Magnum yearly print sale challenges the authenticity of AI

Magnum Photos has partnered with the World Press Photo Foundation for its latest square print sale, which runs until October 22.

More than 75 Magnum photographers and estates have joined 30 World Press Photo awarded photographers as part of the print sale, Written by Light, which seeks to challenge ideas of authenticity in an era of AI. 

According to Magnum, each participating photographer or estate seeks to celebrate the fundamental difference between the practice of photographers and AI-generated images: the use of light.

“Through this curation, we want to pay tribute and celebrate what really makes our photographs different from an artificially-generated image,” explains Magnum president, Cristina de Middel.

Magnum typically runs print sales a few times a year, giving members of the public access to the work of some of the most recognised photographers in history. 

The latest print sale is a collection of more than 100 images. According to Magnum, some explore the experience of being present and shooting an image — often in incredulous or unexpected circumstances. Others pay tribute to light through 'moments of transient glory.'

The partnership was inspired by several members of Magnum Photos and World Press Photo who met in the context of a working group around new labeling standards for visual journalism.

“We have partnered with Magnum Photos to honor and double down on our support for photojournalism that captures fair and accurate representations of what the photographer witnessed,” says Joumana El Zein Khoury, executive director of World Press Photo.

“I hope these images will help prompt wider discussions around the differences between AI-generated images and photography.”

Each image comes as a limited-edition 6x6" print, and is priced at $110 USD ($173 AUD).

You can see the full selection of images here.