User talk:IliketrainsR211T

Station infobox images
Thanks for uploading images of MBTA stations. A few notes: Thanks, Pi.1415926535 (talk) 19:30, 29 February 2024 (UTC)
 * Your image aren't the best for infoboxes because of their orientation. Upright images make infoboxes too tall, and they don't show much of the station itself; I've reverted to the previous infobox images for these reasons. I recommend photographing in landscape orientation.
 * Don't forget to add categories to the images on Commons when you upload them. You can see the categories that I added to commons:File:Downtown Crossing Northbound Orange Line Platform.jpg and commons:File:South Station Northbound Red Line Platform.jpg

Welcome!
Hi IliketrainsR211T, I'm Encoded and I've been assigned as your mentor. Welcome to Wikipedia!

About half of new Wikipedia accounts receive a mentor chosen randomly from a list of volunteers. It just means I'm here to help with anything you need! We need to have all kinds of people working together to create an online encyclopedia, so I'm glad you're here.

You might have noticed that you have access to a tutorial and suggested edits. I recommend that you take advantage of this, as it'll make learning how to edit Wikipedia easier. If you need help using Wikipedia you can send me a message on my talk page, use the help button or ask at the Teahouse, a friendly newcomer helpdesk. The welcome page also contains an array of resources that you may find useful.

Here's also some pages that I found helpful whilst starting out:

If you need assistance with anything, have any questions, or just want to say hello please feel free to send me a message, I'm always happy to help :)
 * Introduction to Wikipedia
 * The five pillars of Wikipedia
 * How to write a great article

You seem to be talking about commons.wikimedia.org. That's a separate project. If you are blocked there, you need to contest your block there. --Yamla (talk) 00:20, 3 May 2024 (UTC)

Uploading images
I see that you have begun uploading your photos on English Wikipedia. Per Uploading images, free-use images should be uploaded on Commons, not locally on English Wikipedia. Local images cannot be used on other projects (Wikipedias in other languages, Wikivoyage, Wikinews, etc), and users looking for images on Commons cannot find those images. When you upload your photos here, it creates work for other users to transfer them to Commons, add categories there, etc. That's not fair to the other users; creating messes for others to clean up was exactly why I blocked you on Commons.

If you want to add images to Wikipedia articles, please take the steps to get unblocked on Commons so that you can upload your photos there. You would need to: If you are able to do those things, then I would be able to believe you have the maturity needed to upload images without having someone else clean up after you. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 19:41, 9 May 2024 (UTC)
 * Demonstrate that you understand how to properly add categories to files
 * Demonstrate that you understand why the categories you created were not appropriate
 * Promise not to create additional sockpuppet accounts


 * See the unblock request I just sent out. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 01:07, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

Don't locally upload images
Please don't locally upload any images onto the English Wikipedia as you did here. As Pi.1415926535 has pointed out, it creates more work for other users to clean up. I understand your block on Commons is frustrating when you want to contribute, but you need to categorise your images properly or otherwise it will be difficult to find them. Continued uploading on the English Wikipedia to "bypass the system" may result in getting blocked from uploading here as well.

About your block on Commons, please read your talk page there (c:User_talk:IliketrainsR211T), if you can successfully do that then that gives us grounds that could lead to an unblock and constructive editing. —Matrix(!) { user - talk? - uselesscontributions } 16:16, 13 May 2024 (UTC)

Replacing images
Please do not replace infobox images unless the new image is actually a better depiction of the subject. Many of your images have the contrast and color saturation turned up too high, which creates unrealistic-looking images that are not useful for infoboxes. File:Harvard Northbound MBTA Red Line Platform, June 2024.jpg, File:Haymarket MBTA Green Line Platform, June 2024.jpg, File:North Station MBTA Orange Line, October 2023.jpg, and particularly File:Charles MGH Northbound MBTA Red Line Platform, June 2024.jpg are all examples of this issue. I recommend adjusting your camera settings to produce more realistic images.

Additionally, you need to consider whether the new image actually provides a better overview of the subject. The previous image for the Silver Line, which showed a bus with an SL2 headsign, was better than your photo with a "not in service" headsign. At other times, you've replaced images that provide a good overview of a station with images that primarily show trains with little of the actual station visible. It is not necessary to have every single infobox image be extremely recent; images from a few years ago that are still accurate depictions of station conditions are fine. Thanks, Pi.1415926535 (talk) 21:49, 28 June 2024 (UTC)


