Wiki Loves Monuments 2012 in the United States/Get Started 2

Each of the steps at Commons:Wiki Loves Monuments 2012 in the United States/Get Started is straightforward, but some details may be useful to know:

1. Logging in to Commons

A. Help logging in.

B. Creating an account

C. Please add an e-mail address so that we can contact you if you win. Your e-mail address is not revealed when other users contact you.

Click on the state in this map for the list of NRHP sites in that state

2. Finding historic sites

A. Find the historic sites in your state by clicking the state on the map to the right.

B. Alternatively, in the Wikipedia search box type "List of RHPs in XX" where XX is the state's postal code.

C. "List of RHPs" will take you to a list leading to all NRHP sites. For territories and other regions not on this map start there.

D. You'll be taken to a "state list," click on a county name to be taken to a "county list."

E. Find the addresses and locations for specific sites on the county list.

F. Please photograph those sites that don't already have photos on the county list, but you may photograph any site on the list for the contest.

G. You may want to print a map from the county list by clicking this template:

You can use the free Android app archive copy at the Wayback Machine to find sites and upload photos:

link=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.wikipedia.wlm archive copy at the Wayback Machine

Overview of Downer Methodist Episcopal Church in New Jersey

Detail of the Hartwell Building in Chicago

3. Taking photos

The rules

• Photos must be taken and uploaded by you
• Photos must be uploaded in September 2012. It doesn’t matter when you took the photo, only that you upload it during the contest. The deadline for uploading photos is Monday, October 1, 12:01 a.m. Hawaiian Standard Time (that's 6:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time).
• Photos must be freely licensed. CC-BY-SA will be entered automatically for you if you use the WLM uploader.

Suggestions

A. You may use any type of camera that you like, but still pictures captured from video usually give very poor photos.

B. Try to take an overview of the site, or of the main building, but other types of views including those which focus in on architectural details, or of interiors, or of whatever suits your fancy, are ok with us.

C. You may want to edit the photos with software such as iPhoto, to correct tilt, crop the photo, lighten the shadows, or do 4 or 5 other types of basic editing. Remember that a little bit of editing can go a long way.

D. Please don’t make people the focus of your photos, rather concentrate on the buildings.

E. Many NRHP sites are privately owned. Please respect the owners’ privacy and don’t trespass.

F. Some sites are listed as “Address Restricted” to protect, for example, archeological sites from looters. While some of these sites have been protected in other ways and opened to the public, please don’t photograph any “Address Restricted” sites for this contest.

G. Never take a photo of the interior of a building without the owner’s permission, even through an open window.

4. Uploading photos

A. Carefully identify the location of the photo and match it with a site on the county list. Click the upload button on the same row as the site's information and all that information will be automatically uploaded. Just identify which photo you want to upload and add a simple personal description of the site, and you are done.

B. When you upload please change the photograph's filename to something descriptive. For example, change the filename DSCN6730.JPG to Zwaanendael Club Lewes DE 1898.JPG. You can change the filename on your own computer before uploading, or after you are used to the upload process, while you are uploading.

C. If you are an experienced editor at Commons you may use any upload method that you would like, e.g. the Special:UploadWizard. Just remember to include all the information on the county list about the site and the template {{Wiki Loves Monuments 2012|us}}.

D.If you want to nominate some of your pictures for the Best Picture contest, while you are uploading, copy or include the text [[Category:WLM 2012 United States nominated]] at the bottom of the file description. You may also nominate any of your photos, or anybody else's photos by editing the photo's file and adding this text at the bottom of the file at a later date.

Frequently asked questions

Who knew that there is a Gothic window on the other side?

Can I get some information on the site before I photograph it?

Good idea! Try our article or an internet search for the site for a quick overview. But for detailed information you can try the NRHP focus archive copy at the Wayback Machine website. Not every state has sites listed on NRHP focus, but if your state is one of the ones that does, it is an excellent source of very detailed information. If your state is not listed on NRHP Focus, look for your official state historical society's website.

How should I take photos of historic districts?

The borders of historic districts (HDs) can be difficult to find unless you have very detailed information. Try the methods above to find more information about the district. Look especially for a document called an inventory, which will list every building in the district and usually note whether it is "significant", "contributing", or an "intrusion." Unfortunately, not every HD has an inventory.

But many HDs are identified by local street signs, or buildings within them are identified by bronze NRHP plaques. Perhaps you should look for the most beautiful building in the district, or the tallest (likely a church), or the railroad station or an old school, or the Masonic or Oddfellow's halls. Every HD has something special and remember that you can take and upload multiple photos from the HD.

Signs, like this one at an NRHP site in Delaware, can help you identify the locations of other photos, but don't usually add much to Commons by themselves.

Should I take photos of the signs?

Yes, for your own use in identifying the building, but there is usually no reason to upload a photo of a sign. Hint: take photos of the street address numbers on the building or nearby street signs to keep track of locations, but don't upload these photos. Take photos of any informational signs or plaques. Not only will they help identify your other photos, but they may help you write an article on the site.

Always think twice, or even three times, before uploading a picture of a sign:

• Is the sign copyrighted? If you don't know that it is not copyrighted, then you can't upload it.
• Is the photo of the sign a good photo in and of itself?
• If you were reading an article on the site, would you want to see a photo of the sign?

Can I upload panorama photos? Photos my grandfather took? Video? Photos I took while standing on my head?

Yes, no, no, and yes - but please properly rotate the photo. In general you may upload any photo that you have taken yourself.

Can I upload photos of sculptures?

This can be tricky because of the complicated laws regarding the copyright of sculptures in the U.S. You'll need to identify the date the sculpture was "published" (placed on public view). If it was published before 1923 - no problem. If it was published between 1923 and 1978, you need to check for a visible copyright notice. Just walk around the base of the statue. If you don't see any mention of copyright or a (c) symbol, you can upload your photos. If it was published after 1978, the sculpture is copyrighted and in almost all cases you can't upload it. Fortunately most sculptures that are listed on the NRHP are in the first two categories. See Commons:Public art and copyrights in the US for even more details.

Where can I ask questions about WLM-US?

Just click here, then click "edit" and start typing.

Is there any legal fine print?

Yes, welcome to America. The decisions of the organizers and jury are final. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. The organizers reserve the right to cancel the contest or modify the rules at their sole discretion.