Wikipedia talk:Uploading images

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Summary:
Changes to Special:Upload can be suggested at MediaWiki talk:Uploadtext.
Instructions on moving images between projects (based on discussion at mi:) have been added.

Contents

[edit] Huge images

How firm is the 100K guideline? There's a bunch of HUGE photos going in, such as Image:Charmed Rose McGowan.jpg , which is over 1.3 Megabytes. Niteowlneils 04:57, 12 Jun 2004 (UTC)

I have uploaded large pictures once in a while (I like high-res pics), but I never go above 300k. 1.3 megs is ridiculous. →Raul654 05:00, Jun 12, 2004 (UTC)
I think the limit is 2MB. With automatic thumbnailing, the size of images in articles is not so much of a problem anymore, but it does make it difficult if someone wants to go to the image page. Angela (who has no tildes so can't sign properly)
Yes, 2 megs is the limit (as I found out empirically when uploading songs). →Raul654 09:45, Jun 12, 2004 (UTC)
In the light of the thumbnailer, 100K seems rather low. If possible, it's nice to be able to keep a small image on the page and click to a larger one, and find something worthwhile there. 800x600 seems like a sensible workable maximum, which produces JPEGs roughly in the 200-400K range. Giant images (the 2000x1600 etc. one gets from a decent modern digicam) are impractical for almost all screens. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 22:08, 12 Jun 2004 (UTC)

1.3 is ridiculous. But it's quite bad when you click on a thumbnail size, and you get a image that's basically one fingernail larger than the thumbnail. (What's the point?) ^_* --Menchi 22:22, 12 Jun 2004 (UTC)

I agree that it is annoying when you click on a picture, the "larger" version is basically the same size, and that 100K might be a little low, but jeez, this one[1] is 1858933 bytes, 3783x2543 pixels, or (according to Photoshop) 12.61x8.477 inches, but that's gotta be print size or something, because using 1024x768 monitor resolution, I can only see a small fraction of the picture at a time in a maximized browser window. I mean, we're talking a headshot several times bigger than life-size. Wikipedia is not paper, but at some point there's gotta be bandwidth issues, and what about dial-up users? Other than the 100K request on the upload page, and the 2M hard file limit, nobody says/does anything when people are uploading pics that are basically useless when not thumbnailed? (Actually, I may crop some, as some have quite a bit of wasted space, but I'm reluctant to do anything more drastic that might open me to "lowered image quality" complaints. There's no way to put the cropped image at the same name, and still have the original version available thru the history, right?) Niteowlneils 02:39, 13 Jun 2004 (UTC)

I've uploaded several images in the 700kb range because i believe that those *are* useful if somebody would like to print them or use them for other things. The image shown on the the image page should probably be 800px width max (shouldn't be hard to do on the software). That should avoid any bandwidth problems- the really big image could still be downloaded with an extra 'full image (768kb, 3783x2543px)' link. Some central repository (be it wikiimages or wikicommons) would also be nice of course. -- Gabriel Wicke 23:35, 13 Jun 2004 (UTC)
I think using as large an image as possible (not going over the 2MB limit of course) is a good idea for posterity and future-proofness (I know that's not a word). Please take into account if you go back 10 years, most PC users were typically using standard VGA resolution (640x480) on their desktops - nowadays most people are using 1024x768 at the least, and 1280x1024 17" LCD monitors are pretty much becoming the typical displays that come with PCs these days - which is over four times the resolution of 640x480. So who knows what ungodly resolutions we'll be using in another 10 years time? 640x480 photos will definately not be acceptable by then.
But there is such a thing as going overboard! Niteowlneil's find is a good example of this - in all fairness it's only a headshot, and the JPEG is not of particularly good quality either. --Zilog Jones 13:42, 31 July 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Update this page for WikiCommons?

(I think the page has been updated)

[edit] When to use WikiCommons?

