The Magnum & World Press Photo Square Print Sale: Written by Light

Magnum Photos partners with the World Press Photo Foundation for their upcoming Square Print Sale: Written by Light, which will take place this fall (October 16–22). More than 75 Magnum photographers and estates are joined by an additional 30 World Press Photo awarded photographers from around the world, and together they seek to celebrate the medium of photography through a collaborative curation of over 100 images.

Inspired by the growing number of conversations around the use of artificially-generated images online and the lack of regulation surrounding text-to-image generators, the curation for this sale — made up of one image by each participating photographer or estate — seeks to celebrate the fundamental difference between the practice of these photographers and AI-generated images: the use of light.

''Through this curation, we want to pay tribute and celebrate what really makes our photographs different from an artificially-generated image,'' explains Magnum president, Cristina de Middel. ''As photographers, we were all, at some point, seduced by light and the possibilities of capturing it in our own unique way. The time feels right to go back to our roots in the practice and reflect on the very origins of our photographic practice, to the camera obscura, and how an image is recorded by the impact of light on a surface.''



The result is a collection of more than 100 images that celebrate the act of photography. Some explore the experience of being present and shooting an image — often in incredulous or unexpected circumstances. Others pay tribute to light through moments of transient glory.

Alessandra Sanguinetti selects an image titled ''The Models,'' of Argentinian protagonists Guille and Belinda as they pose in front of a white wall with a bouquet of fresh flowers, illuminated by the rays of light coming from the window behind them. And from Sergio Larrain's archive, a flock of birds is transformed into a pattern of eerie shadows against the grey skies as they burst into flight in Trafalgar Square, London in 1959.

The partnership was inspired by several members of Magnum Photos and World Press Photo who met in the context of a working group around new labeling standards for visual journalism. ''We have partnered with Magnum Photos to honor and double down on our support for photojournalism that captures fair and accurate representations of what the photographer witnessed,'' says Joumana El Zein Khoury, executive director of World Press Photo. ''I hope these images will help prompt wider discussions around the differences between AI-generated images and photography.''

Guest photographers for this sale include previous winners of the renowned World Press Photo Contest — an annual competition that has been held since 1955 to recognize and celebrate the best photojournalism and documentary photography produced that year.

Awarded in the 2023 Contest for the Africa region, M'hammed Kilito, contributes an image of the very last group of palm trees still standing in what used to be the Tanseest Oasis in southern Morocco, from the long-term project Before It's Gone. And from Palestinian photographer Fatima Shbair, we see an image of Palestinian children gathering around soft candlelight in Beit Lahia, Gaza during a fragile ceasefire following an 11-day conflict, winner in the 2022 Contest.

Each image will be available to purchase as a limited-edition 6x6 print throughout the duration of the online sale in October. In addition, a selection of images will be exhibited at the Unseen Amsterdam Photography Fair from September 21 to 24, providing attendees with a rare opportunity to view and pre-order limited-edition prints ahead of the sale itself.




About Magnum Photos
Magnum Photos is a cooperative of acclaimed, independent photographers who share an ongoing commitment to documenting world events, people, places, daily life and culture. Founded in 1947, Magnum Photos has been telling stories of the past, defining the present, and shaping the future through photography for over 75 years, united by its values of uncompromising excellence, truth, respect and independence. With more than 6.6 million followers across the internet, and a rolling program of museum shows, exhibitions, and events across the globe, Magnum photographers continue to inspire a growing worldwide audience.
Find out more at magnumphotos.com




About the World Press Photo Foundation
World Press Photo was founded in 1955 when a group of Dutch photographers organized a contest (''World Press Photo'') to expose their work to an international audience. Since then, our mission has expanded. Our contest has grown into one of the world's most prestigious competitions, rewarding the best in photojournalism and documentary photography from around the world. Through our successful worldwide exhibition program, we present to millions of people the stories that matter. The World Press Photo Foundation is a creative, independent, nonprofit organization, based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. We appreciate the support of our strategic partners, the Dutch Postcode Lottery and PwC.
Find out more at worldpressphoto.org.