Commons:Help desk

• Community portal
  • introduction
• Help desk
• Village pump
  • copyright
  • proposals
  • technical
• Administrators' noticeboard
  • vandalism
  • user problems
  • blocks and protections

Shortcut: COM:HD

Skip to table of contents | Skip to bottom | 🌐 Help desks for other languages

This help desk is a forum for questions and help on:

How to use Commons

Anyone, from newbie to experienced, can ask a question here. Questions will be replied to here as well. Any answers you receive are not legal advice and the responder cannot be held liable for them.

Ask your question

or

In order to get quick answers consider the following points:

• Have you checked the frequently asked questions, help pages and the help desk archive?
• For help regarding the Wiki Loves Monuments 2026 contest, please use the WLM help desk
• For licensing and copyright issues, please use the copyright village pump
• For proposing changes to the way Wikimedia Commons works, please use the proposals village pump
• For community-wide discussions, please use the main village pump
• For changing the name of a file, please see our file renaming guidelines
• For matters requiring the attention of an administrator, please use the administrators' noticeboard or contact an individual administrator directly
• For questions about Wikipedia content, try English Wikipedia's "Teahouse"
• For questions not about Wikimedia projects, try English Wikipedia's reference desk

Resolved sections (marked by {{section resolved|1=~~~~}}) will be archived after two days. Sections with no discussion will be archived after ten days. The latest archive is Commons:Help desk/Archive/2026/08.

For quicker help, join our live chat room. ^webchat

Translate this page

COMMONS DISCUSSION PAGES

• Commons Help desk
• Village pump (general discussion)
  • Copyright
  • Proposals
  • Technical
• Graphics and photography discussion
  • Photography critiques
  • Image improvement
    • Illustration workshop
    • Map workshop
    • Photography workshop
    • Video and sound workshop
• Categories for discussion
• Undeletion requests
• Deletion requests
• Volunteer Response Team/Noticeboard
• Translators' noticeboard
• Work requests for bots

---

• Contact administrators
  • Vandalism
  • User problems (Dispute resolution)
  • Blocks and protections
• Bureaucrats' noticeboard
• CheckUser requests
• Oversight requests

---

• Telegram
• IRC ^webchat
• Commons mailing list (archive)
• Commons' bugs on Phabricator

	SpBot archives all sections tagged with {{Section resolved|1=~~~~}} after 2 days and sections whose most recent comment is older than 10 days.

Too short

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PXL_20250419_111442173_%E5%8F%89%E7%83%A7%E9%A5%AD.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PXL_20250419_105815133_%E6%8B%89%E8%82%A0.jpg This entry is too short. Please make sure this entry is at least 5 characters. Why “叉烧饭” “拉肠” is too short？ Jingjinjij (talk) 17:24, 19 August 2026 (UTC)

Hello @Jingjinjij. As you have mentioned, the minimum character limit for captions is 5 characters. So, “叉烧饭” (3 characters) and “拉肠” (2 characters) are not accepted.

This is a known problem for Chinese/Japanese/Korean captions, as these languages often required less characters for the same object (see phab:T220474 for related discussion).

As a solution, maybe you can add a bit more details in your captions, e.g. "在北京的叉烧饭", so your caption is over the character limit. Thanks. Tvpuppy (talk) 12:21, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Special:UploadWizard

The “Back to the old form” text at the top should connect to Special:Upload, but it actually links to Commons:Upload. This mistake was not present formerly. TE(æ)A,ea. (talk) 18:59, 22 August 2026 (UTC)

@TE(æ)A,ea.: I doubt any of the developers follow this page. Have you filed a bug in phabriactor? - Jmabel ! talk 04:06, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@TE(æ)A,ea. i think Commons:Upload might be intentional, coz it's a basic triage list. it asks the user what they wanna do and click accordingly, then takes them to a specific kind of Special:Upload. RoyZuo (talk) 08:44, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Category question and Commons / Wikipedia / Wikidata

I want the English Wikipedia article Papua New Guinea Defence Force [1] to be linked to Commons category Category:Papua New Guinea Defence Force and not Category:Military of Papua New Guinea. But I don't know how to do this. Category:Papua New Guinea Defence Force says "NO WIKIDATA ID FOUND!". Category:Military of Papua New Guinea in the infobox says it is linked to Wikidata item Q4743186. The Wikidata item for Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Q4743186) [2] has the Commons category as Papua New Guinea Defence Force. Melbguy05 (talk) 14:24, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@Melbguy05: The Wikidata item for Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Q4743186) [3] has the Commons category as Papua New Guinea Defence Force. But that contradicts where Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Q4743186) has topic's main category (P910) set to Category:Military of Papua New Guinea (Q6980531), which links to Category:Military of Papua New Guinea, and the latter takes precedence. - Jmabel ! talk 17:28, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel I have the English Wikipedia article Papua New Guinea Defence Force [4] now linked to Category:Papua New Guinea Defence Force.

But, the Category:Papua New Guinea Defence Force infobox says NO WIKIDATA ID FOUND!. It should be linked to Wikidata Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Q4743186) [5].

Category:Military of Papua New Guinea, however, says it is linked to Papua New Guinea Defence Force (Q4743186) in the infobox. I don't know how to change that. Melbguy05 (talk) 06:41, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

@Melbguy05: I'm in a hurry now & don't have a lot of time to look into this, but (1) all linking should be done from the Wikidata side and (2) if a Wikidata item X has topic's main category (P910) set, then it is that main category that needs to link to the Commons category; X's own indication of "Commons category" becomes irrelevant. - Jmabel ! talk 17:30, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Mass renaming

Hello, com! Can you please suggest how to mass rename ~150 similarly named files or at least how to mass-mark it for later renaming manually by others? Case is I succeed marking about 10 of it, but can't do any further as abuse filter tells me NO for more. So... what an options I have? What I mean here are files haveing in the title "dantaylorphotography". Any ideas? ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 20:43, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-46011-86: Yes, there are tools for moving these; unsurprisingly you need to be a filemover to move them. If you'd explain here what you want to move and why, I can probably do it. - Jmabel ! talk 23:07, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel thank you for your reply!

If you don't mind I'll just link you to where I already described it in detail (you can ignore source change if that's hard to do at once).

Can you please? ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 23:21, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-46011-86: are you Dan Taylor? User:Edward? Both? Neither? - Jmabel ! talk 23:30, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel nope, why?

If you mean reason to do it - it's email in the title. if you don't want to exclude whole the line proposed - just exclude email - only it's crucial there to be removed as it violates COM:ADVERT. ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 23:38, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

I mean: why? I'm nor Dan Taylor neither user:edward. ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 23:39, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

it's #5 of COM:FNC ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 23:40, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

I'll rename these, because the copyright statement in the file name strikes me as excessive and potentially misleading (people often mistake "copyrighted" for meaning that all rights are reserved), but for the record, I'm not at all sure it does violate COM:ADVERT; I've seen a good number of files here that credit a photographer in the title. On the other hand, there is certainly no requirement that we keep such names. - Jmabel ! talk 23:46, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel I can provide you a great example where it really was: huge amount of articles was renamed with the same reason with even the same "author". So you can be sure it is. Current ones was just uploaded much later - that's why still wasn't affected. ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 23:55, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel one IMPORTANT note here: DO NOT leave redirects... as marking it for (even speedy) deletion will be another big problem.

Thank you in advance! ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 23:59, 23 August 2026 (UTC)

1. One admin's opinion does not create a precedent. I stand by my differing opinion. The moves I am making (batch job already running) keep the photographer's name, but remove the email address.
2. The tool I am using for the mass move does not have the option of deleting redirects, and besides, the batch is already running. If, in the future, you want to request something where you have requirements for how it is to be done state your requirements before you ask someone to do it, not after they are already taking action on your behalf. I would have simply walked away from it for lack of a tool to do what you are asking for.
3. I believe the redirects are harmless. Presumably no one will find a file redirect unless the go actively looking for it. - Jmabel ! talk 00:04, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

   @Jmabel

   Ah, ok, sure, I'll find something about it then. Anyway thank you very much! You saved much of my time as one as abuse filter from triggering me ;)

   Sure, sorry, that was my bad I was not attentive enough and missed that important requirement.

   I'd say I'd argue you about it's not harmless (as one as phrase "For bookings contact - dan@heisenbergmedia.com or +447821755904" in the description of File:NEXT15, NEXT Conference, Germany (22113098788).jpg), but that's out of scope now.

   Very much Appreciated! ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 00:15, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

   Descriptions can easily be mass-edited with COM:VFC. I believe you would need to create an account, though, and have some level of rights, though I don't know the level offhand. - Jmabel ! talk 00:19, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

   hmm... reviewing it now. Looks like... I can use it even... now?

   Yep. I thinking about it. Thank you.

   Just.. Can you please clarify? Now, when I'm not registered - almost each "page code" change (description etc) forces me to "guess the captcha". Will I be limited same way when will be registered (as if I will - what a point to register?). ~2026-46011-86 (talk) 00:25, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

   • @~2026-46011-86: just registering isn't enough to get rid of the captcha, but auto-confirmed definitely is (which I think takes about 4 days after the account's first edit). - Jmabel ! talk 04:11, 24 August 2026 (UTC)
   • If you set up an account, you can go to Commons:Requests for rights#Confirmed, link to this thread (use a permanent link) and request not to have to wait the four days, since you have a specific project in mind where skipping the captcha would be important. - Jmabel ! talk 04:15, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Duplicates/redundant

Can someone suggest how to deal with such an images: Category:PEO Aviation emblem army.mil feature 2018-12-04 Category:PEO Ammunition emblem Flickr ASA(ALT) album? ~2026-46227-12 (talk) 14:06, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-46227-12: I don't know the subject matter, but either one of these should become a subcat of the other or it should become a cat redirect and all the images should be merged. In the unlikely event that they are correctly disjoint, then both should have a {{See also cat}}. - Jmabel ! talk 17:32, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel subject it to manage/organize it accordingly, because my eyes run wild on, in fact, the number of copies that do not always correspond formally to the COM:duplicate but mostly to COM:Redundant (with minor - i.e. -1 pixel one side wide from same 1:1 ratio but with decreased resolution changes or added partial transparency, but that way deletion possibility is questionable) and it is not clear what to do with them, considering it mostly made from a single file with better quality. I mean - for me now - using exclusivelyh template for now. I.e. merging... They even have same time of creation/upload - is it possible to merge it that way? what exactly template have I use to ask about it? As of visual - if not taking in view cropping once (cutting the edges) it all looks just the same, but with inadequate number of "copies". ~2026-46227-12 (talk) 02:41, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-46227-12: Sorry, I thought you were asking about the categories. On the near-duplicate files, yes this seems ridiculous. I see some are already nominated for deletion. SergeantSelfExplanatory what was your intent here? - Jmabel ! talk 03:51, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel Looks like uploader make it just constantly (repeatedly) with such a presumable algorithm: only original uploaded from the source he (uploading it as separate files and spamming each of uploaded files with ostensibly same external source despite it's not as images are already modified):

• converts it to png (even if original is already png) with two versions - compressed and not compressed,
• making the edges transparent
• make 50% or 200% of original resolution.
• cuts the white indents (even if it's 1 pixel wide only)
• make the edges of resized/cutted image transparent.

that way creating a huge number of excessive images while uploading only image.

