In conjunction with the Basque Government of Euskadi, NABO is participating in the creation of a Basque photo archive and is seeking the collaboration of contributors. The goal is to create a comprehensive photo archive of the Basque Diaspora.
 

PHOTOGRAPH ARCHIVE PROJECT OVERVIEW

1.- The “photograph archive” is one of the projects in the overall RECUPERATION OF HISTORIC MEMORY program.

1A. Objectives:
·         To collect and digitize images associated with the euskal etxeak
·         To post the digital archive on the Internet allowing for global access

1B. Characteristics:
·         Educational approach
·         Preservation of original images
·         Transfer of rights
·         Extensive and varied themes

2.- Quantitative goal: 50,000 photographs in the period from 2008-2011. Redefine the annual goal

3.- Collection of topics:

• 3.1 Any photograph relating to Basques around the world; it would be better to take a non-restrictive approach to classification. It is also in our interest to include as broad a spectrum as possible in terms of subject matter, including an “OTHERS” category at the end.

• 3.2 Sample of topics to encourage people to contribute:

a)    Photographs of buildings:
1.- Basque Center buildings
2.- Basque Center interiors
3.- Objects: paintings, images, etc.
4.- Other Basque style buildings.
5.- Fronton courts
6.- Plazas
7.- Basque companies
8.- Others

b)    Photographs of people:
9.- Presidents of Basque Centers
10- Boards of Directors
11.- Dance groups
12- Individual danzaris
13- Basque personalities or relevant figures of Basque descent: politicians, business people, artists, missionaries, etc.
14- Pelotaris and other sports figures.
15.- Txistularis
16.- Choirs
17.- Music groups
18.- Young people from the Gaztemundu program
19.- Others

c)    Photographs of Basque symbols:
20.- lauburus
21.- Paintings and sculptures
22.- Images of t-shirts
23.- Basque dresses and berets
24.- Tablecloths, napkins, handkerchiefs, etc.
25.- Signs
26.- Keychains
27.- Medals
28.- Rings
29.- Cars or busses with ikurriñas or Basque names, such as “Transportes El Vasquito”.
30.- Posters
31.- Basque signs
32.- Others

d)    Activities and celebrations:
33.- Basque Week
34.- Ralleys
35.- Anniversaries
36.- Festival programs
37.- Specific festivals: Aberri Eguna, San Ignacio, etc.
38.- Specific programs: Basque community gatherings, pelota games, etc.
39.- Food related activities
40.- Congresses
41.- Training courses
42.- Conferences
43.- Dance and choir events
44.- Basque centre activities and/or centre directors at other institutions
45.- Udalekus
46.- Euskera classes
47.- Children’s festivities
48.- Euskal Etxea social activities
49.- Social activities among Basques not belonging to Basque centers: nuns, priests, etc.
50.- Mus
51.- Others.

e)   Techincal specifications:
6.1 Any photograph of a Basque-related theme.
6.2 Specific non-exclusive technical requirements can also be defined. (Some of the photographs will be posted on the website by a designated person from the Basque Center; however, there may be photographs posted by individuals under their own responsibility.
6.3 The matter of intellectual property: photographs will be the property of the people who contribute them, never the Basque Government.

4. Phases:

4.1 Digitizing.  The first step will be to collect photos that only exist on paper, in negatives or slides, converting them to digital files. The digitizing process can be done in two ways:

a.   scanning the images according the following minimum criteria:
·    resolution: 200 dots per inch (dpi)
·    scale:  100% for paper (original size); 400% for negatives or slides (equivalent to a resolution of 800 dpi at 100%)
·     file format: uncompressed TIF or JPG at 85%

b.   using a digital camera, i.e., taking digital pictures of the original paper images. This method is not valid for negatives or slides but since the percentage of images in these formats is limited, it is the best option for euskal etxeak with less resources, since the technology complications are reduced to a minimum.

The images in possession of the Basque Government are already being digitized.  The second step will be to collect photographs taken more recently in digital format.

4.2. Cataloging   Cataloging of digital photographs will be carried out by personnel in charge of managing the portal, based on the information provided for each image by the submitter and according to the criteria listed below. A special form will be provided for the euskal etxeak to fill in for the images they submit.

The digital photograph files will be catalogued based on the following criteria:
§  Origin: Basque center and details of person submitting the photograph
§  Mailing date: day, month and year the image was sent
§  Image date: day, month and year of the image
§  Description:
§  Geographic location the picture was taken (country, province or state, city and specific place)
§  People appearing in picture (full names)
§  Description of event of activity captured in the photograph

Some of the information may not be available. However, all attempts should be made to provide as much information as possible so that the search engine is rendered as effective as possible. (See Annex I below)
                                             

4.3 Contribution from Basque centers

Any photographs provided by members of Basque communities shall fulfill the digitizing and cataloging criteria listed above. They should should be a maximum of 5Mb and have a maximum resolution of 5 megapixels.

Contributions can be sent as follows:
·         Members can send files in digital form on a CD or any other magnetic storage media to the corresponding Basque center or federation, or directly to the Basque Government to be included in the Basque Diaspora Digital Photograph Archive. This is the best option for large volumes of photographs. Each picture shall be accompanied by a datasheet containing the information listed in the section on cataloging.
·         Alternatively, a space will be provided at euskaletxeak.net, where each image can be uploaded and a factsheet with the cataloging information mentioned in phase 2 completed online.
·         All of the photographs submitted via any of these methods will be validated and shown on the website. A search engine will be designed based on the cataloging system.     
 

Andoni Martín Helping to coordinate this project is Mr. Martin who you can reach at: Phone: 011 34 945 018140 Email: andonimartin@ej-gv.es