Content Authentication – Photographs vs AI-Generative Images

Artificial Intelligence generated image in Midjourney by Dr. Robert Ito.

 

Introduction

Generative AI is creating highly realistic synthetic images, presenting challenges for photographic organizations to distinguish these from real photographs.

This article offers guidance on detecting AI-generated images through two methods: Subjective Image Assessment and Objective Technical Analysis.

 

Key Generative AI Terms

In this article, the following terms will be introduced, and their definitions are outlined below:

  • Text-to-Image – creating images algorithmically from text prompts without original photographs.

  • Image In-painting – system feature which realistically predicts missing image elements or adds a requested element provided from the AI-generative system’s dataset of images scraped from the internet.

  • Image Out-painting – expanding the visual contents of images beyond their original dimensions.

 

Subjective Image Assessment

This type of analysis relies on human judgement to visually identify AI images inconsistencies such as:

  • The image appears excessively spectacular and lacking natural imperfections.

  • Image appears to be unrealistic.

“Unrealistic and Distorted Face” – Dream Studio AI generated by Sheldon Boles

 

  • Inconsistencies in the direction of lighting, shadows, or reflections such as the mismatched reflections in the eyes.

“Inconsistent Lighting” – NightCafe AI generated by Sheldon Boles.

 

  • A landscape that is not representative of an actual geographical location.

“Unrealistic Location” – generated by Dream Studio AI – Sheldon Boles

 

  • A closeup examination may reveal physical human oddities, such as distorted faces, the absence of blood veins in eyes, eye’s iris & public are not circular, excessively smooth skin, unnatural representation of fingers, toes or legs.

“No blood veins in Eyes” – AI-generated image by Sheldon Boles

“Unrealistic human features” – AI generated image by Sheldon Boles

  • Closely examine all the details contained within an image for the purpose of identifying unrealistic discrepancies and strange artifacts.

“Oddities contained in image” – AI generated image by Sheldon Boles.

  • Motor vehicles may seem unrealistic with other clues being license plates and vehicle identifying lettering are nonsensical.

“Unrealistic vehicle and nonsensical letter on license plate” – AI generated image by Sheldon Boles.

Many of these imperfections can be corrected by refining the generative AI prompt, employing negative prompts, and subsequently regenerating the prompt.

One major challenge for all generative AI systems that generate images and text is ensuring the text accurately reflects the visual content. Currently, some methods to add this challenge includes:

  • Using AI techniques like in-painting to replace generative text.

  • Specifying the exact text in double-quotations within the AI prompt.

  • Using a post-processing application to insert the required text into the generated image.

AI image of a movie marquee generated in Dream Studio AI by Sheldon Boles.

Humans usually excel at identifying errors or logical inconsistencies in images due to their innate ability to recognize visual patterns. However, the performance of humans is quite variable and depends on personal experience and diligence and cannot be relied upon in many instances of recognition of AI images. As technology progresses, relying on subjective image analysis to identify AI clues will become progressively even more difficult to differentiate AI-generated images from photographs. More reliable and objective methods are needed and such methods are described in the next section.

Objective Technical Analysis

These types of technical assessments evaluate images using impartial quantitative metrics to identify patterns, attributes, and anomalies. It examines distinctive features, color values, resolution, and noise. Other tools include image metadata analysis and reverse image searches. All these processes use standardized techniques for evaluating images.

Two categories of AI generative images were analyzed:

  • Generative AI text-to-image

  • Photograph enhanced with Adobe Photoshop 2024’s generative AI features (generative fill/remove elements and expand boundaries of an image)

Specific impartial metrics were used to analyze each of these two categories.

Generative AI text-to-image

For these images, two AI classifiers were selected: AI or Not and Hive AI Detection websites.

Both of these websites function as machine learning services, analyzing the surface content of images to determine whether they originated from a photograph or were generated by an AI system.

To evaluate the accuracy of these systems in detecting AI generative text-to-image creations, an image dataset was compiled, consisting of 900 rendered from nine different AI-generative text-to-image systems and 100 camera-captured images from our CAPA 2020-2021 competitions:

  • Adobe Firefly 2 text-to-image (100)
  • Dream Studio (100)
  • Meta AI (100)
  • NightCafe (100)
  • Stable Diffusion (100)
  • Bing AI (100)
  • Leonardo AI (100)
  • Midjourney (100)
  • SeaArt (100)

photographs (100) from a wide range of genres

 

With the exception for Adobe Firefly text-to-image creations, both of these detection systems exhibited a high degree of accuracy in correctly identifying photographs and Generative AI text-to-image creations:

  • AI or Not – average reliability 97%

  • Hive AI Detection – average reliability 99%

Hive AI Detection’s analysis of a Midjourney AI generated image.

 

However, these systems faced challenges in identifying Adobe Firefly text-to-image rendered images:

  • AI or Not – reliability 36%

  • Hive AI Detection – reliability 63%

Both detection systems likely encountered challenges in identifying Adobe Firefly AI images due to Firefly unique approach:

  • The primary dataset comprises genuine Adobe Stock photographs, distinguishing it from other AI generative systems that scrape elements from billions of internet photographs.
  • The dataset includes publicly available images that are no longer under copyright restrictions and from other external sources.

Combining diverse photograph sources into a unified dataset, along with leveraging Adobe’s machine learning algorithms, allows for the “automatically enhance image quality, remove imperfections, and even transform ordinary images into extraordinary works of art.”¹
Despite the photorealism, all Firefly images lacked any camera data and contained minimal metadata tag details. Some had AI inconsistencies upon closer inspection. A combination of subjective and objective analysis may be required to identify AI-generative images.

¹Usmani, Hisham. Unlocking Enhanced Experiences with Adobe Sensei AI and Machine Learning, 11 Aug. 2023, medium.com/@hishamusmani/unlocking-enhanced-experiences-with-adobe-sensei-ai-and-machine-learning-4871625b430. 

 

Photograph enhanced with Adobe’s Generative AI features

The most recent release of the 2024 version of Photoshop contains two
AI-generative features:

  • Generative Fill (in-painting) – is a generative AI tool for non-destructive image editing that leverages text prompts to populate or remove part of an image with realistic AI-generated elements without a text prompt.

  • Expand (out-painting) – uses generative AI to seamlessly augment photographs beyond their original dimensions, intelligently generating additional visual content that naturalistically matches the existing scenery.