• sometimes coloring/decoloring.
• sometimes makine svg files (useful, but rare).

recent Example (8 total, most of are probably redundant): original jpeg, derivatives: to png conversion, decoloring, even more decoloring, forming svg with the black separator line around addition, making it darker, 335% resized lighter svg to png conversion, making it darker. What meaningful here is instead of 8 files here could be just 3 to not create a mess: .jpg original, .png with final size and colouring and .svg with final colouring if not talking about svg could superseed it all.

That way "cleaning" such a mess after him is worthless job (neverending story) until he'll stop doing it or, at least, upload it as file versions (except format conversions) with "best" (i.e. already cutted and with tranparent edges) on the top if he want to definitely upload all of steps of his work with images he uploads and process. sure template:extracted from (with only original file from the source uploaded as parameter here) is much more desirable with the "source" field use then repeatable (but that way deceptive) url to original file originating source using it only for exactly original file uploaded. ~2026-46287-00 (talk) 16:24, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Looks like he do it all not only with self-uplodaded original but with by another user's ones (i.e. original above uploaded by TexasBob85 but all the derivatives - by SergeantSelfExplanatory exactly), avoiding (re)uploading the original, but nevertheless insisting that he took the source from the URL, and not indicating that it is a derivative of a file uploaded by another user, which creates even more confusion, since finding the original in this case is practically impossible (unless it is categorized in the same place). I'll mark it now with extracted from template, but such a derivatives mess made initially and intentionally looks quite demotivating. ~2026-46287-00 (talk) 16:36, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-46287-00: I'd say this is pretty clearly inappropriate, except maybe to add one PNG with a transparent background. I'd suggest nominating everything they uploaded except one of each with transparent background for deletion as effective duplicates. If the user did a lot of this, it could be a reason for administrative sanctions, but the help desk is not the place to discuss that at any length. - Jmabel ! talk 17:57, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel Yep, that's what I mean (could be 3 instead of 8). And I agree have to be left 1 of a kind with best options available (transparency). What I can't get - what have I choose to leave - is "darkened" copy or same as original colored one?

As one what to do with this "black line around" that starting to appear at svgs and continue being at high-res pngs formed later... Ir there's no sense of existing of such high-res PNGs if there's already same svg exists (that can be scaled up to any size with no losses)? That's something new for me to see in derivatives. ~2026-46287-00 (talk) 18:15, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Hello @~2026-46227-12 and @Jmabel!

Thank you for involving me in this discussion.

I apologize for not explaining these images' purpose, and for my laziness and ignorance relating to Commons policy. I will try to familiarize myself with it moving forward.

I'm currently drafting a reply that explains my reasoning. SergeantSelfExplanatory (talk) 19:10, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Additionally (and more importantly), I will immediately cease uploading images to Commons until we get this matter sorted out. SergeantSelfExplanatory (talk) 19:16, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Hello @SergeantSelfExplanatory! Thank you for your reply! I don't mean you to cease uploading - I mean you could manage it a bit better way that would avoid a mess. Case is, despite you free to upload any number of derivatives, it's very hard to guess which one to use for someone who will search, that way he's not guaranteed to select the best option available. Lowering resolution have no sense as it still can be lowered from high-res if you use exact sizing selected when use it's wikilink on anther projects (up to lowest 1x1 px) so having such ones with lower resolution is clearly unuseful. Making pngs with high resolution when you already made an .svg and just converting it to, also looks useless as .svg supersedes any resolution possible - so if you already have svg - no more high-res derivatives needed (at least I think so), as .svg can be scaled up to whatever size you want - it can be 1% or 1000000% - no any difference for image quality.

Also I've seen you sometimes trying to make resolution higher (bicubic something), but that's not a good idea - as it's quality is not become better - it just low-resolution stretched copy. i.e. if you'll see here I found PEO AMMO 600x600 image - that much better to upload instead of 2xstretching low-quality one. So sometimes your uploads just... clearly redundant. Despite I can understand your will to save whatever you created. Feel free to ask if anything's not clear or how to upload variations af current file versions and not as separate file. ~2026-46287-00 (talk) 20:04, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

sourcing derivatives to same external link is also looks deceptive, it much better to use it only on original uploaded, and template:extracted from, template:cropped from etc similar at "source:" of derivatives to connect it with original - that will help anyone to trace the route from what he see (at any file you created he opened) to original or any mid-step of your processing the original. ~2026-46287-00 (talk) 20:09, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@SergeantSelfExplanatory also have to note you was doing greatly with versions on the start (1, 2) why did you stop doing it? ~2026-46287-00 (talk) 10:57, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

@SergeantSelfExplanatory here's a great example when you dealt with it right, I'd even say ideal, way. Can you please continue uploading like that exactly (sure until it's only visual changes like coloring/contrast/etc. and not some crop)? That would be just great! ~2026-46766-29 (talk) 15:39, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

As a reminder: A precise answer as to why, for example, there are nearly 22 identical files in the Category:NSSC 001916 SIPE IHS ballistic shell has so far not been provided by @SergeantSelfExplanatory. זיו「Ziv」 • For love letters and other notes 18:26, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

@Ziv working on it (already after dups deletion). Sadly uploader doesn't.

@SergeantSelfExplanatory can you please answer that question and finally start helping us elimination of your mess? As it much simpler to just delete all your files as most of them are not used anywhere, but looks mostly as archive of all your recomposition tries and failures you have to avoid using commons as. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 00:12, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Question about copyright

Hello again. I have seen on Internet some images published in 1987 in a Spanish magazine (¡Hola!) that I would like to upload to Wikimedia, but I have very serious doubts about whether they are free of copyright, even though they were published more than 25 years ago—which is the legal time limit in Spain for simple photographs as stated in this template. Before uploading those images, I would like to know whether or not they meet the requirements. To that end, could someone please tell me if a photo published in Spain in 1987 on this magazine complies with Wikimedia's requirements? I am not entirely sure about it myself. Thanks in advance.Enciclopedia1993 (talk) 16:36, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Bienvenido. I think the best guidance most of us could give is what is outlined at Commons:Copyright rules by territory/Spain. As for the scope of the photographs, Commons accepts media that have an educational value or purpose and that is generally applied very broadly, so as long as the photos are intelligible, they would almost certainly count (again, assuming they are licensed correctly). ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 16:43, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

@Enciclopedia1993: They would still be copyrighted in the U.S., regardless, so while they might be PD in Spain, that is not relevant to Commons. - Jmabel ! talk 17:33, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Hello Jmabel. So, in that case, this image and this other one wouldn't be free of copyright either, right? Even though they are free of copyright in Argentina, they wouldn't be in the United States, since the users who uploaded them to Wikimedia didn't document their publication in the United States, despite using the US template. Regards.Enciclopedia1993 (talk) 17:45, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

If there is no evidence of authorized U.S. publication without copyright formalities before 1 March 1989, then those U.S. public domain claims are bogus. I'm guessing you are correct. - Jmabel ! talk 17:55, 24 August 2026 (UTC)

Sub-categories

How can I add/remove sub-categories to/from a category? 𝙒𝙞𝙠𝙞.𝙘𝙤𝙬𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙮𝙮 🦬 05:37, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

On a technical level, it's not very complicated. If you have "Novels" and want to make subcategories like "Novels from Afghanistan", "Novels from Albania", etc. you just need to go to Category:Novels from Afghanistan and add the text <kbd>[[Category:Novels]]</kbd>. Once you save the page, it's subcategorized. Now, if you're asking what kind of rules and norms we have about categorization, I'd recommend you take a look at COM:CAT. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 06:39, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Does commens also have things like "Extended Confirmed"? 𝙒𝙞𝙠𝙞.𝙘𝙤𝙬𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙮𝙮 🦬 07:07, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Yes and there is also Commons:Extended uploaders. See more here: Commons:User access levels. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 07:19, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

so if I am an autoconfirmed user, in this case I can not add or remove sub categories from a category? 𝙒𝙞𝙠𝙞.𝙘𝙤𝙬𝙗𝙤𝙮𝙮𝙮 🦬 09:00, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

The process is explained above. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 10:08, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

And if you find any of that at all confusing, please read COM:CAT. - Jmabel ! talk 20:24, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Can I upload a photo I took myself of a statue standing in a public space?

Hello. I am clarifying a post which mentions a statue, of which I have a photograph (I took it myself). I, of course, am not the author of the statue. The statue is located in a public space.

