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500px is an online community dedicated entirely to photographs and photographers. Professional and amateur photographers can use 500 px to share their work and build a portfolio. Users can vote on their favorite photos and provide reviews, which can give a new photographer a great deal of insight into their work and how to improve. The site also encourages discussions that give users a place to ask questions, get answers and learn more about photography. The site includes many social networking features, such as friend lists and a wall to post status updates. Photographs are posted with comments and stats that include what kind of camera was used, focal length, shutter speed, aperture, ISO/film type, when it was uploaded, who owns the copyright and what category the image is listed in.

500 px was founded in March of 2003. The company is currently based out of Toronto, Canada and employs less than 20 individuals. The team includes Creative Director Ian Sobolev and Technical Director Oleg Gutsol. Today, many people upload and share photos with the 500px community. In its first round of funding the company raised $525K from investors like High Line Venture Capital, Deep Creek Capital and ff Venture Capital.

500px.com gives photographers a place to build up a reputation and portfolio. The site provides another outlet for users to share their work, compile collections and get opinions from others. The community includes photographers of all skill levels, which means that there is a great deal of information and insight to be found just through other users.

The 500 px website utilizes a dark grey and blue color scheme that gives it a beautiful contrast. The solid grey header at the top of each page includes links to the user’s portfolio, community photos, the search tool and social networking features. The images are presented along the left hand side of the page (spanning most of the viewing area) with stats and more tucked in along the right hand side.

A new user can join the 500 px community by clicking the white “Sign Up” link in the upper, right hand corner of the site. Doing so takes the user to the registration form. A blue and white button that reads “Login with Facebook” is available for users who prefer to sign up that way. Users who prefer to create a new account can fill in the form provided. The user is asked to supply a username, email address and password. A check box is automatically selected to confirm the user’s agreement with the 500 px terms of service.

New users can create a 500 px account for free. The site offers a premium paid membership option as well. The paid account costs around $50 per year. Paying members are given access to Google analytics, tech support, exclusive profile designs, iPad and iPhone features, the ability to use a custom domain (supplied by the user) and unlimited uploads and collections. Additional benefits include no ads, full image RSS feeds, custom portfolio logo and white label features.

Photographers can get the most use out of 500 px. Whether the user is an amateur or professional, they can build up a portfolio and gain notoriety within the 500 px community. The website provides a great deal of information as well as resources found through other users.

• Create a 500 px profile and portfolio
• Access 500 px for free or purchase a paid membership
• Comment on photos and receive comments and ratings
• Review technical details and stats for community posted images
• Share photographs with a large audience

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