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 (Color, Black & White, Annual) each accepting AI-generated images only in a dedicated AI category. The organizers reserve the right to demand proof of authorship and original files. Notable for the 2024 'flamingone' incident in which a real photograph won the AI category before the photographer revealed the deception.
- Deadline
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- Entry fee
- Per-entry fees vary by tier and contest (Color, Black & White, Annual)
Authenticity policy
AI policy
AI-generated images are not admissible in any 1839 Awards contest. However, AI-generated images are only admissible in a designated category as specified in any 1839 Awards contest. The organization reserves the right to request proof of the image not being generated by AI as well as for proof of ownership of the original files.
RAW files
The organization reserves the right to request proof of the image not being generated by AI as well as for proof of ownership of the original files.
Editing rules
1839 Awards isolates AI work in a dedicated AI category and reserves the right to demand proof of authorship and original files. A notable 2024 incident saw photographer Miles Astray's real photograph 'F L A M I N G O N E' win the AI category before disclosure - after which the organizers tightened the rule to require AI-only entries in the AI category.
Verified on June 12, 2026