Images
Disclaimer
Images are easy to find on the web using Google Images. However, understanding how licenses, copyright and citation styles work for images may not be as straightforward. This is a basic guide to finding and using images. Use this information with care, make sure you understand your rights and responsibilities in relationship to specific images.
Best Bets for Free to Use Images: CC0 Available
Definitions
Public Domain relates to copyright law, and indicates legal rights to the material have either expired or that the material was never eligible to be copyrighted. You are free to use and modify.
CC0 is a licensing terms, and indicates that the creator is granting permission for use and modification. CC0 is the gold-standard of "no-rights reserved," but other kinds of creative commons (CC) licenses are used across the internet, such as "CC BY" "CC BY-SA" etc. Some sites below may have unique terms.
- Wikimedia CommonsMost of images can be used freely, but some may have restrictions. Information on usage at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Reusing_content_outside_Wikimedia
- Openverse (formerly Creative Commons)Openverse allows digital content creators to license their work for use by others online. Be sure to filter to CC0 or understand usage rights.
- Flickr Commons ProjectA joint venture of Flickr and the Library of Congress, The Commons on Flickr is an easy-to-use interface that promotes access to publicly-held photography collections. Information on usage rights at https://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/
- UnsplashUnsplash is made up of a collective of photographers who offer their own high-resolution images for free. All photos on the site can be copied, modified and distributed. Information on usage rights at https://unsplash.com/license
- MagdeleinePhotographs. Be sure to filter down to CC0 licensed images, since some photos do require attribution.
- Public Domain VectorsPublic Domain Vectors is a large collection of clip-art like images that are available to download in SVG, AI and EPS formats. All images are licensed under CC0.
- British Library (on Flickr)One million images scanned from the pages of 17th, 18th and 19th century books. All images are within the public domain.
- New York Public Library Digital CollectionsAll items are in the public domain.
Library Databases
- ArtStor This link opens in a new window
- CARLI Digital Collections This link opens in a new window
- Credo Reference This link opens in a new windowCredo Reference provides access to a large number of encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri and other reference books. Subjects covered include art, biography, history, literature, music, religion, and science and technology.
Usage rights on licensed library databases vary.
ArtStor: Restricted to Parkland faculty, students and staff. Non-commercial educational use only. No modifications. More...
CARLI Digital Collections: Varies by source of image. Not many are CC0. See image description.
CREDO: Restricted to Parkland faculty, students and staff. Non-commercial educational use only. No modifications. More...
Web Sites
These sites have not been vetted for usage rights. Review each site's license terms.
- PinterestPinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse boards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
- Saskia Art ImagesCollection of over 30,00 digital images of painting, architecture and sculpture.
Google Images
Click on image to access