1. Is it ok for me to upload it and use it in an article? 2. When uploading do I select the option that the work contains the work of others? Or is that question in the uploader only asking about the photograph itself (and not what's on it)? Jedi Grzyb (talk) 13:12, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Depends on the place where it's located. Different countries have different (i.e. COM:Freedom of panorama) laws.

i.e. here someone was afraid of copyright violation but later someone added appropriate (country-related) template and everything become ok. What is the country you made it at? ~2026-46300-59 (talk) 13:38, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

So if it's Poland you can use template:FoP-Poland to be set as a permission (like at "later" example above) and be ok with that. ~2026-46300-59 (talk) 13:56, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

It was in Japan. OK, so I checked the FoP for Japan, and it seems I cannot use it, because Wikimedia Commons requires the work to be available for ALL use, but Japanese law forbids commercial use for such a photograph... So am I right to assume I should not upload it? Jedi Grzyb (talk) 14:23, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jedi Grzyb I'm not familiar with japanese laws, but if that statue quite old (over 70+ years) probably it can be evaluated as public domain (see last note at COM:FOP Japan) and therefore still acceptable for publication here. Read COM:PD and Help:Public domain#Copyright terms by country for more. ~2026-46406-24 (talk) 15:12, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

70 years from creation of the statue is rarely enough. You typically need 70 years from death of the sculptor. (Again, different laws in different countries, read up on the copyright laws of the relevant country.)- Jmabel ! talk 20:27, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel Yeah. I meant it by "+", but, yep, more clarification is even better. And we still don't know what and how old is that statue. Could it be some mid-ages "born"?

@Jedi Grzyb will you tell us? ~2026-46406-24 (talk) 20:34, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jedi Grzyb: Hi, and welcome. The copyright holder and FOP rules to follow for a statue depend on the country in which the statue was designed, generally the same as where it was installed.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 13:42, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

For FoP it doesn't really matter where something was designed, only where it is located. - Jmabel ! talk 20:27, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

American Civil War Museum image

Can I upload a photo of someone taken from the American Civil War Museum's online collections? This is the page with the specific image: https://acwm.pastperfectonline.com/photo/12E85806-04DD-49E8-B823-724560021048 Stupidugly33333 (talk) 17:41, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Stupidugly33333: Hi, and welcome. I would think you may upload it, perhaps reconverted to monochrome and tagged {{PD-US-expired|country=US}}.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 18:11, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Though you might do better to try to find the actual photograph that someone colorized and use that. - Jmabel ! talk 20:37, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

This is the only portrait of Rhodes that I can find. There's no image of the original picture from what I've been able to find. Stupidugly33333 (talk) 21:04, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Stupidugly33333: Then Jeff G.'s advice is good. Unless you can be confident that the colorization was hand-coloring from before 1931, you definitely should desaturate it before uploading. - Jmabel ! talk 23:38, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Oberforsterei Pelplin headquarters photo

Can I upload a photo depicting the headquarters of the historical Oberforsterei Pelplin? https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=814856064945216&set=a.125194567244706 I don't know the source of this image. Malinek24 (talk) 18:11, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@Malinek24: Hi, and welcome. That is a World War II name for a structure from before 1920, and the photo was presumably published during or shortly after that war. {{PD-Polish}} should apply.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 18:25, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

Hi! As far as I know, the date under the photo is the date that it was taken (17th of September, 1913), but you may be right that it was published later, however if it poses no problem then there's nothing to dig further into. Thanks for the reply! Malinek24 (talk) 12:08, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

My only doubt about {{PD-Polish}} is that, as I read it, that requires publication without notice. We don't know what was on the back of that postcard. This might better be asked at COM:VP/C, where you are more likely to have someone who knows more about copyright in Poland. But assuming it was out of copyright in Poland by 1996, then it is certainly PD in the U.S. - Jmabel ! talk 18:03, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel: You assume it was on a postcard. I think building and photo from 1913 or before would have expired by 1983 per COM:POLAND, and thus not have had US copyright extended by URAA.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 00:31, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Sure looks to me like it's got slight bleed-through from a circular postmark at upper left.

Nothing in {{PD-Polish}} indicates how long copyright would have lasted if there was a copyright notice. - Jmabel ! talk 01:41, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

uploading to my page: James Torlakson

How do I upload a photo of my own artwork on the Wikipedia page about me, James Torlakson ? I own the copyright to the photo and the artwork. James Torlakson (talk) 22:53, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

@James Torlakson:

• Simplest way: first upload it on a publicly visible site or page elsewhere on the web that is clearly under your control, and indicate there what free license you are offering (I recommend {{CC-BY 4.0}}, which requires that the work be attributed to you, but otherwise allows it to be freely used). Then cite that as the source when uploading to Commons.
• If for some reason you don't want to first post it elsewhere, then:
  1. upload directly to Commons using Special:UploadWizard, offering a free license and describing the work as your own.
  2. send an email confirming the license, as described on the COM:VRT page. If possible, send it from a domain or email address that is publicly identified with you. Also, keep an eye out for a reply: they usually need one or another sort of follow-up; all such correspondence is handled confidentially by a special team (the Volunteer Response Team, hence "VRT").
  3. Mark the file page as explained in Template:PP so that everyone knows the VRT correspondence is under way, and it doesn't get deleted as a likely copyright violation.
• The image can then be added to the English-language Wikipedia just like any other image on Commons, though as a person with an inevitable conflict of interest you would do better to go to en:Talk:James Torlakson and ask someone else to add it. - Jmabel ! talk 23:52, 25 August 2026 (UTC)

can i upload an intuition building website / app

i would like to upload my new website / app that is called intuisity.com and is free to play and builds intuition Beansgotears (talk) 03:08, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@Beansgotears: there is no such thing as uploading a website to Commons. Nor do we host apps. What are you actually proposing to do? - Jmabel ! talk 05:32, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Disabling notifications for new deletion requests

Hello, is there any way to disable notifications for when new deletion requests are created even though I'm only watching one specific request and not the entire upper "August 26" header? My notices and emails are getting blown up. Aethonatic (talk) 20:01, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@Aethonatic: take Commons:Deletion requests/2026/08/26 off of your watchlist. Keep the individual request you are following in your watchlist. - Jmabel ! talk 21:14, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel: It's not in my watchlist, but I've figured it out anyway. Apparently I was automatically subscribed to said header? I'm not sure how to stop that from happening. Aethonatic (talk) 21:20, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Okay, there's a toggle for automatic subscription in my preferences that I've switched off, hopefully that resolves my issue. Aethonatic (talk) 21:26, 26 August 2026 (UTC)

Beatles sheet music covers

Hello everyone; I'm reposting this because it hasn't been addressed well. There are quite a few images of sheet music covers and sleeves for Beatles songs composed solely of elements in the public domain, that is, uncopyrighted images, text, basic shapes, and in some cases logos. en:File:Polythene Pam sheet music.PNG, en:File:Piggies sheet music cover.jpg, en:File:Yer Blues sheet music cover.jpg, en:File:Her majesty.jpg are such examples. Recently, the sleeve for "I Want to Hold Your Hand" has been moved to the Commons exactly because it is constituted of a PD image (see the Commons pages for the licenses), a PD logo, and basic text and shapes. Should other such sheet music covers and sleeves be moved to the Commons? DannyRogers800 (talk) 06:04, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

@DannyRogers800: Which file depicts 'the sleeve for "I Want to Hold Your Hand" [which] has been moved to the Commons' which you wrote about above?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 06:38, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Hello @Jeff G., this is the one. It's in the public domain because this image is out of copyright. DannyRogers800 (talk) 07:22, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Strange Cache / Purge behavior

My personal workhorse is a MacBook, used with Safari. In the last days, i restored some images and made improvements on some, uploaded a new version, purged the image and thumbs and commons still give me the old version out. I cleaned the Safari Cache, made a hard reload and nothing changed. On an other workstation (Windows with Edge) commons presents me the new versions. Any guess on how to solve this? Multiple cache cleanings won't work on safari :/ Grunpfnul (talk) 11:55, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

@Grunpfnul: COM:CACHE didn't help?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 12:24, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Yes, did all the tricks (action=purge Option+Command+R etc.) - no change Grunpfnul (talk) 13:33, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

@Grunpfnul: If (for example) you look at https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Ursula_Kutzner_%28ca_1968%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original&action=purge, do you not get your latest version of that file? - Jmabel ! talk 00:42, 28 August 2026 (UTC)

Nope, i'll get the bluish one, not the S/W conversion i've made Grunpfnul (talk) 07:04, 28 August 2026 (UTC)

@Grunpfnul: That looks like a bug with caching of File:Ursula Kutzner (ca 1968).jpg near you, please see mw:How to report a bug and mention your location.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 14:15, 28 August 2026 (UTC)

429 Too Many Requests

Hi, for the third day in a row I am unable to upload images directly from Flickr, due to failure message with the text "429 Too Many Requests." What can I do? -- Marcel Douwe Dekker (talk) 14:08, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

@Marcel Douwe Dekker: Hi, and welcome. Please see Commons:Upload Wizard feedback#There was a problem during the HTTP request: 429 Too Many Requests.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 14:38, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

PDF uploaded preview

Hi, I recently uploaded this PDF but notice that on English Wikipedia it is listed as being 0x0 and does not show a proper preview when embedded onto pages. Any help?

w:File:USCSB_Report_2021_Nitrogen_Release_Foundation_Food_Group.pdf CompassNNE (talk) 18:04, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Same problem on Commons itself: File:USCSB Report 2021 Nitrogen Release Foundation Food Group.pdf. But you can access "original file" download just fine: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/USCSB_Report_2021_Nitrogen_Release_Foundation_Food_Group.pdf?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original - Jmabel ! talk 00:45, 28 August 2026 (UTC)

That's odd, for me the preview at File:USCSB Report 2021 Nitrogen Release Foundation Food Group.pdf works perfectly fine. Which browser are you using? I'm viewing these in Brave but get the same results in the other Chromium browsers. CompassNNE (talk) 20:44, 28 August 2026 (UTC)

Working correctly for me now, too. Not the first time I've seen this take a long time for a PDF to "settle." - Jmabel ! talk 04:00, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Uninformative title?

Hi,

My upload is refused because the title Doopsgezinde kerk at the Ds. Veenweg 61 in De Knipe (the Netherlands), with heavy moiré effect.jpg is deemed uninformative.

I am receiving the following error message (in Dutch): Schrijf alsjeblieft een meer informatieve titel (zie voorbeelden). This translates as: Please write a more informative title (see examples).

