CaneSIG: FAQ - Submitting Resources

 

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Above: A selection of sugar cane railway images from Cuba, Egypt, Fiji, Java, Hawaii, and Queensland. These and other images can be found in the Image Collection.

FAQ - Submitting Resources

I've accepted and worked with a real range of materials over the years... most modellers not being technically adept with web-site needs. These notes are my preferences c 2016. Please, however, contact me (CaneSIG Coordinator) describing your proposed contribution before you send any materials.

At that time we can also discuss whether materials should be submitted as e-mail attachments, via DropBox, or by regular mail (CD or memory stick, flat prints, etc.).

   A C Lynn Zelmer, Coordinator
   E-mail: lynn @ zelmeroz.com (without spaces)
   PO Box 1414, Rockhampton Qld 4700, Australia

Images

I prefer a jpeg or tiff file of at least 1600 x whatever size, saved with minimum compression (ie high quality --> large file size).

I usually then process the images to end up with an 800 x whatever jpeg image with copyright notice (ie the photographer's name and copyright symbol, sometimes some image details) and optimised for the web (ie minimal file size).

If there are more than half a dozen images they should be sent on CD/DVD (or DropBox) and can (should) then be the original camera output (usually jpeg) images, rather than having been reduced in size/resolution.

If you are scanning prints they should be at least 300 dpi. Negatives or slides should be at least 2000 dpi. Save all scanned images as high resolution jpegs (ie large file size) for small numbers sent by e-mail attachments, or tiff format if sent on CD/DVD for larger numbers. Do NOT use automatic sharpening or dust/scratch removal options with your scanner unless you really know what you are doing.

Do NOT send images stuffed into a Word/PowerPoint (Insert > Picture from file) or other document format! Send them as appropriate format individual files instead.

I'm quite willing to scan images... prints, negatives or slides... sent to me by post and I'll return the originals by the same process. Aside from the time for posting, I can usually turn medium-sized projects (up to 50 images) like that around within a couple of weeks. Larger projects will take longer but in over 10 years I haven't yet failed to return everything submitted for scanning.

Some of the older CaneSIG images are much smaller than 800 x whatever, but they were prepared when download speeds were much slower and I'm trying to re-process some of the collection to end up with the larger image size.

Drawings, plans, maps, etc.

These can be pencil, ink or computer drawn. Some of Jim Fainges materials, for example, are the result of pencil drawings. His low resolution drawings were hand-drawn in ink, and the higher resolution drawings have all been recently re-drawn using computer drawing software.

If you are sending a scan of a drawing it should be at least 300 dpi, saved as a high resolution jpeg or gif... and a gif or tiff file if it's coming on CD/DVD. 600 dpi would be preferable. Do NOT use automatic sharpening or dust/scratch removal options.

Do NOT send drawings stuffed into a Word/PowerPoint (Insert > Picture from file) or other document format! Send them as appropriate format individual image files instead. Please check with me before sending files from design or 3D programs as I may not have tools to extract them into something I can use/distribute.

Take the drawings in to a good quality copy shop and have them make their best quality photocopy on smooth paper if you don't have scanning facilities, and I'll do the scan here. I've had some good results enlarging (to 150 or 200%) letter size drawings onto smooth paper (ie 11" x 17" or A3 paper) using a photocopier, then scanning and reducing the resulting drawing.

If possible paper-based drawings should be shipped flat with good protection (cardboard covers) or in a tube, rather than being folded.

PDST rail bus/Jim Fainges

Captions/Notes

Please provide appropriate captions for every image or drawing. This should include as much information as possible about the subject of the image or drawing but does NOT need to include camera details (camera, lens, f stop setting, etc.) for images. Dates please as appropriate.

Captions and notes can be sent directly in an e-mail, or in either a text or Word file.

Video

Neither my ISP nor I have the resources to host video materials except in exceptional circumstances. I can and will imbed YouTube or other video as appropriate in a page where I have permission from the copyright owner.

Copyright

Copyright remains with the originator of the image... photographer, draughtsman, etc. I normally put that information on any image on the site, and if images don't have a copyright notice on them or on the containing web page it generally means that I took the photo and posted it quickly without the copyright notice.

That having been said, I do assume that I can repackage images submitted to the web site as appropriate for 'Handbook' articles, conference presentations, etc., without asking the copyright owner, provided I credit the copyright owner. However, I do send inquiries about other persons using the images for publication, etc., on to the copyright owner.

The person submitting the materials MUST either have the legal right to do so... ie be the copyright owner or designated representative... or provide enough information that I can either obtain permission to use or provide appropriate credit under 'fair use' provisions of the Copyright Law.

Not as Complicated as it Seems!

I trust that is enough information without being too complicated. The bottom line is that I'll work from whatever is available, but the better the source, the easier (and quicker) it is to work with.

    Lynn Zelmer

Copyright © A C Lynn Zelmer or the contributor as appropriate. Last updated: 16 June 2021 [lz]; e-mail: Lynn @ ZelmerOz.com