User talk:Colin/Archive/2016

Best wishes

	Happy New Year!!
	Thank you, all my best wishes... Christian Ferrer (talk) 13:53, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

Happy New Year!

Classical, but still... thank you for your work on Commons! Yann (talk) 13:36, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

challenge

Dear Colin,
Thanks for the explanation below. However, my knowledge of the English language is so bad, that I did not understand exactly what you mean.
Kind regards,--Famberhorst (talk) 16:58, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

I'm sorry but I had to remove, from the challenge, some photos of yours since they were uploaded before the challenge month. The Photo Challenge is only for newly uploaded images (and in some months, also requires newly taken images also). -- Colin (Overleg) 13:47, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

Famberhorst, I don't speak any other language. Photos for the challenge much be uploaded during the challenge month: 1st December to 31st December UTC. -- Colin (talk) 17:26, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

Happy new year!

You find this nowadays everywhere here :)

I wish you all the best, too. Take care and remain please as critical as you are. We need that! Hug Poco² 23:04, 1 January 2016 (UTC)

Happy New Year!

	Fireworks from the Philippines to celebrate 2016
	Happy New Year Colin! I hope you still do your great work in 2016! And I hope your problem with Fae gets solved. It is sad to see a great FP reviewer and a best GWToolset user having problems with each other. Commons needs both of you. ★ Poké95 03:49, 2 January 2016 (UTC)

Happy new Year

Hi Colin, I've been pretty absent the last month or so, so I just got your message: Thanks a lot and hope you had happy holidays as well! --El Grafo (talk) 11:58, 7 January 2016 (UTC)

FPC

A few hours ago, I was about to write a more confrontational response but my wife told me it was dinner time, which turned out to be a good thing because I got more reflective with some food in me. So ...

I am glad that you have used my talk page for this discussion; I wish you had expressed these concerns there earlier. Two things I want to say in response to your points:

• I can certainly understand how cultures get started and perpetuate themselves within the FPC context. I will admit that there have been a few times when I've !voted to support something that I was actually on the fence about (at best) because every other !vote up to that point was a support and I didn't feel comfortable enough opposing.

  However, I think, if there's a place to change the culture it's not so much in FPC as it is at QIC, where as I imagine you know many of the same people also nominate and review. That, to me, is where people develop their preferences that then manifest themselves in their FPC !votes.

  QIC was certainly where I learned to abhor too much visible noise. All the images I've uploaded that I took myself from summer 2013 or earlier (so far) were taken with a Kodak point-and-shoot; I had learned to clean them up a bit in Photoshop and make them look nice enough for thumbnail use in Wikipedia. But they are nowhere near as good at full res as what you get from a DSLR. I nominated those that I thought were the best for QI; as you can see from the top of my talk page some actually succeeded. But more did not, and like this one I was usually told the problem was noise, which I did not doubt and which I could see myself upon close examination. I realized that I was never going to take anything at FP-level quality until I could get my own DSLR, which I was finally able to do late in 2013. Since then, in addition to taking new images, I've been trying to reshoot some of the old ones. And probably because of that early experience, I have a strong aversion to noise in DSLR images.

• One of my goals and hopes once I started shooting with a DSLR was to produce images with it that I finally felt comfortable enough to nominate (at Wikimania 2013, Beria encouraged me to do so after looking at some of my earlier images). Perhaps I don't do it regularly ... but I have nominated my own images, as you probably have noticed, some times unsuccessfully, other times successfully (And then I've had other people nominate images I took, too, with about the same spread (I see you !voted in that last one). So believe me I know about being on the other end.

  If I don't nominate a lot of my own work, it's because I nominate only that which I would vote for as an FP myself ... and not without going through QIC first. I've uploaded a lot more than I've nominated. There's some images I would love to have been FPCs but which I looked closely at and didn't think would even make it as QIs (I love this one, but it's got a bit of shake and ringing to it, plus the background looks sort of unrealistic up top). I try to hold my own work to the same standard that I hold others' work taken under similar circumstances.

All in all, I do understand your point and I will be more circumspect in the future. Daniel Case (talk) 07:12, 6 January 2016 (UTC)

Well, yes, QIC is pretty broken when it comes to pixel peeping. Once "greatness" is not required, then the only thing people are looking for are flaws. Many of us are not experts or trained in artistic criticism. And subjective aspects like light or composition are more suited to consensus voting than having a single judge. So people tend to fixate on the technical aspects and often ignore the more important qualities of an image. Plus, I recall mattb was pretty dogmatic that images should be technically flawless at 100% (no noise at all, no CA, completely sharp) yet whether the image was actually worth looking at or using was irrelevant. So I pretty much ignore QI.

FPC has an additional clause that permits the "wow" of an image to mitigate against any technical shortcomings. Also, it is open to any image, not just user-generated. So quite a lot of images are nominated by someone other than the photographer, and that photographer may not be on Commons. On QIC there is a culture where such pixel-peeping flaws are perceived as fixable (because the user who created the image nominated it) and so those flaws are regarded as inexcusable. But on FPC we have many images we can't fix and must learn to judge as they are for what they are (rather than expecting the photographer to do better). So I think it is a better place to learn "what makes a great image". I see QIC is still fighting itself between its absolute requirements for perfection at 100% against the wish that people wouldn't downsize. You can't really have both. For example, Diliff's images are often technically perfect (leaving aside wide-angle-distortions) but he considerably downsizes his images in order that they get no pixel peeping comments and look sharp. He's got more than enough MP that nobody minds. But the consequences is that people think such perfection is natural or that if only they had a full-frame camera, or a Sony sensor, or whatever.

A 6MP image prints fine at A4 magazine. The latest 4K standard for TV/monitors is only 8MP (16:9). So I think that expecting a 24MP, 36MP or larger image to be flawless when viewed at 100% on a 100dpi monitor is making us look ridiculously petty-minded. Our cameras do not generally permit this perfection except under the most ideal of circumstances, and none of our users require it. Indeed, the world seems quite happy with the output of a smartphone downsized to a 2" x 3" on a web page. -- Colin (talk) 10:24, 6 January 2016 (UTC)

I do consider the wow of an image to mitigate against technical shortcomings (in a lot of my !votes on long-exposure nighttime or astronomical-twilight shots, I have said I have no problem with the noise at a certain level as it's inevitable under those circumstances). In the case of Frank's image of the pelican, striking as it was, I just thought there was too much even given the DoF issues there.

I suppose if I better appreciated the limitations of other people's equipment, though ... Daniel Case (talk) 19:58, 8 January 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Panoramic view north from Ben Lomond.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Panoramic view north from Ben Lomond.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:01, 11 January 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Poertschach_Johannes-Brahms-Promenade_Promenadenbad_Rutschenturm_25122015_9840_169crop.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Poertschach Johannes-Brahms-Promenade Promenadenbad Rutschenturm 25122015 9840 169crop.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:01, 13 January 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Coats Memorial Church, Paisley 2015-08-19.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Coats Memorial Church, Paisley 2015-08-19.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:01, 30 January 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Painter. Anchor Mills, former embroidery mill, Paisley.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Painter. Anchor Mills, former embroidery mill, Paisley.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:04, 30 January 2016 (UTC)

Challenge time

Hi Colin, I used this history page for Diagonals and this one for Wheels, but I see in my preference that the local time is + 1 h (Europe/Paris). Sorry for this mistake. --Doalex (talk) 19:28, 1 February 2016 (UTC)

Help me

Hi! Can you help me?... I have seen by File:COB data Germany.PNG is a bad version upoaded by a new user, because: Syrien were in Germany in 2006: 28 099 (https://www.destatis.de/DE/Publikationen/Thematisch/Bevoelkerung/MigrationIntegration/AuslaendBevoelkerung2010200137004.pdf?__blob=publicationFile page 32)... can you fix it? Fauvirt (talk) 14:59, 11 February 2016 (UTC)

Hi Fauvirt, I have checked the document you gave and it seems to support the original version, which I have reverted to. Perhaps the other user is using 2015 data and doesn't realise the map is somewhat historical. Perhaps it would be best if a newer source was found and a new map produced? If you have any problem with edit-warring on the map, then you will need to ask an admin for help (I'm not an admin). -- Colin (talk) 18:38, 11 February 2016 (UTC)

Ok. So it's perfect!  Thank you. Fauvirt (talk) 14:11, 12 February 2016 (UTC)

Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Henry Mayer, The Awakening, 1915 Cornell CUL PJM 1176 01.jpg

I thought you'd like to know that I've put up a restoration as an alternative. Sorry for the delay, but as you can imagine, an approximately 40 megapixel image does take some time to do right. Adam Cuerden (talk) 15:25, 20 February 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Paisley Abbey Ceiling.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Paisley Abbey Ceiling.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:03, 23 February 2016 (UTC)

RFC on Meta

See https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Requests_for_comment/Fair_Use_on_Commons#Discussion

This is not 'canvassing', since I don't really know what you think (and I also poked it at the VP). I suspect, however, that your opinion would be worthwhile. I'd just ask that you actually read, carefully, before giving an opinion... it's not about allowing 'fair use' files... I doubt that a file could legitimately be fair use even if allowed, and the proposal is not meant to be about files. @Jkadavoor: You, as well, would likely have something worthwhile to say.

My 'personal' interest is merely in having the rule either affirmed in it's explicit meaning (no fair use content, at all) or having the exceptions made clear. Revent (talk) 19:21, 23 February 2016 (UTC)

Thank you. Revent (talk) 23:17, 23 February 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Paisley Abbey Interior East.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Paisley Abbey Interior East.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:01, 27 February 2016 (UTC)

March 2016 Photo challenge/themes

Hi Colin, first : congratulations for these FP.

For the march themes nobody asked my opinion (as february) and I give it here Commons talk:Photo challenge. --Doalex (talk) 09:59, 29 February 2016 (UTC)

Coughing

Hi, just some words about your comment, as you explicitly mentioned me. I do actually enjoy reviewing images of other photographers, when I have time to do so (which is not frequently as it takes a lot of time, and I'm either traveling or working on my pictures), but I get tired of doing that as I get very quickly involved in problems with other users, and believe me spending time in arguing is something I definitely don't want to do. I've noticed that my expectations on a FP are higher than most of the reviewers, so, probably I am kind of tough. Still, I always try to argument why I oppose (with more elaborated comments than this one), but I don't really have the impression that the opinion of an experienced user here really counts. What counts is the direction of the vote preceding the comment. That's probably the reason, nexto to the lack of time, why it really cost me quite an effort to go through all nominations. Still, I promise to go through them this weekend and see how many new friends I will make :) Poco² 23:02, 29 February 2016 (UTC)

Just some gentle persuasion, Poco, I know we are all volunteers and how we choose to spend our precious time varies. It just seems a bit ironic that you are asking for more reviewers to make an FP when you aren't helping others get their FPs. I don't think your expectations are out of line with the serious reviewers, and there will always be folk who are upset at criticism. I do think serious reviews can change the votes and I've seen it countless times now that the direction of voting can change. In fact, I suspect many images do not get an honest review until someone opposes -- the temptation to pile-on support is too strong for many. I must be the only person here who goes up the FPC nominations list opposing images prior to making my own nomination!! So, I'm not the game of making friends just to get an easy pass. There are new faces at FPC all the time, and they learn from their peers. So we need people to be strong and not be afraid to oppose some images, even if it upsets some. You can always unwatch the nomination if you don't want to be drawn into an argument. -- Colin (talk) 08:10, 1 March 2016 (UTC)

Re:Commons:Photo challenge/2016 - March - Inside / Outside

I uploaded it on February 28 :/ 1bumer (talk) 19:25, 3 March 2016 (UTC) 1bumer, Ah! I hope you find/take some other pictures then. -- Colin (talk) 19:27, 3 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Nave Rear.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Jacek Halicki 12:45, 5 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:27, 8 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-2.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Poco a poco 20:01, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Choir Ceiling.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 21:12, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Choir.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments  Support Good quality. :-) --XRay 13:13, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-1.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Berthold Werner 15:22, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! War Memorial, Glasgow Cathedral.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments The cross bit on the dark side, but good quality.--Famberhorst 16:35, 11 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:29, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

Your account has been blocked

You have been blocked from editing Commons for 1 day. The reason for the block is edit warring + threats (block log). If you believe this block is unjustified, you may add {{Unblock}} below this message explaining clearly why you should be unblocked. For more information, see Appealing a block.

Denniss (talk) 11:09, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

@Denniss: could you please undo your block? It is bad practice to start blocking when you are clearly involved. (you took part in the edit war and the comment was made against you) This so called threath is more of a fair warning actually because of the WMF-post here (and previous and follow up posts in that section). Natuur12 (talk) 13:54, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

Kalliope said:

• "Every edit requires the contributor to accept the ToU which state that one can no longer edit [or upload content] if they have been banned."
• "Admins have no obligation to delete said content, but if they do so on the grounds of upholding the ToU, this should not be a punishable action"
• "administrators who un-delete such content may be subject to sanctions from the WMF"

Both User:Denniss and User:The Photographer are "assisting the banned user in evading their ban". There is nothing more to say.

Guys, don't wheel war over my block. If unblocked, I shall delete the text again. -- Colin (talk) 14:02, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

Now we have two admins who lifted your block and a third admin who has criticized the block. Should be sufficient to keep you unblocked, I hope. Jcb (talk) 16:49, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

Edit war at Commons:Administrators/Requests/HJ Mitchell (de-adminship)

Hi Colin, you participated in an edit war (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). This is not to be continued under any circumstances. Instead, you are free to report any inappropriate edit to COM:AN/U. Then it can be discussed and taken care of by an uninvolved admin. Regards, AFBorchert (talk) 22:35, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

AFBorchert. May I remind you that edit warring (this is one of many policies that Commons implicitly adopts) which explains clearly that "Reverting edits by banned or blocked users is not edit warring." Deleting content added by a banned user is permitted by WMF and no penalties are to result. If the situation arises again, I shall delete the content of a banned user and keep doing so should any admin or other user be foolish enough to restore it. I hope this is completely clear. Should you have a problem with this, you can take it up with WMF. Should you block me, I will take it up with WMF. I hope this is quite clear. Yesterdays edit war by Denniss, Reguyla and The Photographer should have been dealt with with swift blocks of those users. I am very disappointed in you as a 'crat. -- Colin (talk) 06:50, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

Colin, I think you're taking this too far asking for your friends in WMF to block AFBorchert. IMHO, your personal vendetta is making you commit things maybe wrong. You're a good and smart user and I respect you, I very much appreciate your photographic work, please do not take a personal vendetta to your friends. Stop it --The Photographer (talk) 16:15, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

I haven't asked "WMF to block AFBorchert" and I don't have a "personal vendetta". All users who are banned either by the community or the site owners should not be permitted to edit here. It's as simple as that. If AFBorchert wishes to enable a banned user to evade their ban, by blocking anyone who repeatedly removes the text from a banned user, then I shall of course report him. I would hope instead that he learns the definition of "edit warring" and realizes that he made a huge mistake last night. In fact, I rather hope that by failing to take action against an admin clearly abusing their tools, he recognises that being a 'crat is probably not the role for him. -- Colin (talk) 16:27, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