Now what am I to do? Write a novel? → bertux 19:25, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

If this is automatically generated during the upload, my suggestion is: make it less informative, for example "Church in De Knipe, Netherlands", and use the long text in the description. Wouter (talk) 19:40, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

That doesn't work either, but I have solved the problem: the file is a derivative .svg of De Knipe, Fermanje oan de Ds. Veenweg 61.jpg and while copy-editing that filename, I forgot to drop the .jpg part.

So the title was unsuitable, but the error message too → bertux 19:58, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

If its a derivative of another image, then it should be noted on the source image's page here on Commons. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:42, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

 Done → bertux 19:23, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Blind Target Selection and Remote Viewing Sessions

Near-essay that does not appear to have anything to do with Commons

Remote viewing is a practice in which a person attempts to describe or obtain information about a target that is not available through ordinary sensory means. Targets may consist of photographs, locations, objects, events, or other information that is concealed from the viewer during the session. A central feature of controlled remote viewing experiments is the use of blinding. The viewer should not know the identity of the target before recording their impressions. Blinding is intended to reduce the possibility that information about the target could be obtained through ordinary sensory cues, prior knowledge, or information inadvertently provided by another participant. During a session, a viewer may record impressions such as shapes, colors, textures, temperatures, sounds, dimensions, movement, spatial relationships, or whether a perceived environment appears natural or constructed. Some remote-viewing protocols encourage participants to record these initial impressions before attempting to identify or name the target. This is intended to separate basic descriptive impressions from later interpretation. A participant may also create sketches representing perceived shapes, structures, spatial arrangements, or other characteristics. After the session has been completed and the participant's responses have been recorded, the actual target is revealed and the recorded information can be compared with it. In experimental settings, randomization and predetermined target pools have been used in attempts to reduce selection bias. Some experiments have also used independent judges or multiple possible targets to evaluate whether a participant's description corresponds more closely with the intended target than with alternative targets. Remote viewing became widely known through research conducted at Stanford Research Institute (later SRI International) beginning in the 1970s. Researchers including Harold Puthoff and Russell Targ investigated purported remote-viewing abilities, and related research was subsequently associated with U.S. government intelligence programs that eventually became known collectively as the Stargate Project. The scientific interpretation of remote-viewing experiments remains controversial. Reviews have disagreed over the interpretation of some experimental results, while critics have identified methodological concerns including sensory leakage, weaknesses in judging procedures, inadequate randomization, selective reporting, and difficulties with independent replication. Remote viewing is not accepted by the mainstream scientific community as an established means of acquiring information. Controlled testing therefore places particular importance on blinding, randomization, recording responses before feedback, and comparing results against appropriate chance expectations. These procedures help distinguish a participant's recorded observations from information that could have been acquired after the target became known. Intuisity (talk) 20:07, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

@Intuisity so... What's the issue to help with? ~2026-46766-29 (talk) 20:52, 27 August 2026 (UTC)

Am I allowed to upload a procedurally generated planet map that I modified?

Hello, I am mostly a new user on Wikimedia, and have been uploading since 2 weeks ago. I did come into a bit of a dilemma when I uploaded this; the reason for that is because the map I used was procedurally generated on Donjon Fractal World Generator, then colour modified. I apologize for forgetting to credit. Should I credit it in the source part? Also, am I allowed to upload the map texture itself as long as I also give proper credit? ChristianPluto (talk) 14:36, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

@ChristianPluto: How is that image in our project scope?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 14:40, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

I wanted to make a hypothetical render of what the (now disproven) planet of Vulcan looks like so that way people could have an idea of what it would look like. People could also use it for educational presentations, such as a presentation on the history of observational astronomy and/or history of hypothetical planets. ChristianPluto (talk) 14:44, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

@ChristianPluto: So you used a program to make an image of a theoretical planet to illustrate a real article en:Vulcan (hypothetical planet)? Are you or the Donjon Fractal World Generator notable artists?   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 15:24, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

I did not put the image of it on that article, I only uploaded it on to Wikimedia Commons. ChristianPluto (talk) 16:36, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Thank you; but please don't upload imagined content with no apparent basis in fact or science.

Nominated for speedy deletion. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:39, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

@Pigsonthewing: Scope is not listed at COM:CSD.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 15:50, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

And yet it is one of the options in Twinkle, on this project.

Feel free to substitute "G2. Unused and implausible". Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 16:01, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

@Pigsonthewing: You may clarify on Commons:Deletion requests/File:Vulcan (hypothetical, now-disproven planet) render.png.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 16:11, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Scope is not a CSD option because questioning scope is outside the simplistic limits of CSD.

Also I'm curious as to how much of Category:Miracles has an "apparent basis in fact or science." Andy Dingley (talk) 17:22, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Understandable. I apologize if this file was not helpful. I will use scientific data/assets (such as actual planetary maps created by probes) next time for any space/science related images I may make. ChristianPluto (talk) 16:34, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

@ChristianPluto: I just wanted to make sure you followed the main point here: imaginary stuff usually doesn't belong on Commons. The main exception is if the specific depiction (or the author of the depiction) is notable in their own right. - Jmabel ! talk 20:05, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Ah, I see, I will keep that in mind. Thanks for letting me know. ChristianPluto (talk) 21:53, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

How can i Fix this?

See here

Look for Category:1950 in Nova Friburgo. Instead for Category:1950 in Rio de Janeiro (state), the category says: Category:19550 in Rio de Janeiro (state).

How can I fix this? VitorFriboquen :] (Talk) 18:00, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

fixed. GeorgDerReisende (talk) 18:32, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

By the way, either you might want to create the parent categories, or you might want to reconsider whether there is any point to this category whose entire content is one other category. - Jmabel ! talk 20:09, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

confirm email and code sent

where do I confirm my email and put the code sent for update password Karon Matheny (talk) 16:49, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Bad quality picture

An article is saying to upload a better quality photo to replace the old one but I don't know if I can upload a new the new one since it's about a person Amw12255 (talk) 23:35, 29 August 2026 (UTC)

Basically, any person who's important enough to have a Wikipedia article is enough of a public person that you do not have to bother with personality rights as long as any depiction of them is made during "official" functions. An author imaged at a book fair for instance is in their public function, same for an actor at a premiere or a professor teaching a university course.

The linchpin for imagery hosted here is the copyright situation. Amw12255, you will have to snap a decent picture yourself and release the rights under an allowable license for offering it to Commons. The other solution is to learn about third-party copyrights and to respect them. An amalgamated compendium and tutorial for this is available at COM:THIRD. In no case can an image that has been grabbed from a press kit or social media or a similar source be uploaded here, unless all the prerequisites stated in COM:THIRD have been fulfilled. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 00:17, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

@Grand-Duc and Amw1255: as long as any depiction of them is made during "official" functions is going to vary a bit from country to country. I would say that an author at book fair in France or Germany would have a pretty strong presumption of privacy if they were just walking around in the aisles or browsing books. Also, a professor lecturing in a large hall would probably be "fair game" in the U.S., but probably not while conducting a small seminar with a dozen students (especially if that seminar takes place in, say, their living room), even though the latter function is equally official. Amw1255, what country are we talking about here? - Jmabel ! talk 02:25, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

American content creator with 7M followers Amw12255 (talk) 02:53, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

A content creator is most likely engaging with their community. Thus, they'll likely be open to the idea of providing a suitable image themselves and have a communication channel readily available. Take a look at en:Wikipedia:A picture of you and ask for such an image! Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 12:44, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

I have now uploaded the image but it isn't appearing when I published the article it is on Amw12255 (talk) 02:48, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

@Amw12255: Pictures do not magically appear in articles. (How would it know what article to appear in?) I don't know whether you edit Wikipedia with wiki markup or the Visual Editor. Here are instructions with wiki markup. Here are instructions for the Visual Editor. If you want it in a templated infobox, then that will be a bit different: look up the particular template (most commonly it will just be something like |Image = EXAMPLE.jpg within the Infobox). - Jmabel ! talk 06:05, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

It now says that the image has been removed from Wikipedia, however someone uploaded the same image as me and it got added so I guess it's fine for now Amw12255 (talk) 18:15, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Use Media Viewer instead of Slideshow for category pages?

Hi all, does anyone know how I can use the Media Viewer instead of Slideshow when in category pages? I find the former more intuitive to use compared to the latter. Plus, Slideshow doesnt load properly on my device, even if it does, it lags horribly. Thanks! Hason-LEK-SIN (talk) 06:14, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

Webm file not matching MIME type

I tried uploading a webm file to Wikimedia Commons but it says: File extension ".webm" does not match the detected MIME type of the file (video/mp4).

Can you help me resolve the problem? Sanjib Chaudhary (talk) 07:46, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

Did you do an actual file conversion? By your short description, it looks like you simply changed the file extension (assuming you're using Windows), but that's not what is needed. Please provide more details about what you did before you tried the upload (describe the device used to capture the video, any software involved for editing the clip, whatever you did to the file). Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 08:09, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

أنا عندي المعلومات قرية تاريخ جديد نريد إضافة إلى ويكيبيديا

معلمومات Tadiganaye 11 (talk) 10:25, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

@Tadiganaye 11: Hi, This is Wikimedia Commons, which is only concerns about multimedia documents. For articles in Arabic, please see the Arabic Wikipedia. Thanks, Yann (talk) 10:28, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

Can you help and assist me tò create my First articles

Dear Friends can you help me tò create and publish articles ~2026-47024-11 (talk) 12:20, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

Commons is NOT for articles, only for media files. You will have to use Wikipedia for articles. But beware of local rules against advertisement, spam, texts that lack encyclopaedic relevance and other things outside of local project scopes. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 12:40, 30 August 2026 (UTC)

Help with photos

Hi, Im trying to make an article on a serial killer, (Michele Kalina) and I was wondering is there copyright on her mugshot when she was arrested. I don’t want to get flagged but I really want to add a picture to make the article look more professional. How do I add it? ButteyFelicity (talk) 02:25, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

@ButteyFelicity This photo? [6] No, you can't upload that on Commons. Commons accepts no "non-free" stuff whatsoever. More at COM:THIRD. However, English Wikipedia sometimes does, see for example the article on Lucy Letby and the info on the pic there.[7] However, you cannot try that until after the article is accepted on WP, not while its still a draft. Hope this helps some. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 04:30, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

