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BONUS EPISODE: Boris Eldagsen: Why AI-Generated Images Aren’t Photography

Mar 12, 2025

Berlin-based artist Boris Eldagsen, known for his groundbreaking work with AI-generated images, discusses his controversial decision to refuse a prestigious photography award. He introduces 'promptography,' a term for AI-created art, and emphasizes the crucial differences between traditional photography and AI. Eldagsen argues that AI enhances, rather than replaces, artistic freedom, while surprise plays a vital role in creativity. He stresses the need for clear definitions in artistic competitions, urging the art world to adapt to new paradigms.

44:09

Creator website

Episode guests

Boris Eldagsen

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

AI enhances artistic freedom by removing physical constraints while still requiring human vision, composition, and storytelling to create meaningful art.

The distinction between photography and AI-generated art necessitates separate categories in competitions, as true photography captures light through physical means.

Deep dives

The Refusal of an Award

The artist shares his experience of winning the Sony World Photography Award while submitting an AI-generated image, prompting a unique ethical dilemma within the photography community. His decision to refuse the award stemmed from a desire to highlight the industry's need for discourse on the implications of AI in photography. His proactive approach intended to initiate a conversation about defining authenticity in art and the recognition of AI-generated works. Ultimately, the lack of engagement from the award organizers led him to publicly decline the recognition, as he sought transparency regarding the nature of his submissions.

Intro

5min

Redefining Photography: The Rise of Promptography

11min

Navigating the World of Promptography: From Basics to Inspiration

4min

The Evolving Lens: AI in Photography

20min

Embracing the Surprises of Generative AI

4min

Berlin-based artist Boris Eldagsen made headlines when he won—then refused—the Sony World Photography Awards after revealing that his winning image was AI-generated. In this special episode of Beyond the Prompt, Eldagsen takes us through his transition from traditional photography to what he calls promptography—a new category for AI-generated images.
He explores the fundamental differences between photography and AI-generated art, why clear definitions matter in creative competitions, and how AI unlocks new dimensions of artistic freedom. The conversation dives deep into the philosophical and technical aspects of AI-generated images, the role of surprise in the creative process, and what the future holds for photography in the age of AI.
If you've ever wondered where art and AI collide—or how to embrace the unexpected in your creative work—this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

AI expands artistic freedom, not replaces artists – AI removes physical limitations, allowing artists to create purely from imagination. But vision, composition, and storytelling remain essential—great art is still shaped by human experience.
Surprise fuels creativity – Whether capturing an unexpected moment in street photography or experimenting with AI-generated images, Boris believes that embracing the unpredictable is key to artistic innovation.
AI isn’t photography—it needs its own category – Boris argues that AI-generated images aren’t made with light and shouldn’t compete in photography contests. Instead, he calls for a new category—promptography—to recognize AI’s distinct creative process.

Website: boris eldagsen | photo & video art berlin
Instagram: Photomedia & AI Artist (@boriseldagsen)

00:00 Introduction to the Special Episode
00:41 Meet Boris Eldagsen: The AI Photographer
01:07 The Sony World Photography Awards Controversy
05:20 Defining Photography in the Age of AI
07:39 The Art of Promptography
12:10 Boris's Creative Process and Workflow
19:30 The Future of Photography and AI
30:53 Tips for Aspiring Promptographers
38:51 Exploring AI Tools and Techniques
41:29 Conclusion and Reflections

📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of BONUS EPISODE: Boris Eldagsen: Why AI-Generated Images Aren’t Photography |

For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:

Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelin
Jeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley

Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

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