Wikipedia:Upload/Uploadtext/en-ownwork

Are you uploading a free image or media file?
Please upload it to the Wikimedia Commons through this upload form.

Items uploaded to the Commons can be used on Wikipedia and elsewhere, helping to create a central repository of free images and multimedia.

Uploading a file you created

Use the following form to upload a file that you, personally, created. To upload a work of a different kind, please return to Wikipedia:Upload.

Please read this important message first
This form should be used to upload a work that you created from scratch. The act of scanning or photocopying someone else's work is not considered to be "creative". Additionally, it is important that your work not incorporate third party clip art unless that clip art is public domain. The image must be completely your creation – meaning that you took the photograph, painted the painting.
Step 1. Choose an appropriate filename and enter a description.
  • Change the destination filename to something descriptive. Don't use default filenames!
    Good: John Doe in 1997.jpg
       Bad: IMG0592.JPG
  • Write a clear description for the file you are uploading in the "edit summary" box.
    • Description: What is the work of?
    • Date: When was the work made, or if you are uploading a photo, when was the photo taken?
    • Other versions: Optional. List any other versions of this work that have been uploaded (for example, a cropped, brightened, darkened, etc. version of a photo).
    • The "Source" and "Author" fields are automatically filled in for you.
Step 2. Release your work under a free license

All user-created images must be released under a free license. For purposes of Wikipedia, "free" does not merely mean that you don't charge for it, but it means that you allow everyone to use, alter, and redistribute your work for any purpose. This release is not revocable.

Wikipedia does not accept images that are licensed for "non-commercial" use, licensed only to Wikipedia, for which permission is required for reuse, or that do not permit derivative works to be created. Part of Wikipedia's mission is to provide freely reusable content and having images encumbered by restrictive licensing schemes runs counter to that mission.

Some of the licenses you can choose include:

  • Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC-BY-SA) – This is the same license that is used for all text contributions on Wikipedia. It allows anyone to use the work as long as they credit you and distribute any modifications to the work under the same, similar or a compatible license.
  • Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) – This license allows anyone to use or modify the work as long as they credit you. It is similar to the CC-BY-SA, but less restrictive.
  • Public domain dedication using Creative Commons CC0 – You give up all rights to the work and allow any person to use it for any purpose without restriction.

It is recommended that you license your work under one of the above. A list of other licenses that you can choose is available at Wikipedia:Image copyright tags/Free licenses. Whichever license you choose, you must select it from the Licensing dropdown below or insert its license tag (from that list) in the description field.

Note: For questions or comments about the "my own work" upload page please go to its talk page.