How to keep file URLs from appending extra fluff

In the past couple months, whenever I open a file on Commons (not the file page, but the file itself), it's started appending fluff like ?utm_source=en.wiktionary.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=original to the file URL. This is immensely-irritating and needlessly adds extra steps when using the URL for external stuff (for instance, when archiving a file in the Wayback Machine); how do I get it to stop? Whoop whoop pull up ^{Bitching Betty ⚧️ Averted crashes} 04:02, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Copyright help regarding File:Zhantiev 2007-12-08.jpg

--~2026-47256-28 (talk) 05:07, 31 August 2026 (UTC) Здравствуйте! Я - Бенедиктов Александр Александрович, автор фото Файл:Жантиев 2007-12-08.jpg Даю свое согласие на его открытую публикацию. Связь со мной по адресу entomology@yandex.ru С уважением, АБ

@~2026-47256-28, use COM:VRT/CONSENT. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 06:10, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

или Commons:Волонтёрская команда содействия на русском языке - Jmabel ! talk 06:17, 31 August 2026 (UTC)

Licensing question

Because of this I started to wonder why does the article (and whole the commons) have image of wrecks only and not the ship itself? For now I found a couple of images, but not sure can it be uploaded to commons. Pleasde advice about:

1. image from facebook: [8],[9]
2. [10] [11] by T. Diedrich and wrecks with ship name still visible by A. Sanchez Gallego from [12]
3. Buque Díaz de Solís, de la Emp???a Nacional ???? (previous ship name, Empresa Nacional Bazán is the place where it was built) photo dated not later 1955 (>=71 years ago) and still having Naviera Comercial Aspe (NAVICOAS) - first ever operator/owner - logo on (main?) ship's pipe, image found here. Taking in view next in the Y serie ship was started to be bulit in the middle of 1956, 1955 year of the photo looks quite promising to be a true, at least in the form of a launched hull.
4. [13][14] from [15] (looks like the same as 2). — Preceding unsigned comment added by ~2026-47407-63 (talk • contribs) 03:02, 1 September 2026 (UTC)
5. 1968, Barcelona, from [16] — Preceding unsigned comment added by ~2026-47407-63 (talk • contribs) 03:46, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

What way it all is allowable to be uploaded? As article obviously miss the living photo of the ship. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 02:31, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47407-63: In your first sentence, "this" doesn't lead to anything apparently germane. I assume you meant to link File:Wreck of Cabo de Santa Maria, 2010 December - 4.jpg and that at some point in the recent past it was transiently on the Main Page of Commons.

The Facebook picture is no use at all, because we know nothing about its provenance. I didn't look through all of what you listed above but I gather the ship was launched in 1955. If you have an image that was created no later than 1970 and its first publication was in Spain no later than 28 February 1989, and that publication did not conform to U.S. copyright formalities, then Commons can accept it with Template:Td and {{PD-1996}}. You'd have to document where it was published (what publication); in general, the more information you can provide, the better. I don't see anything in what you have written above that relates to publication history, which is crucial here. - Jmabel ! talk 03:31, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel (still not sure have I name you each time I write/reply to you or not for you to be notified about new message) yes, you are right, I meant that exact image - sorry for misleading you with a wrong link.

But... that ship was wrecked in 1968 - that way it's all photos (including his almost if not last one - that numbered 5 above) was made before 1970. Does it mean all of it's (live ship) photo allowable for upload?

I personally don't have such a ship's photo, but I willing to find something useful online, however trying to understand what have I search for including a wide variety of conditions for search exclusions.

What are they except it have to be published before 1970 if any?

And yes - most of it's photos was made in Spain (including #5 above). ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 04:42, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@2026-47869-42:

(1) The U.S. side of the issue is not really a question of where the photos were made; it's a question of where and when they were first published. So if you had something where you could show that first publication was a Spanish book, newspaper, or magazine before that date, you're good. Newspapers are often good for this, because if you can show a publication of a photo taken the previous day, it's pretty certainly "first publication" (especially because copyright law generally considers any authorized publications within 30 days of each other to be simultaneous, and allows us to pick which of those we consider the "original". Often for a major news photo—a record album—that lets us choose what counts as country of first publication.)

(2) What are they except it have to be published before 1970 if any? doesn't make any sense to me at all. I can't even parse it.

(3) Unless I'm traveling, I visit this page at least daily, often more, so it's not that important to ping me but, yes, if you want a particular person to see something you wrote, in general it is a good idea to ping them (unless they've specifically asked you not to do that). - Jmabel ! talk 05:09, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel

Ok... Here's the story I have for now:

google books found the next which leads us to the page 836 of "Enciclopedia universal ilustrada europeo-americana. Suplemento anual" issued by Espasa-Calpe, S.A. (Spanish publishing house) at the years between 1953 (google search result list that exact book info) and 1957 (book description that can be also a bit faulty), where text clearly fit to one written here as one as repeats side edges lining, where told the next:

Buque Diaz de Solis, de la Empresa Nacional « Elcano"

"Diaz de Solis" is first name of the "Cabo de Santa Maria" ship, so it looks like #3 is image that can be uploaded to commons according to limitations you shared above as that image was published at spanish encyclopedia at the approximate year of 1955, which fits first I found image description

Is such publication evidences enough? Can you please upload it and illustrate the article with it (cropped, as there's only first ship on the image is one we need)? ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 06:05, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

sure if someone would be able to scan the page 836 of "Enciclopedia universal ilustrada europeo-americana. Suplemento anual" meant above it could have much better resolution, but I bet one we already have linked is still good for the start. ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 06:08, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47869-42: You can create an account and upload it yourself. - Jmabel ! talk 18:48, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Is this image uploadable?

Hello! I have a question regarding if an image has the right license to be uploaded here. Susana Mendoza's 2027 campaign website has headshots of her available under the "Susana Swag" tab of her website, likely her intent for people to download the image to share. My question is, what's the difference between this image than the official portrait headshot such as her 2018 headshot or her 2014 headshot that were also uploaded based on her political campaigns? Could her 2027 headshot be uploaded just as her 2014 and 2018 headshots were? TDKR Chicago 101 (talk) 04:17, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Please do not upload unless there's an explicit authorization, as shown on File:Susana Mendoza Grey Suit.jpg (the entry on the "permission" field). Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 04:25, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Gotcha, thank you! TDKR Chicago 101 (talk) 17:20, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

You could ask Ms Mendoza to release the images (or have her photographer do so) under an open licence, compatible with Commons. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:01, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@TDKR Chicago 101: But please, if you are going to ask someone for a license, first make sure you understand what you need to ask. See Commons:Uploading works by a third party, especially Commons:Uploading works by a third party#What not to do. - Jmabel ! talk 03:34, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Hence under an open licence, compatible with Commons. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 08:04, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Pigsonthewing: yes, but anyone who would need to ask the initial question probably does not already know what that means. - Jmabel ! talk 18:50, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Copyright help regarding File:GIRLSET Members.jpg

I would like the file to be categorized under the "Non-free fair use" template, but am having trouble inserting the template.

I would also like the following information to be added to the file description.

|Purpose = to serve as the primary means of visual identification of the group members at the top of the article in question.

|Replaceability_text = It is a visual photo identification of the members of Girlset, whose purpose is not able to be substituted with text

|Replaceability = An alternative, free image is currently unable to be found

|Minimality = This logo will only be used once in the article and as means of primary visual identification

|Commercial = The use of a low resolution promotional image of the group, that has already been posted publicly for free online by said group's official social media, will not impact the commercial viability of the photo

--Wiki-o-media (talk) 09:00, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Wiki-o-media This website, Commons, doesn't accept any fair use pics whatsoever, so the pic will be deleted. English Wikipedia sometimes does, but very rarely, and "free image is currently unable to be found" is not reason enough there, their rules are very strict on that. More info at COM:THIRD and en:Wikipedia:A picture of you. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 09:58, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Wiki-o-media and Gråbergs Gråa Sång: And especially at en:Wikipedia:Non-free content. - Jmabel ! talk 03:36, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

WP:NFCC1, yes. Far too alive. Gråbergs Gråa Sång (talk) 03:45, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Upload file

I found some photos I want to use for a wiki (and they are under a license wiki can use) here here May someone please upload them for me as I'm not comfortable giving Flikr my info. Here are some others if you want! [17] [18] [19] [20] Wobs100 (talk) 12:00, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Wobs100: Hi, and welcome. You don't have to give Flickr your info.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 15:21, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

On upload wizard it says that it will use my IP. Wobs100 (talk) 15:24, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I uploaded 13 files from that Flickr set, which can be found in Category:Martinsburg Mall.

Please check and edit as needed. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:06, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Thank you Very Much :D Wobs100 (talk) 19:12, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Also last thing: for Nation Decay's photos should I just crop the as there is gray boxes at the bottom Wobs100 (talk) 22:46, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

There was also another set from 2012 as seen here Wobs100 (talk) 01:24, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Uploaded; and in the same category.

Again, please check and edit as needed. See [21] for (an example of) a necessary fix. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 10:41, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Thank you very much Wobs100 (talk) 11:59, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

I cannot upload my own portrait... as I am not its "creator"

But I asked a buddy nearby to take that shot and pass it via WhatsApp to me. I don't think there EVER will be a problem with her, as I am the subject. Trilobyte47 (talk) 14:33, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Trilobyte47: You may wish to review COM:THIRD and en:Wikipedia:A picture of you with shortest shortcut en:WP:APoY.   — 🇺🇦Jeff G. ツ please ping or talk to me🇺🇦 15:19, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Trilobyte47: and also COM:PCP as to why we cannot accept "I don't think there EVER will be a problem with her". - Jmabel ! talk 03:38, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Undeletion

Does speedy deleted files can be same way speedy undeleted with no discussion. And what way if it is. What exactly regulates such a process? ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 16:10, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

See Commons:Undeletion requests. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 18:56, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

There are basically only two ways anything happens that amounts to a "speedy undeletion":

1. (Moderately common) The deleting admin decides (possibly after some discussion) that they made a mistake, and reverts themself.
   • From a narrowly technical point of view, another admin could "speedily undelete", but that would almost never happen, because that can quickly deteriorate into an "edit war" of sorts between two admins.
2. (Rather rare) Multiple admins determine, usually on the administrators' noticeboard or a similar admin board, that some admin made a really egregious mistake, and one of them takes it upon themself to revert them.

