BBC's Blue Planet III is retaining less-than-perfect shots to demonstrate the authenticity of its nature footage. Previous iterations of the series were characterized by crystal-clear imagery that viewers sometimes questioned for being too flawless. In an era where artificial intelligence can generate hyper-realistic visuals, a primary indicator of synthetic media is often excessive polish. To counter this, the new season adopts a strategy of including raw, unedited elements.
Executive Producer Elizabeth White told The Guardian that production standards have shifted to accommodate natural imperfections. She noted that "the amount of plankton and things" floating in the water would have previously caused the team to cut a specific shot. White explained that the crew might have framed out a boat or a buoy in earlier productions, or decided that the water conditions were not good enough to proceed. By keeping these details, the series aims to avoid the seamless look that is frequently associated with AI-generated content.