In parallel with this introduction, Adobe also introduced them
“Content Credentials in Photoshop”² which states:

Adobe automatically applies Content Credentials to assets generated with Adobe Firefly features, such as Text to Image, Text Effects, Generative Fill, Generative Recolor, and Text to Vector Graphic. This is done as part of Adobe’s commitment to supporting transparency around the use of generative AI.
The following non-personal identifiable information is always included in Content Credentials automatically applied to assets generated with Adobe Firefly features:

  • Output thumbnail: visual thumbnail of the output; displays only for outputs generated using the Text to Image feature in the Firefly web app
  • Issuer: Adobe Inc., the organization responsible for issuing the Content Credential
  • Content summary: a notice that Adobe generative AI was used in the creation of the asset
  • App or device used: the Adobe software application or hardware device used to produce the asset
  • AI tool used: the Adobe generative AI tool used
  • Actions: the general editing and processing actions taken to produce the asset. Only “Created” or “Other edits” actions will be listed for assets generated with Adobe Firefly features.”

² Content Credentials in Adobe Firefly, Adobe Corporation, 10 Oct. 2023, helpx.adobe.com/firefly/using/content-credentials.html. 

 

For the purpose of this testing, a series of photographs were imported into Photoshop 2024. Each photograph was enhanced using one of the Firefly AI features (Generative Fill/remove & Expand). Various saving and exporting options were systematically tested.

Each original photograph and enhanced original photograph were analyzed by:

  • Using the File Info feature in the dropdown menu of Photoshop

  • Employing a metadata reader (metadata2go website) to scrutinize the detailed metadata of each image

  • Verifying the authentication and validation of the photograph and image using Adobe’s Content Credentials website

The analysis of both the original photograph and enhanced photographs revealed the following:

  • All original photograph’s camera data (camera information & shot information) was displayed in the File Info details (contained in the File dropdown menu of Photoshop 2024)

  • All original photograph’s metadata contained camera data (camera & shot information) and a listing of other details.

  • Adobe’s Content Credentials website analyzed these photographs and displayed “No Content Credentials” because no Copyright and Contact Info was established in the Photoshop 2024 application for this testing.

  • All enhanced photograph’s (Generative Fill, removal of element(s) & Expand) camera data (camera information & shot information) metadata tags were blank

  • All enhance photograph’s metadata did not contain any camera data but did include: 

          – Software Agent: Adobe Firefly

          – Title: Generated Image

          – Claim Generator: Adobe_Photoshop/25.1.0 (build 20231016.r.120 ca99df2; mac) adobe_c2pa/0.7.6 c2pa-rs/0.25.2

          – Claim Generator Info Name: Adobe_Photoshop

          – Claim Generator Info Version: 5.1.0 (build 20231016.r.120 ca99df2; mac)

  • For all the enhanced photograph’s metadata contained the Title tag with ‘Generated Image’ and associated tags were added to the enhanced photographs, regardless of whether the “Export to” metadata setting was set to “None” or “Copyright and Contact Info.” 
  • The Adobe’s Content Credentials webpage analyzed all the enhanced photographs and displayed “This image combines multiple pieces of content.  At least one was generated with an AI tool.”

 

Above analysis has shown that when Photoshop’s new AI-generative features are used, the metadata is altered. Adobe has implemented a Content Credentials system that strips camera details and adds tags like “Generative Image” to indicate AI editing.

These AI tags can be viewed using metadata tools like metadata2go.com. Uploading an image to the Adobe’s Content Credential website will provide indication if AI-generative features have been applied.

AI image generated using Dream Studio AI by Sheldon Boles.

 

Possible Area Of Confusion For Photographers

A key concern in photo post-processing is photographers removing dust spots or unwanted objects. As this article outlines, using Photoshop’s Generative Fill tool to remove an or element will result in the Adobe Content Credential algorithm processing the image as a ‘Generative Image’ resulting in the modification of the metadata tags.

To address this issue, the following guidelines may be necessary for inclusion in photo competition specifications:

  • Images that have been created or modified using specific AI generative techniques – in-painting (where AI fills in generated elements not captured by the photographer or removed elements from a photograph) or out-painting (where the AI extends beyond the original boundaries using generated elements), whether with or without text prompts, are not permitted for submission into our photo competitions. For example, these provisions apply to Photoshop 2024 AI Generative Fill, Removal of element(s) and AI Expand.
  • For all competitions, participants must retain the original image (un-retouched JPG or RAW file) with metadata intact and carry out any editing on a duplicate of the original. This ensures the preservation of the original photograph’s metadata details and the integrity of the original image content. When requested by the competition coordinator, the participant must provide a copy of the original image. Failure to provide the original image will result in having the submitted image removed from the competition.

Photographic organizations could consider informing members to refrain from using Photoshop 2024 Generative Fill for removing unwanted objects or elements. Entrants should be encouraged to use Photoshop’s Content Aware feature as an alternative method.

For the potential winning images, photography organizations could require the respective photographers to submit their original, unedited photographs. Both the original submitted photos would then be analyzed to determine what elements have been added to or removed. The original photo metadata should contain camera details and other relevant information.

These suggestions aim to strike a balance between encouraging creative editing and maintaining the authenticity and transparency of images submitted to photo competitions.

 

Conclusion

The article highlights practical techniques for identifying if an image was created or altered using generative AI. Adobe has taken the lead in developing the Content Authenticity Initiative, an open standard for certifying the source and history of media content. Their algorithm incorporates this standard and was demonstrated in the article.

The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity supports Adobe’s open standards, which will likely be adopted by the US government. As AI detection improves, the new techniques will supplement rather than replace techniques outlined in this article.

In early 2024, we plan to apply this methodology to other applications with AI image generation and editing capabilities, including Amazon’s Titan, Canva, Imagn, Luminar Neo 2023, Pixlr, and more. Rigorous testing of AI abilities remains important as the technology advances.

 

Sheldon Boles – FCAPA
CAPA Director of Competitions

 

April 2024 Competition News

Artificial Intelligence Question/Response

Question: Why is CAPA taking a firm stance against admitting AI-generative art images into CAPA competitions?

Response: The traditional definition of photography is closely tied to the process of capturing images via a camera or other light-sensitive device that records the real world. AI-generated art, despite its potential to create visually striking imagery, fundamentally differs from this process as it does directly record light from physical reality.

For the photographic community to potentially consider AI-generated art under a broader definition of “photography” as a new form of artistic expression, all concerns and issues surrounding AI generative images would need to be comprehensively addressed to their satisfaction first.

If the definition of “photography” was expanded, the only conceivable way for photographic competitions to incorporate AI-generated art would be through distinct, separate categories from the traditional camera-captured photographs. This segregation would be necessary to uphold the integrity of camera-based photography, as integrating AI art and photographed images into the same category would unfairly disadvantage the latter given the vastly different generative processes involved.