So if I'm reading this correctly we should upload all images to Commons unless the image is fair use? So this leaves us with two seperate places for images until someone gets clever and updates the Commons software to include sections/notations for country-specific licenses.

- Pioneer-12 11:38, 20 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] GFDL images

Why is it required that all images uploaded that you hold the copyright to must be licenced under the GFDL? I have photographs I would like to put on Wikipedia, but I do not feel comfortable licencing them under the GFDL, and would rather use permission (replace [] with {}) (Licenced for use on Wikipedia only) than use the GFDL, as I do not like my photographic work being used without my permission. Somebody in the WWW 00:14, 2 Dec 2004 (UTC)

[edit] uploading fair use images

I was going to upload an image which I believe is under fair use (the logo of a railroad company), and tag it accordingly, but whenever I try to upload I cannot truthfully say "I affirm that the copyright holder of this file agrees to license it under the terms of the Wikipedia copyright." since the image would to my knowledge only qualify under fair use. I'm not exactly sure what should happen here. Ckape 05:39, 6 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I had the same question (a while back) but I think the answer is: use Wikimedia Commons, which has a differently worded affirmation. David Brooks 02:04, 6 May 2005 (UTC)

The big purple stamp at the top of the Special:Upload page warns (no fair use!) for uploads to the Wikimedia Commons. So that don't work. What the blip? I guess fair use images are no longer allowed on Wikipedia. Someone should update the explantion pages if that's the case. Otherwise, enlighten us, please! I wasted way too much time researching this. --Yannick 01:54, 14 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Is this compatible with us?

Please see Wikipedia talk:Image use policy#Is this compatible with us? - UtherSRG 20:33, Feb 17, 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Uploading screenshots

Is it considered "fair use" to upload screen captures from PC games, for example Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone? If so, are there any special tags I need to put on them? And if not, what about promotional shots released by the makers of the game? Hermione1980 23:21, 30 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Image redirects

I am currently working with another user to get all the images needed to create any sort of Go board/example in an article using templates or a table. The way the template works in a few cases I need a number of image file names to point to the same image. FOr example I need this image:

Image:Weiqi-a.PNG

to be present for all of the folowing names:

Image:Weiqi-aca.PNG Image:Weiqi-acb.PNG Image:Weiqi-acc.PNG Image:Weiqi-acd.PNG Image:Weiqi-amd.PNG Image:Weiqi-asl.PNG Image:Weiqi-asr.PNG Image:Weiqi-ast.PNG Image:Weiqi-asd.PNG

There are only 3 or 4 files that I need to do this for but I tried using a redirect and it wont follow the recdirect for an image. Is there some way to turn this on short of uploading the file 18 times? Dalf | Talk 00:27, 9 May 2005 (UTC)

Just for clarification, the template we are discussing is Template:Game of Go Position (as well as similar templates for different board sizes).

An image tag specifying an image can not be made to embed another image through a redirect. There is more flexibility if an image is embedded by calling a template that contains the image, because a template can be redirected to another one.--Patrick 13:21, 13 Jun 2005 (UTC)

[edit] How to specify image name?

I'm confused by the image upload form. I have a file on my computer, at C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\screws2.jpg , and I'd like to upload it as Image:User:Creidieki/Screws.jpg. What do I put under "Filename"? I clicked "Browse", and found the file, but it doesn't seem to have a space for the name I want to upload the file as. I think this information should probably be added to the documentation page, but I'd appreciate a response here too. Thanks! -- Creidieki 01:11, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)

  • Never mind. I don't know whether the form changed, or whether I was looking at it wrong or having browser problems before, but it all makes sense now. Thanks. -- Creidieki 16:49, 5 September 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Image Types

Okay, I read that Jpegs are preferred, but does that mean the image HAS to be Jpeg? Cause I got some image files that look terrible if they are not GIF. -- Mrja84 19:27, 04 Sept 2005 (ESDT)

I hardly can believe that. Gif only supports 256 colors and transparency. Jpg supports 16mil. I think if you give me any photo I can make a jpg out of it. --None-of-the-Above 05:19, 5 September 2005 (UTC)
Are the images photos? If so, jpeg should give the best results for the same file size. You can, though, make them look horrible by compressing them too much. Try different settings, pick the one that is just good enough and then compare filesizes with gif and you'll seee what I mean. DirkvdM 07:41, 27 September 2005 (UTC)
If it looks better as a gif, save it as a PNG. PNG is a better format than gif and it works well. JPEG for photos, PNG for non-photos.