Otherwise, what Andy said here holds: it doesn't matter that the deletion was "speedy", the undeletion still needs to go through the usual undeletion request process. - Jmabel ! talk 03:45, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel Apparently, I witnessed something similar (which "almost never happen") here that confused me much. But thank you both for clarification. ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 04:25, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47869-42: quite unusual, unless there was some off-wiki correspondence. But the original deleting admin doesn't seem to have objected, and I do agree that it shouldn't have been speedy-deleted (not at all obviously a "personal file", which was the basis for speedy deletion). So: procedurally unusual, but I think correctly decided. - Jmabel ! talk 05:15, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

it was initially nominated by both F10 and G10 (was not clear which one to choose), so original deleting admin could just misclick if meant another reason. However I've rarely seen clashing admins, so it's not wonder for me he's not objected.

As of "it shouldn't have been speedy-deleted" - probably, but if you force others to follow the rules and procedures - you are good to be a role model if you are admin, otherwise it looks like nothing more than an abuse of power, that confuses me much more then some accidental deletion.

Anyway I already expressed my doubt at separate nomination. So... Maybe someone else clarify the situation there before closing it one way or another. ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 06:35, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Incorrect identification of photograph

Hello. The photograph in the file “te:దస్త్రం:పాలడుగు దుర్గా ప్రసాద్.jpg” is incorrectly identified as the Telugu film director Paladugu Durga Prasad (P.D. Prasad). The source listed on the file is a LinkedIn profile belonging to Durga Prasad Paladugu, an advocate in Guntur, which is a different person. Our family knows the film director personally and confirms that the person shown in this photograph is not Paladugu Durga Prasad, the film director. Please investigate the identification and remove the photograph from the film director's Wikipedia article if the identification cannot be verified. We can provide reliable evidence and an authentic photograph of Paladugu Durga Prasad if required. Thank you.This is the page Myra1208 (talk) 16:40, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

You name two files; the first does not exist (your link is to an upload page); the second does not have LinkedIn as a source, Please clarify.

Please check the names, and clarify. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 18:52, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

It could be article te:పాలడుగు దుర్గా ప్రసాద్, not a file, but that way whole the message still unclear. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 18:55, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

got it... She mean the photo uploaded to te:దస్త్రం:పాలడుగు దుర్గా ప్రసాద్.jpg exactly but not to commons. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 18:58, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

and if it's true - it looks like she's right: (LinkedIn · Durga Prasad Paladugu...Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India · Advocate · Self-employed) - photo uploaded was incorrectly identified as film director ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 19:04, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

According to that 6 year ago news about his wife passed away he spelled latin as "PDV prasad" that google fixes to P. D.V. Prasad showing many of his photos including that 9 years ago video from which still unclear is recently uploaded File:Telugu Film Director Paladugu Durga Prasad.jpg is photo of him or not also. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 19:27, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I think there’s a mix-up between two different people with similar names. The photo I reported as incorrect is the one currently on the Telugu Wikipedia article. The file that I uploaded before is the actual film director, confirmed by my uncle, who is his son. His wife is still alive, so the news report you mentioned appears to be about a different person. Myra1208 (talk) 19:52, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Myra1208 It looks like you have many same-named telugu film directors named PD(V?) Prasad...

Ok, let's stop on the fact linkedin provided really doesn't belong to any film director.

However - if you want to help the "investigation" find some sources that would confirm your version of photo really belongs to him. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 19:59, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Hello, thank you for the clarification. I apologise for the confusion in my first message.

I am referring to the photograph currently used in the Telugu Wikipedia article “పాలడుగు దుర్గా ప్రసాద్”. The person shown in that photograph is NOT the Telugu film director Paladugu Durga Prasad (P.D. Prasad).

The photograph appears to come from the LinkedIn profile of Durga Prasad Paladugu, an advocate in Guntur, who is a different person.

Paladugu Durga Prasad was my uncle’s father, and my uncle has confirmed that the photograph currently used is not him. His wife is also still alive, so the news report mentioned above appears to concern a different person.

I have an authentic photograph of the film director, provided to me by my uncle. I can provide further evidence if needed. Myra1208 (talk) 19:43, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Myra1208 can you please clarify what the issue is about exactly? As you are free to delete it from the article on your own. So what do you need the help with by current topic? As of photo you uploaded - I can't be sure that's him exactly, but you still can claim it until someone won't deny.

As of right way of uploading photos to commons and it's right ownership licensing I bet someone else can help to you. @Jmabel, can you help here? ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 19:54, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I think there’s a mix-up between two different people with similar names. The photo I reported as incorrect is the one currently on the Telugu Wikipedia article. The photo I uploaded separately is the actual film director, confirmed by my uncle, who is his son. Myra1208 (talk) 19:58, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

no need to duplicate the messages. look above for the answer. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 20:01, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I have changed the image in the article; but File:Telugu Film Director Paladugu Durga Prasad.jpg is not your work and was not made today. Please see COM:THIRD. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 20:01, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Myra1208, hello! Don't you the one who identified that photo as is?

What source do you mean as linkedin if you didn't provide any claiming it's your own work?

Please provide the source you mean and if you are sure that's another person - just change it on your own according to the source. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 18:53, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Myra1208 can you please tell what time on film he directed his credits is shown? ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 20:14, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

My uncle told me that Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam was released in 1971. There was also a misconception that the idol shown in the film was filmed at the actual temple, which caused controversy. He also told me that there was a court case regarding the film’s revenue, where only 15% was to be given to the director and producer. According to my uncle, 7% came to my grandfather, and he donated that entire amount to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.thats all I know Myra1208 (talk) 20:26, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I mean where is it exactly in the film. Maybe his name was written a bit another way in తెలుగు - which can help find more of his old photos for compare or upload. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 20:34, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

it's shown as Director PD Prasad in the movie Sri Venkateswara Vaibhavam which is available on yt andbI have more pics of him with different tfi people and a pic of him even acting in a film Myra1208 (talk) 20:39, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Does your native language a Telugu? I mean - can you read the (telugu languaged) credits in the video exactly, not english ones at it's description? Can you tell what timing (minute/second) his credits is shown in the video written telugu?

You have to understand - It's not required for you to prove anything, but it would be great to be ready for someone's doubt ever happened already. So if you have more pictures (as one as have willing to expand the article), especially ones where he's acting in the film (he was actor and film director at once?) - you are free to upload more of it. But please be aware of further right file licensing if that photos are old and not yours. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 20:47, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

it's between 2:03-2:05 both in English in telugu Myra1208 (talk) 20:50, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

so... he's written there as "P.D. ప్రసాద్". Still can't find anything with such a spelling. Except his films... But with no any photo. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 21:18, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

yeah his full name is Paladugu Durga Prasad and there are no photos of him available that's the reason I'm trying to upload them Myra1208 (talk) 21:22, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Yep, but I meant to find him with same spelling (languages mixed one) as film showed.

For now he's also noted in a couple of old books (at least @ Indian Films, 1974, page 322; Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema, 1994, page 505) but same with no photos. I think it not worth more searching until you'll upload some more. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 21:42, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Well It's actually made by me today Myra1208 (talk) 20:14, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

the author: is literally showing Myra1208 Myra1208 (talk) 20:29, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

yep, it is, but you also stated it's not your photo but provided to you by his son, which means at least you are not current owher of that photo, and, taking in view, he's young there, couldn't do it on your own at the time of photo was made. That's why you have to focus on advice above to avoid photo deletion recently. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 20:41, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for the clarification. The director's son (the copyright holder/legal heir) will be sending a formal permission email to the VRT team (permissions-commons@wikimedia.org) shortly to release this photo and related family archival photos under CC BY-SA 4.0. We will update the file with the VRT ticket number as soon as it is confirmed. Myra1208 (talk) 20:59, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Myra1208 great. You got everything right. Thank you. If any help more needed - feel free to ask. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 21:20, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Also it would be great to clarify the date when photo was done. Sure if it's possible. Sure you can use circa (ca) abbreviation with approximate years if can't remember exact date. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 21:23, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Can anyone update this map?

File:United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Member States.svg. Greatder (talk) 16:52, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I'd recommend that if you find an out-of-date file (inaccurate map, logo of a company that has changed, etc.), you use {{update|[What to update, possibly including a helpful link]}} on the file's page. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 19:48, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

This file was uploaded in 2018 was not marked as {{Current}}; the uploader has not been active for several years, so I can't verify their intent, but I will tag it accordingly so it can be more readily updated. - Jmabel ! talk 03:54, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Having issues on a re-upload not rendering.. Not updating thumbnail.

Having issues yesterday and today with re-uploads not rendering, shows previous image even after waiting 24 hours. Usually it's instant to at best 10 seconds. What's going on? For example: File:Vince Carter drives vs Gasol 2010 Magic Lakers (cropped).jpg and File:Kobe Bryant 248.jpg —JoeJohnson2 (talk) 20:22, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I don't know that I can replicate this, since the two revs of the files are virtually identical to my eye, but this sounds like an issue with purging. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 20:29, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

I just realised the Vince Carter one resolved on it's own after 24 hours. I'll wait it out on the second one. Thanks for the fast response and have yourself a great day. —JoeJohnson2 (talk) 20:32, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

CPAB

We have to update our company logo and my account is blocked. Rahim.lalani (talk) 20:50, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Your account is not blocked on this wiki.