From the current perspective, it does not appear that the photographic community has plans to make accommodations for AI-generated art in competitions anytime soon, likely awaiting further resolution of outstanding issues around this new art form.

Photographs enhanced with AI-generated features occupy a ‘gray-area’ between traditional camera-captured images and purely AI-generated art. The crucial difference is that the AI-generated elements in these enhanced photographs did not originate from the photographer’s camera; instead, they were sourced from an AI’s dataset.

As photographic societies and associations consider whether to accept AI-enhanced images into their competitions, they will need to implement processes to distinguish between camera-captured photographs and those augmented with AI components. Such processes are necessary to prevent AI-generated content from unintentionally or deliberately entering and dominating competitions intended solely for traditional photography.

The implementation of these distinguishing mechanisms will depend on third-part AI detection software, as most photographic societies lack the resources to develop such tools independently.

For details on the issues surrounding AI-generative images – please see our article entitled “CAPA’s Stance on AI-Generated Images In Photo Competitions.

You can view this document here – (English) (French) 

 

Updated CAPA Eligibility Criteria Webpage

The following details have been added to our CAPA Eligibility Criteria webpage:

  • A photographer will NOT capture a screen image or photograph an image found on the internet and incorporate it in a composite image that is later submitted into our competition. All aspects of the post-processing for their submitted image were undertaken by the entrant with the exception of scanning of their negatives and printing of the image.

Toronto Digital Photography Club – April24 – Upcoming Presentation

Toronto Digital Photography Club has an Online Zoom Speaker event where guests are welcome: 


Curtis Jones (The Art of Simplicity – A Minimalist Approach to Creating Stronger Images)

 

Tue, 14 May 2024 at 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Fee: $10 

 

You can register by clicking here

Toronto Digital Photography Club invites you to download the April edition of their newsletter with the latest news and next season’s preliminary program.

FIAP Photo Academy – April24 – Upcoming Online Events

 

Wednesday May 1, 2024 at 11 am PST (Check out the correct time zone for where you live.)

Presented by the FIAP Photo Academy Online Events – Documentary Photography with Martin Parr

Martin Parr is a chronicler of our age. In the face of the constantly growing flood of images released by the media, his photographs offer us the opportunity to see the world from his unique perspective.

At first glance, his photographs seem exaggerated or even grotesque. The motifs he chooses are strange, the colours are garish and the perspectives are unusual. Parr’s term for the overwhelming power of published images is “propaganda”. He counters this propaganda with his own chosen weapons: criticism, seduction and humour. As a result, his photographs are original and entertaining, accessible and understandable. But at the same time they show us in a penetrating way that we live, how we present ourselves to others, and what we value.

Martin Parr is one of the best-known documentary photographers of his generation. With over 100 books of his own published, and another 30 edited by Parr, his photographic legacy is already established.

Parr also acts as a curator and editor. He has curated two photography festivals, Arles in 2004 and Brighton Biennial in 2010. More recently Parr curated the Barbican exhibition, Strange and Familiar.

Parr has been a member of the Magnum agency since 1994 and was President from 2013 – 2017. In 2013 Parr was appointed the visiting professor of photography at the University of Ulster.

Parr’s work has been collected by many of the major museums, from the Tate, the Pompidou and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Martin Parr established the Martin Parr Foundation in 2017.

If you haven’t seen Tim’s work before do take a look at his website:  https://www.martinparr.com/

You must register to attend using this link: https://bit.ly/3V2udlf

*Do not share this link, access is a benefit of your Individual CAPA membership.

 

MFRC Oromocto Club – April24 – Upcoming Event

The MFRC Oromocto Club’s team just started this website /online magazine for Canadian photographers who don’t have a website to be able to publish their photography: www.canadianoutdoorphotography.com

For any interest, it is free to submit.

March 2024 Competitions Update

March 2024 Competitions Update

Updated Eligibility Criteria and All Competition Editing Criteria

In order to enhance clarity regarding Artificial Intelligence, we have revised the following statements across both our CAPA Eligibility Criteria webpage and all competition editing criteria:

  • Images that involve the use of AI generative techniques like in-painting (where AI generates pixels to fill in missing parts or removes and replaces selected element from the original photograph then using replace it with pixel element from the AI’s generative dataset) or out-painting (where the AI extends the image beyond its original boundaries by generating new elements) are not permitted for submission into CAPA competitions, regardless of whether text prompts were used or not.
  • The Director of Competitions has the right to request and receive the original un-retouched JPEG or RAW file for a potential winning image in a competition for the purposes of verifying competition compliance.
  • Upon notification that their image is a potential winning entry, photographers may be required by the Director of Competitions to submit all original images, such as un-retouched JPG or RAW files, along with other image files that were integrated into the submitted image.
  • Failure to comply with the Director’s request for image files will result in the potential winning image being withdrawn from the competition and the competition results will be re-sorted.

These requirements are designed to promote transparency and validate compliance with competition’s specifications regarding image authenticity and adherence to the editing criteria. 

Furthermore, I have created a document entitled “CAPA’s Stance on AI-Generated Image in Photo Competitions.”  This document serves as a comprehensive response to numerous inquiries we have received concerning artificial intelligence in the context of oru photographic competitions.  You can view this document here – (English) (French) 

 

Competitions Now Open For Uploading Images

Images can now be opened to the following competitions:

 

Artistic Competition

Winning Images can be viewed here:

Music Competitions

Winning Images can be viewed here:

Colour Competitions

Winning Images can be viewed here:

 

Competition reports have been posted to the Competition Results.  To view them, you must log into the CAPA website and navigate to the Competition Report option located on the Competitions dropdown menu.  If the Competitions Report option is not displaced in this dropdown menu, you are not logged into the website.

 

2023 CAPA Survey Suggestions Related to Competitions and Our Responses

In a proactive approach to carefully evaluate and implement a multitude of suggestions aimed at improving our competitions and processes, we will created documents which summaries suggestions and our responses.

The following is a listing of suggestions and response which are now available for your review:

Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia – April24 – Upcoming Presentation

Celebrating its 76th year as a club, the Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia is pleased to extend an invitation to join us for our Fred & Edie Greene Speaker series. There is no charge to attend these webinars, but donations to support the speaker series are gratefully accepted.


Reality vs Artistry vs Deception with Kas Stone takes place on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 7:30 PM ADT.


Kas is a professional photographer based in Nova Scotia, where her work is inspired by the wild coastal scenery and moody weather right outside her door. Her portfolio includes an extensive list of presentations, exhibitions and publications, with several books and feature articles in Canadian and British magazines. She favours a thoughtful, project-oriented approach to photography, exploring the landscape in the context of broader environmental and human themes.

