Amateur photographers are stepping up to tackle Wikipedia's "terrible" images, particularly those of celebrities, through a project called WikiPortraits. This initiative, founded by volunteers Kevin Payravi and Jennifer Lee, aims to improve the quality of photographs used on the platform. Wikipedia, despite being one of the most visited websites globally, has been criticized for outdated or unflattering pictures, leading to dedicated social media accounts mocking them.
The lack of quality images originates from the restrictive nature of copyright, as professional photographs from film premieres are often proprietary and costly to use. WikiPortraits recruits volunteers to attend events, taking their own pictures to share on Wikipedia. So far, 55 photographers have contributed, driven by a desire to enhance information for users and build their photography portfolios.
Photographer Bryan Berlin, among the volunteers, shared that improving Wikipedia’s content allows better access to information. His interactions with celebrities, such as Elijah Wood, highlight the excitement around updating old images. The initiative has made considerable strides, with its photos being viewed around 100 million times monthly, showcasing both well-known personalities and underrepresented figures. Moving forward, WikiPortraits aims to expand by attracting more photographers and covering even more high-profile events, hoping to earn credentials for the Met Gala and Oscars.
