Explanation of Terminology of Magnum Photo Agency

Magnum photo was established on 1946. The promoters were Cartier-Bresson, robert capa, David Seymour, George Rowe Jayer and Bill Vandewalt, and the following year, they opened a branch in new york, USA. Magnum became a photography cooperative because of the high quality of its members' works. This is the first photography cooperative in the world. All the members are working photographers. They choose their own editors and staff, and make policies for paying and promoting their works. The profit earned from filming is distributed according to the number of works submitted by individuals. At the end of the past 30 years, many outstanding photographers were members of Magnum. Today, the organizational structure has changed. Some young photographers who are junior members of Magnum submit their works on a commission basis.