The Photographer, I also respect you as a photographer but am finding it hard to call you a "friend" when you throw insults at me even while I try to help you with photographs. I'm not interested in the politics of WMF-hate that you keep going on about. I find it tiresome that you keep characterising me as a "friend" or "employee" of WMF or that my issues with Russavia editing here are "a personal vendetta". You've made your point and feelings known, repeatedly, and it isn't a subject I wish to hear from you or discuss with you. Can you please restrict your conversations with me to be about taking great photographs. -- Colin (talk) 16:42, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Interior, Glasgow Cathedral - Memorial 1.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 12:35, 13 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-7.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 12:35, 13 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Interior, Glasgow Cathedral - Memorial 2.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 12:35, 13 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:29, 16 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-4.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Poco a poco 22:45, 14 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:23, 17 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Ground Floor - 1.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 19:52, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Ground Floor - 2.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Jacek Halicki 20:03, 15 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:24, 18 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Ground Floor Entrance.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Ermell 13:28, 17 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:25, 20 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Ground Floor - 3.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 04:18, 19 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-3.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Tough shot with many competing lines to keep straight. Good enough for me. Ram-Man 16:57, 18 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:28, 21 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Portrait Gallery.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. I presume, it is not centered because.... the interior on the ground floor??? --Hubertl 04:18, 19 March 2016 (UTC) Hubertl, I can't recall. Possibly I was just not careful enough to line everything up. This photo was taken while on a guided tour so I didn't have a lot of time or use of tripod vs some others of this building on the ground floor. -- Colin 14:30, 19 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:22, 22 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-5.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Nice.--Famberhorst 17:44, 20 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:16, 23 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Nelson Mandela - 1.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments  Support Good quality --Halavar 12:40, 21 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:34, 24 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Carrara Marble Staircase - 1.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Jacek Halicki 22:16, 22 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Statues.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Jacek Halicki 22:16, 22 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Carrara Marble Staircase - 3.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Jacek Halicki 22:16, 22 March 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Skylight.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Ok, convinced, QI --Poco a poco 17:03, 22 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:33, 25 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Carrara Marble Staircase - 4.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Laitche 19:34, 25 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:26, 28 March 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow Cathedral - Upper Chapter House-6.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Can you do something against the flares in the upper part of the image? --Cccefalon 12:36, 21 March 2016 (UTC) Cccefalon, I've uploaded a new version which reduces them. -- Colin 21:24, 22 March 2016 (UTC) Considering the contre-jour situation, you have my  Support for the new version. --Cccefalon 23:30, 26 March 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:25, 29 March 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:The Scoop at More London.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:The Scoop at More London.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 21:02, 30 March 2016 (UTC)

Commons:Photo challenge/2016 - February - Mailboxes/Voting

Hi Hakan,

Thanks for voting on this photo challenge. Unfortunately, you've voted incorrectly. You are only allowed one of each of 3*, 2* and 1* (but any number of 0s). You voted 3, 2, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1. Can you modify your vote please as soon as possible. Otherwise I may have to disqualify all your votes. Thanks. -- Colin (talk) 19:26, 31 March 2016 (UTC)

Hello Colin, think I have fixed it now, thanks for reminding.--HakanIST (talk) 23:28, 31 March 2016 (UTC)

You have to remove

and you have right. My mystake, sorry. Commons:Photo challenge/2016 - March - Faces in objects Assianir (talk) 18:36, 2 April 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Glasgow City Chambers - Banqueting Hall - 3.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Glasgow City Chambers - Banqueting Hall - 3.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 21:04, 2 April 2016 (UTC)

Photo challenge April...

Hi Colin! I'm back!!!

If I can remember well, we had "Long exposure photography" or something like that, some month ago, didn't we ?

Have a good weekend . --LW² \m/ ^{(Lie 2 me ...)} 20:15, 2 April 2016 (UTC)

Llann Wé², hi there. We had "light on the move" which required long exposure. So this overlaps a little, but hopefully generates some other results. -- Colin (talk) 10:44, 3 April 2016 (UTC)

Yes you're right. I didn't took time to look at all the challenges. Have a nice weekend. --LW² \m/ ^{(Lie 2 me ...)} 16:43, 3 April 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Supreme Court of the United Kingdom - Library - 3.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Ermell 12:18, 1 April 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Supreme Court of the United Kingdom - Library - 1.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 17:16, 1 April 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:22, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:City Hall, London, Spiral Staircase - 1.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:City Hall, London, Spiral Staircase - 1.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:02, 5 April 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Debating Chamber.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Noisy, but good enough I think. Ram-Man 01:22, 5 April 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Ceiling.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 19:51, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Glasgow City Chambers - Freestone Staircase - 5.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --Hubertl 19:51, 4 April 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:25, 7 April 2016 (UTC)

Hi Colin,

If someone take a deeper look at your last nominated picture, this will be the best incentive you can get as a photographer to continue trying as well! Thank you! It was a really great pleasure to get into the details! --Hubertl 07:38, 11 April 2016 (UTC)

Hubertl, do you mean this one? I agree it can be interesting to explore a good city panorama. It is a shame about the "Tower Hotel" behind the bridge, which clutters the scene a bit and is a really ugly building. Thanks for the support. I agree that FPC can be a good incentive and inspiration. -- Colin (talk) 07:51, 11 April 2016 (UTC)

Yes, I mean this one! Both, QI and FPC can be a good inspiration and too, a good school for learning. I´m sometimes a bit disappointed, that we don´t have more participants. Most of those potential photographers - and I have good connections to many of them here in Vienna - are afraid because of failing. And so, they refuse. Wikimedia Austria makes great efforts to support photographers. --Hubertl 08:04, 11 April 2016 (UTC)

Well certainly my early attempts had a much higher failure rate. It is always a bit of a gamble. I don't know why there seem to be so few serious Commons photographers around London. It's a wealthy city and there's plenty to photograph. -- Colin (talk) 08:30, 11 April 2016 (UTC)

It´s the same here in Vienna. History everywhere - even in the backyard of my house, there are the last remaining rests of the wall between the jewish getto (established in the late 16th century) and the rest of the town. But it is national heritage monument. I even was born in one, erected in 1776. ! But what am I doing? I concentrate myself on details. Busts and statues. But I love it! --Hubertl 08:58, 11 April 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Tower Bridge from London City Hall 2015.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Tower Bridge from London City Hall 2015.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:09, 17 April 2016 (UTC)

FP

Hello Colin. What do you think about this picture? Thanks! 😄 ArionEstar 😜 (talk) 23:57, 26 April 2016 (UTC)

FP

FP? 😄 ArionEstar 😜 (talk) 22:45, 1 May 2016 (UTC)

ArionEstar, I don't think that would any chance at FP. The photographer was clearly not far enough back (or had wide enough lens) to get from top to bottom of the façade and has pointed the camera up to get the top -- resulting in perspective distortion that wouldn't be acceptable at FP unless deliberately artistic. And why B&W? Look at File:Teatro José de Alencar - Fachada superior.jpg -- this is a very colour building, and also File:Teatro visto de cima.jpg even the floor tiles are colourful. The image also isn't horizontally level -- usually a building needs to be shot from absolute centre so that the horizontals are horizontal in the image as well as the verticals. -- Colin (talk) 08:49, 2 May 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Willis Building Reflections.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Willis Building Reflections.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:07, 7 May 2016 (UTC)

Thanks ...

... for this note. I fixed it a couple of days ago. Cheers, Poco² 09:31, 14 May 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Odin and Thor, Ravens, Tower of London 2016-04-30a.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Odin and Thor, Ravens, Tower of London 2016-04-30a.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 21:01, 16 May 2016 (UTC)

Crop

Thx for a very good idea. I have not seen that crop on File:Udsigt fra dragespiret på Børsen 2.jpg. THX. --Villy Fink Isaksen (talk) 18:34, 18 May 2016 (UTC)

Here is the result File:Abstract view from Børsen.jpg. --Villy Fink Isaksen (talk) 18:50, 18 May 2016 (UTC)

Villy Fink Isaksen, I suggest a 0.2° rotation then try to crop a little wider to make the far roof appear more symmetrical, and with a little more of the brown bricks showing to frame the picture. Also crop a little off the top to remove the base of those chimneys, which I think are distracting. I get an image 2904 x 2677 that way. -- Colin (talk) 19:55, 18 May 2016 (UTC)

New version is uploaded. thx for your help. --Villy Fink Isaksen (talk) 20:47, 18 May 2016 (UTC)

Round 2 of Picture of the Year 2015 is open!

You are receiving this message because you voted in R1 of the 2015 Picture of the Year contest.

Dear Colin/Archive,

Wikimedia Commons is happy to announce that the second round of the 2015 Picture of the Year competition is now open. This year will be the tenth edition of the annual Wikimedia Commons photo competition, which recognizes exceptional contributions by users on Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia users are invited to vote for their favorite images featured on Commons during the last year (2015) to produce a single Picture of the Year.

Hundreds of images that have been rated Featured Pictures by the international Wikimedia Commons community in the past year were entered in this competition. These images include professional animal and plant shots, breathtaking panoramas and skylines, restorations of historical images, photographs portraying the world's best architecture, impressive human portraits, and so much more.

There are two total rounds of voting. In the first round, you voted for as many images as you liked. In Round 1, there were 1322 candidate images. There are 56 finalists in Round 2, comprised of the top 30 overall as well as the top #1 and #2 from each sub-category. In the final round, you may vote for just one or maximal three image to become the Picture of the Year.

Round 2 will end on 28 May 2016, 23:59:59 UTC.

Click here to vote »

Thanks,
-- Wikimedia Commons Picture of the Year committee 09:43, 22 May 2016 (UTC)

Email

Hey Colin, I've sent you an email! Ed Erhart (WMF) (talk) 17:52, 24 May 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

75px|center|

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image Commons:Featured picture candidates/Set/City of London skyline from London City Hall, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/Commons:Featured picture candidates/Set/City of London skyline from London City Hall has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:06, 27 May 2016 (UTC)

May '16 Birds Photo Challenge

Hi Colin, not sure who else to advise but a few minutes ago I edited "52. Stork-billed kingfisher with catch by Manoj Karingamadathil" to remove what appears accidental vandalism. I was careful to leave votes unaltered. L-Bit (talk) 01:41, 4 June 2016 (UTC)

A kitten for you!

Love the Architecture. Great eye!

Hat6000 (talk) 04:29, 11 June 2016 (UTC)
Thanks Hat6000. -- Colin (talk) 19:03, 13 June 2016 (UTC)

Hello, Colin/Archive. You have new messages at Achim55's talk page. You may remove this notice at any time by removing the {{Talkback}} or {{Tb}} template.

A cup of coffee for you!

Hello - I was offline for a bit and am just following through with some messages. In response to this - Commons:Deletion requests/File:American Chemical Society - What Chemists Do - Nathan Allen.ogg I was sincere in what I said. I think I was being reasonable. I fail to understand what you are saying. I did not mean any offense. The issue seems to be resolved now. I do not understand the situation enough to apologize for my own actions, but I do regret to have stressed you out and made you feel like the target of provocation. I try my best to keep conversations short, direct, and productive. I fail to recognize this issue as being clear in the way that you do, and that might be because of my own personal deficiency. Sorry for the trouble. I look forward to working with you more in the future. I feel like I raise grey area issues and I appreciate your consistently thoughtful comments on them, even if I do not always recognize complete resolution with you at the end. Blue Rasberry (talk) 18:24, 1 July 2016 (UTC)

Je parles pas anglais

ça m'embêterais beaucoup que tu partes.--Classiccardinal (talk) 15:23, 3 July 2016 (UTC)

You have been blocked for a duration of 3 days

You have been blocked from editing Commons for a duration of 3 days for the following reason: Colin, dear you need a break. You started arguing with yourself. Please come back full of positive energy and ready to have fun with the project. Ask yourself, how does being angry at ____ fill-in-the-blank-name____ make the world a better place? Also please remember what everyone's grandmother says "If you can't find something nice to say about someone, don't talk." Ellin Beltz (talk) 01:53, 24 June 2016 (UTC). If you wish to make useful contributions, you may do so after the block expires. If you believe this block is unjustified, you may add {{unblock|(enter your reason here) ~~~~}} below this message explaining clearly why you should be unblocked. See also the block log. For more information, see Appealing a block.

@Ellin Beltz: How is this block in line with our policy again? Cool down blocks should never be used, unless the user being blocked is disruptive. Can you show me the disruption that Colin has been causing? I think you've made a mistake here. odder (talk) 07:42, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

Wow Ellin, wow. This is the best block I've ever seen. If you blocked Colin, then why not Fae? You have a bias. There was no consensus to block Colin here. And disabling email and talk page, just wow. I strongly recommend you to unblock Colin ASAP, since this is just a wrong block. ★ Poké⁹⁵ 09:44, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

Regardless of the block, I doubt that Ellin blocked him because she has a bias against him (Him = Colin). Natuur12 (talk) 10:00, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

Nope, nope, nope. Wrong idea, Ellin Beltz. Pleclown (talk) 11:13, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

Please read my blocking reasons above. While it's entirely possible I've made a mistake it was done from a standpoint of compassion for Colin. I saw clearly disruption being caused by much text and many accusations against another user. If you missed it check out the Admin's noticeboard. When Colin began arguing with himself, I looked at his contributions for the past few days and it looked like the situation at AN was getting unhealthy. I applied the block to protect Colin from his own anger. It's only three days - one of which has passed - let's hope he gets a clear view of the damage he was causing himself and the project with his angry and inconsolable words. I do not have bias against or for either Colin or Fae, but I did close a previous cat-fight with the promise that I would step in if it started again, and so after reading obvious agony in Colin's demands that a bureaucrat or an admin take action to calm him down; I did. I think it will be better for Colin's long term involvement in the project to recover from whatever ails him at this point, come back on Monday and be productive. Cheers! Ellin Beltz (talk) 14:11, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

• I don't think Colin needs 'protection from himself'. That's ridiculous and infantilising treatment. Whether Colin needs a wikibreak to deal with his own 'anger' is his own business and for him to decide. As Colin said, based on the continuous conflict occurring between him and Fae, something has to change. But a temp block to force someone to calm down while avoiding the root cause of the problem isn't necessarily the right answer. There's no indication that Colin is particularly emotional anyway. His responses are angry, but justifiably so given the accusations against him, and fundamentally fact-based. Now, you might be the paragon of calmness and react to a ban with nothing other than a casual fluttering of your eyelashes, but I don't think it's fair to expect all of us to react that way. Blocks (especially bans that infantilise) often inflame rather than pacify the situation. If you're going to block, at least do it for pertinent reasons. Justify your block with actual examples of unacceptable behaviour, rather than the kind of patronising, wishy-washy folky advice you'd give a six year old child. Diliff (talk) 15:41, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

More than a solution, this block exacerbates moods and add fuel to the fire between Fae and Colin. Another immature block. I see no logical reason for this block, however, knowing the history of who is blocking Colin, it is something completely common premeditated carelessness. --The Photographer (talk) 16:12, 24 June 2016 (UTC)

And it seems the Ellin is happy to be smug, patronising and infatilising with her block, defending it as 'compassionate', but isn't so happy to actually defend the decision properly. Remember Ellin, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Good intentions alone are dangerous without righteousness. Diliff (talk) 04:44, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

• Ellin Beltz, as this block was already questioned by two admins and three users, you need to lift it. If you still believe the block is valid you can open a discussion at COM:AN/B to find any support. This is the best solution I see per Commons:Blocking_policy#Instructions_for_administrators as you must respect the consensus irrespective of whether or not you're right. This is a small block for three days and two days already passed is not a reason for no action. (No comments about the merit of this block as I've no time to read in detail.) Jee 05:43, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

Greetings: To reply to some of the comments:

@ Odder: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commons:Administrators%27_noticeboard/User_problems&action=edit&section=1 @ Jkadavoor: I have reviewed the blocking instructions, and have provided annotated comments below:

Consider past behavior

• I closed a prior discussion of this type saying I would take action if it repeated in December 2015. Both parties were adequately warned. Since then one has taken efforts to avoid trouble, the other one hasn't stopped making it. Therefore the "continuous" nature of this issue is being maintained by one person, and they're blocked until tomorrow.