Your account will be unblocked on the English-language Wikipedia once you answer the questions put to you there while logged in. (Answer them there, that is, not here) Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 21:09, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Licensing claim doubt

How to properly mark the file where license stated raises doubts? or just mark it for speedy deletion? ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 21:00, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

Which file? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 21:10, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@Pigsonthewingsorry, missed your answer. Like File:Ərkivan2.jpg. it was published earlier then uploaded (initially it was dated same day as uploaded) so I have doubt self and own is enough. ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 21:47, 1 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47407-63: It certainly wouldn't be a speedy deletion (that is for clear-cut cases where there is little or no chance that we can sort things out and keep the file) and there is already a deletion discussion under way, so you can lay out your case there. Please be specific there about where you believe it was published earlier: just asserting that means nothing. - Jmabel ! talk 04:01, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel In fact I'm the one who try to save it. And while doing it (including successful location identification) I came across this photo that was published a year earlier before uploading I set as source instead of template:own ([22], [23]) and that guy already have a great problems with permissibility.

However my main question is not how and is to speedy delete (it was provided just like an known option) but how to mark files to attract the attention of license inspectors to such an old file to reevaluate it?

Only I found suitable is template:licensereview, but I doubt it really intended to work for such a purpose as one as it have no any options (attributes) for commenting by me (have it only for admins making a review) of what exactly I consider as a presumably fresh violation.

Any ideas about suitable alternatives? ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 06:58, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47407-63: I'm sorry, I really can't follow some of that. I assume "license inspectors" means "license reviewers"; I can't make any sense of "it was provided just like an known option".

{{LicenseReview}} exists mainly to get a trusted license reviewer to confirm that the claimed license can be found at the cited source. It is not a good way to ask for someone to work out that the license isn't at that source. If that's the goal, you start a deletion request. In this case a deletion request is already under way, so you add your information to the deletion request (I believe you already did that). - Jmabel ! talk 19:05, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel OK, let me be shorter:

1. I didn't start any of deletion requests with that guy's images, so, no, that wasn't my goal.
2. What template can I use to notice license reviewers some old image have possible licensing issues?

~2026-47565-78 (talk) 21:52, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47407-63: there is no template for this. If an image on Commons does not have adequate evidence that it is free, and it's not something you can remedy yourself or get the original uploader to remedy (or, I suppose, get some other party to remedy, but I can't really think what the scenario is), then the right thing to do is to start a deletion request. You can certainly explain in the deletion request that you hope someone works out a way to salvage the file—I've certainly done that more than a few times—but it's still framed as a deletion request. If no one can do the heavy lifting, we have to delete the file.

The reason you don't want to use {{LicenseReview}} is that people going through those hope/expect mainly to be looking at a lot of cases quickly, going, "yes, I can confirm the license is there," and moving on. Every case that isn't like that is more like an interruption to the workflow than a routine part of the workflow. - Jmabel ! talk 00:12, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

got it. Save reviewers' time, try to fix myself, if not possible - DR and hope (or not) for the best. ;) Think it can be marked as resolved. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 00:20, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

CC4.0 conditional exceptions?

Can someone explain what is that type of licensing used here "under the condition that you credit me as the author."? As one as doesn't sharing contacts (personal site url and email address ) "in case you want to contact me" as one as sharing personal site root url (and not a "link to the license" as only link allowable) at "attribution" paratemer of template:self violates COM:ADVERT? ~2026-47407-63 (talk) 00:14, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47407-63: under the condition that you credit me as the author is just an (accurate) paraphrase of one of the terms of the CC BY-SA 4.0 License. Crediting the author is a requirement of that license. He is actually explicitly allowing an even simpler credit than the license requires, in that he is indicating that he does not require the version number or the link to the license. Since this does not modify the license (no external statement can modify the license) this allows but does not require this simpler form.

You second sentence, I can't even parse. - Jmabel ! talk 04:08, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Jmabel I got it. Such manual license text is allowed but mostly ineffective.

As of second sentence... I mean isn't fact author shares his personal email and website on each file page he uploaded is a sign of COM:ADVERT violation? 'cause it start to be hard to identify COM:ADVERT violation if here's not. ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 07:07, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

I wouldn't do that, but I don't see that as unreasonable. I don't use a template like this on my uploads, but I make User:Jmabel#Licensing a similar offer about if someone wants to use my photos in a way that doesn't work with the CC license. I suspect many of the better and/or more prolific photographers here have a policy like that, though relatively few say so this prominently.

Like many policies, in practice COM:ADVERT allows for some slack. Another place such slack arises is that if someone is uploading, and appropriately licensing, images about their own workplace, product, etc., and those are within scope, that's fine. Similarly, many Commons contributors indicate something about their work, etc., on their user pages; if this is well within proportion to their active contributions to Commons, I think there is a general consensus (if not a universal agreement) that that is fine. There is not some sort of vow of strict amateurism here. - Jmabel ! talk 19:16, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Someone has posted my signature on your site using the username ValentinoHolt. Please remove it.

I do not wish for my e-signature to be public knowledge. It has been uploaded by a user without my permission and I would like it taken down.

I do not know how to edit it to remove the source file or my name... but I want neither published on this page. ~2026-47816-65 (talk) 01:01, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

We can't confirm that this anonymous temporary account belongs to any individual having a relationship to the uploads in Special:ListFiles/ValentinoHolt. So, this message board is not a suitable venue for your request. Please follow the guidelines shown on Commons:Contact us. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 01:47, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

I've nominated File:Patric Elder Signature.png for deletion, on the grounds of an improper claim of "own work" and lack of valid sourcing. That's not to say it couldn't be kept if those issues are fixed. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 08:09, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Move a talk page

While merging/renaming manipulation someone forgot to move a talk page also. What way have I notice file movers to do it if template:rename doesn't work there? ~2026-47869-42 (talk) 08:32, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

This is a pretty rare problem, so your approached worked. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 09:49, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 09:49, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Inverting a file

Could someone make an inverted, black-and-white version of File:911 commission seal.svg for Wikisource? Nighfidelity (talk) 13:10, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Nighfidelity: this sort of request is better made at Commons:Graphic Lab/Illustration workshop. - Jmabel ! talk 19:19, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Jmabel ! talk 19:19, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Painting Issue

I'm having trouble identifying the woman in this painting:

1. File:Motria Koczubej-1.jpg
2. File:Samanchi qizi 2.jpg
3. File:وێنه‌ی کێشراوی کچی کافرۆش.jpg
4. File:وێنه‌ی ڕه‌سه‌نی کچی کافرۆش.jpg

They're all listed on Wikimedia Commons without a reliable source, with different names, such as Motrona Kochubei, Samanchi qizi, Kchi Kafrosh (Kurdish Madonna), Dünya Güzeli Züleyha and etc. Google search doesn't provide accurate information about the painting or its artist. The only remotely reliable source is information (https://www.comunicazioneeforme.com/2013/06/15/articoli-e-servizi-particolari/il-quadro-della-bella-rosina/) where the artist photographed this painting in 2011 and claims it is Rosa Vercellana.

What to do? Yousiphh (talk) 14:26, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Yousiphh why do you think it's the same person? ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 14:49, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

I mean first 3 and 4th.

But I got what you mean. Let me find out. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 14:55, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

First, I have to note 1st photo source claim is faulty as [24] didn't contain photo of Motria, but Mazepa only, so I bet it still Kchi Kafrosh or at least NOT Motria (3 VS 1 where 2 VS 0 with appropriate online sources). ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 15:00, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Looks like it's a portrait of Xecic Jum'a Mevlud Sekak born 1920. All names (except Motria, because it's not the same person) are Turkish/Kurdish/Azerbaijani alternatives used by storytellers later, according to [25]. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 15:58, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

YDo you think www.kurdistanchronicle.com is a reliable source? I don't consider it reliable. This picture has nothing to do with the Kurds or the Middle East in general. Yousiphh (talk) 19:16, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

if you want a story - you have to talk on Wikipedia instead of commons. All I know is based on sources we have and nothing more. Taking in view all of the names are translatable with almost the same meaning from neighboring languages presumption that's the same person with different nicknames looks Like a true. Only I can be sure it's not mid-aged Ukranian girl, taking in view both face, that doesn't look like her, nor her wear that is not common for Ukraine at all. And until we have no better source - I'd believe to one providing reasonable explanation about who's that lady with so many different names. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 20:09, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

First of all, I don't expect help from a member who isn't even registered here, but rather from experienced members. Secondly, I also don't believe this picture is of a Ukrainian woman, nor of a Kurdish woman, since both information is from unreliable sources. Yousiphh (talk) 20:14, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

that was rude, but I'm not the one to teach you ethics if parents failed.

And I'd agree with you if you'd have a queue of volunteers to investigate your doubts.

What I finally mean is commons not a place for DNA testing as one as searching for most reliable sources when there's a lack of information at only one about the object showed (except whole image licensing, if faulty) - that mostly goal of wikipedia. Commons is mostly focused on fair/proper image further use and non-repeatability 《duplicates). That's all. Images can be not named properly or meaningful at all for years or decades, but still be stored in commons if it's qualitative and legal.

So, if you don't want any help from me - luck searching for another volunteers. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 21:35, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Here's even more for you tu guess is it recent replica or original: [26] ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 22:50, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

I'm all aware about all this sources. They are not reliable. Yousiphh (talk) 03:24, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

So what are you expecting then with current topic? Some magic like confession of a girl being abducted or officer who did it? I think you have to clarify the expectations about someone to resolve your doubts instead of you. If you know something about that girl - tell it to evaluate, cause just expressing a doubts - bad role for searching the consensus. As one as constantly repeating you don't believe. Let's start from what you believe, and then we'll continue. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 03:50, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

I'm expecting to resolve this matter with more experienced members of community, not from you. Please stop commenting on this matter. Yousiphh (talk) 04:20, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47565-78: you've made your skepticism clear. You really do not need to repeat it further. - Jmabel ! talk 04:32, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Sure, no more scepticism. facts only. According to one wise (specialized) book it is "color picture based on a European painting of the face of the idealized beautiful woman" who was first called as Fatima in Iran (starting from the middle of 19th century... in recent years pictures of beautiful women have been woven into carpets... In the absense of concrete knowledge of the origins of that chromolithograph portrait of this unknown woman, which inspired a number of pictorial rigs made... several speculative stories have circulated in different parts of the Middle East... Iran suggested she's Turk, others believe she's represent Belkis, the Queen of Sheba,... The Kurds of Iraq call her Kichi-Kafrosh.