From its very beginnings almost two centuries ago, photography has sparked controversy in the art world. In recent years the tension has escalated as sophisticated tools like Photoshop and AI software push the boundaries between reality and illusion, challenging our perceptions and posing troublesome questions about the purpose and ethics of our image-making.

Many people wonder, for instance, whether authenticity should be a requirement in a photograph and how much editing is acceptable in its creation. Are deceptive images ever acceptable? Do current trends in shooting and processing make our images more artistic, or less? Do they even qualify as “photographs”?

Join us as Kas addresses these questions candidly, using examples from her extensive portfolio of “photographic art” to inspire you to think in a new way about why and how you make your own images.


To see more of her work, visit Kas’s website

You can register by clicking here

Viewpoint Gallery (1475 Bedford Highway Unit 109, Bedford, NS, B4A 3Z5) will host PGNS from April 4-28, 2024. “Guilded” is a print exhibition showcasing the diversity of genres, styles and techniques of members of the Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia.

This is an in-person event. The opening reception will be on April 4, 2024 (6-8pm) and there will be an artist talk on Sunday April 14 (2-3pm).

CAPA’s Stance on AI-Generated Images in Photo Competitions

CAPA’s Stance on AI-Generated Images in Photo Competitions

NightCafe-robot-head-sheldon Boles-2023-11-19_07-32-36

AI Generative ‘text-to-image’ Creation by Sheldon Boles

Introduction

In light of the rapid advancements in AI-generative technology and its potential implications for the integrity of photographic competitions, the Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA) has taken a proactive stance to address the use of AI-generated images and photos enhanced with AI-generative features. 

This comprehensive document outlines CAPA’s position, guidelines, and the rationale behind the organization’s approach to safeguarding the authenticity and fairness of its photographic competitions.

Why AI-Generative Images Are Not Being Accepted In Competitions?

The decision to prohibit AI-generated images in photographic competitions stems from several critical concerns that challenge the core principles of photography.

  1. Unjustified Image Scraping and Corporate Profits – AI image generators often scrape internet images without proper compensation to the original photographer or artists.  This practise raises concerns about the ethical implications of profiting from these unsuspecting image creators. By entering a prompt, the AI-generative created an image from elements contained in their AI dataset of scraped images. 
  1. Copyright Challenges – The unresolved nature of copyright issues surrounding AI-generated images underscores the need for clarity in distinguishing between “intellectual property rights” and “fair usage” within the scope of AI-generative technology.  This complexity adds legal challenges that photographic societies and associations must navigate before considering the acceptance of AI-generated content.  In the United States, several AI firms are being sued for copyright infringement and the matters are before the courts.
  1. Copyright Authorship of AI Generated Images – Creators of AI-generative images are not receiving a copyright for their AI creations.  United States Copyright Office’s “Copyright Registration Guidance: Works Containing Material Generated by Artificial Intelligence” document outlines why countries are apprehensive in issuing copyrights to AI-generated images.  Their guidance document states: 

“Based on the Office’s understanding of the generative AI technologies currently available, users do not exercise ultimate creative control over how such systems interpret prompts and generate material. Instead, these prompts function more like instructions to a commissioned artist—they identify what the prompter wishes to have depicted, but the machine determines how those instructions are implemented in its output.“

“When an AI technology determines the expressive elements of its output, the generated material is not the product of human authorship.31 As a result, that material is not protected by copyright”

The majority of photographic societies and associations require that an entrant submitting an image into their competition must hold the copyright for their submitted image. 

  1. Unfair Advantage – Accepting AI generated images in a photographic competition would create an unfair advantage, as AI algorithms are capable of producing images at a faster rate or with more precision than human photographers. 

Due to the unresolved concerns highlighted above, the recognition of AI-generated images as legitimate photographs in our competitions is contingent on the resolution of these issues.  Until then, participants submitting AI-generative images engage in fraudulent practices by presenting ineligible images for in photographic competitions, which is both deceptive and unethical.

The Majority of photographic societies and associations worldwide have adopted a firm stance, explicitly prohibiting the submission of AI-generative images and photographs enhanced with generative features. For instance, the Australian Photographic Society restricts such entries in their competitions:

Entrants must be the author of any image/s and all parts thereof submitted into an APS Competition.

All parts of the image or images must have been ‘photographed’ by the author. 

‘Content-aware Fill’ or similar modification that is entirely based on pixels in the original image/s and which does not extend the image beyond its original boundaries is ‘acceptable’.


‘Generative Fill’ or other processes that use content generated by software from written prompts or developed from the work of others is ‘not acceptable’.

Question: “Can I use Generative Fill, or similar, to create or remove an object (person, flora or fauna, building, scenery effect etc) in my image?”

  • This is not allowable if you use content generated by software from written prompts or developed from the work of others.  For example:


  • Removing an ‘unnecessary’ tree that is replaced with existing associated imagery is allowable.


  • Removing a person and replacing them with a ‘dog on a lead’ is not allowable.
    Removing the background of an existing bush scene and using text asking for a ‘beach background scene’ to be added is not allowable.


  • Using generative fill to ‘add a waterfall’ to a scene where the waterfall is not part of an image taken by the photographer is not allowable.


  • Turning a summer scene into a winter scene that introduces snow that was not part of an image taken by the photographer is not allowable.


  • It is acknowledged that this is an area of rapid change and perhaps the most contentious”

Another example reflecting a comparable stance is The International of Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), which serves as the umbrella photographic organization consisting of 94 photographic societies and associations worldwide: 

“Info 260/2023 states:

Pictures created by artificial intelligence are not allowed in salons under FIAP patronage.  Therefore, salon organizers are asked to include the following text into the regulations of their events: 

Pictures created by artificial intelligence are not allowed in this salon!  It is reminded that all parts of the image have to be photographed by the author who is holding the copyright of all works submitted. Offenders will be sanctioned for life!”

CAPA Proactive Approach To Address AI-Generative Technology

In the Fall of 2023, we updated our CAPA Eligibility to establish ‘guard-rails’ designed to address potential submission of AI-generated text-to-image and photos enhanced with AI-generative technology: 

  • For the purposes of our competitions, a photographic image is defined “as being a captured image on a light-sensitive device (e.g. film camera, digital camera, smartphone, tablet, etc…) and recorded on film or in a digital format.”
  • An artificial intelligence (AI) generated image is not deemed to be a photographic image because it was created from scratch by the AI system and contains no image captured by the photographer.  Therefore, this type of image will not be accepted into our competitions.