Considered severity of disruption

• Block duration - three days

Provide a reason for the block

• Harassment, unnecessary non-mellow anger, accusations of lying, and anti-AGF against another user. As well as repeated comments about the other user's gender/sexuality. The other user particularly asked to be left alone and the harassment did not stop despite requests.
• The appropriate diffs were provided by Colin in the conversation which led to this block. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commons:Administrators%27_noticeboard/User_problems&action=edit&section=1

Notify the blocked user, preferably using a user block template.

• Done

Watch the blocked user's user talk page

• Done

Ensure that requests for unblock are attended to.

• No request has been received from the user on this page or via email.

If you have any other questions, I'm open to the discussion, however please do avoid sexism and minor insults. This is a process, there is no reason to be anything other than polite and professional. Cheers! Ellin Beltz (talk) 14:09, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

Your https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commons:Administrators%27_noticeboard/User_problems&action=edit&section=1 might lead to link breakage when the section number changes. Please provide a permanent link. — regards, Revi 14:16, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Commons:Administrators%27_noticeboard/User_problems&diff=199773521&oldid=199773390 is the last diff. Ellin Beltz (talk) 16:39, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Administrators%27_noticeboard/User_problems/Archive_59#Colin is the archive. Ellin Beltz (talk) 16:26, 30 June 2016 (UTC)

• @Ellin Beltz: I'm neutral on this block, but one thing this block is different from most others is that, this block disables talk page and email access, meaning the block is unappealable, without using OTRS or other off-site methods. This kind of invalidate your last "No request has been received from the user on this page or via email." This has been hinted (in my understanding) by Pokefan95. --Zhuyifei1999 (talk) 14:46, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

Ellin already started a thread at COM:AN/B#User:Colin per Jkadavoor's suggestion. This seem like a good idea to me. Wikicology (talk) 15:50, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

•  Info Ellin wrote above "*No request has been received from the user on this page or via email." then I assume she did not want to prevent the user to edit the talk page. Then I changed the block settings, and Colin is now allowed to edit the talk page or to send emails. Christian Ferrer ^(talk) 16:10, 25 June 2016 (UTC)
•  Comment I haven't blocked very many people and made a mistake in the settings. Thank you, Christian Ferrer for fixing it. Ellin Beltz (talk) 16:39, 25 June 2016 (UTC)
• Ellin, you say you're open to the discussion, but you didn't respond to anything I said in my message. Now, you might interpret some of what I said as minor insults. Perhaps they could be interpreted that way, but perhaps they're also justified. Sometimes you have to call a spade a spade, and your reasoning for the block was IMO infantilising and patronising, so I said it. It's not your job as an admin to second guess or attempt to moderate someone's emotional state. An immediate block without even entering into a dialogue with any involved party to actually discuss it only adds fuel to the fire. Also, you mentioned that people should avoid sexism. I didn't see any in the discussion. Could you point out where you think it occurred? Warnings to control behaviour without sufficient context to identify the infraction are also a bit counterproductive... I shouldn't have to read through everything over and over wondering if I inadvertently said something sexist. The onus should really be on you to explain the justification for the warning so that it reaches its target. Diliff (talk) 16:44, 25 June 2016 (UTC)
• Diliff, The "sexism" comment above refers to the original problem which contained unnecessary references to gender/orientation. Cheers! Ellin Beltz (talk) 16:50, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

Use your gender position to make comments victimhood makes clear the lack of logical arguments. --The Photographer (talk) 17:53, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

• • So you're still not going to address any of the other comments I made? This is pretty typical behaviour on Commons and seems to be a recurring theme here. You're not even acknowledging any of the more important issues raised here by myself or others, but you're happy to respond to the fairly irrelevant distractions like questions regarding whether someone might use sexist or insulting language at some point in the discussion. In any case, why are you warning us (those involved in discussing Colin's block) not to use sexist language when we have nothing to do with the 'original problem'? Why do we need the warning? Your silence on the real issue here is deafening... Diliff (talk) 18:55, 25 June 2016 (UTC)

I am truly sorry that due to family issues I don't have the capacity or strength to help with this just at the moment. All I would say on a quick review is that the block was mistaken, and seems to have been based on surface issues. To do justice to the editors here requires a lot of work to avoid jumping to unsafe conclusions. --MichaelMaggs (talk) 11:21, 26 June 2016 (UTC)

For the record. The blocking admin (and 'crat) Ellin Beltz has admitted that "the block action was wrong", "a mistake", that "not only did [they] not achieve consensus [for a block], [they] didn't even try." Also, that when I said "This is too challenging and too lengthy a problem for an individual admin, it seems, to be brave enough to tackle. The community needs the leadership and wisdom you guys [the 'crats] were elected to demonstrate" Ellin confirms I was "absolutely right" and Ellin "rose to a challenge [Ellin] should have left unaccepted." But despite being requested to do so Ellin has refused to write here that the block was a mistake, and has not gone as far as to retract the allegations made. I have sent Ellin two emails (and she confirmed on-wiki that they arrived), copies of which were also sent to other trusted friends, and I have received no reply. An attempt by Slaunger to discuss the above allegations on Ellin's talk page was stonewalled. Admins, and 'crats especially, should be willing to discuss their actions in good faith with affected users, and absolutely should be able to be held accountable for those actions by the community. Making serious allegations and then refusing to discuss is unacceptable.

The allegations made by Ellin are untrue, represent a rather inverted version of reality, and were made in haste when what appeared to be a "cool down block" was challenged by Odder (another 'crat). As Michael (another 'crat) notes above, the issues I complained about deserve "a lot of work", not some hasty "Who will rid me of this troublesome priest" action by Ellin, who (from comments made recently elsewhere) continues to hold a grudge against users who participate in the Featured Pictures forum. Fortunately, Commons does have some competent, serious, patient and thoughtful users. A very slow-going analysis is underway at Commons:Bureaucrats' noticeboard, where any future discussion on this block belongs. -- Colin (talk) 07:21, 26 July 2016 (UTC)

Translation of above: I don't speak english

"it bother me much that you leave."

I share this.--Jebulon (talk) 20:39, 4 July 2016 (UTC)

+1. It is already stated by many that what had happened is very unfortunate. So I wish if you can forget everything as a nightmare and comeback. I wish it without any pre-demands in your freewill as a noble act of forgiveness. The community need you, the new comers need you, and you will see my wife smiling at you from the heaven! Jee 11:14, 5 July 2016 (UTC)

Yes, We miss you, however, if you will comeback without a clarification about last careless and disproportionate block executed by the admin @Ellin Beltz: about Fae problem, you will lose any respect, respect that you have earned as to join in the small group of respectable users. If you go back and this problem is not solved, you must prepare to be the admin toy whore. --The Photographer (talk) 22:57, 5 July 2016 (UTC)

@User:Colin: Strangely I didn't even notice the ongoing troubles until now - and I'm pretty sure I didn't read up on every detail. In any case it would be a pity if you decided to leave Commons for good. The community needs contributers like you that have strong opinions and don't hesitate to participate in controversial debates. --Martin Falbisoner (talk) 10:53, 9 July 2016 (UTC)

Time to come back, dude. We need you here Poco² 16:09, 10 July 2016 (UTC)

+1. I've pretty much left Commons and I really don't care why this happened, but Commons needs guys like you. - Benh (talk) 13:15, 18 July 2016 (UTC)

+1. It would be a terrible loss, if you don't come back. We need photographers and knowledge contributors much more than pen-pushers with admin rights. --CEphoto, Uwe Aranas (talk) 07:50, 26 July 2016 (UTC)

+1 as others... --Hubertl 20:39, 26 July 2016 (UTC)

+1. We need you here, Colin. --Code (talk) 10:25, 28 July 2016 (UTC)

+1 I need you --The Photographer (talk) 17:54, 3 September 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Josselin Château Evening Light Reflected 2016-08-15 WLM.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Josselin Château Evening Light Reflected 2016-08-15 WLM.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 05:04, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

Hey, there you are :)

Welcome back! A pleasure to see you around again :) Poco² 20:17, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Poco, and others. I've just supported one of your pictures but also opposed one ;-) -- Colin (talk) 21:01, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

+1 :) - Benh (talk) 07:25, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

+1 Welcome Colin, I'm sorry for my question about Colin Jones. A hug --The Photographer 10:48, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

+1--Classiccardinal (talk) 11:23, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Projections

Hi Colin, may I ask for your opinion? I've made some stitched pictures in the district court of Berlin for WLM 2016 and I'm not sure which projection is the best. I've uploaded three versions (rectilinear, equirectangular, cylindrical) here. The equirectangular version is already on Commons because yesterday I thought it was the best but now I'm not really sure any more. What do you think? Maybe Diliff or Benh would like to share their opinions, too? Thank you in advance! Best regards --Code (talk) 08:04, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Code, I'll look tonight. Certainly the one on Commons is a very pleasing image. -- Colin (talk) 09:27, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Code: I do prefer the rectilinear, but the distortions are a bit extreme. In such cases, I go with Panini general, which allows me to fine tune the projection. It's a gorgeous picture which is worth taking the time to carefully decide about the projection IMO. - Benh (talk) 11:55, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• I think Panini might be useful as long as you don't mind the slight bending of the horizontal lines. My first reaction on seeing it though, is that it looks a bit too HDR'ish to me. I'm just looking at it with my (poor) work monitor though, so it could be that I'm wrong, but it was the main thing that stood out for me. Diliff (talk) 14:16, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Hm. PTGui doesn't offer a Panini general projection or do they call it different? I'm just trying Mercator which may work very well here. Diliff might be right regarding the HDRish look but on the other hand the building is very colourful in reality. I'm really not the postprcessing guy, it drives me crazy. I could spend my whole life trying to improve my pictures and I'm never really happy with the results. --Code (talk) 15:41, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
•  Info @Diliff: @Benh: I now put both a less-HDR-version of the equirectangular picture and a mercator-version of the picture into the OneDrive-Folder linked above. --Code (talk) 16:57, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• There is a panini projection in PTGui, it's just called Vedutismo. Same thing. I think the new 'less-HDR' version is much better, a big improvement. I'm sure it is quite colourful, but it wasn't the colours that were bothering me so much, it was the brightness of shadow detail. There was too much emphasis on the mid-tones I think, which is a typical HDR look, no deep shadows, no real highlights. A good HDR image should still contain the full range of luminosity, but carefully constrained so that nothing important is lost or unrealistic looking. I know what you mean though, some images can really drive you crazy with post-processing. Sometimes I revisit the same image many times on different days and decide on quite different colour balance/processing tonality. Sometimes the result is worth it, other times not so much. ;-)

• Ok, thanks for the hint. I added a "Vedutismo"-Version as well (not so much HDR, too). I know what you mean with your HDR critizism but actually I like the HDRish version more, at least for the moment. Tomorrow I'll think completely different, I think. However, I know that the WLM juries hate HDR a lot so it would probably better to overwrite it with the "not-so-much-HDR"-version. I'll have to sleep on it for a night, I think. But what about the projection? Which one do you think is the best? --Code (talk) 18:55, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Code: If you care, I like the HDR version too, but maybe with a slight boost on contrast or clarity... but these are just niggles. In my view, the panini is great as it is, but I wonder if amplifying the perspective wouldn't be even better. Anyhow, that's up to you. - Benh (talk) 19:42, 8 September 2016 (UTC)
• Also, make sure you play with every parameters. You can adjust how the perspective lines bend near the corners too (I guess you saw that) - Benh (talk) 19:45, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Benh: I hope it's not getting too complicated but now I added both an amplified vedutismo version and an equirectangular version with contrast and clarity increased. I'll better go to sleep now before I'm getting lost. Sorry Colin for spamming your talk page. --Code (talk) 20:33, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

Don't worry. I'm afraid real life has got in the way tonight. I'll have another look tomorrow once you've settled on a favourite few perhaps. -- Colin (talk) 20:41, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Code: Don't hate me but it looks very similar to the rectilinear. Isn't it possible to half tone it down? Or haven't I looked properly? I'm getting lost too :D - Benh (talk) 21:08, 8 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Benh: You're right, they look almost identical. Didn't notice that until now. Strange. --Code (talk) 05:49, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

• Ok, guys, I started from the scratch. After looking (maybe too long) at all the pictures I think the best projections are either Mercator or Equirectangular. I re-developed both versions and put my favorites in the OneDriver folder. I moved the other versions in a subfolder called "All". Please tell me which version you do like best. Personally I still like the HDRish version most but I understand Diliffs critizism very well and believe that many other users may think similar, too. Just in case you're interested I also put some non-stitched pictures of the building into the subfolder "Details". The building certainly deserves a good picture but however, it's anything but easy to select the right one. --Code (talk) 05:49, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Code: I like the 2nd (contrast increased). But the projection lets me down a little bit. If u r curious, I offer to try to stitch it on Hugin with panini (or you could try, Hugin has gotten easier to use). I'd understand you stop here. I know what it is to spend hours (days!) on a single panorama :) Also [1] and [2] might be even better. - Benh (talk) 21:49, 9 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Benh: You're right. The more contrasted version is better. I uploaded it as a new version here. Might be true that the other views could be even more suitable for Commons and other Wikimedia projects, I uploaded them here: 1, 2 and 3. If I'll get one of the pictures printed I'd choose the HDR version, I guess it'll look great in 60x90cm under acrylic glass. However, less HDRish versions might of course be better for educational purposes. Anyways, it would be very nice if you could give it a try with Hugin/Panini. I uploaded a ZIP-File with the 140 single exposures here (although the size of each file was reduced to 12MPix the ZIP has round about 657MB, I hope you don't mind). Thank you very much in advance and have a nice weekend! --Code (talk) 07:42, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

Code, I'm trying to catch up with this now. Is it still worth downloading your OneDrive images or have you settled on a projection? The latest version of your file here is very colourful, contrasty and wow in a Flickr way. However, if I compare with the other views you link 1/2/3 then they seem very different, which then raises questions about whether we are seeing something realistic enough? I think your 1 image in particular seems too blue colour temperature. I'm guessing your 2 is the same scene as the ground-level one but taken upstairs. If so, it looks quite different, processing-wise, to the ground level one. I'm a bit confused about which one you are calling "HDR". -- Colin (talk) 12:29, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

