View source for 500px

{{short description|Photo sharing website}}
{{Infobox website
| name             = 500px
| logo             = 500px logo 2016.svg
| location         = 20 Duncan Street
| founder          = [[Oleg Gutsol]]<br>Evgeny Tchebotarev
| owner            = [[Visual China Group]]
| url              = {{url|500px.com}}
| current_status   = Active
| company_type     = [[Subsidiary]]
| area_served      = Worldwide
| num_employees    = 35<ref>{{Cite web|title = Meet our team| url = https://about.500px.com/team/| website = 500px|access-date = 2019-05-08}}</ref>
| location_country = Canada
|location_city     = [[Toronto]], Ontario
| launch_date      = {{start date and age|2009|10|31}}
| website_type     = [[Social Networking]]
}}
'''500px''' (pronounced "five hundred px") is a global online photo-sharing platform that is a subsidiary of [[Visual China Group]]. It is based in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], [[Canada]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Bonnington, Christina|url= https://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/8-retina-display-ipad-apps |title=8 Eye-Popping Retina Display Photography Apps for the New iPad |publisher=Wired |date=2012-03-28 |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Deubele, Simon |url=http://www.22millionenpunkte.de/500px/ |title=German Review: 500px is photography - Die Fotocommunity |publisher=22Millionenpunkte |date=2012-04-11 |access-date=2012-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107003335/http://www.22millionenpunkte.de/500px/ |archive-date=2012-11-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was co-founded by [[Oleg Gutsol]] and Evgeny Tchebotarev on October 31, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |author=Taylor, Colleen |url=https://gigaom.com/2011/10/17/500px-ipad-growth/ |title=500px, the website for photo buffs, hits its stride |publisher=Wired |date=2011-10-17 |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-date=2012-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501050845/http://gigaom.com/2011/10/17/500px-ipad-growth/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==History==
[[File:FiveHundredPixels.jpg|thumb|500px headquarters in Toronto]]
Evgeny Tchebotarev started 500px in 2003 on the social blogging website [[LiveJournal]]<ref name=Gigaom>{{cite web |author=Taylor, Colleen |url=https://gigaom.com/2011/05/17/500px/ |title=Move Over Flickr - Hot Shots Love 500px |publisher=Gigaom |date=2011-05-17 |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-date=2012-05-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504114937/http://gigaom.com/2011/05/17/500px/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> as a hobby, while he completed a business degree at [[Toronto Metropolitan University|Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University)]].<ref name=Ryerson>{{cite web |author=Ho, Trung |url=https://ryersonfolio.com/evgenytchebotarev |title=Business Management 2007: Evgeny Tchebotarev |publisher=Ryerson Folio |date=2011-09-13 |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118171329/http://ryersonfolio.com/evgenytchebotarev |archive-date=2012-01-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> At the time, 500 pixels was considered a good size for web display<ref>{{cite web |author=Dzierza, Michal |url=https://www.dzierza.com/2011/05/500px-com-where-quality-meets-simplicity/ |title=500px.com - where quality meets simplicity |publisher=Michal Dzierza |date=2011-05-09 |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-date=2012-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630053224/http://www.dzierza.com/2011/05/500px-com-where-quality-meets-simplicity/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was therefore the limit placed on photos submitted to the community for review.<ref name=Ryerson/> Once photographers submitted their photos, they were moderated, and only those of high quality would make it past the community's curators and be published on the site.<ref name=Gigaom/>
Tchebotarev joined forces with Oleg Gutsol and in early 2009,<ref name=Ryerson/> they began work on the mostly automated incarnation of 500px. Image size grew to 900 pixels but the name remained. The two launched the official site on October 31, 2009.<ref name=Gigaom/>
In 2009, the site had 1000 users, purely through word of mouth.<ref name=TheDaily>{{cite web|author=Havlik, Dan|url= http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/07/25/072511-tech-500px-1-2/ |title=Photographer-run 500px is giving Flickr a run for its money |publisher=The Daily |date=2011-07-25 |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> By late November 2012, the site had more than 1,500,000 users.<ref name=TechCrunch>{{cite web|url= https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/28/gorgeous-photos-in-your-pocket-500px-arrives-on-iphone |title= Gorgeous Photos, Now In Your Pocket: 500px Arrives On iPhone |publisher=AOL Inc. |date=2012-11-28 }}</ref>
500px's blog was named one of the best blogs of 2012, by [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://techland.time.com/2012/10/22/25-best-blogs-2012/slide/500px-blog/ | magazine=Time | title=25 Best Blogs 2012 | date=2012-10-22 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024212947/http://techland.time.com/2012/10/22/25-best-blogs-2012/slide/500px-blog/ | archive-date=2012-10-24 }}</ref>
In July 2015, the company raised $13 million in Series B funding<ref>{{Cite web|title = 500px Raises Another $13M To Take On Getty And Flickr|url = https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/21/500px-raises-another-13m-to-take-on-getty-and-flickr/|website = TechCrunch|access-date = 2015-10-22|first = Ingrid|last = Lunden| date=21 July 2015 }}</ref> led by a strategic investor, the [[Visual China Group]], and included participation from existing backers of the company.<ref>{{cite news |title=500px nixes Creative Commons option and replaces Marketplace with Getty and Visual China Group partnerships |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/01/500px-nixes-creative-commons-option-and-replaces-marketplace-with-getty-and-visual-china-group-partnerships/ |access-date=13 March 2021 |work=[[TechCrunch]]}}</ref>
