition tougher, yet simultaneously elevating the value of truly human creativity.
However, as someone who embraces change, Koen is excited about the blending of real and virtual worlds that AI is facilitating. He anticipates the emergence of new categories, such as AI art and AI photography.
The Future of Content Creation
Despite the overwhelming influx of technological advancements in the photography industry, Koen believes human creativity remains irreplaceable. Even with AI generating photos, it can't replicate the unique perspective and emotion that a human brings to the table. For Koen, this only pushes photographers to further hone their craft and distinguish their work.
Advice to Fellow Creators
When asked for words of wisdom to inspire fellow creators, Koen was unequivocal: "Inspire each other". He emphasized the importance of platforms like Discord and Twitter, which offer a space for creators to engage, exchange ideas, and build a vibrant creative community.
As we wrapped up our insightful conversation with Koen Van Damme, it was evident that his progressive approach to embracing technology, paired with his belief in the power of human creativity, provides a unique perspective on the future of content creation. His experiences and insights make him an invaluable addition to our community, and we can't wait to see what he captures next.
Check out Capture on Product Hunt, and if you like it, don't be shy to give it a upvote and share your feedback with the developers!
