We’ve seen AI images win photography contests, but what about a real photo winning an AI Award in an international competition?
The photo, titled “F L A M I N G O N E,” was taken by photographer and writer Miles Astray and won the People’s Vote and Jury Award in the artificial intelligence category. His work reportedly received honors from the high-profile journey and the public vote in the AI category of the 1839 Awards.
The multidisciplinary artist combines photography and prose in his work and has received international recognition in various publications and contests. He also represents the Young Talents Award at this year’s Cewe Photo Award, the world’s largest photography contest.
Astray submitted the image, which depicts a flamingo whose head is missing, to prove that human-made content is still relevant.
This news comes amidst many conversations between artists, journalists, and graphic designers regarding AI-generated content, including the AI image that won first place in the World Photography Organization’s Sony World Photography Awards last year. Astray’s recent win turns this narrative on its head.
“I wanted to prove that nature still outdoes the machine in terms of imagination, and that there is still merit in real work from real creatives.” stated Astray.
The image was nominated by an international jury that included members of the New York Times, Phaidon Press, Getty Images, Centre Pompidou in Paris, Christie’s, and Maddox Gallery. The photograph was shortlisted for two awards: the Jury’s Award and the People’s Choice Award.
“After seeing recent instances of A.I.-generated imagery outshining actual photos in competitions, it occurred to me that I could twist this story inside down and upside out the way only a human could and would, by submitting a real photo into an A.I. competition,” stated Astray.
Astray was awarded the bronze in the AI category and the People’s Choice Award. His win and disqualification are among the first high-profile instances of a photographer challenging the fears of the effects of AI on creatives.
Lily Fierman, the director and co-founder of Creative Resource Collective, which manages the 1839 Awards, said she appreciated the “powerful message” and called it an “important, relevant, and timely statement.”
“I’m glad to see that this experiment confirmed my hypothesis: there is nothing more fantastic and creative than Mother Nature herself,” said Miles Astray. “I don’t demonize the new technology and see its potential, but currently I see its limitations and dangers even more clearly.”
