Grants talk:PEG/Addihockey10/Camera equipment request

Two questions:

1. Have you tried to contact Wikimedia Canada [1] in order to ask for support from your local chapter?

   Yes I have contacted them, and their response was that they do not generally provide equipment in this manner. --Addihockey10 (talk) 00:39, 14 April 2012 (UTC)

2. Can you point to exemplary pictures taken by you? Your input to Wikimedia Commons is mainy transfers of other's pictures from Flickr and other free content sources [2]. Polimerek (talk) 22:13, 13 April 2012 (UTC)

   Sure thing, I'm in the process of uploading them to flickr, I will provide a link when the uploads have completed :-). --Addihockey10 (talk) 00:39, 14 April 2012 (UTC)

   Here are a couple, I have to retrieve the majority of my photos from my other PC and I'll upload them to the same set (with a note here). --Addihockey10 (talk) 01:03, 14 April 2012 (UTC)

   Drat, seems as if I lost the photos when the hard drive corrupted. My apologies, are you in need of more photos to analyze? --Addihockey10 (talk) 06:16, 14 April 2012 (UTC)

I'd like to emphasise the second point especially; I'd really love to see some photographs of yours to determine what the likely quality of these 1000 photos will be. Also, have you conducted research on the best places to take photos, what permits (if any) will be required, cost to get a boat to get out there (if applicable), etc etc? Craig Franklin (talk) 00:10, 14 April 2012 (UTC).

Hello! I've been diving a couple times and the dive sites I've been to have many interesting things (en:nudibranch, octopi, seahorses, seastars (they're not fish ;-) ), sea anemones, seals, sea lions and others) to photograph. Other dive sites to check out are the artificial reefs of the HMCS Saskatchewan and HMCS Cape Breton. The staff of the Scuba course are very helpful and are very experienced with diving and photography, they've told me about a few excellent sites to check out.

The only dives I've done so far have been shore dives, the only cost for those are $49, plus $10 for an extra tank (2x diving time). I am attending an underwater photography class somewhere in the beginning week of May to familiarize myself with everything. I am 99% sure that no permits are required to take photos underwater, but I will check with my local dive centre to verify. --Addihockey10 (talk) 00:39, 14 April 2012 (UTC)

WMF stance on Cameras

I'm not sure what I think about this request. However, I'd like the WMF to clarify their position with regard to funding these types of grants. I remember once before, I think it was Josh from WMPH, a similarly grant was rejected. Abbasjnr (talk) 04:24, 17 April 2012 (UTC)

Hello! I believe you are referring to Grants:Josh_Lim/Wikistreets_Project, just to clarify, this grant is for an underwater housing and flash strobes. I already have the Canon PowerShot G9. Thanks! Addihockey10 (talk) 05:59, 17 April 2012 (UTC)

That's right. As for the WMF's general thinking about photography equipment: we are generally open to purchasing such equipment for use by community members, but for reasons of maximizing impact as well as accountability, we would be a lot more comfortable with purchasing gear for a chapter or another recognized partner (as will become relevant in the near future) rather than for an individual.

This should not matter much in practice -- the gear can and should be used by community members (not even necessarily chapter members), as long as it's duly tracked and approved by the chapter.

This would be the general case we would expect to support. That said, there may be circumstances where it would make sense to provide individuals with photographic gear.

Addihockey10 -- would you be amenable to receiving this equipment on loan from Wikimedia Canada, assuming they'd be willing to receive the equipment and undertake to manage its use? Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 21:16, 17 April 2012 (UTC)

Sure! I am all up for having it lent out! :-) Addihockey10 (talk) 23:44, 17 April 2012 (UTC)

Diving equipment

With respect to photo equipment for diving I would like to see this user get a few more dives under their belt first. As an avid diver myself I would also wish to see an ability to identify underwater life and contributions on Wikipedia pertaining to underwater life (any GAs/FAs under their belt for aquatic creatures?). I have added a number of underwater images here [3] and give this user the opportunity to identify them. When they have a few more dives I am also willing to go SCUBA diving with them and lend them my photography equipment. --Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 01:53, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

Just a quick note here, I only have books that cover the Pacific Northwest so identifying those might prove to be difficult as I'm quite unfamiliar with Tanzanian waters ;). Addihockey10 (talk) 01:07, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

Sure no worries. Have you written any Gas/FAs regarding aquatic creatures in Canada's West coast waters? --Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 01:14, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

Not yet, I can start building on stubs, would you be available to occasionally review and provide feedback for the articles I'll be working on? Addihockey10 (talk) 03:10, 21 April 2012 (UTC)

The project is good but I will prefer to hire a professional photographer to take such pictures. Getting some equipment for a generic camera does not work for me. For professional quality pictures, you need professional equipment and people. Also, I am not of the opinion of buying any equipment as issues of ownership, accountability, maintenance, further usage, equipment life etc. come up. Sudhanwa (talk) 18:04, 30 April 2012 (UTC)

Hi there. I don't believe that many people would like the idea of WMF commissioning a photographer for pictures. While I am requesting funds for equipment that will be owned by Wikimedia Canada, I am in no way being commissioned by Wikimedia Foundation. Addihockey10 (talk) 23:20, 30 April 2012 (UTC)

