After looking through the series of AI-generated photos depicting Cubans fleeing to the US and the commentary from viewers and followers, I wholly agree with the consensus. Brown’s creations are troubling for a variety of reasons. The value and prestige of photojournalism are deeply rooted in its human touch. When we see a photo accompanying a news piece, we know that it exists because someone dedicated their time, efforts and skill to capture that photo–be it a portrait of a local business owner or an evocative shot of a child in a war-torn region.
In this instance, Brown has removed the personality from photojournalism, despite his role in generating the images. The fact that there was no camera involved, no deliberation by a photographer or any connection between the camera and the subject makes this project fall flat.
It also strikes as somewhat tone-deaf that he would choose a topic like Cuban migration to simulate, to paint a false image of. In the same way a photographer can present a certain perspective to an audience, it is evident (and concerning) that Brown must have given certain prompts in order to generate these emphatic yet uncanny images. Not to mention his profiting from these images, with only 10% going towards charities. It all seems disingenuous and slimy, especially considering his reputation as a photojournalist.