Reading the story of photographer Miles Astray, Giovanni Storti would say that “the situation is being reversed”. By participating in the photography competition 1839 Awards, dedicated to images produced using artificial intelligence (AI), Astray has in fact chosen to send a photo not generated by algorithms, but rather an authentic shot taken with a camera. His work, entitled “Flamingone”, portrays a flamingo in the act of scratching its belly in a natural and solemn way.
The competition jury, made up of authoritative figures from the world of photography, as representatives of the New York Times, Getty Images, Maddox Gallery and the Center Pompidou of Paris, initially accepted photography among the winners. However, Astray’s revelation about how the photograph was taken in a traditional way, and not generated by AIled to his inevitable disqualification from the competition.
The artist immortalized the peculiar scene during a sunrise in Aruba in 2022using a Nikon D750 and then working the image in Lightroom. Astray intentionally chose to participate in the AI competition to show that traditional photography can still amaze and compete with digital creations.
On his website, entitled “Reclaiming the BrAIn”, he shared the motivation for this provocative gesture, underlining how human capabilities can still stand out in an environment increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence.
Lily Fiermanco-founder and director of 1839 Awardshe expressed appreciation for the “powerful message” launched by Astrayhoping that it can inspire other photographers to reflect on the value of authenticity and human creativity in a technologically advanced world.
This singular episode not only did it highlight Astray’s talent, but also opened a debate on how artificial intelligence is influencing photographic art. It represents an exhortation for the artistic community to re-evaluate the importance of the human touch in the digital age.
More details and reflections on this episode are available on Miles Astray websitewhere the artist continues to explore the boundaries between technology and tradition in contemporary photography.
