Submissions Are Now Closed - Winners Announced!
Submissions Are Now Closed -
Winners Announced!
At the Architecture Photography Awards, we take integrity, fairness, and respect for intellectual property very seriously. Unfortunately, during this year’s edition we encountered a case of copyright violation, as a stolen photograph was submitted to our competition.
The image originally awarded 2nd Place in the category “Architecture & Human Interaction” was submitted under the title “The Inhabited Plane” by Hamidreza G. After the results were announced, we were contacted by photographer Mabel Cedrón, who identified the awarded image as her original work.
Upon investigation, we confirmed beyond any doubt that the submitted image was a manipulated version of Cedrón’s photograph. The manipulation involved the removal of certain details, but the subject, composition, and framing were identical.
To see the original photo by Mabel Cedrón please visit her website https://mabelcedron.myportfolio.com or her Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/mabelcf_
Immediate Actions Taken
Communication with the Participant
We contacted Hamidreza to give him the opportunity to explain himself. In writing, he admitted that the photograph did not belong to him and apologized, describing the submission as an “honest mistake.” He claimed that he had saved Cedrón’s photo as a reference alongside his own work and accidentally submitted it.
We do not find this explanation credible. The deliberate alterations, the new title and description, and the fact that time and effort clearly went into preparing the submission contradict the notion of an accident.
Mabel Cedrón’s Response
We offered Mabel Cedrón the opportunity to accept the award herself. However, she respectfully declined, stating that she did not feel comfortable accepting the award under these circumstances, as the photo had been altered (though only slightly) and she had not submitted it herself.
As a result, all runner-ups in the category have been elevated by one placement, ensuring a fair redistribution of awards and guaranteeing that the rightful photographers receive the recognition they have earned.
We would like to sincerely thank Mabel Cedrón for bringing this to our attention and for her professionalism throughout the process. Her dedication to fairness and respect within the photographic community deserves recognition.
“I want to thank the organizers of the contest for the professionalism, speed, and diligence with which they reacted to such a delicate situation as the detection of a stolen photograph of mine, wrongfully submitted and awarded in the name of another person. Their immediate response was exemplary and made me feel supported. It is important to remember that there must be zero tolerance toward this kind of unlawful conduct, which not only violates copyright but also undermines the work, professionalism, and reputation of those of us who dedicate ourselves to creation"
Our Commitment
At the Architecture Photography Awards, we value community and respect above all else. We believe in true creativity, originality, and the recognition of hard work and dedication to the craft. For this reason, we stand firmly against the theft of intellectual property as well as the use of AI-generated images.
We remain committed to providing a fair, transparent, and trustworthy platform for architectural photographers worldwide.
– Architecture Photography Awards Team
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