Wikipedia entries are infamous for his bad pictures – so much that there is a complete Instagram page dedicated Poor wikipedia photosHowever, a group of photographers is now working to replace it.
Wikiportraits are sending photographers to events, including the Sundons Film Festival, SXSW, and Cannes Film Festival, with the aim of updating among others, or, in some cases, making photos for Wikipedia articles that were paintings.
“Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects prioritize and need to be used independently licensed images,” explains on Wikipedrats Its website“Most published photos of notable people have press images with full copyright and non-perfect license, resulting in a significant number of autobiography with poor quality or no photo.”
And it lies that the basic reason exists on Wikipedia: Photographers who are commissioned to cover the celebrity event are usually for a photo agency who are looking to sell the pictures to magazines, websites, books, et Cetera. In short, they will apply copyright ownership of their images.
Wikipedia works opposite to the contrary. When a photographer uploads his images on Wikipedia or Wikimedia Commons, they undergo copyright and upload it with a creative common license that allows anyone to use it.
This is why WikiPtratrats are run by a group of volunteer photographers who should already have their own camera gear and often have to cover the costs of travel and housing.
“It has become like a mini photo agency that is accessible to organizations that cannot tolerate the getty image,” Jennifer 8. Lee, one of the co-founders,. Says 404 media,
Another co-founder, Kevin Pairvi, tells 404 Their priority is Wikipedia and the team will often examine the existing coverage at the site when it is closed for an event.
“If we are in a film festival, and we see people who have a Wikipedia article, but not a photo, it is going to be our priority,” they say.
More than 30 photographers have signed up to be a part of Wikipedratrats. Although it can be an unpaid gig, it is a good way to achieve celeb photography experience and for some shooters, it is a way to participate in an event of interest that they will not be found otherwise.
The team has taken thousands of pictures for free distribution who have seen millions of times on Wikipedia; Whereas news outlets around the world have used WikiPtratrate photos on articles.
A celebrity whose Wikipedia photo team has updated Succession Actor Jeremy Strong. Photographer J Dixit tells 404 media That he became strong in a program in New York City and asked him if he could take a new headshot for Wikipedia since his old. Was since 2014.
“His campaigner said no,” Dixit says. “But Jeremy said,” Wait, you are from Wikipedia? For God’s love, please take that picture down. You must be doing a service. “So he stood up and posted, and I got a shot of him.”