A new initiative called WikiPortraits seeks to address the issue of poor-quality images of notable figures on Wikipedia by bringing in amateur photographers to improve visual content.
Amateur Photographers Aim to Revitalize Wikipedia’s Image Problem
Amateur Photographers Aim to Revitalize Wikipedia’s Image Problem
Volunteers take action to improve the quality of celebrity photos on Wikipedia.
Wikipedia, one of the leading websites for information sharing, grapples with a persistent issue concerning the substandard quality of images used, especially for celebrity profiles. Many of these images are outdated or unflattering, leading to humorous online commentary and dedicated Instagram accounts that highlight the worst offenders. The challenge primarily stems from the fact that professional photographers, who capture high-quality images at events, typically work for agencies that retain copyright, making it costly for Wikipedia to use their work—an issue exacerbated by the platform's reliance on volunteer contributions.
Recognizing this gap, a project named WikiPortraits was initiated, aiming to recruit volunteers worldwide who can obtain accreditation to attend major events like film festivals and conventions. "Wikipedia has for the longest time had missing or poor quality photos of people," stated Kevin Payravi, one of the project’s co-founders, who, alongside Jennifer Lee, shared their insights from the SXSW festival. Lee expressed her motivation by saying, "Some people are super bothered by the terrible photos on Wikipedia, and want to save the world from them."
Despite strict copyright rules requiring contributors to submit original or freely licensed photos, WikiPortraits has taken initiative by leveraging a pool of photographers who are usually Wikipedia enthusiasts themselves. These photographers, numbering 55 so far, have been actively capturing images at various high-profile events including the Cannes and Sundance festivals.
Among the participants is Bryan Berlin, a high school photography teacher who has been involved with the project since it began in 2024. He views this venture as a way to enhance Wikipedia's value for users, emphasizing how improved photographs provide better information online. With each successful shoot, he finds his skills as a photographer sharpened, especially noting a memorable interaction with Elijah Wood, who commended their efforts to update images.
The scope of WikiPortraits continues to expand, with plans to attract more photographers globally and cover events in different countries. As they work towards garnishing access to high-profile events, Lee mused, “Our dream is to get credentials for the Met Gala and the Oscars. That’s when we know we’ve made it.” With current monthly views of their photos approaching 100 million, the project continues to make strides in uplifting the visual representation of both celebrities and under-represented figures within the Wikipedia landscape.
Recognizing this gap, a project named WikiPortraits was initiated, aiming to recruit volunteers worldwide who can obtain accreditation to attend major events like film festivals and conventions. "Wikipedia has for the longest time had missing or poor quality photos of people," stated Kevin Payravi, one of the project’s co-founders, who, alongside Jennifer Lee, shared their insights from the SXSW festival. Lee expressed her motivation by saying, "Some people are super bothered by the terrible photos on Wikipedia, and want to save the world from them."
Despite strict copyright rules requiring contributors to submit original or freely licensed photos, WikiPortraits has taken initiative by leveraging a pool of photographers who are usually Wikipedia enthusiasts themselves. These photographers, numbering 55 so far, have been actively capturing images at various high-profile events including the Cannes and Sundance festivals.
Among the participants is Bryan Berlin, a high school photography teacher who has been involved with the project since it began in 2024. He views this venture as a way to enhance Wikipedia's value for users, emphasizing how improved photographs provide better information online. With each successful shoot, he finds his skills as a photographer sharpened, especially noting a memorable interaction with Elijah Wood, who commended their efforts to update images.
The scope of WikiPortraits continues to expand, with plans to attract more photographers globally and cover events in different countries. As they work towards garnishing access to high-profile events, Lee mused, “Our dream is to get credentials for the Met Gala and the Oscars. That’s when we know we’ve made it.” With current monthly views of their photos approaching 100 million, the project continues to make strides in uplifting the visual representation of both celebrities and under-represented figures within the Wikipedia landscape.
