When the coronavirus pandemic sparked lockdowns this spring, people around the world spent their time pursuing creative endeavors, from knitting to cooking. Online learning experienced tremendous growth, and hashtags like #IsolationCreation and #LockdownArt started trending on social media. People painted quarantine murals on their walls, formed virtual baking clubs, and, of course, organized indoor photoshoots.
Photo Stories
The coronavirus pandemic has sparked an overhaul in advertising; in fact, a spring survey from the Association of National Advertisers suggests that 92% of marketers had already adjusted their creative messaging since mid-March. Ads were pulled, and new ones were created to match the reality of the times. Amid the global crisis, more brands are
Plain white backgrounds are everywhere these days—on lifestyle blogs, magazine covers, fashion editorial spreads, subway ads, and almost every product shoot on leading marketplaces like Amazon or Google Shopping. Some trace the ubiquitous trend back to Apple’s minimalist advertising, but regardless of where this aesthetic originated, one thing is clear: it’s here to stay. Bright,
Last month we teamed up with touring music photographer, Jake Chamseddine to challenge the 500px community to show us their photos that best capture a performance. Performance photography, including music, sport, street, and everything in between, is all about capturing the emotion of the performer, the crowd, and the room and these submissions did just
Last year, the Creative Insights team at Getty Images reported that customer searches for “real people”, “real family”, and “authentic moments” went up by a whopping 218%, 678%, and 122%, respectively. In recent years, there’s been a huge push in the photography industry to highlight regular people and everyday experiences. Leading brands ranging from Bumble
One of the easiest and most effective ways to boost your success as a commercial stock photographer is to consistently shoot and upload fresh images to your Licensing portfolio; in fact, top Contributors tend to add upwards of 25 to 50 photos every week. When you’re organizing and maintaining a portfolio of hundreds of images,
500px strives to capture authentic representation within the global experience. As part of the 500px Commercial Grants program, we provide photographers with opportunities that encourage inclusivity within commercial photography. 500px is awarding a total of $5000 US in grants, to be shared amongst five photographers, as part of the Intersectional Diversity Commercial Grant. We are
Five years ago, the tourism board in Wanaka, New Zealand, invited social media influencers to visit and photograph their town—an unconventional marketing move that resulted in a whopping 14 percent increase in tourism. Today’s most-coveted—and photogenic—travel destinations aren’t always the most famous or well-known; often, they’re the most unique or hidden. It just takes the
Last month we teamed up with the amazingly talented artist, Rob Woodcox to launch the “Bodies of Light” Quest in honor of PRIDE and the BIPOC community! Today we’re excited to announce the photographer who is taking home the $1000 US grand prize as well as a selection of some of Rob’s favorite images from
Alena Sadreeva is a Russian photographer and doctor from Tver, a city northwest of Moscow. Alena’s commercial Licensing portfolio is rich with photos featuring intimate moments between couples, creative and conceptual beauty portraiture, and authentic lifestyle photography. Q: What was it that first inspired you to pick up a camera and pursue photography? A: I
500px is committed to providing photographers with opportunities to participate in evolving trends within commercial advertising. We not only want to provide an authentic look at global experiences, but redefine representation and drive inclusivity within commercial photography. To do this, we launched the 500px Commercial Grants program to help develop content representative of evolving trends
I think it’s safe to say that 2020 has thrown the world for a giant loop. A lot of us feel stressed and overwhelmed by the events unfolding right before our eyes. Working at 500px during this time has been an interesting experience to say the least. I’ve watched many 500px community members use photography
In 1951, the photographer Edward Steichen, serving as the director of MoMA’s Department of Photography, organized an exhibition devoted entirely to abstract photography. The 150 images featured in the show ranged from fine art pieces to scientific studies to light drawings, including meticulously planned compositions and works made by happy accident. Today, the individuals included
From 2013 to 2017, the number of photos taken doubled from 6 billion to 1.2 trillion—according to research, 85% of the photos taken that year came from smartphones. In the years since, the “mobile revolution” has continued to take hold of the world of photography, not only on our social media feeds but also in
