In this episode of Beyond the Image, I dive headfirst into the AI-manipulated Bezos wedding photos — not just as a viral moment, but as a symbol of something much deeper: the collapse of trust in visual media.

From AI-generated fantasies to influencers selling fake lifestyles, we are now in an era where we genuinely can’t tell what’s real anymore. I share my take on how this disaster is unfolding without a clear end goal, and what it means for journalism, editorial integrity, and even commercial photography.

We explore:

• The Bezos AI wedding image: what it says about where we are and where we’re headed

• The fallout in legacy media — including Anna Wintour’s exit from Vogue

• How influencer culture and sponsored content are eroding consumer trust

• The blurring lines between journalism and commercial photography

• Why fake books, fake reviews, and fake authority are now business-as-usual

• What needs to change: accountability, universal watermarks, and ethical labeling

When everyone can fake everything — what’s left to believe?

https://jamespatrick.com/