Getty Images To Troll Flickr For Photos To Sell

If you thought the effort of loading up all your pictures onto Flickr was merely to justify that very expensive camera purchase and for narcissistic self-promotion of your photo snapping "skillz," Getty Images has just announced a deal with Yahoo that will add a little more motivation for you to post those pictures up on Flickr:

Yahoo and Getty Images said Tuesday that they have entered into a partnership under which Getty editors will comb Flickr in search of interesting images. They will then invite photographers to participate in the program and ensure that their images have the proper releases to be licensed legally. Those who are included in the program will get paid at the same rates that Getty pays photographers who are under contract with the company.

This certainly makes sense: there are some very good photographs on Flickr that would add value to Getty's portfolio, and I'm sure having someone troll through Flickr's photostreams is easier for them to do than having someone go out and solicit photographers in person or combing through the web for new content.

Of course, I could see a small backlash that might occur as the anti-copyright photographers on Flickr decry the actions of the "sell-outs" who are making deals with "the man."

We all know Flickr loves controversy. Yummy.

Great Photo on Flickr? Getty Images Might Pay You For It [Bits@NYT]
[via: BBG]