Uploading Images
13.1.1. You can upload images between 150 and
600 pixels wide, and a maximum size of 300Kb. Accepted image formats are .jpg,
.gif, .png, and .bmp.
13.1.2. To upload images during the initial
submission:
Pressing 'Upload New Images' will bring up this dialog box:
You can then browse to where the image is on your computer, then upload it.
You can continue doing this until all the images you need are uploaded. All
the images will then appear on your submission form, where you can set a primary
image and delete images as needed.
13.1.3. For existing release pages, and for
artist and label pages, you can upload and update images using the "Update Images"
page. You can get there two ways, on any release, artist, or label page:
1) Click on the image (or the 'more images') if a page already has an image,
or 'upload image' if there is no image, then click 'Update These Images';
OR
2) Click the 'history / edit' link on the top right of the page, then click
'Edit Images' in the gray box;
Either of these methods will bring up the "Update Images" page:
Here you can add new images and organize the existing images. Drag and drop
images to set the correct order or move them between the "Current Images"
and "Disabled Images" areas. If you want to remove an image drag it to the
"Disabled Images" area and it will no longer be shown. After you are happy
with your changes, please make a brief explanation of your update in the 'Submission
Notes' field, then press 'Save' to save your changes.
13.1.4. Images should be good quality, face-on,
readable, correctly oriented and free of any copyright, watermark,
url, or other marks. Images should be static, no animated GIFs please. They
must be of the exact release they are attached to, please make sure of this
by checking the catalog numbers. Do not add images of releases with different
catalog numbers, labels etc.You must have
the exact release in your possession when you submit an image.
13.1.5. Covers should be added only if they
are artwork (no scans of plain sleeves please!). Vinyl images without cover
artwork should be scans of the A and B side center labels. Sleeves of the 12"
generic label artwork type can be added to the releases it relates to, but the
primary and most important images are the centre label information. If available,
CD / DVD etc booklets and other goodies are acceptable as well. Picture discs,
colored vinyl, and other interesting media should be photographed as clearly
as possible, preferably without flash.
13.1.6. There is no need to have several versions
of the same view, nor ultra-detailed images.
13.1.7. Copyrighted or illegal images will
be removed, and the user may be held accountable for their inclusion.
13.1.8. You can discuss image scanning and
editing techniques in the Image scanning
and editing techniques forum!
Size And Quality
13.2.1. All images on Discogs should be between
150 and 600 pixels wide with a maximum size of 300Kb. Any images with sizes
outside of this boundary will automatically be rejected by the server. Preference
goes to larger images with more detail over smaller thumbnails. Images taller
than 600 pixels and shorter than 150 pixels are acceptable as long as they are
relevant to the release / artist / label, and follow the other image rules.
PERFECT: 600x600
ACCEPTABLE: 400x400
ACCEPTABLE: 150x150
UNACCEPTABLE: 64x64
13.2.2. Images that are overly compressed and
show heavy JPEG artifacting will be rejected. Also, images with bad resizing
jobs and visible pixelation will also be rejected. Please ensure you take every
step available to make your image look as good as possible!
PERFECT: No visible artifacting or pixelation ( Please note this is a
reduced-size image of the large 'perfect' example as used on the first picture
on this page. From here on, the examples are 300 pixels for ease of display.
Please try and submit your pictures at 600 pixels if possible, for maximum
detail.)
ACCEPTABLE: Some visible grain on the image but otherwise OK (compare the
words)
UNACCEPTABLE: Heavily artifacted
UNACCEPTABLE: Badly resized, heavily pixelated
Angle
13.3. Optimally, all covers should be photographed
or scanned at a 90-degree right angle perpendicular to the camera. Some mild
variation is allowed, but excessive angular distortion will cause an image to
be rejected.
PERFECT: Facing the camera dead-on
ACCEPTABLE: A slight angle, mostly cropped
UNACCEPTABLE: Heavily angled and distorted
Sharpness And Readability
13.4. Edges of text and lineart should be crisp
and well-defined. While we realize that not everyone is a professional photographer
or image editor, some care should be taken to ensure that as much text is as
readable as possible. Images where normally readable text is indiscernible due
to excessive blur will be rejected. While every attempt should be made to make
text readable, fine print that is unreadable due to image size constraints will
be allowed.