  • Use of AI features contained within a post processing application (e.g. masking, sharpening, de-noise, enlarging, etc…) are permitted.


  • Images that involve the use of AI generative techniques like in-painting (where AI generates pixels to fill in missing parts or removes and replaces selected element from the original photograph then using replace it with pixel element from the AI’s generative dataset) or out-painting (where the AI extends the image beyond its original boundaries by generating new elements) are not permitted for submission into CAPA competitions, regardless of whether text prompts were used or not.


  • Potential winning images may be required to have supporting images (sky, texture, etc…which must have been captured by the submitting photographer) submitted on request by the Director of Competitions.

Furthermore, the Editing Criteria for all our competitions will be revised to include the following: 

The Director of Competitions has the right to request and receive the original un-retouched JPEG or RAW file for a potential winning image in a competition for the purposes of verifying competition compliance. 

Upon notification that their image is a potential winning entry, photographers may be required by the Director of Competitions to submit all original images, such as unretouched JPG or RAW files, along with other image files that were integrated into the submitted image.

Failure to comply with the Director’s request for image files will result in the potential winning image being withdrawn from the competition and the competition results will be re-sorted.

These requirements aim to ensure transparency and verify adherence to the competition’s specifications regarding image authenticity and compliance with the editing criteria.

Artificial Intelligence Definitions 

In recent years, many photo post-processing applications have incorporated Artificial Intelligence features in their products.  The emergence of AI-generative technology has created uncertainty among photographers regarding the acceptability of different AI features. 

To bring clarity to the realm of artificial intelligence, the following definitions are provided: 

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) – This a branch of computer science dedicated to simulating human-like intelligence. 
  • Machine Learning – A subset of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning employs algorithms and statistical models to enable computers to learn and perform specific task.  Examples of AI machine learning features can be found in applications like Topaz Labs and On1 Photo Raw.
  • Deep Learning – Another subset of Artificial Intelligence, machine learning involves the use of artificial neural networks to model and understand complex patterns and associated relationships.  AI-generative technology is component of deep learning platforms.  Examples of AI-generative apps include Midjourney, Open AI, Stability AI, Dream Studio, Night Cafe, Photoshop 2024’s Generative featured, Adobe’s Firefly text-to-image, Luminar AI’s generative features. 
  • Text-To-Image – This is a feature of AI-generative applications that and involves algorithmically generating images from a given text prompt. It eliminates the necessity for an original photograph and incorporates elements using a dataset sourced from images scraped from the internet, resulting in a realistic and seamless composition. 
  • Image In-Painting – This feature where AI generates pixels to fill in missing parts or removes and replaces selected element from the original photograph then using replace it with pixel element from the AI’s generative dataset.
  • Image Out-Painting – This AI-generative technique extends the visual contents of an image beyond its original dimensions, offering an expansive view or a broader perspective. 
  • AI Rendering – The utilization of  AI-generative algorithms and models to either generate new visual imagery or enhance an existing image. 

Technology To Detect AI-Generated images 

For all potential winning images, we utilize a dedicated AI classifier model that has undergone rigorous testing by myself, demonstrating a 99% reliability in detecting AI-generative text-to-image creations.  This is AI machine learning model was trained on millions of examples, encompassing both AI-generated creations and human-captured images, and undergoes regular updates to ensure optimal performance with the latest generative engines.  This AI classifier is not available as a free application and required a paid account. 

Important to note, the AI classifier’s assessment is independent of the image’s metadata, providing a robust a comprehensive analysis.  All potential winning images are subjected to this assessment. 

Below is an example of the analysis conducted by our AI classifier. 

Screen capture of an image that has been evaluated using an AI classifier which had correctly identified the image as being an AI-generated image using Midjourney.

Technology of Photographs Enhanced with Generative Features

As a founding member of the Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) and its associated standards organization, the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), Adobe is actively collaborating with AI technology firms to establish open standards and enhance transparency regard the origins, facts, and creators of digital content.

On October 10, 2023, Adobe unveiled the official launch of the Firefly (text-to-image) AI generation website and Photoshop 2024 featuring the integration of Generative Fill and Generative Expand functionalities.  Notably, both the Firefly website and Photoshop now incorporate the advanced Firefly algorithm.

Upon activation of the Generative Fill and Generative Expand features in Photoshop 2024, the following outcomes occur: 

  • Camera detail are stripped from the image metadata.
  • A new metadata tags are created, featuring freshly created narrative labels as “Generated Image” and “Adobe Firefly.”

SPECIAL NOTE – In the Generative Fill feature, by using either the Lasso Tool or the Elliptical Marquee Tool to select a specific area, the Generative Fill menu will be triggered.  Should your objective be to eliminate a designated region in the image using Generative Fill, the Firefly algorithm will promptly mark the image’s metadata with tags “Generated Image” and “Adobe Firefly.”

Example of an element being removed with Adobe 2024 Generative Fill below. 

Screen capture example of Photoshop 2024 Generative Fill feature to remove an element from an image. 

The following screen capture illustrates an instance of what the Adobe Firefly algorithm adds to the image’s metadata when the mentioned element is excluded from the original image using Generative Fill (with or without a prompt being entered).  The alternations to the image metadata occurs upon activating both the Generative Fill and Generative Expand features.

Screen capture of metadata2go.com’s viewing of the image metadata, containing the Firefly’s addition of “Generated Image” designation from activated the Adobe 2024 Generative features.

Not all metadata readers can access the full image metadata. One free metadata which does provide access to the image metadata is https://metadata2go.com.  You may wish to become familiar with this website and check your image prior to submitting into one of our CAPA competitions.

Below is an example of an image analyzed by Adobe’s Content Credential website (https://contentcredentials.org/verify).

Screen capture from Adobe’s Content Credential website, outlining analysis of an image edited in Photoshop 2024 using the Generative Fill feature.  As indicated by the highlighted area in red, this image incorporates an element generated with an AI tool.

In our scrutiny of all potential winning images, each will undergo thorough evaluation through various verification and authentication processes.  If an image is discovered to contain the metadata tag “Generated Image,” it will be removed from the competition, the entrant will be advised and the results will be re-sorted.

In Photoshop 2024, several tools can be employed to eliminate areas of an image without triggering the Firefly algorithm.  These tools include: 

Screen capture of permitted Photoshop 2024 features for use in our photo competitions. that are permitted in our photo competitions.

What applications contain AI-generative features?

We have received numerous inquiries about other applications that incorporate AI-generative features. 

As of March 10, 2024, only two applications incorporate AI-generative technology:  

  • Adobe 2024 – details of these features are outlined above. 
  • Luminar Neo – contains – GenErase, GenSwap & GenExpand.

