If you’re an avid Wikipedia user, you’ve probably noticed that the photos of celebrities, artists, and other public figures often leave much to be desired. Sometimes, the images are of poor quality, and in worst-case scenarios, there aren’t any photos at all. This is where WikiPortraits comes in – a team of volunteer photographers on a mission to change this. They attend prominent events like the Sundance Film Festival, SXSW, and the Cannes Film Festival, capturing high-quality photos of celebrities and uploading them to Wikipedia for free use.
The WikiPortraits team aims to fill the gap in Wikipedia’s photo collection, which often consists of low-quality images or none at all. This issue arises from Wikipedia’s strict copyright policies, which prioritize free-use images. However, most celebrity photos are taken by news agencies or photographers with restrictive licenses, making them incompatible with Wikipedia’s requirements. As a result, the online encyclopedia often relies on low-quality or outdated photos.
The WikiPortraits initiative was born out of this challenge. The team, consisting mainly of volunteer photographers, works tirelessly to capture high-quality photos of celebrities and public figures. These photographers often cover their own expenses, including travel and accommodation costs, to attend events and take photos. While it may seem unfair to the photographers, this opportunity allows them to participate in exclusive events that are typically inaccessible to the general public.
So far, the WikiPortraits team has uploaded over 1,000 photos to Wikipedia, garnering millions of views. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, with some celebrities even expressing gratitude for their work. For instance, Jeremy Strong, the actor from the hit series “Succession,” was thrilled to meet a WikiPortraits photographer at an event in New York. Despite the publicist’s initial hesitation, Strong gave the photographer permission to take his photo, jokingly asking them to replace his existing Wikipedia photo.
The WikiPortraits project is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. By providing high-quality, free-use photos, they are helping to improve Wikipedia’s content and make it more engaging for users. As the team continues to grow and expand their collection, we can expect to see more impressive photos of celebrities and public figures on the online encyclopedia.
For more information on WikiPortraits and their mission, you can visit their website at WikiPortraits or check out their feature on PetaPixel.
