Proposal talk:Wiki Expeditions

Costs

I think there would be serious non-monetary costs to the community if not handled properly. Using examples from the commons what if Peter (Fir0002) started getting paid for his additions and David Iliff (Diliff) didn't? I have a feeling that this would change the whole dynamic of taking pictures on Wikipedia even if there was a community based selection process.

I think there could be a solution if the process and cost "could be offset by working with a camera company, having them sponsor the photographers". If an outside entity chooses Wikipedia photographers who are willing to do whatever the company stipulates then that's another story then WMF can try to make that connection. I also think you'd get some clash with such limited funds between sections of the encyclopedia. Why spend money on nature photography when music biographies needs good pictures... but so do architecture articles, etc. If the WMF could arrange such contests it surely would help. In all honesty I think the clout of Wikipedia would be better used in getting various companies to donate pictures which they own copyrights too, already. But maybe both should be tried.

I have a (partial) solution? Official Wikimedia Press Passes. I don't know how serious I am but I have been reading a little about Wikinews' policy for accreditation and am curious if something similar could help. Obviously it's a partial solution because you don't need a press pass to sit in a national park and wait for some species of animal to walk into your view, so it only applies to some types of photos. en:User:David Shankbone might provide some insight but he has 'real' credentials as well--but the idea is to limit the number of these passes so that they are taken seriously rather than printed out by any editor of Wikipedia.

Another thing we should look into is en:Wikipedia:Bounty board. Offer up $10 for a valued photo and $20 for a featured? and of course you could do categories (any animal in the family Syngnathidae).

Possibly something thoughtful in these comments? Grenavitar 22:37, 16 August 2009 (UTC)

Polish Wikiexpedition

See here: http://pl.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wikiekspedycja/Summary Wpedzich 07:30, 17 August 2009 (UTC)

Travel fund

For zero cost expeditions, bike and digital camera, the idea to fillup the species holes in Commons, is just a go-ahead, be bold and don't forget the coffee and sandwishes. I think the idea of applying for travel funds sponsoring part of the photographing of a rare species is feasible when there is need for such photographs in Commons, but the condition should be that the travel should have been organized anyways and that the participant contributes his/her own share. This way it might be better ascertained that the expedition is serious, and that the participant take proper responsibility for his/her own insurances. Rursus 07:33, 19 August 2009 (UTC)

There's 99% chance that buying all copyrights to a picture already taken (in image banks etc.) would be less expensive than traveling. --212.149.204.84 06:14, 26 August 2009 (UTC)

People may want to go the expedition anyway, and possibility to get Wikipedia support may be just one more motivating factor. I think Wikipedia needs not cover all expedition costs to make such expeditions possible. Saying it will cover 25 % or about would still motivate a small group of amateurs that already plan that adventure to donate photos, eliminating at the same time applications from the people who mostly want to see the far lands for free. Funding professional expeditions may be too expensive Audriusa 09:00, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

Count me in!

If this proposal goes forth, please count me as a volunteer. I live in Panama, where there's more bio-diversity per square meter (places like Darien or Coiba island) than even the Amazon forest. There's also S.T.R.I. (Smithsonian Institute for Tropical Research) and they would be very receptive to collaboration with something like this. I'd volunteer to upload my own photos, but while I am a sufferable photographer and a Trustworthy guide (if I say so myself) I cannot provide the scientific info for my specimens :( Thamus 20:45, 30 August 2009 (UTC)

I took several photos of birds whilst I was in Buenos Aires and would happily email them on request - if anyone can identify them I will load them to commons if we don't have photos of those birds already. Also this isn't just about rare birds, we have people all over the world - we need to encourage editors to make requests - if someone wants a picture of a building in or near London I'm sure a note on the next London meetup would get a response, equally any of our geographically oriented projects would be worth adding a list of local birds still needing photos. WereSpielChequers 00:16, 9 September 2009 (UTC)

partnerships

I've been on a couple of en:Earthwatch expeditions and I would hope they would be interested in working with Wikipedia if they were approached. WereSpielChequers 00:34, 9 September 2009 (UTC)

Impact?

Some proposals will have massive impact on end-users, including non-editors. Some will have minimal impact. What will be the impact of this proposal on our end-users? -- Philippe 00:19, 3 September 2009 (UTC)

A way of promoting Wikimedia

This would also be a great way to promote a divulge Wikimedia's projects to others and to create or reinforce a sense of comumnity.