Finding and using images, UW- Eau Claire

Finding images

Free images

Some collections

Using images

Citing images

More information

Finding & Using Images
Jill Markgraf, Librarian

Finding images

Most major search engines offer an image search option. These services will find images on the Web, but do not in anyway authorize you to use them. Most images on the Web are copyrighted, even if they don't say so, and only the holder of the copyright can grant permission for use of the image. In some cases, use of an image may be covered by Fair Use. (See Using Images below).

Finding "free" image collections

Search the internet using the following terms:

public domain
free
copyright-free
royalty-free

[with]

images
graphics
photos
clipart

Some image collections:

Stock.xchng: photo sharing site with 1000s of images. Usage restrictions are given for each photo.
PDImages: public domain images. Thumbnail images available free with attribution.
Pics4Learning: "copyright friendly images for use by students and teachers in an educational setting."
Barry's Clipart Gallery: Be sure to use the search box in the top banner of the screen. Other search boxes are parts of advertisements
Absolutely Free Clipart: Beware of ads. Use the Categories on the left side of the screen to get to the free stuff.
American Memory Collections: Searchable database of Library of Congress digital collection of photos and prints. See comments on Rights & Reproductions for terms of use.
For more, see Where to Find Free Images and Visuals for My Blog, an online article/blog that suggests a wealth of resources!

Using images:

Most Internet images, even those that are "free," are copyrighted (even if they don't say it). "Free" usually refers to "royalty-free," meaning that the copyright holder grants permission to use the images, under certain conditions, free of charge. Most sites will provide information on terms or conditions of use. It is recommended that you read them prior to using an image. Common conditions often include phrases such as:

image is not to be used for commercial purposes. Personal and/or educational use is usually permitted.
image is not to be redistributed, sold, added to an image collection or published in tangible medium.
image must not constitute a substantial portion of the content in which it is used.
many copyright holders will request (though not necessarily require) credit and/or a link back to their site.

If you are using an image for an on-campus, in-class presentation, it may fall within fair use.
If you are using an image in an online class, in a secure area, such as D2L, for only one semester, it may fall within fair use.
If you are using an image on an unsecure web page or in a PowerPoint posted to the web, it probably doesn't fall within fair use.

See Fair Use description (Purdue U.)

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Do not use the image, or seek permission from the copyright holder.

Citing images:

Content-bearing, non-trivial images should be cited. Different citation styles have different rules for citing images.

Example for citing an image in a caption:

Description or title of image. [Online Image] Available http://address/filename, date of document or download.