SUBMITTING TORTOISE PHOTOS

 We at Tortoise Group are working hard to improve all aspects of our efforts. Our Web Site offers a wealth of information to those who are new to the Desert Tortoise and its requirements. We quickly noticed that people responded to, even expected numerous photos of tortoises on our pages. Many of us have plenty of photos to share but are they good enough?

 Here are some guidelines to consider and the process to follow when submitting photos to be displayed on our Web Site:

Privacy

 Avoid including landmarks and address markers in your photos that would allow someone to physically locate your habitat based on that photograph. Similarly, avoid using minors to pose with your subject because ours' is a very public Web Site. It is best to avoid depicting adult humans as well since there could be issues regarding model releases, hand signed by the individuals depicted in your photograph. We would consider a "priceless" photo or two with humans but our tortoises are quite interesting on their own and any outsiders visiting our Internet documents won't care about seeing "Dale from Chicago".

Content

 This could easily turn into a photography lesson so we will keep these instructions simple. Isolated photos of tortoises are preferred. Many similar photos of our tortoises will still be interesting because they are different animals, depicted in different habitats by people with unique points of view. Other than that, ask yourself if the photo is interesting in some way that is worth depicting, possibly demonstrating a concept we wish to promote. Conversely, ask yourself if there is anything in the photo that depicts something contrary to our advice. Are there hazards or situations depicted that we do not want to portray as proper tortoise care?

Media

 Photos for Internet display are strictly digital. Film or print photos can be scanned with a computer to one of two, digital formats used on our Web Site. They are ".JPEG" files and ".BMP" files with the former being the preferred format. Photos taken with digital cameras are typically captured in the .JPEG format that we prefer and can be simply emailed to the Webmaster after they are transferred to a computer. Cell phone photographs and such file transfers are not usable except for the most extraordinary images. Tortoise Group will not scan and transfer printed photos or negative film unless the images are similarly extraordinary. We will not display photos that are out of focus, poorly exposed or low resolution photos that, like cellular telephone cameras, display "tiling" or visible pixel squares when enlarged slightly. Typically, images taken with "3 megapixel cameras" or larger are adequate for display on our site.

File Transfer

 If you are still reading this, you may have a good idea how most of this is done, what a .jpeg file is and possibly/hopefully….how to create an exceptional digital photograph. The Webmaster will answer all inquiries but they should be limited to content and sharing issues. Try to find someone close to home that can help with your computer needs before submitting photos for approval. If you are able to get that far, you may email your best SINGLE photo to tortoisegroup@worldnet.att.net for review. Any technical questions may be sent to the Webmaster. Please send your initial submission for review in a file size no larger than 1mb. (one megabyte) Tortoise Group may request a higher resolution copy if it is approved.

Multiple Images, Video

 Any large amount of data or even videotape should be brought to the group via Sneaker Net. In other words, come to a meeting! If you have any display needs you cannot handle, contact a board member and mention it to them. One of our meeting rooms has multimedia equipment on premises. You may have prints we could look at together, possibly a series of photos we can use to educate our readers regarding something very specific. Be creative, have fun and share.

Tortoise Group will assume copyright and ownership issues with credit given to the author when appropriate.

-Rich
TG

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