wikiphotographer

Most people that I meet on my photography adventures don't know that "taking pictures for Wikipedia" is a thing. So, when I'm out shooting, I often engage in conversations about how Wikipedia needs more photos. That's what happened this morning, when I took this image for the article "Greater white-fronted goose":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_white-fronted_goose

Please consider sharing your photos with a global audience through #Wikipedia !

#PacificFlyway #wikiphotographer #birdphotography #wikimediacommons

Greater white-fronted goose - Wikipedia

Nov 26, 2022 at 8:06pmWeb
Show threadAlex VolkovNov 26, 2022
@wikiphotographer This seems like a fun thing to do, is there an article on how to get started?
Show threadJackFromWisconsinNov 26, 2022
@avolkov @wikiphotographer It's really simple, you just take photos and upload them to https://commons.wikimedia.org/ . Then your picture will be available for people to add to articles.
Wikimedia Commons

Show threadAlex VolkovNov 26, 2022
@JackFromWisconsin @wikiphotographer Thank you, I created an account, that was easy. I should upload one of the older photos
Show threadHans A RosbachNov 26, 2022
@avolkov @JackFromWisconsin @wikiphotographer
Old or new. Both can be usefull.
Show threadAlex VolkovNov 27, 2022
@Hros @JackFromWisconsin @wikiphotographer I uploaded my first image. I hope it's useful -- https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_out_of_De_Havilland_Canada_Dash_8_flying_over_ontario.jpg
File:View out of De Havilland Canada Dash 8 flying over ontario.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Show threadwikiphotographerNov 27, 2022

@avolkov @Hros @JackFromWisconsin

Outstanding. Thanks so much for the upload!

Show threadnotbencarterNov 27, 2022
@JackFromWisconsin @wikiphotographer @avolkov I came here to ask this same question. Thanks for the info! Seems like OP was able to track uses of some of his images. Wondering how that works/what tools to use.
Show threadPerryNov 26, 2022
@wikiphotographer My family is chalk-full of wildlife photographers, one of them being an award-winning one (yes I'm bragging by proxy there), and I've tried quite a few times to get them to upload their "outtake" images—or any really—to Commons, although I was never quite able to convince them. (Though my dad might start soon now that he's retired; here's hoping!)
Show threadIron Curtain (Chiptunes)Nov 26, 2022
@wikiphotographer I donated some of my media to the commons, such as this scan of the Ukulele Lady sheet music when it entered the US public domain: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ukulele_Lady.pdf
File:Ukulele Lady.pdf - Wikimedia Commons

Show threadIron Curtain (Chiptunes)Nov 26, 2022
@wikiphotographer I also donated work I authored, such as this pic of three members of chiptune rock group Anamanaguchi: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anamanaguchi_Group_Bell_House_2009.JPG
File:Anamanaguchi Group Bell House 2009.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

Show threadIron Curtain (Chiptunes)Nov 26, 2022
@wikiphotographer This particular group photo of Anamanaguchi I took is used on a lot of non-English wiki pages: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anamanaguchi_Group_Photo.JPG
File:Anamanaguchi Group Photo.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

Show threadJulieEmeryNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer I love this idea! Thanks for sharing!
Show threadwe hunted the mastodonNov 27, 2022

@wikiphotographer

I know someone whose hobby is taking pictures of graves for wikipedia. well, one of his hobbies.

Show threadNeil KandalgaonkarNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer I used to work on the media hosting for Wikipedia. I haven’t done anything wiki-related in 10 years though
Lately I had the idea of an app which would tell you about pages requesting photos in your vicinity. Is there anything like this now?
Show threadRussell DempseyNov 27, 2022
@neilk @wikiphotographer i was just about to ask if there were a list of pages that were requesting specific pictures.
Show threadSpas KolevNov 27, 2022
@SgtPooki @neilk you can check this tool @wikiphotographer :
https://wikishootme.toolforge.org/
Show threadRussell DempseyNov 28, 2022
@spas_kolev @neilk @wikiphotographer only got a page with empty results on mobile
Show threadSpas KolevNov 28, 2022
@SgtPooki it works by showing geolocated articles close to your current location (at least by default?). If you disable geolocation on your device the result is empty. @neilk @wikiphotographer
Show threadRussell DempseyNov 28, 2022
@spas_kolev that makes sense
Show threadNeil KandalgaonkarNov 27, 2022

@SgtPooki @wikiphotographer Wikipedia has some rather messy pages for this sort of thing

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikipedia_requested_images

And you can drill down by location here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikipedia_requested_photographs_by_location

The map view of https://wikishootme.toolforge.org/ is helpful, although also a bit messy to deal with (overlapping data sets, etc)

Category:Wikipedia requested images - Wikipedia

Show threadNeil KandalgaonkarNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer Thank you, this is outstanding.
Show threadAndrew Jon ThomsonNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer I did not know that!
Show threadAppagal CrochetNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer Behind is a pale blue sky without a single cloud. In front is a beautiful goose with a closed beak with wings stretched out on the breeze. This majestic bird seems in it's face determined and resolute in its mission to get South for winter with not a single feather out of place. Soft greys, browns and dark grey wing tips fan out striking a perfect pose with the very tips stretched like fingertips gliding through the air. Oh to be as free... as a bird in flight.
Show threadEmerson NovaisNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer and it’s such an excellent photo! Congratulations!
Show threadwikiphotographerNov 27, 2022
@Novaisel Thank you!
Show threadJotadonNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer Cool. That sounds like a fun motivation. Thanks for sharing!
Show threadJames BaillieNov 27, 2022

@wikiphotographer I was actually thinking of this recently when walking in the Austrian countryside - lots of small settlements worldwide get stub articles and I bet tons of them could get pictures added.