In CAPA photo competitions, the inclusion of AI-generative features in any photo post-processing application is not permitted. Nevertheless, various other photo post-processing applications do incorporate Artificial Intelligence (machine learning AI models) features that are allowed for use in our competitions. 

When using these accepted features, it is imperative to emphasize that these features must comply with the competition’s editing criteria, avoiding the introduction of elements to an image that the photographer did not originally capture.   

As of March 10, 2024, the following is a list of machine learning AI features which are permitted for use in our photo competitions: 

  • Luminar Neo includes tools like AI Structure, AI Sky Replacement, AI Skin Enhancer, and more that utilize machine learning algorithms to automate and enhance photo editing tasks.
  • ON1 Photo RAW includes tools like AI Auto Enhance, AI Match Batch Processing, and AI No-Noise AI which aim to streamline photo editing workflows.
  • DxO PhotoLab  includes DeepPRIME AI technology for tasks like denoising, sharpening, and PRIME deblurring powered by machine learning. 

NOTE – In August 2023 – a DXO representative stated “I asked for something simpler to fill in missing edges, like Content Aware Fill or something similar. Generative Fill AI, I don’t think is likely to come from a company like DXO for variety of reasons.”

  • Topaz Labs AI includes Gigapixel AI for upscaling images, DeNoise AI, and Sharpen AI leveraging deep learning models.

NOTE: As of January 16, 2024, Topaz Lab representative stated “we aren’t currently making use of Generative AI as of yet but I can say that this feature is being investigated by our development team for the future version of Gigapixel AI.”

Closing Comments

CAPA remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the integrity of photographic competitions and preserving the authenticity of the art form. As AI-generative technology continues to evolve, we will remain vigilant in addressing any emerging challenges or implications that may arise for our competitions. Our dedication to maintaining a clear delineation between authentic photography and AI-generated content is unwavering, ensuring a level playing field and fair competition within our esteemed photographic community.

We encourage our members and participants to stay informed and engaged as we navigate this rapidly changing landscape together. CAPA will continue to provide timely updates, guidance, and educational resources in our monthly CAPA News announcements and in our Competition News webpage. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or insights to share, please feel free to reach out to me at competitions@capacanada.ca. Your feedback and input are invaluable as we collectively strive to preserve the integrity and spirit of photographic art.

 

Sheldon Boles – FCAPA

Director of Competitions CAPA

Voices of the Silent Generation by Stella d’Entremont

Voices of the Silent Generation by Stella d’Entremont

Our very own Stella d’Entremont’s – President of CAPA – Voices of the Silent Generation, exhibition is currently on at the Musée acadien at the University of Moncton, New Brunswick. 

Following the opening of this exhibition, Stella was featured on CBC News on March 2, 2024

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/moncton-artist-exhibits-silent-generation-1.7130720

Giving ‘voice’ to the women of her mother’s generation, this exhibition is a profound celebration of culture, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of Acadian women. It is a captivating photo exhibition, shedding light on the stories and experiences of these often-silent heroines. The exhibition serves as both a visual feast and a poignant narrative, giving voice to the rich tapestry of Acadian women’s lives.

Stella had been working for over 4 years on this project and has also published an accompanying book of the same name, with photographs and interviews of 36 Acadian women from the Maritimes and Louisiana.

The collection of monochrome photographs artfully captures the essence of Acadian women—mothers, daughters, and pioneers whose stories have long been whispered by the wind but are now boldly echoed through the lens of Stella. Each frame captures a portrait and a close look at the hands of the women. It is a testament to the strength, grace, and resilience that define these women and their contributions to their communities and heritage.

The exhibition goes beyond merely showcasing images; it becomes a vessel for storytelling, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of Acadian women of a generation past.

Through her lens, Stella has given these women a platform, bringing their stories to the forefront. It is a visual testament to the power of art to break the silence, to elevate the stories of those who have been overlooked.

 

This exhibition is open until April 28, 2024, and for those who can visit Moncton, it will certainly be a visual treat. 

Congratulations to Stella on this amazing project and exhibition!

A white lady with blonde hair, wearing glasses.

A shot of walls with frames.

Follow this link for more information on the bilingual book representing the exhibition. https://www.milliepphotography.ca/store/p80/ACADIENNES.html

Toronto Camera Club – March24 and April24 – Upcoming Presentation

Hi everyone,

The Toronto Camera Club’s Talking Photography Lecture Series is now into its Spring session and here’s a listing of presenters coming up in March and April.

Note: All of these presentations are on Zoom only.

Tickets for non-Toronto Camera Club members are $10 and the links are all listed in the information below.

It looks like a terrific series – hope to see you join us.

All the info can be found on the Toronto Camera Club website under Talking Photography or by Email at: lectureserieschair@torontocameraclub.com

Cheers, Gareth Jones, TCC CAPA Rep.

Learning How to See – Lukasz Palka – 21 March 2024 – 7:30pm

This presentation will be offered in online (Zoom) format only.

Lukasz Palka is a Polish born American photographer residing, since 2008, in Japan. He is an urban photographer interested in all aspects of the Tokyo Metropolis — its people, its infrastructure, and the endless stories that unfold in the city’s streets.
He photographs in multiple genres — street photography, urban landscape, urban exploration, and others.
Though his work is varied, it is aimed at one goal: a personal portrait of a great city.

From its rooftops to its underbelly, Tokyo has fascinated him since he first arrived there nearly two decades ago. When often asked what it is about Japan or about Tokyo that he likes most, he finds it impossible to narrow it down to a single aspect – the city breaths like a living organism, energy ebbs and flows within it, while humans and traffic pump through its arteries as though propelled by a beating heart. One is easily enchanted and intoxicated by this environment of light and concrete, a stage to the dramas of life. The only way for him to comprehend and convey these notions, says Lukas, is through photography.

https://www.lkazphoto.com

Reality vs Artistry vs Deception in Photography – Kas Stone – 28 March 2024 – 7:30pm

This presentation will be offered in online (Zoom) format only.

Kas Stone is a professional photographer based in Nova Scotia, where her work is inspired by the wild coastal scenery and moody weather right outside her door.

Her portfolio includes an extensive list of presentations, exhibitions and publications, with several books and feature articles in Canadian and British magazines.

She favours a thoughtful, project-oriented approach to photography, exploring the landscape in the context of broader environmental and human themes.

https://www.kasstone.ca

Faces in the Street, Candid and Camera Aware People Photography – Monique Campbell – 04 April 2024 – 7:30pm

This presentation will be offered in online (Zoom) format only.

Monique Campbell is a humanist street photographer that aims to make story-telling images that linger with her viewers.