@Code: Am looking at the source pictures now. It's OK that they are downscaled. It saves space and it should be more than enough to preview how the projection may look like. Thanks! - Benh (talk) 20:35, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Code: , here is what I get with Panini (little bug with my enblend, but to lazy to look at this in more details) : [3]. IMO the projection is much better this way : not so much distortion, and still "true" to the real shape of the room. What do you think? - Benh (talk) 22:42, 10 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Benh: Wow, thanks a lot, that was quick. I guess you used only one exposure? What I like about your version is that the sides are not that stretched. On the other hand, the top part with the chandelier looks somewhat distorted. A difficult decision. I'll have to think about it for a day or so. --Code (talk) 06:10, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Code: I've voluntarily left room for you to decide on tighter crop or not. Browsed through your pics again and your "non amplified" Vedutismo is actually identical to the panini I stitched. Strange I haven't seen it before. Anyways, I think I've already interfered too much. You should decide alone :-) - Benh (talk) 09:42, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Colin: For now I think I prefer either the Mercator-Version or the Equirectangular version as both have a wide field of view and don't look distorted at all, although Benh's Panini version is nice as well. So basically you don't need to download all the files but it would be nice if you'd have a look at these three versions. Regarding the processing results you've spotted well that the versions taken at ground level look very different from those taken at the top level. It's a little bit strange because I set the WB only once (using a grey card at the ground level) and then didn't change it any more so I believe that the different look comes from the daylight which was much stronger at the top than at the ground level. Of course they're all HDR but what I called "HDR" ist this one which Diliff called "HDRish". Honestly, this is the version I still like the most but as I said above it also may be a little bit too artistic for educational use. --Code (talk) 06:10, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• Interesting that you used a grey card to set WB. I reckon most just adjust to taste or accept what the camera gives (or in a panorama, some average of the frames). I think not redoing it when shooting from other angles and heights is the mistake. The direction and quality of light will change as you say, and so will the WB. It's the same windows and scene, of course, but up high it is bouncing straight off the stone to the camera at a certain angle, and lower down it is bouncing at a different angle and is more mixed with light that has bounced off other walls and surfaces. And if you shoot from the opposite direction, say, then the quality of light could be really quite different. Also, depending on the weather, the WB could change if the sun is more or less in cloud, or is rising/setting. -- Colin (talk) 07:39, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Do you use a grey card often? I can see its purpose for product photography and other small-stage situations. But a complex interior like this is surely hard to calibrate at one small spot. If the quality of light changes from the floor to the walls and as one climbs up and to the ceiling, is it accurate to determine WB at one spot? Would the camera do a better job (or Lightroom Auto WB)? -- Colin (talk) 07:51, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

• @Colin: Yes, I do use it quite often. See here for the shooting we're talking about. But yes, you're right. I should have re-adjusted the WB. I'll rework the pictures which were taken at the top level. However, the sunlight itself didn't change as it was blue sky the whole day. --Code (talk) 07:54, 11 September 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Kilmainham Gaol Main Hall 2016-06-03.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments  Support Good quality.--Famberhorst 15:23, 13 September 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:29, 16 September 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:City from One Bishops Square.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:City from One Bishops Square.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 05:02, 19 September 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Kilmainham Gaol Main Hall 2016-06-03.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Kilmainham Gaol Main Hall 2016-06-03.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 05:02, 23 September 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Royal Albert Hall - Gallery View.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Royal Albert Hall - Gallery View.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:03, 5 October 2016 (UTC)

Welcome back

I am glad to see you back. At the moment I am running Commons:Photo challenge, which means processing all the vote pages (with your codes) on the beginning of each month and participating in picking themes for next month challenge. I am fine doing those tasks, but if you want you can have your job back, I have plenty of other stuff I am involved. If you do not want your job back, we can always use some help with picking next month themes. See you around --Jarekt (talk) 13:30, 7 October 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Jarekt, and thanks very much for taking this over at such short notice and so competently. I'm back yes, but still taking it easy. As you'll probably know now, PC is a fair bit of responsibility each month, and lots of thankless tasks: requesting themes, making decisions, policing rules, crunching the numbers. After doing it for so long, I think it's healthy to have a change of "leader". It would be good to get another person involved too, and to continue to press for more automation for entry/voting. I'm not in any rush to take the job back :-) but don't want to put too much pressure on you either. If there's a month you can't manage, say, then let me know in advance and I could help out. Have you changed the scripts at all, or changed the rules? -- Colin (talk) 16:22, 7 October 2016 (UTC)

I do not mind running PH for a while. User:Alexmar983 was very helpful with picking themes, and policing rules + crunching the numbers takes me about evening per month. I did not changed your codes, except for allowing comments that are not votes, and the rules remain the same. We had some discussions about doing some "undocumented ..." challenges where we only accept images related to places, people, etc. that do not have any images at the moment. If we do those they might require some alternative rules. If you could keep an eye on the PC talk page, we always need more voices at picking next month themes. --Jarekt (talk) 05:16, 8 October 2016 (UTC)

Definetly. I'm in pause for a while (last two day, -80% activity, it's gonna be for long this way) but when I'm back I want to do more stuff I discussed in the talk page. The "undocumented" challenge is another next big step.I showed the first wikidata querry with P18, so we could start soon if we want. Yet, my advice is to postpone to January when the user I work with tools would have more time (he graduates this months). In any case we have enough themes for November and December. Next things I'd like to discuss after the reorganization of the archives are some "good (flexible) rules" in the pages for proposing themes (like "please do your homework: look the cats, scroll the archives"). Finally I have these contacts with WMI and WMCZ and I think that if we improve the organization, we can make it big. Not big like WLM or WLE or Month of scientific illustration but decently big, using social media of local chapters, in exchange of more workforce (some users sitting in their boards or working for them). I was thinking to discuss it on meta after a while. --Alexmar983 (talk) 05:36, 8 October 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Royal Albert Hall - Central View 169.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Royal Albert Hall - Central View 169.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 05:03, 11 October 2016 (UTC)

Kanonkas

Thank you, BTW, for starting the ANU discussion. Revent^talk 23:11, 11 October 2016 (UTC)

Washing machines

I did an attempt with a "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" version of my washing machine, File:Open top-loading washing machine.jpg. Quality didn't come out as good as I wanted though, tricky to handle the light. The main problem was that I didn't have light sources with the same light temp for both good general light of the exterior and light from inside. I tried with several but the clashing colors they produced made it just look weird(er). My camera is not good enough for things that are too dark. Maybe this can give you an idea for your washer though, since you have much better cameras than I have. I'll put it up for QI, but I'm not holding my breath that it'll pass even that. Cheers, cart-Talk 10:36, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

Cart, all that shiny metal plus flash is definitely going to be hard to expose for. Were you thinking of the scene where they open the ark and peer into it? Then some beam of light comes out firing into the heavens and melts the baddies. Am I recalling it correctly? My washing machine has settings for cotton, synthetic, wool, extra rinse. But no "Melt nazis with blinding light" option. I've not seen a top-loading machine for years. I remember my mum's old twin-tub, which used to fill the kitchen with steam.

Your camera is interesting. That 1" sensor should be large enough for FP in many situations and certainly a very flexible lens. Sony cameras have a feature called multi-shot-noise-reduction which takes several high iso images and aligns and merges them to reduce the noise. I never found it to be as good as shooting raw and using Lightroom but one can also do it manually and combine the frames with enblend/enfuse tools or Photoshop to reduce the noise. Creating an HDR image also helps reduce noise considerably, for much the same reason. Several of us use PtGui Pro for stitched images, but it is also good at creating HDR files (e.g. a 32-bit TIFF) of multi-exposure-single-frame photos which can then be imported back to Lightroom for tonemapping. I see your image is created with Photoshop Elements. Does Elements handle 32-bit TIFF? I don't know how its raw processor compares to the one in Lightroom (which is the same as the one in Adobe Camera Raw that is part of Photoshop). Perhaps you can download a trial for Lightroom and compare. You can also get a trial of PtGui Pro. I think the Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop Photography Plan is great value. If you aren't interested in stitched photos, but want to try PtGui for creating HDR, I would be happy to transform your raw files into a TIFF -- it's a relatively automatic process as the creative part is using Lightroom to tonemap the resulting HDR. Can you set your camera to take a bracketed exposure e.g. 3 frames, two stops apart, or 5 frames one stop apart? -- Colin (talk) 12:33, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

Yep, you remember correctly. I had to put flashlights in it to get the "Melt Nazis setting" though. ;) Top-loaders are preferred when you have a small bathroom. I actullay had the tripod in the sink and stood in the bathtub while shooting!

To tell the truth, I'm still learning all the settings on this new camera. I'm more used to handle my little Sony DSC-RX100, also with a 1" sensor but it doesn't produce as good detail as the new one with it's bigger Lecia lens. I've done side-by-side comparison and the difference is considerable. I have never taken pics in raw format, but I'll get around to it eventually. I think I can process them in Elements, otherwise there is a Silkypix program that came with the camera. Both cameras have settings for EV as well as HDR photos and I try them out from time to time. Using that setting on the washer reduced the "drama" considerably though. I usually take several shots with different exposure settings and chose the best from each. When I did the fridge pic, I merged the initial focus stacked pic at 0EV to a small portion of one with -2EV to get rid of the glare and blown out things on the top shelf with the lamp. (To see what worked best, I took a whole focus stacking series with each EV at 0.3 intervals, a lot of pics...) Elements have no problem handling TIFF, and thank you for your kind offer, but I'm learning this as I go along through much trial and error. I just don't upload as many of the "error" so you don't notice them. ;) cart-Talk 13:28, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

Ah, if you aren't working with raw then that's the first step to open up options wrt noise, colour balance, exposure, dynamic range. I can't really imagine being stuck with just out-of-camera JPG. It's pretty good provided the scene is well lit and the dynamic range isn't high, but otherwise just too limiting. I don't think the in-camera HDR or fancy scene modes will compare at all to the flexibility you get with raw development software like Lightroom. It may be that Elements is nearly as good as Lightroom, but I don't know. I suspect Silkypix is not wonderful if given away free. My point about blending multiple exposures to reduce noise is an example of a technique you can apply to your carefully staged tripod shots without having to spend $$$$ on a large-sensor camera. You could try using enblend/enfuse on a JPG exposure stack to see if it helps with noise.

Is it common in Sweden to have a washing machine in the bathroom rather than the kitchen? In the UK washing machines and tumble dryers tend to go in the kitchen (as the only downstairs room with plumbing) though if you have a big house then it might have a "utility room" for those things. I suppose for a flat (apartment) then everything is on the one level and it doesn't matter which room, but usually our bathrooms are small. I'd like to see your insurance claim for an accident here: "I was in the bath trying to photograph my washing machine like from Raiders of the Lost Ark but slipped and knocked the camera out of the sink and into the toilet." -- Colin (talk) 14:04, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

LOL!! Yes, since I started photographing in earnest, I have found myself in many situations where the insurance report would have been ludicrous. Including always having to explain to farmers that I'm not poaching.

Ah, so now I have RAW to look forward to. I'll get on that as soon as the new camera settings are imbedded in my muscle memory. Thanks for explaining what all the fuss is about! :) The blending of JPG exposures sounds like a very excellent idea!! I have sometimes "blended" on a surface using a 50% clone brush which gives your a similar effect since the "dots and areas" are then reduced by the second not-quite similar layer.

Having lived in the UK and spent a lot of time there, I know how the bathrooms are. The washing machine is always in the bathroom here since that is the only waterproofed room, unless you have a house with a utility room. According to building standards here, all bathrooms are waterproofed to avoid water damages if the machine leaks. Dishwashers go in the kitchen though, but the immediate area around them is also normally waterproofed. ... of all the bizarre topics you find yourself in discussions about here on Commons or Wikipedia... ;)

My photo ops will be scarce for a while now, much to do at work and very bad light (if any) when I'm finally free. I will read up on all the things you have mentioned here. Thank you ever so much for sharing your knowledge! I'll be sure to pay it forward. cart-Talk 14:49, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

I remember when our dishwasher was being repaired, that it had a little polystyrene float in the base that rose up if the machine started to flood itself, and automatically cut off the water. But I'm not aware of any regulations like yours. Wrt sharing knowledge, it is hard to gauge how much you already know about this. On the one hand, your camera indicates "beginner" (though it is much more than a simple point-and-shoot), but you're also doing advanced things like stacking and your photo reviews at FPC show a very advanced level of image criticism. I wouldn't want to be accused of "mansplaining"! Commons can be very good for people sharing tips and techniques and I've certainly learned loads in the six years I've been active here. -- Colin (talk) 15:36, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

Not to worry. I would never accuse you of mansplaining. :) Let me clarify: I have been a hacker since the 80s and I'm absolutely awesome when it comes to image doctoring/manipulating in software programs (manual stacking is no problem for me), as well as spotting things in a photo, since I've been doing that professionally in my work for the last twenty years. I work with photographers so I know the lingo and as long as cameras were analogue, I did some rather advanced camera work. But my life changed around the time digital cameras came around and my photography was put on hold for a decade or so. As I got going again, I could only afford some cheap cameras and I'm still somewhat behind when it comes to digital photography and all the new things you can do. Yes, I can speak about it, but actually doing it IRL myself is still a bit new to me. I bought this affordable "combo camera" to be able to do something more than just click and shoot. Hoping that by the time I've caught up with the tech, my economy will also have improved and I can get hold of good digital versions of my old equipment. cart-Talk 16:59, 20 October 2016 (UTC)

A Barnstar for you!

	The Teamwork Barnstar
	The Teamwork Barnstar is awarded when several editors work together. Cheers you to both you and Jee for both understanding my just frustrations, but more off taking the time to explain and completely defuse the situation , thank you very much for your continued support. --WPPilot (talk) 05:05, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

Your FP was used on fstoppers

Hi Colin,

check out this … Btw: glad to see you're back! Cheers, --El Grafo (talk) 10:11, 24 October 2016 (UTC)

El Grafo, I've been caught red-handed. It's true. I am an evil hacker mastermind, using smart TVs, room thermostats and baby monitors to create a huge bot-net that will take over the world. Mwahahaha! -- Colin (talk) 10:33, 24 October 2016 (UTC)

Drones

Hey Colin, thanks for reaching out in regard to the aerial photo currently up for FP. You can see some of my thoughts, on the nomination, but I thought I would see if perhaps we should consider a Drone (UAs) "contest" to invite the "drone pilots" to commons allowing them to display there work and giving all a place to learn. As noted considering the number of UAs's around the world, commons does not seen to have a lot of shots with them. Grated the early drones were from the cameras perspective real low quality, I really do think that a Phantom 3 (any model) should be worthy for the creation of a Featured Photo, perhaps we just need to look at some of the factors that are applicable to Drone photographers and invite new ones to the site.

I went ahead and created a "Commons:Photo challenge/themes" suggestion if you care to chime in. Thanks for reaching out. Cheers!--WPPilot (talk) 09:36, 22 October 2016 (UTC)

User:WPPilot what is "UA"? I don't know if that nomination will succeed now. Perhaps I will have a go at removing CA and sharpening and if an improvement, then try a re-nomination later (I don't want to disrupt the current votes with an Alt). I've added my support to your PC theme suggestion. Do you participate in online forums/groups where such a challenge could be advertised. We'd need to get perhaps around a dozen people submitting up to 4 images each to make it a good challenge. It would really need to involve advertising/recruitment as I doubt that many existing PC participants will have a drone or be able to afford one as a casual investment. -- Colin (talk) 14:36, 22 October 2016 (UTC)

User:Colin UAs = Unmanned Aerial System - Drone. I am on a number of groups. The media reports that 800,0000 Drone (UAs) systems will be sold by years end, I am sure that, as time goes on it would be a wonderful way to augment my many aerial photos from the last 7 years. --WPPilot (talk) 16:37, 22 October 2016 (UTC)

You make a good point and that is why I think that, with regard to the park photo up for FP that we need to take a good look at what the drones can do. As the price comes down we want to encourage people to use there "Drones" (UAs as the FAA calls them) to contribute. If we set the bar so high that only the real pros can participate then we will not see many photos from Drones, due to the costs involved, that would be like saying, unless you have a Cannon 5D or Nikon D810 you can not qualify for FP, yet me have many FP's that were done with Go Pro's using the same size chip as a DJI Phantom series drone. Excluding them now, will only assure that these users do not come back and that is not the desired results of anything here on the site, it is a by product of over zealous enthusiasm for ones perspective of perfection.... --WPPilot (talk) 17:38, 22 October 2016 (UTC)

So, Colin (or should I call you the bad man now?) ;). A few more thoughts on Drones, while a challenge wold be cool I have started drafting this: The Commons DroneZone Proposal, That is a really early and rough draft, but I think that the points are on point and just need to be explored some. Contests are cool but we need a real promotion and a place for them to go. I am willing to offer my help to make it happen, if I can gain some support here. I am willing to bet that if we did this right we could get the 4 major drone companies to also direct its customers to the site for us if we put a little time into this and made it inviting and as easy as possible plus giving these new photographers a place to learn about the art as most have never flown anything, or taken a picture so it would be a lot like having a whole heard of newborn calf's, with cameras.... LMK your thoughts and if you would be willing to help. Saw the drama, not my business, you deserved the barnstar and more. I have never done any type of proposal to the foundation, perhaps this would be something that would be worth the effort. Thanks for all your help and insight. Cheers ... LMK your thoughts and who else I might chat with on this. --WPPilot (talk) 12:18, 24 October 2016 (UTC)

WPPilot I don't have the spare cash to begin this kind of hobby but I can certainly appreciate the advantage of being able to get up high to take photographs. If I recall the early days of Photo Challenge, I posted the idea to Village Pump and a few people were interested, but nobody comes and joins you to help set this up.... you just have to get on with it and do all the initial effort yourself. Then when something viable appears, people offer to translate or give suggestions, etc, and the ball starts rolling. The entry to Photo Challenge was low so easy to get participants. Much harder for your project. So I think you will have to recruit the few drone people that are on Commons plus some more in order to get a team. I'm not sure how WMF could help but perhaps send the community-liaison folk an email and perhaps they will have some ideas. -- Colin (talk) 21:45, 25 October 2016 (UTC)

Glue, your favorite cel phone and $3.79 (usd) can get you started....

