Photo checks are different from generic AI checks
A photo-like image can be AI generated, camera captured, edited, compressed, or screenshotted. That is why ImgShield looks at both sides of the question: evidence that points toward generation and evidence that looks like normal camera capture.
Signals that matter
- Camera or phone model, exposure values, ISO, focal length, and capture timestamp.
- Generator terms, model names, workflow metadata, prompts, seeds, or sampler settings.
- Editing software hints from tools such as Photoshop, Lightroom, or export pipelines.
- Missing or stripped metadata that should be interpreted cautiously, not automatically as AI.
When the result is uncertain
An uncertain result often means the file no longer carries enough evidence. Ask for the original image, compare the source page, run reverse image search, and look for other copies with richer metadata before deciding.
Continue with related checks
- AI generated image checker
- AI image detection tool
- Image authenticity checker
- How to tell if an image is AI generated
If a photo has been reposted, compressed, or screenshotted, the strongest camera clues may be gone. In those cases, the safest answer may be "not enough evidence."