Some thoughts

Thanks for the submission. Taking underwater photographs would be great, as we really lack such in Wikimedia Commons. Firstly, the budget you have compiled makes confusion regarding the total amount requested. In the intro it says ~612-1,032 USD and none of these figures is mentioned in the budget breakdown bellow it. Could you please set a fixed amount requested and amend the budget only with expenses that should be covered with these grant? Nevertheless, this request can be concluded if Wikimedia Canada or anybody else is open to lend you such camera. In the previous request about purchasing a camera, it was even mentioned that it's possible to lend a camera directly from the Wikimedia Foundation. Best regards.--Kiril Simeonovski (talk) 18:44, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

Yes as mentioned above someone should have a minimum number of dives before they begin carrying extra equipment. There is a lot to figure out when you begin diving and the last thing you need is something taking up one of your hands. Anyone this user has my email address and is free to email me once he has made a significant number of dives.--Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 18:50, 20 April 2012 (UTC)

Hey again!

Kiril Simeonovski Hello, sorry about that, that was the original estimated cost however I found the same items for cheaper and that cost was not updated. Also, if WMF or WMCA has a camera with underwater strobes, and housing (if not specifically underwater) then I'd be all up for that as well, however, I have already purchased the housing for my camera (Canon Powershot G9) for significantly cheaper than regular price (Bid ended shortly after I posted this request). --Addihockey10 (talk) 03:03, 21 April 2012 (UTC)

Jmh969 I am taking underwater photography classes with my instructor, (also a friend of mine) so I shouldn't have too much of a problem taking a camera down with me with his guidance and experience. I figure it might be a little hard to get used to diving with one arm without being restricted to one arm ;). Will reply to other comment. --Addihockey10 (talk) 03:03, 21 April 2012 (UTC)

One matter of judgment

I seem laudable goals, certainly, but it seems appropriate to finance the purchase of equipment, if not in name of organization or chapter of Wikipedia similar characteristics, that can guarantee their use in future for other projects.--Josepnogue (talk) 18:30, 9 May 2012 (UTC)

Hello, this equipment (and books) will be property of the Wikimedia Canada chapter. --Addihockey10 (talk) 23:17, 12 May 2012 (UTC)

Hello, I follow the opinion that the best way that grandt is possible, that it would solicit Wiquimedia Canada Chapter, who kept the camera equipment would be to make it available to those in need. My experience tells me not give good results when the control of a equipment, have one person individually. Moreover, because the grandt is requested individually if the target is Wiquimedia Canada Chapter?--Josepnogue (talk) 10:49, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

GAC members who have read this request but had no comments

• If will be a WMCA equipament, I don't see the problem. :D Béria Lima ^msg 03:13, 18 April 2012 (UTC)
• As it is unclear who should manage the microgrant (chapters or GAC), I have no opposition except that to understand who will have in charge the material. --Ilario (talk) 10:40, 18 April 2012 (UTC)

Help with identifcation

I've added the cost of books for identification of the fish, seaweed and invertebrates. The books I'm proposing to purchase are Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest and Seaweeds of the Pacific Coast: Common Marine Algae from Alaska to Baja California. Sorry for this late change. --Addihockey10 (talk) 23:16, 12 May 2012 (UTC)

Not funded

The WMF will not be funding this request, for the following reasons:

1. Equipment purchases do not scale. I.e. the funds will only enable a comparatively small number of contributions.
2. Enabling more photography of this specific kind, while desirable, is not a high priority. We prefer to invest in innovation and in places and contexts where we would be breaking new ground, rather than increasing the quantity of something we already know how to do fairly well.
3. It is unclear that it is a priority for Wikimedia Canada, who have been made a side to this proposal along the way, and unclear that it is a good use of their limited time and capacity, compared to other plans.

In time, if there is sustained interest and commitment from community members in Canada, it may make sense to fund a full set of equipment for the chapter (so the set can be borrowed by anyone) alongside other needs, but not before the chapter has had time to focus and execute a number of higher priority programs. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 21:54, 16 May 2012 (UTC)

Hello :-) I'd just like to respond to your concerns:

1. The first batch of photos that I planned to take were just to see how many could be expected for that period of time, it could be more or less but that wouldn't be the sole project performed with the equipment.
2. The species I planned to capture were ones that we did not yet have coverage for Artedius fenestralis, (Padded Sculpin) nor the Liparis fucensis, (Slipskin snailfish) or the Balistes polylepis, (Finescale triggerfish). Receiving this grant would enable myself and other members of Wikimedia Canada to have the opportunity to capture photographs of these species and make them freely available on Wikimedia Commons.
3. Most of Wikimedia Canada is BC-based, if the chapter invested/requested a camera set many photographers could make use of this equipment. Once they see that it is available I believe the equipment will be used quite regularly. I've expressed interest in running a similar programme that Wikimedia Australia is currently running for interested Canadian photographers (see Australia's programme here) to one of the executives and so far there does not seem to be any opposition. --Addihockey10 (talk) 03:29, 24 May 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for these clarifications, Addihockey10. The decision is still no at this time, but we'll keep this opportunity in mind, and, as stated above, may agree to fund this after other development takes place in Canada. Asaf Bartov (WMF Grants) talk 22:51, 25 May 2012 (UTC)