I am working on it, FB has groups for Drone pilots, now that you have your own (see above for 3.79) perhaps you can join us, no really I think that we need to just invite them/give them a section in the project that is applicable to them really according to the feedback I got. Build it and they will come? --WPPilot (talk) 01:33, 26 October 2016 (UTC)

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks for your advice re blending bracketed exposures, I used it successfully (well, sort of IMO) yesterday for the first time. When my Sony makes in-camera HDRs it also takes one additional "normal" pic and stores it. So using these two versions (none of which were really good) as layers plus the eraser tool at different sizes and percentages I could merge the pics into a better one. A really nice and un-frustrating experience. :) My two first: this and that. cart-Talk 09:42, 26 October 2016 (UTC)

Cart, did you merge a normal and an Sony-tonemapped-HDR one? Strange combination, but if it works! If you install Hugin then you get align_image_stack.exe, enblend.exe and enfuse.exe and a hacker like you should figure out how to use them on the command line. If you have a tripod and want to try bracketed exposures, I recommend using a remote control to fire the shutter. I bought a cheap infra red one from ebay/amazon which does the job. If there's no remote for your camera then perhaps you can set a delay, though some cameras don't let you do a delay and an exposure bracket combination. And to simply reduce noise then a few identical exposures from your tripod can be combined. You may find (as I do) that even with a tripod it is worth using align_image_stack as sometimes even the floor moves a little. There's a chap I follow on Flickre Otto Berkeley who combines exposures using luminosity masks in Photoshop, as well as other advanced techniques and tools, none of which I have investigated or mastered. There's always something new to learn. -- Colin (talk) 18:48, 26 October 2016 (UTC)

I merged those two versions because they were the only ones at had this time. ;) I'll do a more proper merge next time. This was just testing. :) I always shoot with a delay, usually two seconds and on the exhale, to reduce any camera shake from button-pushing. (I also shoot sports pistol, hence the sniper technique.) That way I don't have to lug around a tripod everywhere. I have tripods and use them from time to time plus a 10 sec delay to get everything steady, unfortunately know all about unruly floors. I have looked at Hugin and some day I'll get around to using it. Much going on right now... Anyway, thanks again. Best, cart-Talk 19:01, 26 October 2016 (UTC)

Because you deserve more than just an ECHO "thanks" ...

I didn't have time when I got your message to sit down and write you the thoughtful reply you deserved, so now that I do this is it ...

Don't worry about it. While at first I resented your take on my reaction, on later reflection it did in fact force me to think about how, due to Issam's limited English skills, he probably didn't mean his response the way I took it.

Nor do I take your responses personally—if I did, I probably wouldn't keep !voting "per Colin" after our occasional dustups. I have never doubted your good faith at FPC for one second (I guess I could say that I'm not Livio, but that's a nonissue for the time being).

And, of course, I keep faving your pics on Flickr when they have reached that level of quality.

Of course I do very much appreciate the apology, of course. Daniel Case (talk) 18:11, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

Cheers Daniel. I just realised that I wasn't following you on Flickr, though you don't seem as active there as here. -- Colin (talk) 22:16, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

CA

Hi Colin, I noticed the convo with Carter and wanted to see if perhaps we might want to put together a section on CA. That was a new attribute adjustment to me, in so far as prior to this year it had never been brought up. Clearly your detailed understanding is well earned and I was wondering if we might put together a section, using a lot of what you posted for Carter in fact so that we have somewhere to send others to learn. It seems to have a high importance value these days for FP, yet when I tried to run the correction, I really did not see any change whatsoever. Hearts talked me through the process to reduce it in PS and it seemingly did nothing for these old eyes of mine. I would be willing to help if you like. On another note I did have some convo with high ranking officials at a Drone company and it would be willing to support us if we wanted to create a contest for its users. I was asked if it could give us/the project product for prizes, and I have no idea how that might go over, but its better then a "Barnstar" as its something you can use to up your game. Thoughts?~~ --WPPilot (talk) 05:54, 29 October 2016 (UTC)

Yes, CA is a defect which can be easy or hard to fix depending on the tools you have. If you have a version of Photoshop/Lightroom no more than 2-3 years older than your lens (i.e. its end of support cycle), then it should have a lens profile corresponding to your lens, and fixing CA is as simple as shooting in RAW and checking the box "Enable Lens Profile Corrections." Failing that there are options to manually adjust green/magenta sliders that (I believe) actually shift pixels around in the different color channels. The true manual approach (desaturating fringes one by one) is close to impossible if you have lots of high-contrast edges on the sides, and trying to fix that is worse than cloning out all the dust spots on a very dirty sensor. -- King of ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ 03:06, 31 October 2016 (UTC)

WPPilot I'm sure there are as many techniques as there are photographers and software packages. Lightroom is probably the most popular but there are folk who use other packages too. I have wondered about creating some tutorial pages on various topics before but (a) it is quite a lot of work to take the relevant photos (b) we can't upload screenshots of Lightroom GUI (only our own photographs) to Commons unlike other websites and (c) MediaWiki sucks for generating image-heavy web pages. I know there are other Wikimedia sites more suited to instruction manuals but I guess they run off the same software. There's plenty free advice on the web, so perhaps the best thing is to write up something basic with links to web pages that explain better with good images or a Youtube video.

Wrt to your drone project, having no cash prize hasn't been a problem at Photo Challenge and I appreciate that this also means less hassle and complaints should a challenge have any contentious issues. Offering money or vouchers or a physical prize means you need to be much stricter about rules and who can participate, etc. But I also know that many serious amateurs are really reluctant to give away their photos for free (even though they are just hobbyists who aren't making money from them anyway) so a prize might be the incentive they need to participate here. However, I know from Wiki Loves Monuments that getting lots of participants for one event doesn't translate into lots of permanent users at Commons. That's the big challenge ... to turn people into regular contributors.

King of Hearts, I recently bought this sensor cleaning stick for Sony (this one is for other makes). I also bought one of these for examining the sensor. I can recommend both. It was very easy to clean the sensor of dust and the magnifier makes it easier to see the dust rather than the tedious process of taking a photo of a white wall at f/16 and uploading it to the computer to examine for any remaining dust spots. The magnifier/light isn't essential, though. -- Colin (talk) 22:39, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

Colin thanks for the details. I use Adobe CC so I have all of the tools in the latest iteration. Often the stills shot during video runs and I just use jpg. I set my Nikon's to shoot both and will take your advice to adjust the shots from RAW. Jazzed that I had both the current aerial nominations confirmed as FP, thanks for your support. What is interesting in regard to UAV's is that almost ALL of the drone users now are unable to use the photos/video for ANY (paid) commercial use. and commons gives the "effort" at least a chance at use, critique and a forum for improvement.. --WPPilot (talk) 23:02, 1 November 2016 (UTC)

WPPilot, Cart, Rhododendrites, King of Hearts, I found this Adobe blog entry on New Color Fringe Correction Controls. This explains in full detail the causes of CA and other fringing, and the controls that Lightroom/ACR now have to remove them. Particularly helpful is the comment about combining local and global defringe for those really stubborn images where you also need to protect some purple/green in your subject. I know know if Elements has similar tools. -- Colin (talk) 18:37, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

More thanks!

Thanks to you explanation, I managed to get the settings on the camera to cooperate and do different exposures resulting in this. That photo would otherwise have been just shadows and highlights. Many thanks! --cart-Talk 10:58, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Cart, good photo. Did you do your hand-blending of layers or use something else to blend it? -- Colin (talk) 17:51, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Thanks. It was first a "merger" of two light/bright exposures (one at 50% over the other in layers) and then that went onto the darkest exposure and I simply deleted parts of it at different percentage to select how bright/dark I wanted the different parts. I think this is a good way to learn and see how my decisions affect the overall look of the photo before I move on to more automated and sophisticated ways of doing this. The blending of exposures in the layers also reduced the noise significantly, just like you said it would. :) cart-Talk 18:05, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

A quick Google seems to confirm that Photoshop Elements does not support 16-bit or 32-bit TIFF files, so will not be suitable to tonemap an HDR TIFF such as produced by PtGui. That's a shame. Is there a CC Photography subscription for your country? -- Colin (talk) 18:31, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Don't know, I'll have to check into that when the time comes. There are a few other things I have to learn/try first. :) cart-Talk 19:47, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Wiki Loves Monument2 2016

Hi Colin, Congratulations!! Your photo has been selected as a winner of a special prize for 1916 images in the 2016 Wiki Loves Monuments contest in Ireland! Prizes will be presented at the awards ceremony in November in Dublin (date and location to be determined). We hope you will be able to attend. Please contact me, via email at wikimediaireland AT gmail DOT com, to verify your identity and to RSVP for the award ceremony. Shannon Eichelberger (talk) 13:23, 2 November 2016 (UTC)

Commons:Photo challenge/2016 - March - Inside / Outside/Winners

	Photo Challenge – Second Place
	Congratulations! Your picture City Hall, London, Spiral Staircase - 1.jpg won the 2nd place in the Photo Challenge Inside / Outside, in March 2016. You can find the results of the challenge here.

Another first

Gothenburg City Theatre at night

So, my very first night HDR. :) I don't think it went too badly considering it was a hand-held shot and therefore only three exposures. (I didn't bring a tripod on the trip) Manually blended in layers. This was fun! Will definitely try it out some more when the weather allows it again ...sometime in March... (This was taken last year but it looks exactly the same outside right now.) Tnx for luring me into this. :) cart-Talk 00:27, 6 November 2016 (UTC) That is a really nice shot Colin --WPPilot (talk) 06:46, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

Racing yacht photos

So I took your suggestion to heart and went out with one of my production rigs today and shot this:

Santa Cruz 60 Dare

It was shot with a MDT on a Rig using a 4x5.565 Tiffen ND in DLog then converted it in PS. Penny for your thoughts?

On another topic, I have added a 360 camera, to my quiver of gear. Have you played with them yet. Any idea is the player will even all the use of them? Mine is a Nikon 360 btw. I am not sure if I can get used to the perspective for still photos, but today was my first day using it. The learning curve is ahh, interesting to put it lightly.. --WPPilot (talk) 06:46, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

WPPilot, to be honest, I think the colours and contrast look wrong. I can look again tonight on my better monitor. I don't know about "DLog" -- when I Googled it suggested V-Log as a new firmware option on the Panasonic GH4 you used. I've read a little about SLog on the Sonys. My understanding is they have a different gamma (and other aspects) designed to retain more highlight/shadow detail in video, and always need significant post-processing/colour-grading to transform into the gamma we expect for video/still formats. But for stills, I can't see the point vs raw format, which has the native dynamic range of the sensor and therefore can't really be superseded. I'm surprised these modes are even available for stills. The lens has sharply caught the fine mesh in the sail that has resulted in quite a lot of colour moire, which ACR's moire-removal tool should be able to fix.

In terms of composition, the yellow post on the left is a bit distracting but overall it is a rather static "picture of boat in middle of frame" photo, with quite a cluttered background. I can't see that getting a lot of wow votes at FPC unless the boat was highly photogenic in itself.

You should talk to Code and Diliff about the Equirectangular Projection photos they generate and the viewer used. There have been some FPs by each of them in recent months. They generate the images by taking lots of photos with a wide-angle lens and a panoramic head on their tripod. Combined with HDR, the result is very detailed and impressive at FP. Mostly used for indoor but I think Code has an outdoor FP too. Currently they have to use a viewer off-wiki but there is effort to get it here. Just stills though. I suspect that for a small-sensor camera, you won't be able to compete at FP for the same kinds of subjects as Code/Diliff but as an action-cam there must be far more opportunities and potentially impressive photos. I have a fisheye lens, which is one of my favourites, and yes you have watch not to get your feet in the photo and at this time of year, also avoid getting your shadow in the frame. With my fisheye and panoramic head, there's no reason I should not also be taking some 360 photos, but I just haven't got round to it. -- Colin (talk) 10:00, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

The GH 4 is brand new to me, so I am working with a number of different modes, this was Cine D mode. This is a export from 4k videoI too am not so impressed with that mode but see the cameras potential. I should have done a light crop to remove the pin (yellow thing) and I know David, Diliff and agree that he is a truly accomplished photographer. I have a 360 panoramic head as well as the new 360 camera itself.. I have more cameras that I know what to do with really, but its hard to run a large body camera racing a sailboat at the same time :) I will upload my first 360 from the New Nikon in a few moments.. --WPPilot (talk) 15:06, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

360 degree shot from the boat in Newport Harbor shot yesterday with the new Nikon 360 Camera

please forgive my arm on the left side, learned my lesson in that no place is "safe" (outside of the Cameras Lens) with this camera rolling. This is, as was the above pic a example but this should be a fun tool. I have only uploaded a few videos and one of my questions was regarding the OGG viewer and how it will handle the new 360 degree video files. If I drop it in my Premiere timeline I can navigate around within, but the perspective that will render is the "direction" I decide yet if I view it in the Nikon viewer, I can rotate around in a circle using its interface. Now that would be cool here needless to say. I plan one day this week to fly it under the drone and capture a virtual video unlike anything most have ever seen, looking forward to that.. Who created the OGG player here, do you know? --WPPilot (talk) 15:43, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

• That doesn't appear to be a 360 degree file, I have to say. Full 360x180 degree spherical panoramic images should have an exactly 2:1 aspect ratio (vertical by definition is 180 degrees from zenith to nadir and horizontally 360 degrees). Your image is only 2,877 × 1,902 which suggests it's missing about 1/4 of the horizontal field of view. And that seems to be borne out by the fact that there's a yacht on the far right side on the horizon that doesn't wrap over to the left side. You can also add the Pano360 template (with the two {'s on each side) to the image page which should add a spherical panorama viewer. I tried it and there's definitely an issue with the horizontal. Have a go and you'll see what I mean. Not sure why the camera isn't outputting a proper 360 degree horizontal view. Diliff (talk) 15:54, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

Hey David thanks for your insight. The missing horizontal field issue was caused by the exporting of a frame in Premiere as this was a part of the video file, rather then just a image so I am sure that is where the "loss of field" comes into. This was the first time I even had it out of the box and am still figuring out in my spare time, something I don't have much of right now. I did only videos yesterday so as soon as I figure out the coded blinking light system and the cameras interface I am sure these will improve. Carter put the 360 template on the pic, that's really nice so now I am motivated to figure this thing out and make it really do what it claims it can do.. Cheers! (Don) 16:36, 7 November 2016 (UTC)

WPPilot, one of the photo sites I read linked to some 360 videos. Such as the one of the media pen at a Trump rally. Took me a while to figure out the UI. The quality was awful until I clicked the HD button, and then dragging around the screen while the video is playing. That's really cool. If that's what your camera can do, then there's definitely some advantage to using it for video vs the static 360's that Diliff and Code have done. Find a scene with action and an immersive viewpoint. -- Colin (talk) 20:31, 8 November 2016 (UTC)

Colin Diliff This one is complete: Yacht Interior and has a complete 360 view. For the price this is fantastic and a great deal. The camera runs 599 retail and with bag stand remote and a few bats, you into the kit for under a thousand bucks and it does all the work.. I have the proper handle for it now and will shoot more with it soon without yours truly in the photo. Next step is the interface, still buggy but I am sure that will update soon..... --Don (talk) 00:08, 9 November 2016 (UTC)

: Colin Diliff, are either of you aware of a way to create hot spots, inside the 360 videos to progress to the next photo? Lets say I have a 5 360 video tour that I want to stuich together, i.e. you click in the door and you move inside..--WPPilot (talk) 04:32, 10 November 2016 (UTC)

To do 360 tours, you are going to need specialised software designed to put together the necessary web pages and code. I've never investigated the software too much because it's not something I'm involved in. It's quite a specialised thing and the software is not cheap (USD$500-1000 from memory). I can't give you specific recommendations because it's an industry that's evolving fast, but I know that Kolor are a respected name in panoramic photography and do make software that does creates virtual tours. Whether it's the best cutting edge software at this moment, I couldn't tell you. 13:50, 10 November 2016 (UTC)

Diliff, thanks, the price is reasonable I just need to speak French to read up on it ;) what other companies so 360 stitching that your aware of? 14:26, 10 November 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

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Questions about panorama and light conditions

Hi Colin,

1. This was not a ironic question, I actually want know your opinion.
2. I haven't a Nodal Ninja or whatever panorama head. Do you know some tecnique to do a Panorama 360 manually?