PERFECT: All text and lines crisp and clearly defined
ACCEPTABLE: A slight amount of blur, but all text still readable
UNACCEPTABLE: Heavily blurred, letters are entirely unrecognizable
Dimensions And Aspect Ratio
13.5. Wherever possible, dimensions of an image
should conform to the actual aspect
ratio of the original source. Most covers should be completely square, and
cropped to remove any trace of the background within reason. If taking a picture
with a digicam, please be sure to crop tightly - do not use the default photograph
dimensions. Do not use a scanner to take only a portion of the original cover
(if you want to use a scanner for a LP sleeve, take several scans and join them
together in a photo editing program).
PERFECT: Cropped tightly to the original 12"x12" dimensions
ACCEPTABLE: A minimal amount of the background is showing
UNACCEPTABLE: The original digicam dimensions are maintained, and much of
the background is showing
UNACCEPTABLE: The image is cropped to remove the right hand side of the sleeve
UNACCEPTABLE: The image is cropped to remove the lower portion of the sleeve
Flash Photography
13.6. In certain low light level situations,
using a flash will be almost unavoidable. Please try to keep visible flash reflections
to a minimum. Photographs with excessive amounts of flash that render the image
useless will be discarded. Better images can be obtained by using a tripod and
slower shutter speeds rather than flash.
PERFECT: No visible flash
ACCEPTABLE: A slight visible flash, kept to a minimum, does not affect the
overall image
UNACCEPTABLE: Flash washes out the entire image
Color
13.7. The color of any image should accurately
reflect the actual color range of the given artwork. When taking photographs,
it is recommended to perform at least rudimentary color correction if at all
possible. Images with excessively dark coloration or incorrect colors will be
rejected.
PERFECT: Colors match the original release, color correction has been performed
ACCEPTABLE: Color correction has not been performed, but is mostly true to
the original artwork
UNACCEPTABLE: Image is obviously too dark and hardly visible
UNACCEPTABLE: Image color is incorrect
Order
13.8. The primary image (that is, the one that
is displayed as a thumbnail on the release page) should always be set to the
image that will allow identification of the release, this will usually be the
front cover of the release, or for releases with no cover artwork, the center
label with the most information. The following is the suggested order for different
types of releases. There should be a good and clear reason to deviate from this.
For releases without covers (For example 12" singles):
1st - The center label with the most information
2nd - The other side
For releases with covers (for example CD or LP albums):
1st - Front cover
2nd - Back cover
3rd - Media label, or A side (for double sided releases)
4th - B side (for double sided releases)
For releases with covers plus additional booklets etc:
1st - Front cover
2nd - Back cover
3rd - Media, or A side (for double sided releases)
4th - B side (for double sided releases)
5th - Booklet 1st page
6th - Booklet 2nd page
etc..
For gatefold type sleeves:
1st - Front cover
2nd - Inside gatefold
3rd - Back cover
5th - Media label, or A side (for double sided releases)
6th - B side (for double sided releases)
OR
1st - Front cover
2nd - Gatefold inside left
3rd - Gatefold inside right
4th - Back cover
5th - Media label, or A side (for double sided releases)
6th - B side (for double sided releases)
Artist Images
Suitable Images
13.9.1. The artist images should preferably
be of the artist performing, or publicly available publicity shots. Preference
for the primary image goes to the most iconic and widely recognized picture
of the artist at the height of their career, if possible.
13.9.2. Three to eight images are normally
enough for each artist profile. If there are several pictures from the same
period of an artist's career, and the maximum number is reached or exceeded,
then a picture should be hidden in favor of a new picture from a period currently
not represented.
13.9.3. 'Tabloid' type images of the artist
outside of them being a music artist (for example, James Brown's police mugshot,
Britney Spears shaving her head) are not permitted.
Logos
13.9.4. Artist logos by themselves are fine
to add as an image. Artist pictures with included logos are acceptable as long
as the following points are observed:
- The logo doesn't obscure the band image to any great degree
- The logo was officially put there e.g. no home made image mashups!
- Images without logos are preferred
Label Images
13.10. Label images should usually be restricted
to logos used by that label.
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