 * For the Charles/MGH image in particular, I have tried several times to get a well-centered image of the train pulling in with the skyline in the background, but the most recent image appeared to come out too dull to me because of the fog covering up the skyline. I aim to replace the current infobox image for that article at a later date, as soon as I manage to capture a northbound CRRC Red Line train from the same position on a brighter day where the skyline is more visible in the background.
 * As for the general problem, most of the images have their appearance edited only after the photo is taken, as these are being shot with an iPhone 15 Camera as of right now. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 22:03, 28 June 2024 (UTC)
 * Not every infobox image has to show the newest rolling stock, especially on lines like the Red Line and Green Line where there is a mixed fleet. The articles are about the stations, not the fleet. A good exercise is to try taking pictures of the stations without any trains - this will help you learn how to photograph the stations themselves. For Charles/MGH station, this image is still a more useful infobox image than the image you have replaced it with, because it does a better job showing the station itself. Please do not replace it with your own photo unless you take one that shows the station design even better than the 2021 image.
 * For outdoor stations, weather will affect the quality of images you are able to get. Often, to get the best images, you will have to have patience and wait for the right conditions. I find that clear sunny days and lightly-cloudy days are best; hazy, foggy, rainy/snowy, and thickly-clouded days aren't great for most subjects (unless those weather conditions are an intentional part of the photo), especially if the sun is low in the sky. While post-processing can improve photos, it cannot correct for poor lighting conditions, and too much post-processing can cause the saturation and contrast issues I described above. Wikipedia has no deadline; have patience, and do not rush to replace infobox images. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 22:24, 28 June 2024 (UTC)
 * Charles_MGH_Northbound_MBTA_Red_Line_Platform,_July_2024.jpg
 * This photo that I took earlier today is a "trial" photo and will not be used to replace the infobox image for the Wikipedia article about Charles/MGH station. However, I feel that this may be a good candidate for it because the Boston skyline is visible in the background and the side view of the train is not shadowed by the platform canopy.
 * As for the angle from which I photographed the train, I used this Instagram post for inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwFPGofsmr9/ IliketrainsR211T (talk) 22:54, 9 July 2024 (UTC)
 * I've reverted some of the post-processing you've done on files like File:Broadway MBTA Red Line Station, June 2024.jpg and File:Kendall MIT Southbound MBTA Red Line Platform, June 2024.jpg. While edge enhancement (unsharp masking) can be a powerful tool, it has to be applied carefully. Your changes caused false colors, unrealistically high acutance (note how the tiles looked like they had white borders), and other issues. I understand that images taken in poor lighting conditions (like most subway stations) aren't always the sharpest, but your changes introduced more problems than they fixed. Other recent images, such as File:Inbound SL5 Buses at Chinatown Station, July 2024.jpg, also have similar problems - they simply don't look realistic. The extremely high contrast also tends to make the images look odd when scaled to the thumbnail size used in articles.
 * While I appreciate your work to include the Boston skyline, I don't think that your latest Charles/MGH image is the right choice for the infobox. The previous image shows more of the station itself (and the train). It also has a lot less visual clutter, which is particularly an issue in your issue because of the high contrast. A train rounding the curve (like the Instagram post) might make for a good infobox shot for the Red Line, but it doesn't tend itself to a good shot of the station. I would recommend taking the shot from nearer to the west ends of the canopies.
 * As a side note, please be careful when editing captions. It's preferrable for captions to only be one line of text unless there is a specific need for more detail. Most station infoboxes only need a relatively short caption; saying "the station" is fine when the station name would make the caption significantly longer. Some of your recent edits (example) have caused infobox captions to spill over onto a second line. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 23:37, 11 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Charles MGH Northbound MBTA Red Line Platform (2), June 2024.jpg
 * Here is another attempt I made last month when capturing a northbound CRRC Red Line train pulling into Charles/MGH. Initially, I did not intend to make this the infobox image, because the train cab wasn't perfectly centered in the image and the side view of the train was overshadowed by the platform canopy. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 00:13, 12 July 2024 (UTC)
 * As for the image that is shown on the left, while it shows more of the station platform, the outside background is nothing but a very bright white. Not only do I find this to be too empty of a background, but I also think it creates too much contrast between the lighting under the platform canopy and the lighting outside. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 00:37, 12 July 2024 (UTC)
 * An empty background isn't inherently a bad thing since the image should focus on the station. Infobox images are rather small - I believe 300px is the default - so very fine detail, high contrast, and crowded backgrounds do not show up well. A close look at the image shows that the buildings in the background are properly exposed, so the white sky is simply clouds and not overexposure. I would argue that it is a good example of using contrast while keeping all detail properly exposed.
 * Your newly uploaded image is definitely better - there's better lighting and less visual clutter. I cropped it slightly and added it to the article. The subject of a station infobox image should be the station, not the train, so it's fine if the train isn't perfectly centered.
