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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.
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.
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.
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.
