User:Luis María Benítez/Contribution guidelines

On this page you have all the guidelines to send images and information which are currently being requested from my Requests page. There I have listed all the information I need. The steps below will help me make a better work. All information and images must be sent to lmbnas@hotmail.com.

Scans
Releases: When sending scans of CD or vinyl records, try to send the inner sleeves and back covers so that I can retrieve information such as track listing, time lengths, credits, etc. I might have some of the releases I’m writing about, and when I don’t, all the information I provide is taken from Internet sources. However, on certain cases there are no images available on the Internet because the releases are too old or they were released in limited quantities. So, these are the cases I’m talking about. Sometimes, vinyl records are larger than scanners, so the only solution is a digital camera. Please read the section about photographs on this page.

Newspaper and music magazine clips: I’m only interested on information which is not available on the Internet, especially critic reviews where releases were rated. Please, try to provide as much data as possible, such as source, date of publication, etc.

Photographs: images from bands and artists are very important, especially for old bands. In case of sending some image, try to provide information about its origin and author. Good quality public domain images are needed.

Photographs
Do not take pictures from an angular position: This hinders my work because I can’t reconstruct the image cover. All cover images which were taken from an angular position tend to distort proportions and light conditions seem to be an important factor as well because details are blurred. You can send additional images showing the vinyl cover on the floor, table, bed (whatever pleases you), but mind that I can’t use these images on an encyclopedic article. These images are welcome as well, but just as information references uploaded on my image gallery.

Take front cover images from zenithal position: This way I can use the image for its corresponding article. It is important that you take the picture from a zenithal position (as shown in the diagram) because it allows me to reconstruct the cover by enhancing colors, correcting minor details, etc. and all that makes it look as if it were scanned. For instance, you could put the vinyl record on the floor, or any other horizontal place and then take the picture right from above. Close-ups are important. Several takes are welcome, of course. If you are sending an image following the above instructions, then you can also send others which from different positions.

Pictures with flash and without it are important as well: When you take a picture it may depict some reflections due to the use of flash. Reflections and any other distortions are not desired, so try to avoid them if possible. If the image shows a flash reflection, you can take another one, but this time with no flash. Maybe this way I could work on the image and restore the cover. Avoid shadows. It is advisable to illuminate the covers from the sides, so no shadow will be generated.

Clean the cover: If the vinyl is somehow damaged (the borders are worn out, there are stains, it has dog-eared corners, etc.), it would be better to have them fixed a little bit. This is especially useful when I can’t use the cover on an article, but I could eventually use it on my image gallery as information reference. Note that I only request this on exceptional cases, since most of the times I can restore the covers by myself using my computer.

Translations
If you want to contribute by providing a translation from Icelandic or any other language into English or Spanish, be as accurate as possible. I modify all translations so that no copyright infringement is made.

Tips and links
I welcome comments, suggestions and additional data on any of the articles I’ve written. I understand too little Icelandic and therefore I must be missing useful information. So, if there is any data you consider I might be interested in, do not hesitate to send the link or comment about it. I credit all contributions on my user page.

Why all this?
My goal is one and only one: retrieve missing images and information from printed sources and unavailable on the Internet about Icelandic music to bridge the gap for those who want to know, but gain no access to the material nor the information. By helping me, you are helping yourself and those who share the same interest.