Ansel Adams trust condemns unauthorised AI colourised work

The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust has raised concerns over what it describes as the unauthorised use of Ansel Adams’s name and work in an “AI-generated colour version” of his iconic photograph Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, which was recently exhibited and offered for sale at a major international photography fair.

The work appeared at The Photography Show, presented by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), via Danziger Gallery.

The artwork, didn't have a title but was headlined A.I. GENERATED, From the prompt: Make a realistic colour version of Ansel Adams' iconic "Moonrise Over Hernandez". 

In a statement, the Trust said the work “exploited Ansel’s name, reputation, and his most iconic image, while failing to identify any human artist responsible for its creation.”

It added: “The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust was established by Ansel Adams to steward his artistic and environmental legacies, consistent with his own ethos and intentions. The Trust did not authorise, endorse, consent to, or acquiesce in the ‘AI-generated colour version’ of ‘Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico’ exhibited and offered for sale by Danziger Gallery at The Photography Show presented by AIPAD in April.”

The Trust also said it was not contacted prior to the work being shown. “The Trust was not consulted or notified before the work appeared,” it said. “Once alerted, we reached out to James Danziger in real time, notifying him of the Trust’s rights, and asking for the work to be removed.”

It further alleges that, after formal objections were raised, references to Adams’ work continued in related commercial discussions. “Correspondence shared with the Trust shows that, despite our formal notice, Mr. Danziger subsequently leveraged Ansel’s name, ‘Moonrise,’ and the AIPAD presentation while pursuing a proposed commercial AI colourisation venture involving other artists’ estates.”

While strongly objecting to the commercial use of the image, the Trust made clear its issue is not with artificial intelligence itself. “Ansel was an innovator who expanded the expressive and technical possibilities of his medium.

He was remarkably prescient about—and excited by—the potential of computers to transform photography. The Trust’s concerns are not about AI or creative experimentation in the abstract.”

Instead, it framed the dispute as one of consent and rights. “This is fundamentally about artists’ rights and moral rights—and respect for human dignity. No one should trade on another person’s name, reputation, and labor for private commercial ends without consent and candor.”

Ironically, Ansel Adams did take photos in both colour and black & white over his long career.

The Trust said it will continue to pursue the matter through appropriate channels and defend Adams’ legacy, while thanking supporters who have spoken out.

Photographer Pete Souza said he had “collaborated on this statement as a friend of the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust,” describing the situation as “morally wrong” and warning it “endangers the rights of all photographers.”

Historic photos and copyright

First published in 1942, the photograph's US copyright lapsed when the required 28-year renewal was never filed with the US Copyright Office, technically placing it in the American public domain.

Yet while the image may be free to use within the United States, Australian law does not observe old US registration formalities. Under international treaties, protection may still apply locally, meaning unauthorised publication on an Australian website remains a high risk for infringement.

Under Australian law, determining if a photograph is still protected by copyright depends entirely on a historical cutoff date: any photograph taken before 1 January 1955 has permanently entered the public domain and is completely free to use without permission.

For any image captured on or after 1 January 1955, the current standard matches other artistic works, meaning copyright endures for the life of the photographer plus 70 years from the end of the calendar year they passed away.

If the photographer is unknown, protection lasts for 70 years from when the image was first made public. It is also worth noting that while older images may be legally free of copyright, Australia enforces strict moral rights, meaning you must always attribute the original photographer and avoid any derogatory treatment or manipulation that could harm their professional reputation.

You can find out more about Australian copyright law and photography on the National Library website.