[edit] Already existing filenames

The article says If a file with the name you are specifying already exists on the wiki, it will be replaced without warning. But when I do that I do get a warning. Is that a browser thing? I can hardly imagine that, but anyway, I use Konqueror. Or is this info just out of date? If this were true that would be a serious 'bug'. DirkvdM 07:47, 27 September 2005 (UTC)

It could not be a browser thing. (It happens with Firefox too.) -Pgan002 01:09, 10 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Why SVG Rather than PDF?

Although can't find it, I'm sure there was a great discussion that led to the decision to use SVG rather than PDF for vector+raster files. I'm a little surprised by that outcome, and I'd love it if someone could bottom-line it for me. Thanks, —Papayoung ☯ 00:53, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Uploading sound files?

All the help files for uploading media seem to lead here, but this only discusses images. What about sound files? Their fairuse template, {{Music sample}} doesn't appear to be in the drop-down list. Or am I missing something? pfctdayelise 04:51, 9 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] .bmp

Why am I unable to upload images that are bmp? Most of the images that I wish to upload are .bmp, and when I convert them, they loose color information. Most of them are images I have created in microsoft paint, and I do not know how to convert them into anyting but .gif, which doesn't work unless I have images with no color. Any suggustions would be welcome.--Akako|☎ 16:47, 13 November 2005 (UTC)

What version of Windows are you using? On XP, Paint allows me to save as JPG or PNG also. I'm not sure exactly why bitmaps are not allowed, but I think I've seen them render incorrectly when transferred between operating systems. --Smack (talk) 05:16, 16 November 2005 (UTC)
On that note, could someone explain to me how Image:William boyce.bmp got here? If BMP format is not allowed, someone ought to convert it to PNG. I can convert it easily enough if we decide that it needs to be converted.

[edit] "Upload file" page

IMO the phrase "For more information, see Wikipedia:Uploading images." must be placed immediately after the "1." and "2". Several people already complained that the guidelines are hard to find. It is a psychological thing: this colored box just grabs your attention for good. mikka (t) 00:36, 19 November 2005 (UTC)

I've managed to upload the picture I want to use, but I simply cannot work out how to attach my image to my article. I must be a bit thick. :-( My article is Yamaha XJ900. Can anyone help? JSL595 14:02, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image source option?

Would it be possible to have a field available at Special:Upload for entering source(s) for uploads (and then automatically placing them into a ==Source== section, as is done with the description/license currently)? I think it would help people to understand that a source is not optional (even if it's just "myself" for GFDL material), and might lead to fewer images being deleted due to a lack of source (or at least, fewer images being uploaded because of the requirement of a source). Thoughts? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Locke Cole (talk • contribs) 14:24, 26 December 2005 (UTC).

[edit] Help with .svg file

I have attempted to upload the Tupperware logoImage:Tupperware Brands Corporation logo.svg in .svg format. It previews correctly in CorelDraw 10, but not after I upload it. The file appears to be the correct size, but the image is not centered in the frame. Any suggestions? --Master Scott Hall 17:00, 2 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Help! Source disappears when I upload.

Hello.

I am trying to upload an image, but when I click the upload button, the line where I enter the image source goes blank. Then I get an error message saying there was no image source. So I enter the image source again, and when I click upload, it goes blank again. What am I doing wrong.

Michael J 22:31, 3 February 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Would Wiki like to have a file upload tool?

