Commons:Wiki Loves Earth 2022 in Australia/FAQ

Wiki Loves Earth 2022 Australia is a photo contest about protected natural areas, within Australia. Images must be licensed under free licenses, see COM:Licensing. The event is supported by Wikimedia Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

• The protected area I took my photo in is not on the list

Don't worry. If it is a protected area or protected under Australian legislation, it is eligible. But make sure you put in coordinates and give the fullest possible description, so that we can confirm its eligibility for the competition.

• Due to the spread of COVID-19, I have limited access to natural heritage sites to take pictures for the contest, what can I do?

We highly encourage you to upload your existing pictures. Please, stay safe and healthy and follow any restrictions imposed by your state or territory.

• Is there a limit on the number of photos I can submit?

No, you can submit as many as you like. Some people upload hundreds of photos. However, we recommend you upload your best photographs to increase your chances of winning.

• Can I use Photoshop or a similar program to post-process my photos before submitting them?

Yes. The photos can be edited or processed by using any software. But please avoid the temptation to over-process: this is a photographic contest, not contest for computer art.

• What are the guidelines on image size?

Please submit images that are as large as possible and do not "downsize for the web". We value high-resolution images for many purposes including print. Images below 2 megapixels will not be considered for submission to the competition. (But upload them nonetheless if the protected place or species cannot be found on Wikipedia.) Note: we won't contact you to ask you to submit higher resolution photos.

• Can I edit Wikipedia myself to add my photo to an article that doesn't have images?

Yes, we'd be delighted! After you have uploaded your competition entry to Wikimedia Commons, it can easily be re-used on Wikipedia just by embedding the photo on the page.

• I am not the world's best photographer. Do you still want my images?

Yes, please! Even if you don't win a prize, your contribution can still give you the satisfaction of knowing that you have helped document the Australian environment and natural heritage, and that you have made your images freely available for future generations.

• Areas are too large, how to choose what to photograph?

The most useful pictures are those of wide views and representative biotopes. You can also submit photos of representative or rare species (animals, plants etc.) taken in protected areas, but these photos should be properly identified. If you submit such photos, you are expected to describe them so that we know that a photo was taken in a nature reserve (and not on somebody's own balcony).

• Can we accept photos without coordinates in the Australian contest?

Yes, photos without coordinates can be accepted. But it would be helpful if you were to put approximate coordinates into your photo's description. Photos may be disqualified if the Australian organisers cannot assign appropriate approximate coordinates.

• My camera does not include the coordinates automatically

Though we (as Wikipedians) would like to have the exact location included in the picture, we understand that it is not always possible, and not always appropriate when the image is of a protected species. In such cases, add approximate coordinates to your description.

• Can I put a watermark on my photos?

Photos with watermarks are excluded from the Australian competition.

• Are photos of former protected sites eligible for the contest?

Photos of former protected sites are eligible but, for eligibility, you will need to make that part of your photo's description. The international WLE team has no objections to such photos as the WLE mission is to draw attention to nature and the importance of its protection, and to build a free database of photos of protected areas (including those that formerly had such status).