Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Resources/Wikigraphist abilities

Graphics Lab/Resources/Wikigraphist abilities

The Graphics Lab is a project to improve the graphical content of the Wikimedia projects. Requests for image improvements can be added to the workshop pages: Illustrations, Photographs and Maps. For questions or suggestions one can use the talk pages: Talk:Graphics Lab, Talk:Illustrations, Talk:Photographs and Talk:Maps.
This specific page is a listing of volunteers, past and present, who have worked at the graphics lab. Further information is given below.

Graphic workers

This page is for Wikigraphists to specify their skills at certain common requested tasks. To add yourself to this list, see the template documentation page.

Just because a person is listed on here, does not imply that they are actively answering requests. Many users are currently inactive here or altogether, and many people answering image requests are not listed here. To see if a particular user is active, check their contributions.

1. There is no "admission" to the list: Anyone is free to add themselves who is doing or going to do work in the lab.
2. Knowing who is good at what is not required to request an image improvement or creation: Just post a request at Wikipedia:Graphic Lab/Image workshop. If you want to request a particular user work on an image (EG. Because they worked on it before), ask on their talk page.
3. Anyone may work on the image without needing to be "on the list". This is purely for convenience of identification.

Newbies are recommended to read the "Advice" at the bottom of the page

Graphists:

• Watch the copyrights of your images and requested images. If something cannot be justified as fair use no matter what (and isn't free to begin with), any work on it will likely be wasted.
• If the images are not copyrighted/fair use, try and upload them onto Wikimedia Commons.
• Use the best format:
  • JPEG: Best for photographs and should only be used for them.
  • PNG: Supports alpha transparency.
  • GIF: Only when images require animation, or uses simple colors.
  • SVG: Any diagram or other image that can take advantage of SVGification. Flags, logos and coats of arms are prime candidates.
  • Other formats: As appropriate. The above three should cover almost everything.
• Use transparent backgrounds.
• If possible, overwrite the original image so people don't have to do a lot of editing.
• You may be interested in {{user Wikigraphist}} userbox, {{Mbox Wikigraphist}} message box, or Wikigraphist topicon.

Photographers:

• If photographing objects that you can move, control, etc. place them in front of monochromatic backgrounds.
• Upload your images to Commons.
• If you need help cleaning up or retouching images, request assistance.