Artificial Firmament: Eight Visions of Shanghai

Photographer

Juanyong Xiang

Category

Special Category - AI-Generated Photography

Company

East China Normal University

Submission Group

Professional

Year

2026

Country / Region:

China

This eight‑piece series is built upon real‑world Shanghai cityscape photographs I personally captured at the observation deck of Shanghai Global Harbor. AI is utilized to render eight distinct urban‑weather scenarios. Four frames portray pleasant urban visions: sunrise, fire‑cloud sunset, rainbow, and firework displays against dim night‑time city lights. The other four visualize severe‑weather scenarios: sandstorms, heat‑induced architectural distortion, heavy snow, and thunderstorms. These two groups create a striking visual contrast. Through such virtual simulation, the series reflects on real‑world climate‑change issues triggered by rapid urban development. It urges people to cherish our favourable living environment and confront various challenges stemming from the global climate crisis. All original city‑background materials are my own on‑site photographs; only the weather‑related effects are generated via the Start AI banana plugin within Adobe Photoshop.

Credits

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Professional
2026

Photographer

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Category

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Photographer

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Category

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Country / Region

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Professional
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Photographer

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Category

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Country / Region

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Photographer

Victor A Mirontschuk

Category

Special Category - Panoramic Photography

Country / Region

United States