Carol Guzy Awarded 2026 World Press Photo of the Year for Immigration Hearing Image

Photojournalist Carol Guzy won the 2026 World Press Photo of the Year for her image 'Separated by ICE,' which depicts children clinging to their father after an immigration hearing. The announcement came on April 23, 2026, from the World Press Photo organization. Guzy captured the photograph for ZUMA Press, iWitness, and Miami Herald.

The World Press Photo is an independent, nonprofit organization that celebrates photojournalism. It defines a photograph as capturing light on a sensor or film, serving as a record of a physical moment. All entries must be made with a camera, with no synthetic or artificially generated images allowed.

AI-generated images are not considered photography by World Press Photo. The organization prohibits the use of artificially generative fill in post-production. Any use of prohibited AI tools automatically disqualifies an 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. These rules ensure that photographs remain records of physical moments without artificial alterations.

The Verge reported that the organization insists AI-generated images are not photography. It detailed the entry rules, stating, 'A photograph captures light on a sensor or film. ' The Verge also noted that smart tools or AI-powered enhancements are allowed if they do not change the image, introduce new information, or remove captured details.

Prohibited tools include AI-powered enlarging tools like Adobe Super Resolution and Topaz Photo AI, as they introduce new information. Gray areas exist for tools like denoising, automatic color/contrast adjustments, and object selection, permitted if not used extensively and without altering captured information.

The organization provides a comprehensive list of what qualifies as photo manipulation under its rules.