The winning entry for 2026 — “Separated by ICE,” captured by photojournalist Carol Guzy — was announced yesterday. The harrowing photograph shows children clinging to their father after an immigration hearing. The photo had to abide by specific rules around the use of AI tools to be eligible for the competition, with the independent, nonprofit organization behind the award insisting that “AI-generated images are not photography.”

“A photograph captures light on a sensor or film,” the organization said in its entry rules. “It is a record of a physical moment.” The organization also breaks down the exact tools and equipment that are permitted to qualify:

All photographs entered into the contest must be made with a camera. No synthetic or artificially generated images are allowed, and no use of artificially generative fill is allowed in post-production. Any use of these tools will automatically disqualify the entry from the contest.

Smartphone photographs are permitted only when captured in standard shooting mode; submissions created using HDR, portrait mode, creative lighting effects, or panorama mode are not eligible.