The source doesn't matter if its still a copyright image! Especially one of Getty's which cost about $60 at least to legally use. Don't use their copyright images, please!
The amount of reward has nothing to do with whats spammy and I do hear you about microblogging but there are ways and means. The whales? lol...you're right about that. Send me some links and I will whinge at them no problem as I don't give a damn how big they are.
Point is, its still a decentralised community and we can choose our own actions. As I said, you can post and vote what you want but by accepting that, you also need to accept that people can downvote what they want.
PS The referees will hammer you for upvoting your own comments, just a tip ;-)
Take it easy fella!