A real photograph has garnered significant attention after winning two prizes in an artificial intelligence (AI) photography competition. Miles Astray, a renowned multidisciplinary artist, submitted a photograph titled “F L A M I N G O N E” to the 1839 Awards photography competition’s AI category. The image, captured during Astray’s trip to Aruba in 2022, features a flamingo in a peculiar pose that creates an illusion of a headless bird.
Astray’s decision to enter a real photograph into an AI competition was motivated by his observation of AI-generated art winning accolades in photography contests. He aimed to challenge the notion that AI can replicate the human and emotional qualities captured by real photographers. To his surprise, his photograph not only secured third place but also won the People’s Vote Award, surpassing actual AI creations.
Lily Fierman, director and co-founder of Creative Resource Collective, the organization behind the 1839 Awards, acknowledged that Astray’s photograph had a surreal quality that resembled AI-generated art. Fierman highlighted the significance of Astray’s win, stating that it demonstrated the unique role of human photographers and their ability to evoke emotions that AI cannot replicate.
Upon learning of his win, Astray promptly informed the contest organizers that his submission was a genuine photograph. Consequently, he was disqualified from the competition. However, the judges and contest organizers expressed appreciation for Astray’s message and the unexpected turn of events. They acknowledged that the incident shed light on the importance of nature and human photographers in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
In response to Astray’s photographic triumph, the contest organizers added a note specifying that only images created by AI are eligible for submission in the AI category. Astray, undeterred by his disqualification, acknowledged the rapid advancement of AI technology and its potential to produce images indistinguishable from real photographs. Nevertheless, he remained hopeful about the enduring role of real photographers and content creators in the age of AI.
While the incident sparked a debate on the role of AI in art, it also served as a reminder that AI-generated images, despite their increasing realism, often possess a subtle “uncanny valley” quality that falls short of human perception. Astray’s photograph winning both the jury’s approval and the public vote underscored the unique qualities that human photographers bring to the artistic realm.