Ansel Adams Trust Condemns Gallerist's AI-Colorized Photo Sales

The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust has publicly denounced New York gallerist Peter Danziger for selling AI-colorized editions of Adams's iconic photograph "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico" (1941) at The Photography Show in April. The Trust stated Danziger never notified them and exploited Adams's name and legacy. Danziger defended the work as transformative, claiming the image is in the public domain. He displayed the AI-generated print alongside works by Hoda Afshar, Giuseppe Lo Schiavo, Seydou Keïta, Matthew Porter, and Tod Papageorge, with a wall text disclosing the AI prompt. The prints were offered in editions of 10 in three sizes; sales figures and prices were undisclosed. The Trust emphasized it does not oppose AI or creative exploration but objects to unauthorized commercial use of Adams's name. Danziger apologized for not notifying the Trust but maintained his respect for the image. AIPAD stated it is addressing the matter seriously and has established an ethics committee to update bylaws regarding AI. The controversy reflects broader tensions over generative AI's use of copyrighted material without consent.