I've not had good experiences editing Wikipedia in the past, though, which makes me reticent to invest too much time on it... there's lots I'd like to add but I've found editors far too keen to just snipe out one's work based on flimsy interpretations of the notability guidance.

Show threaddavidpbrownNov 27, 2022

@wikiphotographer

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2021/08/whiffling-art-of-flying-upside-down.html

Whiffling: The Art of Flying Upside Down

Show threadwikiphotographerNov 27, 2022
@davidpbrown Wow. I wish that was my shot :-)
Show threadZZ BottomNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer 😍
Show threadvarx/socialNov 27, 2022

@wikiphotographer Yeah! I've taken a lot of photos just to provide free-licensed illustration. Here's a wasp I photographed in Florida, for instance: https://gallery.brainonfire.net/v2/image/12497

If I'd just wanted to identify it, I could have taken a bunch of quick snaps from different angles, but I really wanted a *good* photo that showed its markings. And I did get a good shot, so now that's the photo on [[Larra bicolor]].

#12497

Show threadvarx/socialNov 27, 2022

@wikiphotographer Way back when, maybe like 15 years ago, a bunch of Wikipedians took a field trip to Washington, DC just to take photos of buildings and such that needed illustrations.

If people are interested in illustrating Wikipedia (and generally providing needed free-licensed imagery) I can recommend taking a look through https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wikipedia_requested_photographs and drilling down into the subject and location categories.

Category:Wikipedia requested photographs - Wikipedia

Show threadwikiphotographerNov 27, 2022
@varx Very cool! There are still so many species articles that don't have an image. Your photo makes a difference
Show threadMarkus Feilner (has moved)Nov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer
I have Gazillions of professional pics that I am not monetizing on. They are untagged, though. Is there a good best practice on (auto)-tagging? I would LOVE to hand them over. Most of my pics published have the CCBYSA-tag. All (of mine) should have :-)
Can you point me to the process?
Show threadAbraxas3d W5NYVNov 27, 2022

@wikiphotographer I didn't know that! Thank you so much for doing stuff like this. I've relied on Wikipedia photographs for so many different things. I might have some obscure photos that might help a few articles. I've thought about it in the past.

Do you have to sign up as an editor?

Show threadRainbowFrogNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer
woahhhh, ça c'est de la photo !!! merci pour wp 🤩
Show threadandymaticNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer Is there a category or list for “entire that need photos”?
Show threadandymaticNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer ^ entries
Show threadwikiphotographerNov 27, 2022
@andymatic I found this tool helpful: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/WikiShootMe
WikiShootMe - Meta-Wiki

Show threadandymaticNov 28, 2022
@wikiphotographer This is awesome! I think this might be our winter project here in Chicago!
Show threadwikiphotographerNov 28, 2022
@andymatic Sounds great! Please let me know if I can help in any way
Show threadSpace RogueNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer I’ve tried, but they think I’m a professional and don’t own the copyright
Show threadBen EsquivelNov 27, 2022
@wikiphotographer thank you for the inspiration and the tutorial you included. I’ve uploaded this picture now: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Afternoon_with_Ducks_in_Lake_Sammamish_State_Park.jpg
File:Afternoon with Ducks in Lake Sammamish State Park.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Show threadReni A. 🇨🇵🇨🇭🇪🇺Nov 28, 2022

@wikiphotographer

Beautiful photography !

Show threadwikiphotographerNov 28, 2022
@renia Merci beaucoup!
Show threadMike HuckaDec 14, 2022
@wikiphotographer Great idea. Do you have any tips with respect to most useful image formats, best resolution, and authorship/rights/license choices?
Show threadwikiphotographerDec 15, 2022
@mhucka Most importantly: shoot something that hasn't been covered before. There are endless opportunities for taking a photo of a subject that has a Wikipedia article, but no photo. Now, with regard to your questions: most people upload jpegs, use the highest resolution their camera can provide, and most importantly: everything under a CC-BY SA license. If you'd like to get more help, please send me a private message and we'll follow up by phone or email. I'm always happy to help!
Show threadFreddyB Aviation PhotographyDec 23, 2022
@wikiphotographer nice shot
Show threadwikiphotographerDec 23, 2022
@cvvhrn Thanks!
Show threadCarole BellDec 23, 2022

@wikiphotographer

Perfect picture!

Show threadwikiphotographerDec 23, 2022
@Carole_Bell Thanks so much! It was a perfect moment
Show threadJan HelebrantApr 7, 2023
@wikiphotographer My experience is, that even uploading to Flickr under some of the #CreativeCommons licenses is enough - the Commons users will find you! 😉
Show threadwikiphotographerApr 7, 2023
@juhele Yes, absolutely. Flickr is a better place for photographers anyway