Thanks --The Photographer 20:25, 15 November 2016 (UTC)

1. I don't know how I would do better. It is hard to make the shutter longer since the train is moving and will blur, unless that's the effect you want. Maybe I was too harsh -- it passed FP after all. The top right third of the image was just too mushy for my liking at FP. I guess you had glare from the train lights too. I think you have a tendency to whack those Lightroom sliders all the way to max/min, or crank up Clarity a lot. The result can be eye-popping but also can be not very realistic. Depends what sort of image you are aiming for, whether that's acceptable imo.

I underestand, however, I will upload the RAW file in commons archive and I will let you know. BTW, I don't know if it's posible share the file alteration history of lightroom in metadata file. --The Photographer 11:35, 16 November 2016 (UTC)

2. Do you mean 360° equilateral panoramas that require a special viewer to pan around and zoom in/out? I haven't created one yet, but keep intending to. Code and Diliff have done this.

I think it is very difficult to do successful panoramas indoors by hand. I've done a few but often there are stitching issues that require Photoshop to fix/hide or that mean the image wouldn't stand a chance at FP. I find Smartblend is much better than the standard blend tool that comes with Hugin or PtGui as it copes better with parallax errors and hides its seams better. But creating stitched photos is a relatively cheap way of making high-resolution, sharp photos without having expensive cameras or lenses -- as you know many of mine were created with my previous entry-level DSLR and cheap lenses. I have Diliff's old Nodal Ninja III. It isn't cheap new but is quite compact and if you have a ball head + tripod then that's all you need. You could also consider Sunwayfoto CR 30 which is very similar in design to the NN III. It is quite a bit cheaper. Sunwayfoto are a good quality make, but possibly that pano head isn't as large or stable as the NN III If you are considering buying one, check with the seller whether it is compatible with your camera + lens. Some of these small panoramic heads aren't compatible with big DSLRs or big lenses. You could try a fund-raising web page like we did for Jee's macro lens, and aim for the Nodal Ninja which is possible more compatible with slightly larger cameras, and is certainly very widely used. I think there are now crowdfunding sites for non-profit activities which charge less or no fees. -- Colin (talk) 21:24, 15 November 2016 (UTC)

I have only a lens in good conditions a 35mm nikon dx 1.8 af-s, I have too a Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG with a focus problem and a sigma sigma 18-55 f/2.8 with a mushroom problem so I try not to use it much. My first option is use my 35 mm and 18 photos every 20° at 30°, however, do it manually result in severals stitching issues how you told me. 200 $ is too expensive to me, please, let me know if you know another alternative like build by yourself a panoramic head. Thanks --The Photographer 11:35, 16 November 2016 (UTC)

If you restrict yourself to single-row panorama then you could buy/make some kind of L bracket that will allow you to mount your camera in portrait mode with the lens centre over the tripod point. Then use your tripod head to rotate horizontally. But if you want multi-row then you need a head with adjustable and rotatable parts. If you know someone who could machine aluminium parts to high specification, then they could copy a NN III -- it isn't exactly rocket science -- but they would have to offer their time for free for you to make any saving over buying one. I do suggest you try crowdfunding to get the gear. I think you'd make use of it so would have a good response. $200 isn't much money to raise. Alternatively, WMF may be willing to buy a pano head and loan it or give you a grant. Again, $200 isn't much money for WMF. -- Colin (talk) 13:07, 16 November 2016 (UTC)

I can read here "Note: The 16-35mm Nikkor lens is not compatible with both the NN3 and NN4 series pano heads. ", it's about all lens in this range (16mm to 35mm) or is about AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens?. I will use the nikkor 35mm 1.8. I will ping @Diliff: too and thanks in advance --The Photographer 15:23, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

I don't think you will have any problems. The 16-35 lens is a big big lens and that will be why. See also Entrance Pupil Database, NN3 User Manual which says "How do I know if my lens will work on NN3?: It’s best to simply measure it. You will get full tilt up on wide angle zoom lenses that measure 105mm (4 1/8 inches) or less from the “entrance pupil” at the focal length used to the camera mounting threads. With the use of the N3T20 T-adapter, you will get an “additional” 40mm (1 ½ inches) of length, however this may limit the ability to get a full 90 degree rotation up. These measurements are taken off the upper rail of NN3. Also, some larger fisheye lenses, like the FC-E9, will not fit.". With a crop camera like the D300 and a standard size lens, you should have no problems. Note that many people use such panoramic heads with very wide-angle lenses and fisheyes in order to get a 360° panorama. With your 35mm lens (which is 50mm in full-frame terms) you couldn't easily create a full 360° panorama since it would require a ridiculous number of frames. But you can still create large stitched panoramic photos. I mainly use my 35mm and 50mm lenses. -- Colin (talk) 18:01, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

In this moment I am creating a huge amount of photos to make panoramas 360 (with my 35mm) that usually come with stitch problems that can not be corrected. I followed your suggestion, please tell me your opinion and please feel free to share it --The Photographer 23:09, 19 November 2016 (UTC)

User:The Photographer Great to see you start a fund-raiser. I have a few ideas and suggestions. Let me continue this over on your talk page. @Diliff, Code, and King of Hearts: too. -- Colin (talk) 10:50, 20 November 2016 (UTC)

How important is a nodal head vs. ball-head tripod alone? I like to travel light and am reluctant to bring a long metal object that doesn't fit in my photo backpack. Most of my panos are shot at infinity where parallax doesn't matter, but I've also shot some closer ones like File:San Francisco City Hall September 2013 panorama 3.jpg (this is a 4x3 multi-row). -- King of ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ 04:04, 20 November 2016 (UTC)

King of Hearts, the NN3 is 475g and as you can see from this page it folds down quite compact. However I tend to leave mine assembled in an L shape which is 18cm x 15cm. This just fits into the top compartment of my camera bag. I see you have a full-frame camera. Code uses the NN3 with his full-frame Canon and Diliff also used that combination I would recommend double-checking it supports your camera+lenses as some of the larger bodies and lenses are not compatible. Diliff uses a larger model now and it is pretty big. He doesn't seem to mind carrying a lot of weight. I have managed to create several FP quality images by taking hand-held stitches. As you say, for landscape photos it doesn't matter unless you include foreground. I took this, this and this handheld and they worked out ok with a bit of Photoshopping to fix some small errors. But this was a nightmare with lots of parallax errors and required a lot of Photoshopping. Not only does it avoid stitching errors but using a tripod (vs rotating around the entrance pupil hand held) considerably increases my success rate with each frame. I used to take two photos for every frame, in case some had shake or blur, but that isn't so necessary with the tripod. I also use a little cheap infra-red remote to fire the shutter. Additionally, the vertical orientation with the pano-head (vs horizontal for typical ball mount usage) is convenient for some lenses to create a single-row stitch that would be too narrow otherwise. So I definitely recommend it. If you want to try 360° panos, then it is essential, as is an ultra-wide or fisheye lens. -- Colin (talk) 10:33, 20 November 2016 (UTC)

The NN3MkII is a wonderful thing and works very well with my equipment. For my 360° panos I usually use the 6D with the Samyang 14mm lens (e.g. here or here) although I also tried the 24-70mm F4L IS USM lens at 35mm or 24mm and got good results, too (see here or here). For other stitched photographs I usually take the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 (Art) lens (examples here or here). I wouldn't recommend to use a heavier equipment on the NN3MkII but an average FF-camera like the Canon EOS 6D with a Sigma Art lens is easy to handle. --Code (talk) 19:01, 20 November 2016 (UTC)

How strict is the 50mm maximum focal length on the NN3? Is it a hard stop (meaning there simply not enough space to move the camera 50mm away from the nodal point), or is it simply a suggestion due to the weight of heavier lenses (so an 85mm prime is OK)? What's the minimum model required to mount the 14-24mm (1 kg)? -- King of ♥ ♦ ♣ ♠ 07:36, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

King of Hearts, see Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Josselin Château Evening Light Reflected 2016-08-15 WLM.jpg. The issue with focal length is that the horizontal rotator has little interchangeable brass rings that have small dents in them. These are hit by a ball-bearing in the arm base that makes the rotator click and stop every X degrees. These detents let you evenly space the frames in the panorama so that, for a given lens, there is sufficent overlap and no gaps. There are no detents in the vertical arm, just markings for 5 degree and 15 degree IIRC. But you don't have to use the detents. Possibly you could remove the rings, but also you can place the camera between the rings and hold it there. The rings do have an advantage if the panorama software struggles to find control-points to align images. This can happen on water or on the sky, particularly if using a normal or telephoto lens rather than wide-angle. Then you can enter the angles directly to PtGui so knowing that one frame is 2.5 degrees from the previous is useful. But I rarely need to use that. My 50mm lens is equivalent to 75mm.

There are limitations on the length of the arms and the size of some lenses (or where their entrance pupils are) in that you might not be able to position it aligned with the entrance pupil, or that the body will hit the base when rotated vertically (which may not matter unless you are doing a 180-360). Ask Diliff also. If Code can manage a 6D and a Sigma Art (which are big/heavy) then it should be OK. I see the 14-24 is mentioned here wrt the NN4. You could ask on that forum. Your 750 is smaller than the 800. -- Colin (talk) 08:41, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

King of Hearts: I can't add much to what Colin said. I think it'll be possible to use lenses with longer focal lengths than 50mm as well if you either don't use the clicks of the NN3 rotator or buy yourself an advanced rotator. The German shop linked above sells both together, maybe you can find a similar offer in the US as well. --Code (talk) 09:18, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Peter Tatchell - Rainbow - 8by10 - 2016-10-15.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Good quality. --W.carter 09:30, 14 November 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:17, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

Not exactly a church window... ;)

I tried out the HDR on my better camera. It went even better than with the small one, since I could tweak the settings in so many more ways. More things to test and get better acquainted with. :) cart-Talk 11:04, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

O_o Are you crazy! A respected photographer like you, following a nobody like me. That's going to ruin your reputation seriously! ;) I only got that account to have someplace online to ditch my experiments and more mediocre pics of little or no EV. :) cart-Talk 12:09, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

Oh I'm a "nobody" on Flickr. Never got any image into "Explore" nor made any effort to do the social engineering and careful image tagging necessary. Diliff's the same, though perhaps he did get an "Explore" once. I tend to post most of my photos to both sites. I have family photos set with privacy levels so nobody else sees them, and some photos of work events that are also private (accessible only via a link I shared with my colleagues). If I upload with a free licence, then people can use Flickr's search to locate freely licenced images just as they do on Commons, and possibly with better results.

Good result on the HDR. Is that some sort of big shed? How did you set up your camera and what software did you use for HDR? Did your camera let you use exposure bracketing to get a decent exposure range (some are limited to e.g. +/- 1ev which isn't really enough). -- Colin (talk) 12:46, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

I guess Flickr can be just as much about strategic social networking shenanigans as any online media site. Some of my pics got "faved" right away by some users who probably just wanted me to notice their pages. Think I'll stay away from such things, even following someone seems tricky for me since that might look as if I'm trying to get a 'following' in return. I can use your account to keep track of nice folks here at COM instead. :) I'll learn that site on a need-to-know-basis. Right now it's just good to upload things without the usual "paper work" you have to do here. ;)

The pic was taken in one of the stairwells of the industrial complex I work in. There are many manufacturing companies here and you can always find something interesting to shoot. Some examples are these: 1, 2, 3, 4. People here are used to seeing me in some strange position with a camera. ;) The stairwell photo is handheld with a +3 EV. That camera can only handle 3 steps but I can choose how to extract these or mix them in camera if I want. My small camera can do 6 steps, I haven't got around to sussing out exactly what that means, but I guess it is about the same thing. I mixed them in Elements as usual (still there...) and it worked well. Did some extra brightening also and NR, but not for the window part, detailed things like the birch tends to loose too much detail in NR, so I usually leave those out of it. cart-Talk 15:05, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

Some of my faves are friends or genuine votes by strangers, but I think some are people just tagging images they plan to use for some purpose. You get some people fav or follow who haven't uploaded any photos, so I think they are there just to collect images. The tit-for-tat following and faving seems to be a way to build up exposure, though you also have to upload interesting images regularly and tag them well. Other than Commons folk or friends, I follow a few photographers in London whose work I like and it is nice to get updated with what they've done. It can be inspiring to see local sights photographed well. Since Flickr is a bigger community than Commons, you also may find local people to follow or people with similar photographic interests. I agree that manufacturing offers a lot of physically interesting subjects -- more so than an office. -- Colin (talk) 21:26, 17 November 2016 (UTC)

Awesome trick you taught me! Yay!

