In the ever-evolving landscape of photography and artificial intelligence, a recent episode has captured the attention of enthusiasts and critics. The story of a flamingo apparently created by AI but actually captured by a photographer’s lens has raised debates about the essence of art and the ability of machines to imitate human creativity.
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The winning image: a question of perspective
Miles Astray, a nomadic and creative photographer, took a photo of a flamingo on the beach in Aruba, an image that challenges common perception. The flamingo, with its almost surreal appearance, has been judged to be a product of an artificial intelligence algorithm. The photo won two awards in the IA category of the prestigious 1839 Awards photography competition, only to be later disqualified.
The 1839 Awards competition: a platform of photographic excellence
The 1839 Awards, named after the year considered fundamental to the birth of photography, includes various categories such as animals, architecture, landscapes and journalistic photos. This year, photographers from 55 countries participated, submitting works ranging from traditional photography to AI-generated images. Astray’s photo, titled “Flamingone,” was placed in the AI category to provoke reflection on authenticity in the digital age.
A thoughtful provocation
Astray explained on his website that his intention was to demonstrate that human art has not lost its impact in the world of algorithms. “I wanted to turn this story on its head, showing that a real photo can seem more surreal than an AI-generated image,” she said. Her experiment raised a fundamental question: How deceptive can the visual be in contemporary art?
The reaction of the judges and the public
After finding out she had won, Astray revealed to contest organizers that her image had been taken with a Nikon D750 DSLR and edited slightly in Lightroom. Despite the support for Astray’s message, the competition organization decided to disqualify the photo from the IA category out of respect for the other participants. “I fully agree with the decision,” Astray said, underlining the importance of transparency in a competitive environment.