We have a tool at: draganddropupload.com which is a Java application for doing uploads. It can do things like image previews. Also it can dynamicly convert image formats, so GIFs and TIFFs get converted to PNGs, and JPEGs get scaled properly (if necessary). We would be happy to donate it for Wiki and help customize it, if Wiki would be interested. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 69.3.115.86 (talk • contribs) 23:07, 8 February 2006(UTC).

I think this sounds great. It would probably make it easier to upload the right images in the right format. I suppose there has to be a discussion on the Wikimedia site or the Village Pump. -Pgan002 06:26, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] can't upload newer version of image to replace older version

I uploaded Image:Lemmings_amstrad.png but I want to replace it with an updated version, but when I tried to use the upload form to re-upload I keep getting this error:

"A file with this name exists already, and cannot be overwritten. Please go back and upload this file under a new name. "

The project page here seems to indicate I should be able to overwrite the file, so why won't it let me?

- Never mind, found the issue: [2]. How annoying. Tempuploader 02:51, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Uploading to userspace

Can I upload an image directly to my userspace? If so, how? -- §HurricaneERIC§Damagesarchive 00:26, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

No, all files are stored in the same Image: (or actually, Media: namespace), but images of acceptable copyright status can be uploaded and used just in user space. Titoxd(?!? - help us) 00:51, 11 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copying fair-use screenshot from 3rd-party webpage

I want to copy a screenshot from the website of a 3rd party who isn't involved with the computer game. Do I need permission from this website owner? Howdybob 08:38, 16 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "." is not a recommended image file format.

I am trying to upload an image and all I get is this error messege kc4 - the Server Monkey Enforcer 01:02, 11 June 2006 (UTC)

You need to specify the file extension in the "Destination Filename" field. i.e. don't specify "MyImage", use "MyImage.JPG"

[edit] TGS images

i need to upload a .tgs image but it says its not recommended. can some1 tell me how to convert it to bitmap or jpeg or any other supported format? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Smoke Weed (talk) 2006-07-08T08:01:41.


What is a .tgs image? I cannot find any information about this format. Do you know how the image was created? Do you know what "TGS" stands for? If you created the image with some program, probably this program can convert it to other formats. If it was created by a scanner or photo camera, which model? Can you upload the file as a general media file and point us to it, so that we can try to convert it for you? You can write me a note on my talk page. -Pgan002 06:40, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Modified images: who is the author and what license?

If an image can be legally modified and I modify it, who is the author of the new image? Who gets to decide what exactly should be its license? Those are required to fill the form for uploading a new image. -Pgan002 06:30, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

If you can legally modify it, it's either public domain (in which case you can choose any license) or there's some license that allows you to modify it which would also specify what licenses you can or cannot use (e.g. GFDL requires it to stay GFDL). In either case, both the creator of the original work, and the modifier should be mentioned in the description. Mairi 17:25, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] the most confusing page EVER

Nuff said. Nerdchomper 20:23, 15 August 2006 (UTC)Fat Lui

[edit] Help me -- what should I classify a photo as?

I've tried looking up the "image copyright" and "fair use" information sections, but none of them would help me out with this one issue. and I need to know obv before uploading said photo. See, I've got one photo in mind, a photo already uploaded and in use on a band website. It's actually the closest thing said band (who is now defunct) has to an official site out there. I've also been in communication with the person who runs this site, who was actually a member of said band. He has allowed me to use the image for his band's Wikipedia entry, but I don't know if (a.) that's enough of a permission to allow me to upload a copy of said photo onto the Wikipedia site and (b.) if it is, what I should use as the appropriate image copyright tag. If someone could help me out with this issue, that would be grand. (Krushsister 00:19, 21 August 2006 (UTC))