That trick with using layers to reduce noise you told me about is just awesome! Thanks a heap! I used it on the tanker pics. Ok, the pics are still pretty crappy as far as night pics goes here, but not as lousy as they would have been without the HDR and the trick. They are after all taken from about 600 meters away and it was raining (I managed to rig the tripod inside the car to not get the camera wet, a bit uncomfortable but it worked). The "big" pic is done by mixing two in-camera HDRs at the same setting, 50/50 in Elements and the close-up of the tanker is done the same way but with three and the noise is not so eye-hurting. Just wanted to give credit where credit is due. We'll see when/if I can get any pics from inside the plant per this. Cheers, cart-Talk 00:51, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Cart, I'm glad it's useful. Not exactly original to me, though, and your Sony should have "Multi-shot-noise-reduction" mode (aka "Hand-held-twilight") that is exactly that. It's a bit frustrating how the glare/halo/CA from spot lights don't work so well -- I've seen that before with some of my own HDR. -- Colin (talk) 08:44, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Yeah, lamps always come out this way and it ruins the pics. This was the Panasonic and not the Sony, that one could not handle the distance. Both cameras have the "Multi-shot-noise-reduction" and that is really crappy in both. The Sony makes the photo look like some abstract painting and the Panasonic makes it more grainy than noisy. Of course I know this is not original to you, just wanted to say thanks. This is learning and also testing the limits of the cameras so I don't have to bother with trying to make shots that won't come out good anyway. cart-Talk 09:03, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Oh that's a shame the built-in modes aren't so good. Sometimes the camera manufacturer modes can be quite advanced, othertimes disappointing. I haven't used the multi-shot feature on my Sony since I tried it on my old A33 years ago, and found that processing the raw file in Lightroom produced a lower noise result. Sony's JPGs have improved since then. The panorama feature on the Sony is good considering what it is achieving with hand-held snaps in a few seconds of processing, and I've achieved some QI results with that. So when am I going to persuade you to try a raw processor like Lightroom. Then your idea of "limits of the cameras" might shift a bit! -- Colin (talk) 09:10, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Not to worry, you've already "persuaded" me to get Lightroom and try out raw. :) Unfortunately, at the annual vehicle inspection it was pointed out that my car needed new brakes, so that emptied my reserve fund. Sadly, I need a functioning car more than new toys. Maybe in February, and by that time the light will return. cart-Talk 09:52, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

I've noticed that my camera phone actually does brilliant HDR. I mean, the image quality isn't brilliant because it's really just a camera phone with a relatively small sensor, and there's zero adjustability of the result, but the implementation of the bracketing is great and completely unnoticable because modern camera phone sensors can be read ridiculously fast ([https://www.xda-developers.com/sony-imx378-comprehensive-breakdown-of-the-google-pixels-sensor-and-its-features/ this is a really informative article, well worth the read if you're interested in the tech). In the article, it mentions that Sony's latest sensor (used in a couple of recent smartphones) "is also able to shoot full resolution burst shots faster, stepping up to 60 Hz at 10 bit output and 40 Hz at 12 bit output (up from 40 Hz and 35 Hz respectively), which should help reduce the amount of motion blur and camera shake when using HDR+.". So essentially it can ouput 40-60 frames per second. Whether the phone's DSP can handle that in a sustained manner is another story, but for basic HDR bracketing, I'm sure it would store the output in RAM and process it. So it's able to do HDR handheld without any significant danger of blur between bracketed frames, something that is a major problem for us DSLR photographers with physical shutters and maximum of 5-10 frames per second. I wonder if this high sppeed HDR bracketing ability is likely to make it DSLR sensors anytime soon. I do already wonder why we still need physical mechanical shutters. Obviously for regular photography, the shutter delay is so that the mirror can flip up and even if you had an electronic shutter, it wouldn't help shutter delay, but for HDR, that wouldn't be necessary as you just want to shoot a bracket with the minimum of delay and don't need to see through the viewfinder during that process. My understanding used to be that there was a delay while the sensor 'discharged' its photosensitive wells, but that can't be the case anymore with the way they handle high speed video? Perhaps you know the answer Colin? Diliff (talk) 12:41, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

See THE FUTURE OF THE ELECTRONIC SHUTTER. I think some mirrorless cameras are already offering fully electronic shutter, but often at the expense of losing a couple of bits of dynamic range (e.g. 10bit rather than 12bit). Some of Sony's A7 series lose a couple of bits like this, or with other mode combinations. My camera has electronic first curtain, which on mirrorless (and SLT) helps avoid the extra "shutter close...shutter open" steps that would otherwise be needed to surround the "shutter open...shutter close" for the exposure. Another feature that might come to sensors soon is the ability to empty a sensor pixel once full and absorb light again. If it kept track of how many times the pixel filled up + the final part reading, then you'd get HDR with one exposure. But some of our HDR photos indoors require several seconds for the brightest exposure, so surely increasing framerate isn't relevant there? It would only help if doing HDR outdoors in bright light. -- Colin (talk) 13:11, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Good links and fascinating subject, thanks. I like when new radical thinking is introduced that will alter tech. Reminds me of when I had an idea for flat very light lenses back in the days. The theory was based on that instead of having the material be of different thickness to get to bend the light, you could alter the refractive index gradually and concentrically in a flat disc instead. The easiest way of doing this would be by finding a polymer which you could change that property of by using a circular gradient electrical field, same way you do in electrophoresis with dna samples, and then fixate it. Unfortunately, we could not find a suitable polymer then and now they have other ways of doing flat lenses. cart-Talk 13:44, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Peter Tatchell - Folliage - 2by3 - 2016-10-15.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments Ok for me --Hubertl 08:43, 18 November 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:17, 21 November 2016 (UTC)

help needed

Colin, Running Voting code on Commons:Photo challenge/2016 - October - Water Supply Infrastructure/Voting is crashing in line 88 where info.FileName is called but "info" is null. Could you help me debug it, or process that page. --Jarekt (talk) 04:27, 3 December 2016 (UTC)

Jarekt, the voting page has changed by User:Flominator to include a table of contents, and then the ===Sample=== subsection replaced by a div so it doesn't show up in the contents list. The contents were later removed by another user. The vote counting program assumed that there would be a === subsection before any image appeared, and so the info variable was null. I've fixed the page to restore the sample subsection. Flominator, please ask before changing the format of the photo challenge pages, as they are generated by and consumed by computer programs that expect a certain layout. Jarekt, I've pinged a couple of users who voted incorrectly. Once they are fixed, then the results can be generated. I'm happy to do this unless you get there first. -- Colin (talk) 12:17, 3 December 2016 (UTC)

Thank you --Jarekt (talk) 13:54, 3 December 2016 (UTC)

Sorry for the trouble, I wasn't aware of this. --Flominator (talk) 10:05, 4 December 2016 (UTC)

Blocked for 24 hours over disruption

So far I have observed you remove a warning (over a topic you ignored my request for clarification), remove my question regarding that very warning removal where you explicitly state that you have absolutely no intention of engaging in any discussion with me. Furthermore you have removed my observation of your conduct in a public thread and closed that very thread you yourself are an involved party twice.

This type of disruption where you remove other peoples warnings and replies, close threads where you are an involved party when you feel like it and overall act like you run the show will not be tolerated. It is clear to me you are far too involved with the issues (whatever they are) so I am giving you a 24 hour block just so you can calm down a bit and perhaps explain your actions.

I am still clueless as to why you are engaged in this bizarre disruptive edit pattern, whatever that reason may be it does NOT excuse your conduct in any shape or form.

Mind that I am willing to listen what the problem is. You need to first calm down and second explain briefly what the issue is about and who is involved. Only after that can I start piecing the details together. I do not have the time or patience to deconstruct pages and pages of text to retrieve such basic information.

I will unblock you myself if I see that

1) You have calmed down and will not act out of impulse like you have so far

2) You have engaged in a discussion where you are willing to provide the basic information I requested, you can do this on your talk page.

I will not hesitate to extend this block if you are unwilling to address these two points and continue engaging in the types of disruptive conduct discussed earlier.

-- とある白い猫 ^ちぃ？ 11:59, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

@とある白い猫: Just noting that from my perspective you're quite involved as well. Being ignored & reverted can induce annoyance / anger (perhaps there's a better word, but I can't think of it right now). --Zhuyifei1999 (talk) 12:07, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Please join IRC

Hi Colin please go to http://webchat.freenode.net and join #wikimedia-commons channel. You know THEY are talking about you. Your current block wouldn't stand if you were to see logs of what is being said. Would you like them? 189.84.21.90 12:40, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

I'd be happy to email the logs. I reiterated what I said here on IRC. If Colin wishes to discuss the matter on IRC, I am more than willing for that as well. -- とある白い猫 ^ちぃ？ 12:43, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Unblock

Unblock request granted This blocked user asked to be unblocked, and one or more administrators has reviewed and granted this request. Request reason: "See below. The template doesn't seem to work with links. Colin (talk) 12:53, 6 December 2016 (UTC)" Unblock reason: "I don't think this block was really justified. At best it is counter-productive, and it looks to be punitive. Yann (talk) 13:05, 6 December 2016 (UTC)" This template should be archived normally.

(Block log) (unblock) (Change local status for a global block) (contribs)

The community has heard more than enough from me in the last two days so I fail to understand why White Cat thinks I should add more words, using simple short sentences, just for his benefit and lack of attention span. The problems with Fae are complex with no obvious solutions. I regard White Cat's "Frankly I could not care any less what the nature of the actual dispute is", "10 words or fewer" and "I do not have the time or patience" comments as insulting and clear evidence that any conversation with him is unlikely to be fruitful. A previous interaction with White Cat (where User:Slaunger defended me) involved him making the most extreme and unpleasant comments, so, no, I'm not going to engage with him, and as a volunteer on this project, with no badge of office to defend, that is my right.

I created a complaint section against User:Revent at AN/U specifically about his misuse of the discussion closure to make a personal threat of a block against me, for reasons that I disputed. The discussion on Revent's closure (such as there was) reached no consensus but the personal threat was retracted and replaced instead with an agreement by Revent to seek community consensus for any block and to note his COI. The matter is resolved, to the best that is reasonable. Since this section was a complaint raised by me about another user, I am most certainly at liberty to close it as and when I feel the matter resolved. The fact that other people, such as White Cat, wish to use a section (a compaint about Revent) to attack me, is abuse and quite disrespectful.

Every admin knows that if you have a problem with a user then create a section about that user and stay focused on the problem with that user. I have done that with Revent, and I suggested to WhiteCat that he do that with me, should he wish. As we can see subsequently, User:Yann re-closed the section and White Cat has created a new section about me. This is exactly what my edits + request would have achieved. What is therefore the disruption I have caused? None. The only person "acting out of impulse" is White Cat because he's upset I won't answer his phone calls. And no, I'm not going to satisfy his #2 point and I don't actually think anyone else wants me to either (confirmed) -- Colin (talk) 12:53, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Hi,

I unblocked you. Could you please stay away from AN/U for some time. Some of your complain(s) may be justified, but I feel that, at this stage, bringing them forwards may not be fruitful. I still hope that some understanding between all people engaged is possible. Regards, Yann (talk) 13:05, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

It was indeed my intention today to close the current AN/U dispute and agree that the issues are not likely to be dealt with sympathetically any time soon. I shall be archiving the unpleasantness dumped on my talk page shortly. Thank you Yann, for your actions today. -- Colin (talk) 13:21, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Well done!

	3rd Prize 1916 Category Wiki Loves Monuments 2016 Ireland
	Congratulations! You have won joint third place in special 1916 category for Wiki Loves Monuments Ireland 2016. Smirkybec (talk) 16:30, 16 November 2016 (UTC)

Well done!

	3rd Prize 1916 Category Wiki Loves Monuments 2016 Ireland
	Congratulations! You have won joint third place in special 1916 category for Wiki Loves Monuments Ireland 2016. Smirkybec (talk) 16:30, 16 November 2016 (UTC)

A "Barnstar" for your truly remarkable Crowd Funding Skills!

	The Teamwork Barnstar
	The Teamwork Barnstar is awarded when several editors work together to improve the sites objectives. For championing the "Crowd Funding Programming" for our friend User:The Photographer, your dedication to the effort is going to get him what he needs. $1,045 USD in 3 days, job well done. --WPPilot (talk) 05:47, 23 November 2016 (UTC)

Wow! Definitely good to hear. When I saw the note about Wilfredo on my talk, I knew that with my limited disability payments, I wouldn't be able to give directly, but I hoped you'd have good luck in getting him what he needs. After seeing the wonderful results Jkadavoor has had thanks to donor generosity, and knowing that The Photographer is a skilled photographer, I figured it's a no-brainer.

I used to work as a printer at a small professional lab here in Reno. I often had to print some pretty boring team portrait sets for local high schools, or personal family/vacation pics. Then there were the photogs from Nevada Magazine and others, who always brought in something well-worth seeing and printing.

That's kind of how it is here. I do my daily stuff, deleting copyvios, blocking socks and spammers, getting rid of vacation and Facebook-style stuff, etc. But then I get to participate at FPC and now VIC, which is the most enjoyable thing I do here. I found recently that at VIC the butterflies that Charles Sharp nominates can be spread to other languages (one of them was a butterfly with 8 articles, and Charles's great image was the first one we had, so I got to add it to all 8 articles.)

I know I only have a Coolpix that doesn't do much for me, but I've already got 26 VI's that help showcase the work of others, with many more to come. I always look forward to the new FPCs, especially from great photographers like you, Diliff, Slaunger, Savin, Charles, Jee, Christian Ferrer, Poco a poco, and many others. I have DVDs full of personal copies of your work so I can look through it, or use it as wallpaper while I delete all the junk! I also try to make sure everyone that works at FPC/QIC/VIC have the tools they need, like filemover.

One thing I wish we had was something like the signpost, but for Commons. Maybe showcase a photog each month with an interview.

I like the educational side of Commons, hence my interest in VIC, but FPC is definitely a place to stop off at and get my dose of WOW. I live with my brother and sister, both in their 50s (I'm 48), and I always call them in to my room to see the latest gems I've found here. lNeverCry 07:06, 27 November 2016 (UTC)

Thanks INeverCry. Glad we are giving you pleasure with our image and very nice to read positive things on Commons. I think there's a "meet our photographers" page somewhere on Commons, with some interview stuff, but IIRC it is old and no longer updated. And I recall being "interviewed" on the WMF blog years ago. Has anyone got the time/ability to create a monthly newsletter? -- Colin (talk) 15:16, 27 November 2016 (UTC)

It was initiated; but no progress after that. Jee 16:24, 27 November 2016 (UTC)

That would take a special person to make a monthly thing like that really work. Someone with some actual people skills. OK, so I'm out - who've we got left? In seriousness though, I haven't done any real photography in 15 years. I used to take my Minolta XE7 and SRT303, lenses, filters, etc, my Mamiya RB67 and 80mm Sekor, and my Bogen tripod all over northern NV and CA and into Oregon. When I got back to the shop I worked at here in Reno, I'd have rolls of film running through the color developer, the B&W developer, and slides going through the E6. All I have left is the tripod and a couple big books of negs and slides. The gist of that long ramble is that now I have Commons, and I can see what kind of nice surprises I'll find each day. With FPC I always wake up to something worth seeing. And now we've got these 360 panos that blow my mind! lNeverCry 22:29, 27 November 2016 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

	The Real Life Barnstar
	I know that this star don't have more value that you can give it, however, thank Colin for helping to get the money to buy my new equipment to continue here with you The Photographer 13:22, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks User:The Photographer. I hope you find a way to purchase without paying too much import duty. The next stage is to discuss a grant from WMF. Part of the procedure involves community endorsing your grant request, and I'm sure there will be no problems with that. -- Colin (talk) 13:30, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

I don't know how create a grant, however, in the first moment I need someone travelling from US to Brazil, in this case I could ask for a grant. I already asked this favor to the members of Wikimedia Brazil and another groups. I will need your help to write this grant, you are better than me to write english and ask something --The Photographer 13:33, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Sure I can help. Possibly some other people know WMF better than I do? Odder, Diliff, Jee? Do you think you would combine the two and buy a camera with the grant and the lens/panoramic head with the crowdfunds in one trip? How much is the airfare from Brazil to US and back? Have you tried the Village Pump or other channels to ask if anyone is likely to be travelling there any time soon? Can we persuade Poco a poco to visit Brazil? :-) -- Colin (talk) 13:43, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Hmmm; this is how grant proposal looks. It's actually a lending grant as they can't transfer the ownership. It need a community endorsement too. It is WM Brazil who need to take the decision first. Let me know if I can help you further. Jee 13:57, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Jkadavoor, please --The Photographer 14:53, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

It's funny because my brother is right now over there but I don't plan any big trips in the coming months. Maybe asking for a grant to Montreal (Wikimania'17) is the solution?. Not sure though about getting equipment through a grant. When I lost all I had the WMF mentioned that they were considering introducing grants for cases like me but they finally didn't do it. A project grant helps for an especific task and would forseen that the equipment is available to the movement and not assigned to a person. Actually, thanks to this grant there will be sooner or later a camera to others in Sao Paulo, also to The Photographer. Poco² 20:33, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Poco, Jee's Sony A77ii is from a WMF grant. -- Colin (talk) 20:37, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Ok, good to know, that means that something changed here since end of 2014. I didn't get any support back then (and the robbery happened actually on the way home right after a Wikimedia movement's conference). Poco² 20:43, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

The camera and lens I received are still owned by WMIN. So literally WMF granted them to WMIN and WMIN lent them to me. And with a condition that I need to return them to WMIN if not using for more than six months. Poco is correct that equipment grant is available to the movement and not to an individual. But I think it (the way WMIN processed my request) is enough for The Photographer too. What we need to know first is whether WM Brazil is willing to help him. Jee 02:31, 7 December 2016 (UTC)

Based on past events in WM-Brazil and the person asking for the grant, I sincerely doubt that that camera is available, however, I hope so. --The Photographer 20:50, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

I have no idea how budgets for these things are worked out and there may be local limits for any chapter over any period of time, but WMF themselves are not short of cash. And I have no doubt the community would make a strong case for this. There aren't many photographers on Commons as productive as you, with high quality results, in the part of the world you are in. -- Colin (talk) 20:53, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Colin your words are importants to me and I hope to get to your level or Poco level some day. BTW, Poco idea could work I will ask the grant before to Wikimania Montreal. --The Photographer 21:00, 6 December 2016 (UTC)

WLM 2016.

