Volunteers under the WikiPortraits project are dedicated to improving Wikipedia's often outdated and unflattering images of celebrities, engaging amateur photographers across the globe to document events with fresh, quality visuals.
Amateur Photographers Team Up to Revamp Wikipedia's Celebrity Images
Amateur Photographers Team Up to Revamp Wikipedia's Celebrity Images
WikiPortraits Project Aims to Combat Poor Quality Photos on the World's Most Popular Online Encyclopedia
Article Text:
Wikipedia stands as one of the most frequented websites worldwide, yet its own editors acknowledge a significant issue—poor-quality images, particularly of high-profile individuals. This situation has prompted the creation of the WikiPortraits project, formed by enthusiasts eager to enhance the online encyclopedia's visual appeal.
Despite Wikipedia's vast stock of information, many entries for notable figures feature outdated or unflattering images, drawing attention from both users and social media, which harbors accounts solely focused on sharing these lackluster photos. The challenge stems from the fact that most professional photographers are associated with major agencies, which limits access to their copyrighted work due to Wikipedia's budget constraints, as it primarily relies on volunteer contributions.
Kevin Payravi, a co-founder of WikiPortraits, expressed that the problem of subpar imagery has lingered in the minds of Wikipedia editors. While covering events like SXSW, he and co-founder Jennifer Lee set up booths to capture better portraits aimed at solving this long-standing issue. "Many people are annoyed by the bad photos and want to remedy the situation," Lee remarked.
Wikipedia has stringent regulations regarding uploaded images, insisting they must be either the contributor's own work, freely licensed, or fall within public domain constraints. This has led to a mix of amateur and enthusiast-captured images, which sometimes fall short of the mark. For instance, the page of comedian Emil Wakim once sported an image so poor that an editor opined that lacking a picture was a preferable option.
Kicking off its initiatives at the start of 2024, WikiPortraits has attracted 55 photographers who are excited to contribute their talents without any monetary rewards. Many participants are already passionate Wikipedia users and photography enthusiasts looking to expand their portfolios.
Bryan Berlin, a high school photography teacher and stand-up comedian from New York, shared his motivation for joining the project: "Providing better images enhances the informative value of Wikipedia." He emphasized the personal growth he’s experienced through the project, recounting a memorable encounter with Elijah Wood, who appreciated their efforts to update his online representation.
The project has captured images from significant events like Cannes, the Toronto Film Festival, and the Nobel Prize ceremonies, contributing to the visibility of both renowned and under-recognized figures alike. A recent highlight includes updates for John Jumper, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry whose old image has been replaced by a fresh portrait.
Co-founder Frank Sun, a filmmaker embracing photography as a side hobby, has documented various celebrities and shared his excitement about enhancing public perception. "Laetitia Dosch expressed her enthusiasm for a new photo, noting how her old one severely misrepresented her current self," he shared.
Looking ahead, WikiPortraits aims to broaden the call for photographers to cover events globally, while emphasizing the allure of high-profile red carpet events. "Our ultimate goal is to secure access to the Met Gala and the Oscars," Lee admitted, envisioning milestones that would signify their success in revolutionizing celebrity representation on Wikipedia.
Wikipedia stands as one of the most frequented websites worldwide, yet its own editors acknowledge a significant issue—poor-quality images, particularly of high-profile individuals. This situation has prompted the creation of the WikiPortraits project, formed by enthusiasts eager to enhance the online encyclopedia's visual appeal.
Despite Wikipedia's vast stock of information, many entries for notable figures feature outdated or unflattering images, drawing attention from both users and social media, which harbors accounts solely focused on sharing these lackluster photos. The challenge stems from the fact that most professional photographers are associated with major agencies, which limits access to their copyrighted work due to Wikipedia's budget constraints, as it primarily relies on volunteer contributions.
Kevin Payravi, a co-founder of WikiPortraits, expressed that the problem of subpar imagery has lingered in the minds of Wikipedia editors. While covering events like SXSW, he and co-founder Jennifer Lee set up booths to capture better portraits aimed at solving this long-standing issue. "Many people are annoyed by the bad photos and want to remedy the situation," Lee remarked.
Wikipedia has stringent regulations regarding uploaded images, insisting they must be either the contributor's own work, freely licensed, or fall within public domain constraints. This has led to a mix of amateur and enthusiast-captured images, which sometimes fall short of the mark. For instance, the page of comedian Emil Wakim once sported an image so poor that an editor opined that lacking a picture was a preferable option.
Kicking off its initiatives at the start of 2024, WikiPortraits has attracted 55 photographers who are excited to contribute their talents without any monetary rewards. Many participants are already passionate Wikipedia users and photography enthusiasts looking to expand their portfolios.
Bryan Berlin, a high school photography teacher and stand-up comedian from New York, shared his motivation for joining the project: "Providing better images enhances the informative value of Wikipedia." He emphasized the personal growth he’s experienced through the project, recounting a memorable encounter with Elijah Wood, who appreciated their efforts to update his online representation.
The project has captured images from significant events like Cannes, the Toronto Film Festival, and the Nobel Prize ceremonies, contributing to the visibility of both renowned and under-recognized figures alike. A recent highlight includes updates for John Jumper, a Nobel laureate in Chemistry whose old image has been replaced by a fresh portrait.
Co-founder Frank Sun, a filmmaker embracing photography as a side hobby, has documented various celebrities and shared his excitement about enhancing public perception. "Laetitia Dosch expressed her enthusiasm for a new photo, noting how her old one severely misrepresented her current self," he shared.
Looking ahead, WikiPortraits aims to broaden the call for photographers to cover events globally, while emphasizing the allure of high-profile red carpet events. "Our ultimate goal is to secure access to the Met Gala and the Oscars," Lee admitted, envisioning milestones that would signify their success in revolutionizing celebrity representation on Wikipedia.