In addition to photographing in Hamilton where she lives, she enjoys hitting the streets in various cities across Ontario and will be on the streets of Lisbon and Porto, Portugal this January 2024.

Monique has developed a new talk Faces in the Street, Candid and Camera-Aware People Photography where she will discuss her process and give ideas on how to make photographs from a humanist approach.

Her award-winning photographs inspire beginners and experienced photographers alike. In 2023, she exhibited at over 15 juried exhibitions in Ontario and South Carolina, U.S.A. The jurors for the Women’s Art Association of Hamilton’s exhibition Perception chose her photograph Abandoned Chesterfield #2 as Best in Show at the Art Gallery of Hamilton last April. Also, Monique’s street image, Portrait of a Flemish Man placed third at the Visual Arts Mississauga exhibition, Why Do You Create?

https://www.momentsbymonique.com/home

Behind the Scenes – Alice Zilberberg – 13 April 2024 [Saturday Morning] – 11:00am

This presentation will be offered in online (Zoom) format only.

Alice Zilberberg is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning artist, recognized by curators, collectors, and art patrons across the globe. Born in the former Soviet Union, she was raised in Israel, then moved to Canada, and now resides in Tel Aviv. A graduate of Ryerson University’s Photography program, she began her artistic practice by painting: a verve which remains very present in her works. The winner of numerous prestigious competitions, her accolades include receiving the Hasselblad Masters award, as well as 1st place titles in competitions such as the International Photography Awards, the Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, and the Fine Art Photography Awards.

Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, next to renowned artists such as Ansel Adams, and Imogen Cunningham. She has been interviewed and featured in publications and platforms such as MTV, Breakfast Television, and CBC.

For over a decade, Zilberberg developed her own distinctive technique for creating her digital paintings, where photography is only the beginning of the final artwork. The works are comprised of many photographs, and carry variety of elements such as colour, toning, manipulation, and painting. She often travels across the globe to record different backgrounds and elements for her creations. Works take months to complete, with every detail meticulously inspected for perfection. With a poetic style of expression, the meanings of her images unravel through metaphor and symbolism. For the past few years, her repertoire has explored themes pertaining to nature, the human condition, and emotionality.

https://alicezilberberg.com

London Camera Club – March24 and April24 – Upcoming Presentation

March 21: J.P. Stones – Storytelling for Photographers

7-9 PM EDT (Daylight saving time)

Fee: $ 11.98

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/jp-stones-storytelling-for-photographers-tickets-760843552547?aff=oddtdtcreator

April 4: Shaun Antle – My Photographic Journey (in-person & on-line)

7-9 PM EDT (Daylight saving time)

Fee: $ 11.98
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/shaun-antle-my-photographic-journey-tickets-765415758137?aff=oddtdtcreator

April 11 Terry Parker – Wildlife – To be confirmed

7-9 PM EDT (Daylight saving time)

Fee: $ 11.98

If you have questions or require further information please contact Program Director by Email: programslondoncameraclub@gmail.com

Surrey Photography Club March-April 2024 Upcoming Presentation

FREE Online Presentation: Monday, March 25, 2024 at 7:00pm

Minimalist Photography with Judy Hancock Holland.

More info by clicking here

 

St.Catharines Photographic Club Spring 2024 Photography Seminar

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Spring Seminar with OM Ambassador Peter Baumgarten sponsored by OM SYSTEM

Date – April 20, 2024 from 9:00-4:30. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Location – Grantham M.B. Church, 469 Grantham Ave, St.Catharines, Ontario Canada

Cost: $60 Canadian – all you need to bring is a clipboard and pen. Food and drinks provided.

Schedule

Doors open at 8:00
9:00 – Into the Landscape – strategies to improve your landscape photography
10:30 – Break
11:00 – Into the Wild – Wildlife Photography Techiques
12:00 – Lunch provided in Seminar pricing
1:30 – Shoot for the Stars – techniques to improve your Astro-landscape photography
3:00 – Break
3:30 – Seeing Differently – creating more interesting compositions

Link to website for additional information by clicking here.

This video explains Peter better than words but his bio is below.

For images by Peter visit his website, his Instagram or his Facebook Page 


Who is Peter Baumgarten?


He is an award-winning professional photographer, OM SYSTEM Ambassador and educator based on Manitoulin Island where the stunning nature surrounding him inspires his work. He picked up his first camera at the age of 12 and was instantly hooked. Inspired by Canadian photographer, Freeman Patterson and his book, “The Art of Seeing” Peter is always striving to see the world in ways that most people miss.

Peter regularly leads photography courses and workshops for novice and enthusiast photographers and travels across North America as an Olympus Visionary providing lectures and seminars on landscape, wildlife, and astrophotography. As owner of Creative Island Photography, Peter has turned a life-long interest into a second career. His love of the craft has also become a great excuse to continue his other passion – exploring the great outdoors through wilderness camping, canoeing and kayaking.

Osoyoos Photography Club Exhibition

Osoyoos Photography Club are collaborating with Artists on Main for a gallery exhibition titled ‘Pixels and Paint’ March 30 to April 20, 2024 at the ART Gallery Osoyoos.

For this unique show, 12 photographers paired up with 12 painters, painting their interpretation of a selected photograph.
We will display each photo print next to the painting for this exhibition, along with other photographs from our photo club members.

Exhibition dates – March 30 to April 20, 2024
Location: ART Gallery Osoyoos
Address. 8713 Main St, Osoyoos, BC

Link to website for additional information by clicking here.

01 Merv Graf 2 - Barbara Freese
02 Randy Rotheisler 1 - Diane Zorn 'Round Midnight copy
03 Mike Fitzpatrick 3 - Jane Scheffler retired copy
04 Ian McCoan 1 - Jane Scheffler C62A7148 copy
05 Merv Graf 3 - Sandra Albo 26 Feb 2023 Aurora 8-19 PM 230226-113 X copy
Vancouver's Granville Street is lit up in lights. The city's abundant rain intensifies the colours of the light as it is reflected on the pavement.
07 Merv Graf 7 - Shirley Trites I 200614-96-B-16x16 copy
08 John Nearing 5 - Shirley Trites Fleeting Image copy
4x6 CARD Topaz GIGA DNG
10 John Nearing 1 - Shirley Trites Dream Scape copy
Previous slide
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Mississauga Camera Club Feb24. Update

Online Presentation: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024 at 7:00pm

Understanding Creativity, presented by Joe Edelman (www.joeedelman.com)

You can register by mail: MeetingGuest@MississaugaCameraClub.ca

The fee is 10.00$

 

Online Presentation: Thursday, March 07, 2024 at 7:00pm

The Message Behind the Image, presented by Jean-Francois Seguin (www.jeanfrancoisseguin.com)

You can register by mail: MeetingGuest@MississaugaCameraClub.ca

The fee is 10.00$

Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia Feb24. Update

Celebrating its 76th year as a club, the Photographic Guild of Nova Scotia is pleased to extend an invitation to join us for our Fred & Edie Greene Speaker series. There is no charge to attend these webinars, but donations to support the speaker series are gratefully accepted.

