Crowdsourcing Photography

I have recently been exploring the ideas of ‘crowdsourcing,’ ‘open source’ and ‘mass collaboration’ on the internet. These are fascinating ideas and while many traditional businesses question their effectiveness (and profitability), I am seeing many entrepreneurs meet success using them. Whether brick-and-mortar or internet business models, mass collaboration is changing the face of modern business.

One entrepreneur in particular started an internet stock photography company in response to the difficulty of standing out amongst competitors. Check out Bruce Livingstone’s great story at iStockPhoto’s website! Initially, Bruce offered all of his stock photography online. Today, just ten years later, iStockPhoto has over 10,000 artists, both amateur and professional, contributing their own work to be browsed and bought by whoever needs it. This business is changing the stock art industry, enabling anybody to get started and connected with buyers.