In August 2015, the company launched a new version of its iOS app.<ref name="theverge.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/8/6/9104337/500px-photo-app-iphone-redesign-instagram|title=The new 500px app is a high-resolution Instagram|website=The Verge|date=6 August 2015|access-date=2015-10-22}}</ref>
In November 2016, the company launched 500px Studio, which allows brands to access custom and on-demand photography from 500px's photographers after their launch of a global photographer directory.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/500px-for-business/|title=500px for Business serves up photography on-demand for brands|date=2016-11-15|work=Digital Trends|access-date=2017-12-31|language=en-US}}</ref>
In August 2017, 500px announced support for wide-gamut images.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://petapixel.com/2017/08/25/photos-color-profiles-quickly-approaching-move-wide-gamut/|title=Photos and Color Profiles: The Quickly Approaching Move to Wide-Gamut|date=2017-08-25|work=PetaPixel|access-date=2018-02-05|language=en-US}}</ref>
In November 2017, 500px was the recipient of the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 award, which recognizes Canadian companies for their innovation, rapid revenue growth, and entrepreneurial spirit.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/ca/en/pages/press-releases/articles/Deloitte-Technology-Fast-50-winners-achieve-strong-growth-in-a-challenging-labour-market.html|title=Deloitte Technology Fast 50 winners achieve strong growth in a challenging labour market|date=2017-11-09|work=Deloitte – press release|access-date=2018-10-29|archive-date=2018-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232445/https://www2.deloitte.com/ca/en/pages/press-releases/articles/Deloitte-Technology-Fast-50-winners-achieve-strong-growth-in-a-challenging-labour-market.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On February 26, 2018, 500px was acquired by [[Visual China Group]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://petapixel.com/2018/02/26/500px-acquired-vcg-getty-images-china/|title=500px Acquired by VCG, the Getty Images of China|date=2017-08-26|last=Zhang|first=Michael|work=PetaPixel|access-date=2018-07-02|language=en}}</ref>
On July 1, 2018, [[Getty Images]] became 500px's exclusive distribution partner for licensing outside China, as per its existing agreements with VCG.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://betakit.com/500px-announces-distribution-partnership-with-getty-images/|title=500PX announces distribution partnership with Getty Images|last=Galang|first=Jessica|date=2018-06-05|work=Betakit|access-date=2018-10-29}}</ref> As a result, 500px Marketplace was shut down on June 30, 2018. The service also discontinued support for publicly-licensed images (such as [[Creative Commons]]), citing that the function was underused.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/1/17521456/500px-marketplace-creative-commons-getty-images-visual-china-group-photography-open-access|title=500px will no longer allow photographers to license their photos under Creative Commons|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-07-01}}</ref>
On July 5, 2018, 14.8 million accounts had "partial user data" (including e-mails, personal information, and hashed passwords) leaked via security breaches. 500px reported the breach in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/13/18223660/500px-security-breach-14-8-million-users-personal-information-stolen-cybersecurity|title=Personal information of 14.8 million 500px users leaked in security breach|last=Liptak|first=Andrew|date=2019-02-13|website=The Verge|access-date=2019-02-14}}</ref>
==Technology==
500px has an [[algorithm]] in place to evaluate recently uploaded photos that takes views, likes and comments into account and results in a photo's rating or 'Pulse'.<ref name=PCmag>{{cite news|author=Muchmore, Michael|url= https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400861,00.asp |title= 500px Review & Rating |publisher=PC Mag |date=2012-02-28 |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> The higher the Pulse, the more likely a photo is to reach the site's Popular page, giving it a higher chance of being seen by other users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waltman |first=Jason |date=2013-07-09 |title=My thoughts on 500px's Pulse 2.0 |url=https://www.jasonwaltman.com/blog/2013/my-thoughts-on-500px-pulse-2-0/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Jason Waltman {{!}} Photographer |language=en}}</ref> The algorithm allows all users, not just those with a following, a chance to get their work to the front page of the Popular photos, increasing exposure.<ref>{{cite web|author=Burrard-Lucas, Will|url= http://digital-photography-school.com/500px-review-giveaway |title= 500px Review [and Giveaway] |publisher=Digital Photography School |date=2011-07-23 |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref> This results in the Popular page always displaying fresh content and motivates users to regularly upload new images.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chen, Yi|url= http://www.photoble.com/startups/photo-sharing-website-review-500px |title=Photo Sharing Website Review 500px.com |publisher=Photoble |date=2011-10-05 |access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref>
Each user also has an overall rating titled "Affection". Taking into account the likes and favorites they have received across all photos, it is a reliable indication of how popular a photographer is within the community.<ref name="PCmag" />
