In a statement on his website, Eldagsen thanked the judges for selecting his image but questioned if they even knew or suspected that it was AI-generated. According to an article written by the BBC, Eldagsen says:
“AI images and photography should not compete with each other in an award like this,” he continued. “They are different entities. AI is not photography. Therefore I will not accept the award.”
The image in question was a haunting black-and-white portrait of two women from different generations. But, as Eldagsen pointed out, “Something about this doesn’t feel right, does it?”
He wanted to bring attention to the growing use of AI in everyday life, especially in photography, where its appropriateness and utility have come into focus.
Eldagsen poses the question, is the umbrella of photography large enough to include AI generated images, too? Should these photo-realistic images generated by AI be considered as a form of ‘photography’ or should they rather be considered ‘promptography’ – a new term claimed by a Peruvian photographer who Eldagsen quoted in his discussion.
He goes on to explain that with AI’s use of prompts instead of light to create an image, the term ‘photography’ does not convey how the image was made, but ‘promptography’ does.
He goes on to quote that ‘promptography’ “learned its look from photography, but it’s different. Do we want to put it all in one basket, or would that be a mistake?”
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The World Photography Organisation recognised “the importance of this subject [AI] and its impact on image-making today” but stressed that the awards “always have been and will continue to be a platform for championing the excellence and skill of photographers and artists working in the medium.”
Eldagsen suggested donating the prize to a photo festival in Odesa, Ukraine, and the organisers suspended their activities with him and removed him from the competition in keeping with his wishes.
A new winner has since been chosen by organisers. Eldagsen’s image, which was on display at the Sony World Photography Awards exhibit, has been replaced by another image by Max Vere-Hodge. Eldagsen posted an image of himself pointing at his replacement ( in second slide below).
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The use of AI in photography has been a debated topic in recent months, and Eldagsen’s bold move has sparked even more discussion. While the creative category of the open competition welcomes various experimental approaches to image-making, the debate rages on about the role of AI in photography and whether it should be competing with human photographers.
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Feature Image: Boris Eldagsen / Sony World Photography Awards