a) No, that's not enough, b) please see Wikipedia:Requesting copyright permission. -- Rick Block (talk) 00:31, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
(sigh of exasperation) Not even the band members themselves know how to contact said person and a Google search revealed only the one hit, i.e. the page where the photo is displayed. Um, what do I do in those instances, then? Am I shit out of luck? Because the band's guitarist did give me ANOTHER photo to use that's not in use on any website, that was explicitly used as a promotional photo by the record company (so issues on whether I could use it or not were pretty straightforward), that features the band's second lineup. But what do I do if there's no way in heck I can contact the person who took a photo I wish to use? Like I said, I tried Google and there isn't even another page out there with this person listed as a credited person. (You can see it here -- http://researchgtr.20m.com/Scars020.htm -- including the name of the photog in question.) I'd still like to use it, but as a photo of the original lineup of the band in question. (Krushsister 05:43, 12 September 2006 (UTC))
(edit from Krushsister 06:11, 12 September 2006 (UTC)): Ok, I've just contacted the guy who wrote the article that the photograph accompanied, the same guy whom said photographer was accompanying on his trek through the world of Edinburgh punk bands. (Scars originated in the punk music scene.) Now, I HOPE he responds to my email, but what happens if he never does? And what happens if he too doesn't know how to get in contact with the photog? Ow, my head hurts.
(edit from Krushsister 07:18, 12 September 2006 (UTC)): Oh my God. I found out why it was that I was only getting the one search result. Having now found out what this photographer's real name was, I still don't know where to go next. I've found plenty of her work on that musicpictures.com site, which seems to be the same site as redferns.com , but I could find neither a single Scars picture in the whole of the collection nor could I find any contact information for her on the site. Now nausea is kicking in....
If the photo does not have a free license of some sort and you can't contact the copyright holder (almost always the photographer), then you can't use the photo. What you're doing is called a copyright search and it is indeed a pain. It is however absolutely necessary because of the licensing terms of Wikipedia, which permits anyone to reuse the content (including the images) as long as they (recursively) also allow anyone to reuse the content. This is really what "free" means in the slogan "The Free Encyclopedia". The content is free to be copied. Forever. See copyleft if you're not familiar with this concept. -- Rick Block (talk) 13:55, 12 September 2006 (UTC)
I did find the copyleft and GNU general public license articles recently, though it turns out that the photographer WAS contactable and I HAVE gotten in contact with her. It turns out she wasn't Googleable because the page of origin didn't have her name spelled right. I've pointed her in the direction of a few informative links so she can have some of her questions answered. I understand you need to have everything completely aboveboard before progressing just in case, but it does provide the novice editor (which I kinda consider myself being) with one mighty gorilla of a headache. To Wikipedia's credit, it is rather easy to follow the text-based rules and regulations. So. (Krushsister 06:23, 14 September 2006 (UTC))

[edit] Protected page?

I've been trying to upload the image of the logo of the Latin-language Uncyclopedia. I set {{logo}} as the licensing information, but I keep getting the "protected page" warning. What am I doing wrong? Lauren 15:08, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] less sick of a picture

If you put a picture up of this poor kid, don't let it be one of those sick pictures that make her look like an adult. I have kids and those pictures are sick. If the parents were innocent they should have been arrested for dressing her up like that. A picture like the below link would be the best. Shows what she looks like just as the little kid that she was.

[3]

[edit] Newer version of a photograph.

I decided to replace sb's photograph with my own which is of a better quality. I have even created an account for that purpose. Sadly as it turns out - I cannot do that. I read like 10s of help pages here but couldn't find a solution. Finally I was redirected http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Help_desk#Revising_images where one can find lots of requests to replace/delete/overwrite other images. Sadly, again, I cannot post there my request. This is higly confusing and frustrating not to say discouraging. Nevertheless if someone is reading this, please add Image:AztecSerpent2.JPG as a newer version of Image:AztecSerpent.JPG and please tell me what have I exactly done wrong.

[edit] Hi

Does anybody know if there's a shortcut for transferring images from en: (or whatever) to commons? It sure would be handy! •NikoSilver• 20:50, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Hello Nico.

You're right. Nothing could be more confusing. After about 3 tries my picture finally landed where I wanted it.