Apps for [[iPhone]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/5349098389/500px-releases-iphone-app|title=500px releases iPhone app|last=Lodi|first=Erin|date=2012-11-28|website=Digital Photography Review|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/8207746664/500px-launches-redesigned-ios-app|title=500px launches redesigned iOS app|last=Rehm|first=Lars|date=2015-08-07|website=Digital Photography Review|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> [[iPad]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lifehacker.com/5850819/500px-for-ipad-is-a-gorgoeus-photo-browser-and-slideshow-creator|title=500px for iPad Is a Gorgeous Photo Browser and Slideshow Creator|last=Henry|first=Alan|date=2011-10-18|website=lifehacker|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> [[Android (operating system)|Android]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.androidauthority.com/500px-android-app-launched-78007/|title=500px app for Android now available on the Google Play Store|last=Banerjee|first=Ankit|date=2012-04-23|website=Android Authority|access-date=2018-07-02|archive-date=2018-07-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703021815/https://www.androidauthority.com/500px-android-app-launched-78007/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Lewis, Rob |url=http://www.techvibes.com/blog/torontos-500px-continues-tear-launches-android-app-2012-04-19 |title=Toronto's 500px Continues Tear, Launches Android App |publisher=TechVibes |date=2012-04-19 |access-date=2011-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422174912/http://www.techvibes.com/blog/torontos-500px-continues-tear-launches-android-app-2012-04-19 |archive-date=2012-04-22 }}</ref> were also made for the site. Versions for [[Windows Phone 8]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/500px-officially-comes-windows-phone|title=500px officially comes to Windows Phone|last=Sabri|first=Sam|date=2013-12-19|website=Windows Central|publisher=Mobile Nations LLC|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> and [[Windows 8]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2013/09/24/500px-for-windows-8-now-available-in-the-windows-store/|title=500px for Windows 8 now available in the Windows Store|last=LeBlanc|first=Brandon|date=2013-09-24 |website=Windows Blogs|publisher=Microsoft Corporation|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> were shut down by the end of April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techprolonged.com/2015/05/500px-ends-support-for-windows-phone-and-windows-8-apps/|title=Here is why 500px ended support for Windows Phone and Windows 8 apps|last=Ali|first=Khurram|date=2015-05-01|website=Tech Prolonged|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref>
==Controversy==
On April 12, 2012, 500px's [[Terms of service|Terms of Service]] rose to the top of popular site [[Hacker News]], garnering attention for legalese on the left-hand side of the page and summing up the legalese into basic points on the right-hand side. The resulting discussion on the Terms was mixed, with positive feedback such as "awesome"<ref>{{cite web|author= Garber, Megan|url= https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/04/behold-a-terms-of-service-agreement-that-is-actually-user-friendly/255803/ |title=Behold, a Terms of Service Agreement That Is Actually User-Friendly |publisher=The Atlantic |date=2012-04-11 |access-date=2011-10-25}}</ref> and "one of the cleanest in the industry"<ref>{{cite web |author=Bourne, Scott |url=http://photofocus.com/2011/07/12/500px-mini-review/ |title=500px Mini Review |publisher=Photofocus |date=2011-07-12 |access-date=2011-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111023185304/http://photofocus.com/2011/07/12/500px-mini-review/ |archive-date=2011-10-23 }}</ref> alongside negative feedback that believes 500px may have put themselves at undue risk.<ref>{{cite web |author=Thomas, Knowlton |url=http://www.techvibes.com/blog/toronto-startup-500px-ignites-controversy-over-tos-is-it-helping-users-or-tricking-them-2012-04-12 |title=Toronto Startup 500px Ignites Controversy Over TOS: Is it Helping Users or Tricking Them? |publisher=TechVibes |date=2011-04-12 |access-date=2011-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123083319/http://www.techvibes.com/blog/toronto-startup-500px-ignites-controversy-over-tos-is-it-helping-users-or-tricking-them-2012-04-12 |archive-date=2012-11-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On January 21, 2013, Apple removed 500px's iPad app from its store, citing concerns of nudity available via the app.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joanna|first=Stern|title=Apple Removes 500px Photo App From App Store Over Nudity Complaints|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/apple-removes-500px-photo-app-app-store-nudity/story?id=18294183|access-date=2013-01-25|newspaper=ABC News|date=2013-01-23}}</ref> Apple restored the app on January 29, following the release of a new version with a "Mature 17+ rating" and a report button.<ref>{{cite news|title=500px back in Apple app store after 'porn' complaint resolved|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/500px-back-in-apple-app-store-after-porn-complaint-resolved-1.1346313|access-date=2013-01-30|newspaper=CBC|date=2013-01-29}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[List of photo sharing websites]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website}}
[[Category:Photography websites]]
[[Category:Online companies of Canada]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2009]]
[[Category:Image-sharing websites]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:Canadian subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
[[Category:2009 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:2018 mergers and acquisitions]]