Talk:Schiermonnikoog

New banner?

Current banner based on File:Aankomst de Rottum op Schiermonnikoog.JPG, depicting the ferry harbour with an approaching ferry.

Alternate banner based on File:Westpuntschier-rh 20101013 010.jpg, depicting birds scavenging the wetlands at low tide.

Banner 3

Banner 4

The current banner looks like it has either been upscaled from a smaller resolution or is simply out of focus, which makes it appear as lacking in quality and possibly even makes it the worst image in the article now. I believe that the banner should be changed because of that, and I've made an alternative banner to replace it with, but other alternatives are also welcomed. Which of these is preferred?
― Wauteurz (talk) 12:16, 23 July 2023 (UTC)

I agree that the current banner is dull. I haven't been to Schiermonnikoog, but I have been to a lot of beaches with birds and sunsets, so I don't think the alternative represents the place very well. Here are a couple of other choices that might show the place's uniqueness. Ground Zero (talk) 21:42, 23 July 2023 (UTC)

Thanks for the alternatives!

For what the birds are concerned, they're Eurasian oystercatchers. I, and I think with me many Dutchmen associate them mostly with the Wadden, though they're found in most of coastal Europe. I felt like using birds in the banner would be apt as the island (excluding the town) is one massive nature reserve and somewhat of a hotspot for birds.

The alternative banners look great, but I'd like to point out that #3's resolution is too small to be a usable banner. There's no doubt a suitable alternative for it, but I wonder if any of them really would scream "SCHIER!" if you saw them. The architecture in it, and on most of the island is pretty typical for the (coastal) Northern Netherlands. There's a dozen streets in Hindeloopen alone that look the same.

I thought I had used the source image for #4 somewhere in the article, but I can't find it back, so I guess I didn't. In any case, it's a great image and works well as a banner, even if every bit of sandy coast in the Netherlands has beach pavilions like it.

This image could also work as a good banner, as it shows a major landmark (Noordertoren), but it's a tad monotone when cropped *. Other than that, pictures from either Kaap Willemsduinen or Kobbeduinen would be perfect to represent the nature and the location, but none of the images in their categories really work with the banner's 7:1 aspect ratio.

In any case, my current order of preference is 2/4-1-3, with 2 and 4 being tied for first. If there was an alternative to #3 that would meet banner requirements, then it'd likely switch places with #1. Honestly, I'd love to actually head out to the island to shoot something with the purpose of it becoming a banner, but that's not within budget(!) ― Wauteurz (talk) 22:13, 23 July 2023 (UTC)

I didn't recognize the birds in #2 as Eurasian oystercatchers. I don't know if many readers would be that sharp-eyed. Unfortunately I cannot find a better quality image for #3. There are some black-and-white photos, but I don't think they would be appropriate for a banner. Maybe we can use #4 until you are able to make a trip there some day. Ground Zero (talk) 22:28, 23 July 2023 (UTC)

I honestly don't think I'll find myself on Schier very quickly. Definitely not before March in any case, which makes me more than happy to settle for #4. Since this discussion has barely been up for half a day, I suggest we'll wait until next weekend so that those who want can chime in or have a crack at finding the perfect banner image, if it exists. ― Wauteurz (talk) 23:21, 23 July 2023 (UTC)

My favourites in order are 4, 2 (would love this were it not for the top-left corner), 0 (current) and then 3. SHB2000 (talk | contribs | meta) 07:37, 24 July 2023 (UTC)

I like any of the alternatives better than the old one. Perhaps if 2 isn't used here, it could be considered for Birdwatching. WhatamIdoing (talk) 17:35, 6 August 2023 (UTC)

Result: Replaced banner with option #4. ― Wauteurz (talk) 23:08, 6 August 2023 (UTC)