So then identifying it "up to DNA" based on current sources is clearly impossible as no original portrait/photo litography (what was the source of numerous reproductions) info available.

That way naming it both "Unknown woman of 19th century" as one as "Queen of SHeba" or "Fatima" or "Kichi-Kafrosh" or any other eastern story's female hero is equally valid as only we can say for sure - this is a sketch of the ideal woman as imagined in the 19th century, massively shared among the Middle East and changed from the painter to the painter in accordance with local visions, therefore later it become a portrait of "beautiful eastern woman".

Therefore I believe this is a collective image resulted by many reproductuion iterations, not a specific and identifiable woman. ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 05:23, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Like Картина " Мотря Кочубей " is clear reproduction of that image with a bit changed details (probably specific for Ukraine from the view of painter) like:

• elongated painting, where you can see full set of beads on the chest
• simplified pattern on clothing
• a simplified hairstyle that also covers the left sleeve
• middle beads on the neck are smaller in size
• the face is elongated
• the nose is narrowed

despite that's not a Motria Koczubej but her representation by the artist (painter) based on the "image of beautiful woman" he probably had before his eyes when painted that.

That's why I believe that woman (many times changed on the paintings), meant by topicstarter, is not identifiable - finally it just a result of a fantasy. ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 05:44, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

How to add inage

Idk how AerospacesGD (talk) 15:35, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Commons:Upload tools can help. Or be more detailed about the issue ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 16:28, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@AerospacesGD: as a beginner, you will probably find Commons:UploadWizard the easiest way to upload.

If you are asking about adding an image to an article on a sister project such as the English-language Wikipedia, [27] is a decent place to start. Or you can just look at the syntax of the Wikitext for how an image is included in another article, and do it the same way. - Jmabel ! talk 19:24, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

image

Talk page link:User talk:JJDemblon#File tagging File:EJ Lombardi standing at the site in Nice where the magistrate court was where he won his court case at the age of 14.png

I have an image that I have copyright to as it belongs to me, wikipedia has asked for my permission to use it , however when I follow the steps it wont let me change the picture with a different URL and just keeps saying the picture allready exists, I think it wants a URL but its my own picture. I do not have a URL or website for it, it was previously used in a book by Jane English Biography EJ LOMBARDI with the familys permission JJDemblon (talk) 16:28, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@JJDemblon: I'm not sure I follow all of that; here's where I'm confused.

wikipedia has asked for my permission to use it: are you saying that you uploaded this because someone from Wikipedia (in some language; there are several hundred different languages that each have their own Wikipedia) asked you to upload it? Because Wikipedia (in whatever language) as such has no means to make such a request. Or are you saying something else?

I follow the steps: what steps? Listed somewhere?

it won't let me change the picture with a different URL: meaning it won't let you upload the same picture to a different filename (which would be a correct behavior, we don't generally want duplicate images on Commons) or meaning something else?

I think it wants a URL: You think what wants a different URL? Different from what?

Could you please start over and be clear what has already happened and what you want to do? Don't be afraid of being more verbose, from what you've written, this may be a bit complicated. And/or: if there was in fact some user who initially contacted you to ask for the picture, it would help a lot to name them so we can get them involved in helping you, since presumably they already understand what is going on here. - Jmabel ! talk 19:41, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

I think it's useful for context to link topics where he answered to automated deletion notifications half an hour before current topic and 2 hours later. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 22:17, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@~2026-47565-78: thanks. Yes, that is useful context that the user would have done well to link.

@JJDemblon: I still don't get the thing about wikipedia has asked for my permission to use it, but it looks like (1) this was in with a bunch of things you agree were copyright violations that were correctly deleted and (2) when you got a templated bot message on your talk page saying what to do if you objected to the deletion, you replied on your user talk page instead of following the directions in the template. Please reread the part (on your user talk page) that begins with "A source is given, but there is no proof that the author or copyright holder agreed to license the file…" It tells you how to proceed.

I see you wrote above, "I have an image that I have copyright to as it belongs to me" and I see you wrote on the user talk page, "this picture belongs to our family." If the photographer is no longer alive and you are the heir to the photographer's intellectual property rights, then great, and the COM:VRT process mentioned in the message on your user talk page should be able to sort this all out. However, contrary to what you wrote at the time of upload (or answered in the Upload Wizard) the source is certainly not "own work" and you are not the author, so {{self|cc-zero}} was not valid. If you really mean to place the image in the public domain, then {{Cc-zero-heirs}} would be correct. However, unless you want the photographer's name to be secret, I really would recommend that you hold on to the right of attribution to the name of whoever actually took the picture, and use {{Cc-by-4.0-heirs}} instead.

When you contact the VRT, you should tell the which license you want; who was the photographer and how you come to own the copyright; whether you want the photographer's name listed as author, or a pseudonym, or an indication that you prefer that the photographer's name not be published. - Jmabel ! talk 00:40, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Thanx yes the one picture is a family heirloom and the user is dead, but the others are from the library, so i Just want to delete them but I am not sure how to do that, but it also says only admin can delete so I just want them to delete as I have no idea how to use these bracket things I am not very computer literate and they wont let us use AI to figure it out, but I dont think AI will be able to help me change the sources either so I dont mind its more the story than the pictures that are important hopefully admin will delete if I just do nothing they say they remove within 7 days if they dont get a response JJDemblon (talk) 12:02, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Unable to Upload files - Upload Wizard error

This is the error I'm getting "Fatal exception of type "InvalidArgumentException" with a bunch of numbers.. Yet latest files I'm able to see other users having the ability to upload. What's going on here? —JoeJohnson2 (talk) 18:57, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Looks like it resolved on it's own. Disregard.—JoeJohnson2 (talk) 19:05, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Resolved

I think that this question was replied to adequately based on the supplied information. If you have anything to add or a follow-up question please feel free to replace this box with your comment. This section will be archived after two days. Jmabel ! talk 19:45, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Can i upload this?

Can I upload something based off of a Wikimedia logo, like an unofficial mascot for example Arenghtqru888 (talk) 19:44, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@Arenghtqru888: It would help if you specified what logo (they may not all have identical licensing) but if you conform to the licensing when you derive another work from it and your contribution is within scope, then yes. Note that the scope issue could get tricky here: if you are making something up yourself, and it has no real-world presence, it might not be considered in scope. - Jmabel ! talk 19:48, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

How do I upload a profile of a public figure?

There is an accomplished doctor that is a world humanitarian and I would like to upload his information on Wikipedia. How do I do that? GPF310 (talk) 21:24, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

This is Wikimedia Commons, not Wikipedia. We don't have articles, you'll have to ask about those on Wikipedia. en:WP:Help Desk is one place to start. Others might be en:Wikipedia:Teahouse (a bit friendlier) and read en:Help:Your first article.

Note that Wikipedia has strict rules about notability and especially for biographies of living people. See en:WP:BLPN.

Personally I'd advise that anyone's first article was anything other than a biography! Biographies, especially of living subjects, are hard.

If you have image resources under a free licence (read COM:L), such as a portrait photo, then you might upload them to Commons here, and you can do that before the article. Andy Dingley (talk) 22:03, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

Help with image descriptions

I need help with the image descriptions on this file. I just added a Finnish description. The English and German descriptions contradict each other. The English description mentions "great-grandfather" but the German description mentions "Großvater" meaning "grandfather". How do I know which is right? JIP (talk) 22:14, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

you linked the watch. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 22:20, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

What do you mean? The link goes to the Commons file page, not to the actual image. The watch does not belong to me, nor did I photograph it or upload the file. All I did was see the page and translate the German description to Finnish. JIP (talk) 22:34, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

English description was only initial, that way it's only correct. It's all about great grandfather. ~2026-47565-78 (talk) 23:33, 2 September 2026 (UTC)

@JIP and ~2026-47565-78: for what it's worth, I couldn't immediately understand what ~2026-47565-78 just wrote, but I clicked through and they are correct. The initial description was in English, so the German was just a mistranslation of the English. - Jmabel ! talk 01:27, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Thanks. I see the German description has already been fixed. I have fixed the Finnish description as well. JIP (talk) 06:58, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

@JIP You are welcome. Can we mark it as resolved? ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 15:38, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Ignored duplicates

Why duplicates like that one are not being processed for... years? Is it because it bot-identified and therefore some live person action needed? Which one if yes? And why it tells it can be SDed by administrator only ("If you are an administrator, ..."? ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 14:54, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Because we're all volunteers and we could use 100 more competent and dedicated admins (in addition to all the ones we currently have). ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 15:03, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

@Justin I don't mean to force someone to do something. I mean - can I (being not admin) help some way to speed it up (i.e. review what bot wrote)? Or what that message states (admins only) is a true and I can't do anything? ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 15:37, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Ah, not really: there are a number of huge backlogs here that will just take time to resolve. We have over 100 million files, so it's just inevitable that there is a lot of administrative work. The fact that you made this thread about this file in particular may put eyeballs on it, but you can't reasonably make 20,000 new threads, so if you really want to help, the best thing you can do is make an account and give your free time here to help directly and then become an admin. That, of course, is a lot to ask. ―Justin (koavf)❤T☮C☺M☯ 15:41, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

@Justin ;))) Registering as an admin right away sounds fantastic, but hardly realistic. Gotcha. Thanks for clarification. That was not some image I meant to process faster. It just put on my eye about 2nd or 3rd time for last week, so what does it mean become curious for me. ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 17:38, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Broken image link

Am I alone who don't see the picture linked here? What happening? ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 15:40, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Looks like there was a glitch in the latest upload version (which was supposed to be even higher res, but seems not to have processed). I reverted to the 2nd most recent version. Try refreshing your cache and looking at the file page now, should be ok. Thanks. -- Infrogmation of New Orleans (talk) 16:15, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

@Infrogmation It works now. Thanks! ~2026-47855-47 (talk) 17:33, 3 September 2026 (UTC)

Uploads

My iPad has “upload.wikimedia.org” permanently across the top of the main screen. Have never tried to upload anything.Tried rebooting. ~2026-47859-94 (talk) 17:46, 3 September 2026 (UTC)