Wikipedia:Teahouse/Host lounge/How-to guides/Image guide
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This guide explores what type images we use and how we use them.
This is often one of the most popular questions. Most users who upload images to Wikipedia often have them deleted. Many also have little understanding about copyright, and what type of images Wikipedia can accept.
How do I upload an image?
Note: To prevent spamming, we require all editors to make ten edits, and let four days pass from their first edit, before they can upload images.
First you have to find out an important part of the upload process: are they trying to upload a copyrighted image or a free image? You can find this out by asking to learn more about the image; a link to the image online, etc. If the image is copyrighted, we prefer the new users not to upload the images even if fair use. Fair use is often a tough concept to grasp if one isn't familiar with copyright law, and images often end up getting deleted no matter what. Also, if the image is copyright free users can upload it to Wikipedia, but, we prefer Commons. Here, we'll teach them how to upload to Commons and Wikipedia.
The image is copyrighted
Sarah's reply:
It's great that you want to improve an article with an image, however, the image you are wanting to upload is copyrighted, and therefore shouldn't be uploaded to Wikipedia. Sorry! :(
Bilby's reply:
There are only very limited circumstances when you can use copyrighted images. The main ones are logos, which may be needed for articles about organisations, and scans of book or album covers. It is all explained at the non-free content policy, which is worth a look. If you have any doubt at all, you can always ask for assistance at the media copyright questions noticeboard, and the people there will help.
Even if the image is ok, though, there are some additional things to keep in mind:
- You can only add it to articles on Wikipedia - you can't use the image on drafts or on your userpage.
- Each time you use it, you need to explain why it is needed for that article on the image's page. For example, have a look at the MGM logo - because it is used on three articles, it needs three separate reasons explaining why.
It is worth keeping in mind that if it is possible to replace the copyrighted image with a free equivalent, even if it would be very difficult (but not impossible) to create one, it can't be used.
The image has the acceptable license and can be uploaded to Wikipedia
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The image has the acceptable license and can be uploaded to Wikimedia Commons
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How do I find an image to add to an article?
This could go pretty complex. It could cover the basics of finding images on places like Google search, the Creative Commons search, Flickr, etc. Or could be as simple as telling people to go to Commons.
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How do I use an image from Flickr?
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This will include using the Flickr Tool - http://toolserver.org/~bryan/flickr/upload
How do I add an image to an article?
- Reply 1
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Why was my image deleted?
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My image was deleted because of copyright reasons, why? What can I do to get it undeleted?
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My image was deleted because I didn't get permissions, what does that mean? How do I get it back?
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