From The Front Steps Project to The 6 Foot Shoot, family photographers across the United States have been using the ongoing lockdown as an opportunity to capture moments of joy and togetherness amid an uncertain time. These viral photoshoots, created from a distance, from the porch, or even through the window, have reminded us that
Pablo is a Licensing Contributor based in Argentina who has an affinity for reptiles, all things nature, and candid family moments. With over 1000 photos in the 500px commercial collection, Pablo is no stranger to the intricacies of licensing and commercial photography. Q: Argentina is home to some breathtaking scenery. You recently ventured into the
According to a recent report from Neilsen, podcasts are experiencing tremendous growth, with the US podcast audience expected to double by 2023. With as many as 62 million Americans listening to podcasts—and over 800,000 active podcasts available at our fingertips—more people than ever are turning to audio. Why are podcasts so popular? Research suggests that
From the rise of “Zoom yoga” to the boom in sales of home exercise equipment, the coronavirus pandemic and related lockdowns have transformed the fitness industry. In many parts of the world, gyms have been closed for months, but brands and individuals have adapted in surprising ways. The week of March 11-15, for example, saw
On average, LinkedIn members with profile photos get 21 times more profile views than those without—and nine times as many connection requests. These days, a good headshot can mean the difference between getting a dream job and missing out, whether we’re talking about a fashion model or an entrepreneur, and professionals across industries are realizing
Looking for a creative project to take on this summer? 500px and Collective Arts Brewing have joined forces to give photographers around the world a one-of-a-kind canvas—a beer can! This is a unique opportunity to get your PHOTO and NAME front and center on a limited edition beer can that will be in beer and
According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, 60% of couples say the style of photography is the most important thing to consider when it comes to choosing someone to document their big day. Finding the right photographer is so important, in fact, that it’s the most popular place for couples to increase their budget. Furthermore,
The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a new wave of home cooks, who are whipping up everything from handmade pasta to DIY pizza dough. According to Google Trends, interest in banana bread and brownies, “Dalgona coffee” and lasagna, and more is on the rise, as people search for new recipes to try right now. You
The 2010s might have been the decade that drones revolutionized our world, but, in so many ways, the aerial photography craze is just getting started. Earlier this year, everyone from 500px to Red Bull named drone photography as one of their top trends for 2020. In May, Dirk Dallas, the curator of the popular Instagram
According to a recent parenting survey, 30% of millennial parents have staged a photoshoot for social media. Family portraits have always had a special place in traditional photo albums, but these days, they’ve taken on a new significance. For the modern family, beautiful pictures aren’t reserved only for special occasions—they’re a part of everyday life.
Earlier in June we launched the “Bodies of Light” Quest where we teamed up with amazingly talented artist Rob Woodcox in honor of PRIDE and the BIPOC community! Together, we are challenging the community to celebrate their bodies, diversity, and the LGBTQ community with portraits that tell a compelling story about a subject—and one photographer
According to a recent survey from Prudential, conducted in April and May 2020, 63% of Americans believe that even after the country reopens, the way we work will never go back to “normal.” Almost six in ten say that they plan to change their personal behavior at work to limit contact with others, and 66%
Do you ever wonder who captured the real estate photography on your local listings and how they went about it? Real estate is a fast-paced genre of architectural photography. Once you’ve made contacts with local realtors, you could create a steady stream of income. But first, you need to master the techniques. This essential guide
As an April report from the Pew Research Center revealed, more than half of American adults say that the internet has been essential for them amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, and a significant majority (90%) say the internet has been mostly a good thing for them during this time. As brands continue to find new
This article has been sponsored by Xiaomi. Xiaomi is the world’s fourth-largest smartphone brand. They build amazing products, with reasonable prices. And now, if you’re a Xiaomi phone user, you have the chance to win $5000 US with the ShotByMi 2020 photo contest. ShotByMi 2020 encourages every Mi Fan to share their story through the
Whenever we have conversations about improving photography techniques with the 500px community, we often hear questions focused on the mechanics of photography. What type of camera and lens should I use to take the photo? What is the rule of thirds, and how did you apply it? How do I work with great models? These