Getty Images turns to Flickr for authentic images

Some of the photographs adorning websites, magazines, and newspapers will soon come from Flickr members. Earlier this week Getty Images, the world's largest image distributor, and Flickr announced a collaboration that will both expand Getty's online image catalog, and offer select Flickr members the chance to participate in a photo licensing program.

Getty editors will be scouring the photo-sharing community, looking for authentic images that can be used for commercial, creative, and editorial purposes. Those fortunate enough to make an impression on them will start receiving invitations to join Getty's program, which aspiring photogs may or may not find lucrative. Compensation details for Flickr members in the program have not been detailed, but Getty's CEO Jonathan Klein told the New York Times photographers typically earn between $150-$240 for rights-managed images and $50 for non-exclusive images.

So what type of photos is Getty Images looking for? In an interview with PDN Online, Mr. Klein said they were looking for images that are of the appropriate quality, saleable, creative, innovative, and that they have relevant releases attached to it. The company knows what clients are looking for, so they will search through Flickr collections until they find something they feel meets their customer's needs.

The bad news is there's not much Flickr members can do participate in the program, but wait to be discovered by Getty editors. If you're truly interested, I recommend you read Flickr's blog, and keep an eye out for future details about the program.

Want to improve your photos? Check out these articles:

A Beginner's Guide to Photo Sharing on Flickr
A handy online photography toolbox
Learn how to take candid photos
Absolute beginner digital camera tips and tricks

Disclosure: Flickr is an online service owned and offered by Yahoo!, Inc., which also owns and operates Yahoo! Tech.