Does 1839 Awards 2026 allow AI-generated images?

No. 1839 Awards 2026 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.

Are RAW files required to enter 1839 Awards 2026?

Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.

When is the 1839 Awards 2026 entry deadline?

Entries for 1839 Awards 2026 close on December 18, 2026.

How much does it cost to enter 1839 Awards 2026?

Per-entry fees vary by tier and contest (Color, Black & White, Annual)

Open for entries1839 Awards

1839 Awards 2026

The 1839 Awards is a New York-based photography prize named for the founding year of photography. The programme runs three contests a year. In 2026 the Color Photography Contest closed on 21 May and its winners are published, with Anne Neiwand taking first place in the professional section. The Photographer of the Year Contest closed on 19 October. The Art of Photography Contest accepts entries until the extended deadline of 18 December 2026. All three apply the same rules: AI-generated images are not admissible, and the organizers may request proof that an image was not made with AI and ownership of the original files. The 2027 Color Photography Contest is expected to open in January, following last year's calendar.

AI: ambiguous policyRAW for finalists

Deadline: December 18, 2026
Entry fee: Per-entry fees vary by tier and contest (Color, Black & White, Annual)
Opens: January 5, 2026

Official site Read full rules

Authenticity policy

AI policy

AI-generated images are not admissible in any 1839 Awards contest. We reserve the right to request proof of the image not being generated by AI as well as for proof of ownership of the original files.
Source: https://1839awards.com/contests/color-photo-contest

RAW files

We reserve the right to request proof of the image not being generated by AI as well as for proof of ownership of the original files.
Source: https://1839awards.com/contests/color-photo-contest

Editing rules

The entry eligibility section on every 2026 contest page states that AI-generated images are not admissible in any 1839 Awards contest and that the organizers may ask for proof that an image was not generated by AI and for proof of ownership of the original files. The FAQ on the same pages still says AI images are admissible only in a designated category, yet none of the 2026 contests lists such a category. The rule follows the 2024 case of Miles Astray, whose real photograph 'F L A M I N G O N E' won the AI category before he revealed it was not AI-made.

Verified on November 7, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does 1839 Awards 2026 allow AI-generated images?: No. 1839 Awards 2026 does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
Are RAW files required to enter 1839 Awards 2026?: Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.
When is the 1839 Awards 2026 entry deadline?: Entries for 1839 Awards 2026 close on December 18, 2026.
How much does it cost to enter 1839 Awards 2026?: Per-entry fees vary by tier and contest (Color, Black & White, Annual)

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