 * Some thoughts for photos of the station:
 * Try shooting from the inbound platform near the end of the canopy. That lets you get the side of an inbound train and get the Charles Street Jail and MGH in the background. Examples:, , . With an outbound train, this shot would be great for an infobox photo.
 * Also consider shooting the rear of an inbound train. This photo is a good example. Shooting a train on the opposite platform lets you capture the better-lit side of the train as well as more of the distinctive platform structures.
 * Pi.1415926535 (talk) 00:54, 12 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Thanks for the feedback! IliketrainsR211T (talk) 00:59, 12 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Oak Grove MBTA Train Meet, July 2024.jpg
 * Trains at Ruggles station, July 2021.jpg
 * Regarding the image on the right, I thought it would work well for the infobox for Oak Grove station because this position on the Orange Line platform allowed a view farther down the station platforms. A similar image you took for the infobox for Ruggles station(at left) inspired me to attempt a shot like this one, as well as previously attempting to catch an Orange Line-Commuter Rail train meet at Malden Center(although that ultimately didn't work out).
 * For the infobox image at Charles/MGH station, you did suggest that I take the image near the end of the platform canopy, which I attempted several times while trying to photograph a CRRC 1900-series Red Line train as it pulled in. I took this suggestion into play when taking this image, so I don't see why it wouldn't work as well as the image taken in September 2022. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 23:54, 18 July 2024 (UTC)
 * While capturing multiple trains is a nice touch, it's less important for a station infobox image than actually showing the station. My Ruggles photo shows both the trains/platforms and the distinctive station structure large enough to be visible in an infobox, and everything is well lit. While the lighting isn't perfect in my 2022 Oak Grove photo, the image clearly shows all the important structures of the station. Your Oak Grove photo is mostly platform and sky; very little of the station structure is visible. Everything is also in shadow, which means it doesn't show much detail when scaled to infobox size. Remember: if it wouldn't be a good infobox image without the trains, it won't be a good one even with trains.
 * Every station has different spots from which a single image can adequately capture the most important elements. Charles/MGH and Oak Grove are very different stations with very different photography needs. For Oak Grove, you need to be fairly near the north south end of the platforms to capture everything. From the south north end of the platforms, or even near the middle, the distinctive footbridge structure is mostly hidden behind the canopies and/or trains. I would recommend standing at approximately 42.43747°N, -71.07074°W on the Orange Line platform (about where I was in 2022) and capturing a northbound Orange Line train entering the station. Since you'll be facing south north, you'll want it to be midday or a cloudy day to avoid took much being in shadow. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 00:34, 19 July 2024 (UTC)
 * The 2024 image was taken from the far north end of the Orange Line platform. Also, just to clarify, did you mean to recommend that I take an Orange Line train pulling into the station from the Commuter Rail platform, as where the 2022 image was taken from? IliketrainsR211T (talk) 01:46, 19 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Sorry, yes, I got my directions flipped. And yes, I recommend you take a photo from the same location as the 2022 shot. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 04:56, 19 July 2024 (UTC)
 * I did consider shooting Commuter Rail and Orange Line trains side-by-side from the Commuter Rail platform, but I personally felt that shooting the photo from the Orange Line platform would allow for a more even view down the platforms. Would it also work to move closer to the eastern edge of the Orange Line platform(Where the Orange Line and Commuter Rail tracks run parallel to each other)? IliketrainsR211T (talk) 12:28, 19 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Are you thinking something like File:Oak Grove station facing south, June 2017.JPG? That would be a bit better for showing the station structure. Again, I would focus your efforts on capturing the important elements of the station itself when you're taking pictures for station infoboxes. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 19:27, 19 July 2024 (UTC)
 * Yes, I would find that position to be more ideal than the 2022 image to capture Orange Line and Commuter Rail trains side by side. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 02:58, 20 July 2024 (UTC)
 * But it's going to be substantially less ideal for capturing a picture that shows all of the relevant parts of the station. Trying to get pictures of both trains is highly unlikely to get you an image that's suitable for the station infobox, simply because of how the station is laid out. I will emphasize once again: station infobox images are for pictures of stations, not of trains. If they include trains, great, but that should not detract from showing the station itself. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 03:43, 20 July 2024 (UTC)
 * But it's going to be substantially less ideal for capturing a picture that shows all of the relevant parts of the station. Trying to get pictures of both trains is highly unlikely to get you an image that's suitable for the station infobox, simply because of how the station is laid out. I will emphasize once again: station infobox images are for pictures of stations, not of trains. If they include trains, great, but that should not detract from showing the station itself. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 03:43, 20 July 2024 (UTC)

A barnstar for you!

 * Thank you so much! Earlier photos were taken using an iPhone 13, but since this past June they've been taken using an iPhone 15. IliketrainsR211T (talk) 12:18, 19 July 2024 (UTC)