 

Monday, March 11, 2024 – Hazel Meredith (Rescheduled from December 11, 2023)

Working with Textures and Overlays – Turn Ho-Hum into a Work of Art with Hazel Meredith, APSA, HonNEC takes place on Monday, March 11, 2024 at 7:30 PM ADT. Hazel Meredith is an award-winning photographer and a sought-after teacher, speaker, and competition judge. She and her husband, Dave, produce the “Virtual Creative Photography Conference” with attendees from around the world. Hazel loves the creative aspect of photography and postprocessing, especially the use of textures and software to create unique images. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Ashbrook Award for Digital Imaging Instruction from the Photographic Society of America.
In this webinar, Hazel will discuss how to create your own textures using layers and blend modes to create a beautiful work of art.

To see more of Hazel’s work, visit her website 

You can register by clicking here

 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Atlantic Canada, the Cradle of Photography in Canada by Jeff Ward takes place on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 7:30 PM ADT.

An amateur historian and retired professional planner, Jeff Ward publishes regularly in Photographic Canadiana, the journal of the Photographic Historical Society of Canada. Since 2015 he has focused his research on identifying and documenting the photographers who were active in the four Atlantic Provinces in the first 100 years of photography – 1839 to 1939 – in an adventure he calls The Early Light Project.

This presentation will cover the first 25 years of photography [1839-1864] in the Atlantic Region (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador) and will include nationally significant events which happened in the region at this time. It will also discuss the types of photography being undertaken (covering the gamut from sun prints to albumin based emulsions), as well as some of the personalities involved.

You can register by clicking here.

February 2024 Competitions Update

February 2024 Competitions Update

Authenticity – Immediate Change To Competition Requirements

Question #1:

Why is CAPA now requiring submitted images to include full metadata, and there may be a requirement to submit all original image files with complete metadata?

The Response:

We have added the following details to all our CAPA photo competition webpages: Image Metadata Required: For all competitions: it is mandatory that your submitted image includes complete image file metadata. Alternatively, if your image is chosen as a potential winning entry, you will be required to provide the original images (e.g., un-retouched JPG or RAW files) used in developing the submitted images. Ensure that all requested files maintain the full image file metadata.

Metadata plays a crucial role in authenticating photographs, serving as a detailed record of the image creation process. It encompasses information about the camera, lenses, editing software, potential AI generative features, and even geo-location data. Consistent and comprehensive photographic metadata acts as a ‘fingerprint,’ verifying the originality of claimed photographic work.

While some photo post-processing applications allow metadata removal upon image export, most applications retain this information. Consequently, metadata requirements are generally not a concern for the majority of photographers.

In the evaluation of potential winning images, we implement stringent processes to differentiate between AI-generative images and photographs enhanced by AI generative features. These processes include, but are not limited to:

  • Entrants may be required to submit all original images contributing to the creation of the submitted image. Failure to provide the requested image files will result in having the potential winning image removed from the competition. Competition results will then be re-sorted.
  • Thorough analysis of the metadata associated with the submitted image and all contributing images.
  • Missing or manipulated metadata may raise suspicions about the image’s 100% originality.
  • Utilization of forensic analysis tools to scrutinize elements of both the submitted image and contributing images.

Application of an AI classifier with a verified reliability of 99% in detecting AI generative images.

By implementing these measures, our objective is to strike a balance between embracing innovation and new technology while upholding the core values of photographers – authenticity and creativity. This commitment ensure that winning images truly reflect the skill and artistry while at the same time maintaining the integrity of our competitions.

If you have a question or issue relating to your image and possible submission into one of our competitions, you can email me at competitions@capacanada.ca

Question #2:

If I am not permitted to use the Adobe Photoshop’s Generative Fill to remove elements in an image, what other options are available to me which are permitted?

The Response:

Unwanted elements in an image can be eliminated through various tools, such as the clone stamp tool, content-aware fill, and remove brush.

It’s essential to note a restriction due to the behavior of the Adobe Firefly algorithm in Photoshop. This algorithm alters image metadata when any generative features are activated. Specifically, when using Photoshop Generative Fill (for adding or removing elements) or the Expand feature, the Firefly AI algorithm removes camera details and introduces multiple metadata tags. One of these tags is labelled “Title” with the data value of “Generative Image.”

The new Google Bard AI/Gemini AI creates a similar metadata tag called “Credit” and has corresponding details of “Made by Google AI. ”

These added metadata tags and narrative are not accessible by EXIF Editors.

 

Ontario Zone Competition

For this competition, we received a total of 150 images (75 from 15 clubs & 98 from 50 photographers). One new camera club submitted images into this competition for the first time – Camera Club of Ottawa. In addition, 5 new photographers participated in this competition.

Winning images can be viewed here:

Two of the three judges did provide supportive comments on submitted images. These comments can be viewed here:

Quebec Zone Competition

For this competition, we received a total of 122 images (34 from 7 clubs & 88 from 46 photographers). Nine new photographers participated in this competition for the first time.

Winning images can be viewed here:

Team of judges provided supportive comments for all images submitted. These comments can be viewed here:

 

Competitions Now Open For Uploading Images

  • Atlantic Zone (closes March 30, 2024) – see competition details here
  • Prairie Zone (closes March 30, 2024) – see competition details here

 

2023 CAPA Survey Suggestions Related to Competitions and Our Responses

In a proactive approach to carefully evaluate and implement a multitude of suggestions aimed at improving our competitions and processes, we will created documents which summaries suggestions and our responses.

The following is a listing of suggestions and response which are now available for your review:

FIAP Distinctions 2024 Application Deadline

If you live in Canada and are a member of CAPA either as a member of a CAPA member club or as an individual member of CAPA and you have entered your photographs in international exhibitions/ salons you may be able to apply for a FIAP distinction. FIAP Distinctions are granted to individuals who have achieved success in international competitions/ salons, and are now almost necessary if you wish to judge internationally.

 

The closing date for all 2024 Canadian applications for FIAP Distinctions is April 1, 2024.


If you wish further information please contact David Laronde, FIAP’s Liaison Officer for Canada, at davidrlaronde@gmail.com