Click on Special:Upload. The source file name is the path and name of the picture on your hard disk. The destination file name is freely chosen and is the name you use in the article to call up the picture, for instance, "SourceName.jpg" and "DestinationName.jpg" without quotes. In both cases observe the spelling and capitalization. If it's public domain use {No Rights Reserved} for the tag. In the article call the picture up with the "Image" command as follows: "Image:DestinationName.jpg| Any caption". Use double bracekts "[[ ]]" instead of quotes. (If I had used double bracekts here, some nonsence would appear in this response.) If in the article the picture turns out to be too small use the modifier "frame|" as in the command "Image:DestinationName.jpg|frame|Any caption". Good luck from Cakeandicecream 09:34, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

Thanks Cake. I knew how to do it manually with the usual way. I was wondering if there's an automatic way of doing it without having to download the pic in your disk first. Actually I'd like to propose the following software modification:

Tweak the upload page software so that if the tags are ok, and the image name doesn't exist in commons, to be uploaded directly in commons, skipping the en: (or whatever) space.

What will happen:

  • All images that will be uploaded from now on, will be directly uploaded to commons, if the tags so permit.
  • All wikipedias in all languages will be able to use those pics in relevant articles. Especially useful in translating articles from one lang to another.
  • The en:wiki (or whichever wiki) user that uploads the pic, doesn't even have to know where the pic landed. S/he'll be able to use it as usual.
  • Wikipedia will avoid double uploads of the same pic for different languages, saving bandwidth and storage space.

I don't know if this is the right place for this proposal, but wish someone who does can direct me to it, or post it there himself. •NikoSilver• 11:34, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Village pump (technical) might be a good place to suggest it. Not sure what the similar page is on Commons, but it'd probably be a good idea to discuss it there to. other option is to make a feature request on BugZilla. Mairi 17:31, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Possible copyvio with Image:TBCatwoman.gif - Help needed

I'm unsure about the copyright info that was put on Image:TBCatwoman.gif. The licensing info says it's a video game, but then it also says it's from a website about a TV show. In the case of the latter, I'm concerned that the image isn't fair-used from the website, since I don't know if th website had it with permissions. Can someone more familiar with copyvios help me out? -- Ipstenu (talk|contribs) 22:18, 14 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Changing the name of an image after uploading

If I've uploaded an image and managed to put a typo in the title, is there any way to "move" an image? Or do I just upload a new copy of the image with the correct name and delete the old one? Mouser 13:35, 11 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] question

What do I put for Destination filename when I upload an image? GrimRepr39 19:02, 28 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Copyright issues

I am trying to upload a file containing an image of a painting owned by the Bank of Scotland, of which the Head Curator has given his permission on the proviso that it clearly states that the copyright belongs to the Bank, and is not used elsewhere apart from Wikipedia. What method should I use to ensure it does not get 'Speedily deleted'! Brendandh 13:54, 16 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] How big is too big?

What is the maximum recommend image size for this wiki? I ran across Image:1920 The Jewish Peril - Eyre & Spottiswoode Ltd - 1st ed..jpg which is used at The Jewish Peril. I think the image is too large. It certianly doesn't fit on my 1024x768 screen. Any suggestions? The user that uploaded is User:Ludvikus. -Will Pittenger 05:15, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

Yes, the image is TOO BIG!

But I could not, or do not yet know how, to make the image the correct size.
Can I get some assistance, please?
Thanks, etc. Ludvikus 06:32, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

I am not an image expert. I use MS Paint for most of my images and those are either screen caps or simple images. MS Paint has a tendancy to bungle things. (For instance, there is no compression control for JPEGs. GIF transparency is not supported. The PNG alpha channel is not supported. etc.) Hence, either pick Paint Shop Pro from Corel or an Adobe product. There may be more choices if you use a Mac.

BTW: The use of ---- is frowned on in wikis. Will (Talk - contribs) 07:30, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

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