Source vs Photo

+5 votes
58 views
Question: What is the goal or purpose of this distinction? A variation on prior questions in G2G

Task: Uploading and Image for a Profile or Free-Space Page

Concern: Ambiguity of "Image Type"

The only time I see an output distinction of Images is when I "View All" images and I have the opportunity to "Display Photos Only" or "Display Source Images Only", in addition to "Display All Images"

During the uploading process the statement used in "Image Type" when uploading an image says "Select 'Source' if this is not a photo or image depicting [Name of Free-Space  or Profile Page]"

I understand that an "image" of a hand-written marriage license or family Bible record pages
 in my possession are probably considered a "source" when uploaded.

It is also obvious that a photo of a person being profiled is a "photo"

And, if I diligently pay attention to the fine print in that phrase, any other "image" becomes a "photo" it it depicts our profile subject for purposes of our upload to Wikitree, yes?

Is there a database purpose for this distinction and is it clear to any new(er) user what they are to do with:

• An 1880 photo of the family home (I have many, of various homes).
• A non-photo silhouette of a multi great-grandparent (I have two - these are "images," right?)
• Non-photo oil paintings (I have at least 6, most individuals, but also family farm houses and family land)
• Non-photo bronze bust (one…)

If the photo of the family home is not a "photo" what helps the user think of this in any way as a "source". Then if it's a photo of "Family Farm House" in a Free-space page, the topic of which is "Family Farm House," is it now a "photo" again because it is an "image" of that subject? If not, why not?

Silhouettes, oil paintings and bronze busts are not photos - but they are very much "images" of the person being profiled - they are in no way that I can imagine "sources" -  If the oil painting is of a person, it's a "photo" and if it's the oil painting of his farm house it's a "source"?

…and to add a light-hearted twist, if I take a "photo" of an oil painting of a family home - is it still a "source"? This is just to highlight the point that the button choice clearly says "Photo" how can I resist not clicking that - is this the wrong word to use? Do we mean "image"?

This query is not an attempt to see how finely hairs can be split, but simply to raise the question: What is the database purpose behind Wikitree making these distinctions, and is "Photo" vs "Source" the best dichotomy we can have?

I think I can follow any guidelines that Wikitree has developed, but I worry about the less experienced users, will just make a mess of things, unless there is a clear rational for why we want these distinctions.

Respectfully,

Robert Seale

(Seale-237)
in Policy and Style by Robert Seale G2G6 Mach 1 (13.2k points)
Sometimes a thumbnail of somebody is used next to their name.  Only really works if it's a mugshot.  I think if you deselect Photo you say that the image is unsuitable for that purpose.

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