Hello, I'm Wilfredor! I used to be known as The Photographer in Wikimedia projects. I was born in a simple Venezuelan house on the small Caribbean island of Margarita. Although modest, the house reflects the rich cultural heritage and beauty I find in my home country, a beauty that inspired me to share the magnificence of Venezuela with the world through my camera lens.
My journey with the Wikimedia movement began over a decade ago, and since then, I have contributed more than 40,000 images to Wikimedia Commons. Unlike many, I chose to release many of my photos into the public domain, forgoing the right to be credited when my work is shared. I believe that the message conveyed by an image is more relevant than authorship, a conviction that has guided me in my photographic journey.
Ana Rosa metro station in São Paulo
During my childhood, I was fascinated by the nature surrounding me, especially by a small spring that bubbled near our house, forming a small river. This natural environment was a space for my curiosity, where I would draw the trees and iguanas that lived there, earning the affectionate nickname 'iguana' among friends and family.
Despite the hardships my family faced during the economic crisis in Venezuela in the 1980s, I had the opportunity to attend a local university and specialize in systems engineering. After graduating, and receiving my first camera as a generous gift from my family, I discovered a new passion that complemented my technical training: photography.
Teatro Municipal de São Paulo
My first contributions to the Wikimedia movement were in the Kiwix project, a free software that allows access to Wikipedia offline. This was an initiative to bring knowledge to remote areas of Venezuela, mitigating the impact of government censorship and the humanitarian crisis afflicting the country.
Later, I focused my attention on photography, capturing the essence and challenges of everyday life in Venezuela. These photos became a form of peaceful protest, a means to document reality for future generations.
Recife, the Brazilian capital of social inequality
The journeys to capture images were not always easy. I remember climbing the Bolívar and Humboldt peaks, and visiting ranches in Caracas during anti-government protests, challenges that required preparation and bravery, but resulted in impactful photos.
I believe that each photo tells a story and, by sharing my images in the public domain, I hope to inspire and educate others about Venezuela, its culture, and its people, even in times of adversity. My photography is an invitation to explore and better understand the complexity and beauty of the world around us.
My photos have been exhibited in some of the world's largest exhibitions, including the National Museum of Natural History in France, the Encyclopædia Britannica, and local galleries in Maracaibo, to name just a few. This recognition, although rewarding, does not compare to the satisfaction of contributing to the Wikimedia movement and helping to promote the mission of sharing free knowledge with the world.
Excelentes fotografías, me encanta tu trabajo. Saludos desde San Cristóbal, Venezuela. Lysnova (talk) 20:13, 22 September 2016 (UTC)
The Original Barnstar
Thanks for taking such great pictures. We have decided to use one to make our office more beautiful. RDMSF01 Wikimedia Employee Rdmsf01 (talk) 14:22, 2 June 2016 (UTC)
The Photographer's Barnstar
I, SarahStierch, award Wilfredo with The Photographer's Barnstar for your ongoing contributions to free knowledge and culture by way of sharing your images with the world, without fear of copyright threat. Thank you for all you do for the Commons. Sarah (talk) 16:20, 25 July 2013 (UTC)
The Photographer's Barnstar
I would like to sincerely thank you for your photography during the 2014 Venezuelan protests and for putting yourself at risk in order to enhance the views of others. ZiaLater (talk) 04:19, 7 January 2015 (UTC)
The Defender of Commons
For your many and wonderful work in keeping self-promotion and spam off Commons, I thereby offer you this barnstar. Keep up with your good work my love, Béria Limamsg 17:42, 29 November 2013 (UTC)
The WikiProject Barnstar
For your outstanding contributions for Featured Pictures in 2014 you are hereby award this WikiProject Barnstar. Congratulations! For the Military history Wikiproject Coordinators, TomStar81 (Talk) 08:40, 29 January 2015 (UTC)
English: Congratulations on your being named by Jimmy Wales at the Wikimania 2015 state of the wiki, which even an acolyte of George Gordon Noel, 6th Baron Byron noticed !
I look forward to meeting you, and look forward to working with you in the future !
This is long overdue. You have contributed greatly to Venezuelan articles throughout Wikipedia and have admirably worked with others involved. At a time of unrest, you were present at situations unfolding despite the danger facing you, providing multiple files of what has been unfolding in the country for years now. With historical elements of Venezuela, you have documented them and their work is greatly seen through the many articles in which it is featured. Without you, we would be missing much of the picture of Venezuela in its current situation and I believe that your work will be used for better understanding for years to come. ZiaLater (talk) 19:08, 2 April 2017 (UTC)
Wer war der Thor, wer Weiser, Bettler oder Kaiser? Ob Arm, ob Reich, im Tode gleich
A ti Libertad por tu evocación a hacer de Wikipedia la mejor enciclopedía que hay, y por recordarme que estamos trabajando en pro del conocimiento humano. Craneo y Huesos de la tumba.
Es para mí, —Chabacano, un honor concederte esta medalla/rueda de Ginebra por tu apoyo técnico espontáneo cuando ya estaba ofuscado probando soluciones con un destornillador :). ¡Mil gracias! —Chabacano 14:04 25 jul 2008 (UTC)
The Quality Image Barnstar
This barnstar is for the The Photographer for his cool QIC voting script. Thank you very much! --Basotxerri (talk) 18:54, 28 April 2018 (UTC)
A technical barnstar for your cool JavaScript QIC gadget.
In recognition of the work done to get high-quality photographs of protests; not just going into the protests, but the choice to visually document political dissent in that climate. Kingsif (talk) 16:31, 14 September 2019 (UTC)
The Photographer's Barnstar
I want to give you this barnstar after watching your recent QI and FP promotions. Junior Jumper (talk) 00:25, 15 March 2024 (UTC)
The Coder's Barnstar
Here is a barnstar for you for your awesome creation of the QICvote gadget, a very appreciated and used tool. Thank you for it! -- Giles Laurent (talk) 12:40, 2 June 2024 (UTC)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
São Paulo Metro, Luz Station
Beaudet Reservoir
Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong
Teatro de Santa Isabel, Recife
Facade of the Conjunto Nacional, São Paulo
Arraial, Rio de Janeiro
Interior of a house in the Brazilian hinterland
Charolais cattle 4600 msnm
Botanical Garden of São Paulo
Château Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada
Don Quijote in Teatro Teresa Carreño, Venezuela
São Paulo Zoo
Parc Bois-de-Coulonge
