Google and picture database Fotolia will co-host EyeEm’s third Photo Hack Day next month – when there will be €20,000 in prizes up for grabs, including a trip to Paris. The 24-hour event is once again taking place amongst the shipping containers at the innovative Platoon Kunsthalle venue.
It will see developers, designers and photographers creating new photo applications to revolutionise how we take, see and interact with images. The winning hacks at the previous event, held at the same place last September, included Picture Your Feed – a mashup of the Facebook, Getty and EyeEm APIs – and Tourist Eraser, an app to remove those annoying tourists out of pictures of famous sights.
The prizes on offer include a trip to Fotolia’s HQ in the French capital as well as iPad minis, Samsung Galaxys and Fujifilm X10 cameras, plus lenses and other photography gear. Participants will be given the chance to present their hacks to an international jury to try and claim the goodies.
Olivier Sirven is the vice CTO at Fotolia. He said: “Photo Hacking is somehow part of our DNA. We already provided the very first API stock photo library in 2005 when we launched Fotolia and count more than 4,000 API installations today. Software and coding have played a major role in helping us become Europe’s number one stock photo agency. We want to support the developer scene, see what the best developers are doing and work with the most talented people. That’s why we are co-hosting Photo Hack Day.”
Around 150 people are expected to take part on June 1-2 and there will be a sizzling BBQ to help you hack through the night. Registration is free and everyone is welcome to join for the demos on the Sunday from 1.30pm.
Ramzi Rizk, CTO of EyeEm, said: “From the beginning, our vision behind Photo Hack Day was to create an open space for people to play. You only have 24 hours, so instead of juggling around an idea for months, you actually have to nail it down and get it done. It’s a good opportunity to try out things, learn and get inspired.”
Flo Meissner is the CEO of EyEm, which has had a fantastic start to 2013 as its rival Instagram has suffered from problems largely of its own making. He said he was expecting “some of the brightest minds in tech and photography” to attend the Hack Day: “It’s not only a great opportunity for developers to show off their skills but also for designers and photographers to come and think about the future of photography – and then put their ideas into practice. I’m always amazed by what can be created in a mere 24 hours and can’t wait to see where it’s going this June.”