Chapter 1: Introduction to the Challenge

Are you out of ideas or tired of the same old images from Unsplash? If so, it's time to explore Wiki Comms!

The Wikimedia Picture of the Day Challenge, in partnership with Pitfall Publications, invites you to break away from the repetitive visuals typically found online. Many of us have encountered the same Unsplash photo repeatedly—like that familiar image of a young blonde woman in a pink dress at her desk. It seems like I've seen it countless times, and I might have even used it myself!

While Unsplash offers a great selection, it often features the same shots over and over again. Plus, since its acquisition by Getty Images in 2021, a large portion of its images now fall under the umbrella of a major visual media corporation, which holds rights to a vast collection of images worldwide.

When browsing your favorite news or sports websites, you might notice many images sourced from Getty, such as one showcasing celebrating Everton players after their victory over Liverpool (Ouch!)(BBC Sport/Getty Images).

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with Getty, their aggressive acquisition of older photographic agencies and their archives, along with their strict approach to copyright enforcement, can be concerning. (Note: I've only used a small portion of the image for educational purposes.)

You can form your own opinion about Getty, but after penning a piece about a fictional competitor to Unsplash called Uncough, I started utilizing images from Wikipedia Commons.

Why opt for Wikimedia?

Because it poses a challenge! Some of the photos available are less than appealing—like this one of a field littered with trash (Wiki Comms). However, there are hidden gems, such as an extraordinary image captured by Christian Collins that I included in my article “Death In Venezuela” (Wiki Comms).

Moreover, their Picture of the Day can serve as a fantastic source of inspiration. For instance, an image of stale baguettes in Vietnam inspired me to write the article “Paris Olympics Cancelled Due to Baguette Shortage,” which surprisingly earned me $1 million⁸ (Wiki Comms).

So, without further ado, let’s kick off the WIKIMEDIA PICTURE OF THE DAY CHALLENGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PITFALL PUBLICATIONS!

I’m being a bit theatrical because I don’t expect a large turnout, but the task is pretty straightforward if you’re up for it.

To participate, simply visit Wikipedia Commons and check out the Picture of the Day—it’s the first thing that appears on the site. Download the image and start creating! Today’s picture features a ladybird (or ladybug for those in North America)(Wiki Comms).

Each day brings a new image, so if you find yourself lacking inspiration, just head over to Wikimedia Commons and write about what you see—or even what you wish to see.

Regardless of your approach, you might produce something remarkable (or not!) that you can submit to Pitfall along with your accompanying Kicker.

WIKIMEDIA PICTURE OF THE DAY CHALLENGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PITFALL PUBLICATIONS!

Submissions are open indefinitely.

Good luck!

¹ There are no monetary rewards

² This is not a competition.

³ You will not be evaluated.

⁴ There are no winners or losers (except for you).

⁵ No terms or conditions apply.

⁶ Don’t attempt to trick me with Unsplash images.

⁷ If you find the footnotes excessive, blame Mark Suroviec, M.Ed. He started it all.

⁸ In old US dollars.

⁹ Thank you.

Chapter 2: Exploring the Videos

In this section, we will dive deeper into the multimedia resources that can enhance your creative process.

The first video titled Wikimania 2024 Day 4 - Auditorium Kyiv offers a rich visual experience, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere of the event. This video can serve as further inspiration for your writing endeavors.

Another insightful video, View it! Tool: Utilizing Structured Data on Commons for Image Discovery, presents practical tips on navigating Wikimedia Commons, enhancing your ability to find unique images for your projects.