Congrats for the second place. Glad Code and you took the first spots. - Benh (talk) 19:18, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Wow, one bullet and you got it! well, almost, congrats!! Poco² 19:21, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Congratulations, Colin! A great picture! --Code (talk) 20:03, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Wow that is magnificent news indicating that at least for the final international judgement, they 'actually' appreciated the high level of effort that went into producing a photo of very high quality and great wow. Congratz to Code as well for his excellent winning photo! -- Slaunger (talk) 21:04, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks very much. Slaunger, the judging criteria are here. The jury report is here. They wrote: "The image captures the expanse of the space and shows many valuable details thanks to the long exposure time. The colours structure the elements of the image, and the stunning resolution allows the viewer to explore countless details. The jury appreciates the fact that the original non-cropped photo was also uploaded, which shows the equipment and people, showing that something special will happen soon, or recently happened." So it certainly looks like they didn't just judge thumbnails! :-). -- Colin (talk) 21:20, 15 December 2016 (UTC)

Congratulations! my vote was for your pic and It was by far the best I rated --The Photographer 01:12, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Congratulations! Jee 02:49, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Congrats!! --Martin Falbisoner (talk) 07:01, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Piling on the congrats! Well deserved honor. cart-Talk 11:39, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Congrats!!--Godot13 (talk) 21:21, 16 December 2016 (UTC)

Quality Image Promotion

Your image has been reviewed and promoted Congratulations! Royal Albert Hall - Central View 169.jpg, which was produced by you, was reviewed and has now been promoted to Quality Image status. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so at Quality images candidates. We also invite you to take part in the categorization of recently promoted quality images. Comments  Support Good quality.--Agnes Monkelbaan 06:00, 20 December 2016 (UTC)

--QICbot (talk) 05:28, 23 December 2016 (UTC)

Merry Christmas!

	Merry Christmas, Colin/Archive!
	Hi Colin/Archive, thank you for all your valuable contributions on Commons. Especially of your great photographing skills! This help fulfill the number 1 goal of Commons: To be a free, educational media repository for everyone. I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year. And I hope your disagreements with Fæ would be solved one day.    ★ Poké95 01:47, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks Pokéfan95, and wish you also a merry Christmas and a happy new year. -- Colin (talk) 15:56, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Some holiday joy

Since 1959, it is a Swedish tradition to (at 3 pm) watch Donald Duck and other Disney cartoons on TV. The most appreciated part is about Donald as bird photographer in Clown of the Jungle. I think most users at FPC can relate to the frustrated Donald (especially the parrot scene), which is why I'm sharing it with you. Happy Holiday! --cart-Talk 15:00, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Cart, I don't think we have anything like that tradition, though big TV shows have "Christmas Special" editions that are very popular. There is the Queen's Christmas message that is traditionally watched, though I've never bothered with it. I watched your Youtube clip. I'm not sure they'd show that on British TV now, with the suicide hanging/gunshot and the machine-gun shooting, etc. I see from en:List of Donald Duck universe characters# Aracuan Bird that the machine-gun bit is edited out of your Christmas show. -- Colin (talk) 16:04, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Originally, all clips in the one-hour show were unedited but over time many of them have been cut and edited since they included scenes that were considered too violent or, even worse, racist. Thankfully many things have changed since the 50s. cart-Talk 16:16, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Happy holidays! 2017! ;)

		* * * * * * * Happy Holidays 2017 ! * * * * * * *
		* Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! * Joyeux Noël ! Bonne année! * Frohes Weihnachten! Frohes Neues Jahr! * Счастливого Рождества! С Новым годом! * ¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo! * Щасливого Різдва! З Новим роком! -- George Chernilevsky talk 18:01, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Best Wishes!

Best Wishes, Colin/Archive! Hi Colin/Archive, I wish you all the best for the Holidays and a Happy New Year 2017. Yann (talk) 18:57, 24 December 2016 (UTC)

Merry Christmas and Happy new year!

	Merry Christmas, Colin/Archive!
	English: Hellow Colin/Archive, Merci/Gracias/Thanks my friend for do it posible, this family of Commons, beleave that we can change world improving the educational media disponible. Take care by your self --The Photographer 02:58, 27 December 2016 (UTC) --The Photographer 02:58, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

Colour profiles

Hi Colin,

I've noticed you seem to be about the only reviewer on FPC who pays real attention to colour profiles. I'm just wondering, why are candidates without a suitable embedded colour profile even eligible for FPC at all? Can't they be immediately rejected with template:FPX? Do the guidelines need to be changed? It seems that in cases such as this nomination it's impossible to stand against the crowd, so we end up with FPs that don't display properly for some users.

Thanks -- Thennicke (talk) 13:27, 25 December 2016 (UTC)

Thennicke, if an image is created in sRGB but without EXIF nor profile embedded, then most people using standard-gamut monitors will see reasonable colours, because their monitor will be close to sRGB and their browser will not colour-manage the image at all. This is why most reviewers at FPC do not see outrageously vivid colours (or dreadfully dull colours) and complain about them, though I'm puzzled at that nomination as it seems perhaps most people are not seeing the correct colours. I guess that image lacks sufficient clues for most people to recognise they are not seeing it correctly. Most out-of-camera JPGs do not have an embedded colour profile (though possibly some of the minor camera manufacturers do this now) and I presume this was to save space when a few kB was important. For a long time, when people did "Save for web" on Photoshop, they got a JPG with no EXIF data, also to save a few kB. Once wide-gamut monitors appeared, and operating systems and browsers started to colour manage image better (though rarely correctly) then people started to pay attention to saving their JPGs properly. Now we have mobile phones and TVs with wide-gamut displays, the problem is only going to get worse. There is a feature-request on Phabricator (https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T134498) to ask Mediawiki to add a tiny sRGB profile to images that lack one and that aren't likely to be non-sRGB such as AdobeRGB. I hope this gets applied soon. I think banning images without profiles would be too disruptive as many of our FPs lack this, and many of our contributors fail to see the value in it (so don't bother even when asked) or don't understand the issue, or can't get their software to comply. An image with a very-non-standard profile (that can't even be displayed properly on many browsers) like that nomination of Thyssen-Krupp is IMO one that should be rejected. As an example of madness, we get people who have standard-gamut monitors who insist on using AdobeRGB (which has colours they can't see) or even ProPhotoRGB (which has colours nobody can see, and leads to colour banding on an 8-bit JPG) See also User:Colin/BrowserTest. -- Colin (talk) 12:20, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for providing such a detailed response! I'm now on my laptop and that image of Thyssen-Krupp looks disgusting, like somebody has gone crazy with the saturation and contrast. I think I'll have to join you in opposing the image. That bug ticket seems like a reasonable way to go about addressing the problem. -- Thennicke (talk) 13:05, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

Thennicke, what do you mean by "crazy with the saturation and contrast". See the description I put on the nom: which do you see? Laptops, unless very expensive, are often poor displays. Most cheap displays use TN panels, that have a significant colour/contrast shift when viewed off-centre. Some are so bad, the black/white shades invert if viewed from an extreme angle. -- Colin (talk) 14:35, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

Thyssen-Krupp colour error

Colin I don't think it's an error caused by off-center viewing. See the screenshot to the right; hopefully that should explain things. -- Thennicke (talk) 23:58, 26 December 2016 (UTC)

That is indeed quite strange. I would advise, if you are using Firefox, to open about:config and set gfx.color_management.enablev4 to true and set gfx.color_management.mode to 1. Btw, after changing Firefox settings, you may need to close Firefox and re-open. I don't use Linux so can't guide you about how to set up colour profiles correctly with that OS. Did you get a colour profile with your laptop suitable for its screen? This would be a *.icm or *.icc file? If so then make sure your OS is set to use that as the display profile. Otherwise choose an sRGB profile for your display profile. Note that when people fix JPGs, you often need to use "ctrl F5" or "ctrl shift R" to force reload of any cached images. -- Colin (talk) 10:48, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

Ahah! Fixed the issue; gfx.color_management.mode was set to 2. Thanks for the tip. Everything is looking fine now, cheers. -- Thennicke (talk) 13:32, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

FP Promotion

★ This image has been promoted to Featured picture! ★ The image File:Glasgow Cathedral - Nave Rear.jpg, that you nominated on Commons:Featured picture candidates/File:Glasgow Cathedral - Nave Rear.jpg has been promoted. Thank you for your contribution. If you would like to nominate another image, please do so.

/FPCBot (talk) 13:03, 28 December 2016 (UTC)

"Inverted" panoramas

Just me and my wild ideas again. Since you know everything about photography... ...have you ever done the opposite of a panorama, i.e. when you move the camera around an object (or put the object on a turntable) to create images like these or perhaps even "full dome" versions? Anyone done that here and is the wiki-software compatible with this? I know there is the Photosynth but maybe there are other ways to do this. I mean, it would be a great addition to the media collection here if this was possible. cart-Talk 16:13, 27 December 2016 (UTC)

W.carter that would certainly be a cool way to view an object on wiki. I haven't done anything like this, or seen it done. A Google suggests it is popular for "360 degree product photography" but I am unable to find any free software to create or display the output (excluding animated GIFs, which are annoying). Plenty commercial sites offering everything from creation software to image hosting to photography services. Sadly, it doesn't seem to use an equilateral projection viewed from the outside, as one might hope, but simply a series of still photographs -- anything up to 72 frames -- and the more frames the smoother it is. It looks quite hard work to get it looking professional. Wrt the recent spotless camera photography issue, I think actually a lot of products images we see on the web are computer generated. E.g most of IKEA catalogue is not photographed -- which reminds me of this funny video about Ikea models. Having a CGI model of your product would make it trivial to generate a 360 degree viewer for it, as you would just render the image from as many angles as you want. -- Colin (talk) 11:47, 28 December 2016 (UTC)

Thanks for your input, maybe it's the next step for us here now that we are getting used to elaborate panoramas. I've seen this used by many museums for objects and virtual tours of their halls to save the wear and tear on exhibitions, so that's where I got the idea. IKEA... don't get me started on that... I hate those heavy flatpack furniture that tend to collapse into their original form if you move with them. I'll take a well-crafted piece of furniture made from real wood by someone who is proud of their construction skills, any day over the Swedish Curse aka IKEA. (Yes, I'm a renegade Swede. ) cart-Talk 12:53, 28 December 2016 (UTC)

W.carter Back in 2012, I tried to play a little around with an app for my iPad called 123D Catch from Autodesk. With that I took a series of images of an old tea-pot and was able to roughly reconstruct it in 3D. The images were uploaded to a cloud service, which processed the the images and returned a 3D model available on their website. In priiciple it worked, but the camera of the iPad2 is really terrible, so the quality was very bad. For some reason I cannot make it work to see it in 3D today in any of my browsers... I have not played around with it since, but I think there is a big poteatial in the technology. -- Slaunger (talk) 12:20, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Slaunger, yeah I've seen chatter about apps like this on the net, never tried them myself though. About that same time there was also a big online fad about virtual tours, I think most of this was rendered obsolete when bandwidth and speed for your connection increase dramatically and made it possible to use regular videos instead. Video compression also got better, as we've noticed here as well with more videos being uploaded and used. Has anyone used the panorama tech just for fun on an object, just to see what the result would look like? :) I guess it would be like being surrounded by an exploded version of the object in a very Adams-eque way. cart-Talk 13:52, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

About the last Crowdfunding

Hi Colin, As you are part of this, I think this comment is not only an offense to me but to you too. Btw, updating you, I decided to wait to find someone from the next Wikimania to bring (from Canada/USA to Brazil) that equipment at a considerably lower cost, the surplus will be all used in non-commercial photography equipment for take pictures for commons (I do not use this to enrich myself). Thanks --The Photographer 00:45, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

I've written a note on A.Savin's page, but you are not blameless here. It would be good to recognise mistakes and move on or take a wee break.

I think you are right to try to avoid the huge import tax cost, but Wikimania is so far away :-(. Do you think you could link that with a camera body also? I think you do need to talk to the local chapter(s) about this, but possibly also WMF grant folk. I don't really see how sharing a camera body is practical, and very likely to lead to it sitting on a shelf rather than being used. Since you are also adding your own lenses to the body, it means the body on its own isn't really useful to someone else. It may be better to consider the D7200 + another lens (or two) rather than the D500 which is over priced/engineered for what you need (more for sports professionals). I have found that having a set of lenses for various situations is better for me than having the most expensive camera. -- Colin (talk) 12:49, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Because the taxes I could sell my nikon d300 in 1000$ [4](like cheaper) here and use this money with the Crowdfunding money to buy some better. Also, I am collecting money slowly and From here to Wikimania I could get something else (the amount depends on my job that I could finish too (it's a contract)). I could buy body and ask for the lens to WMF. BTW, there aren't a local chapter only two user groups with infinite ego dramas where only a handful of users actually exist and work. I do not have any conflict with them, however, between them there is a lot of conflict and therefore I am not working with them. Rta is one of the less problematic users so you should imagine what the situation is like. I was thiking in a Nikon D750 because the camera censor, however, I underestand that the FX lens are expensive. I don't want wait for Wikimania, however, I haven't options. Take care by your self --The Photographer 02:17, 30 December 2016 (UTC)

(Sidebar) Colin, you really are a true Highlander. :) You can argue, brawl and fight with all of us, but when it really counts you show up serious, with cool and clearheaded advise and are not ashamed to admit your own shortcomings as well. You have the unusual skill to defuse a situation by acting as both alpha and omega wolf at the same time. Good job. --cart-Talk 14:44, 29 December 2016 (UTC)

Happy New Pear!

Happy New Pear! or The Secret Lives of Pears.

--cart-Talk 13:09, 31 December 2016 (UTC)