Finding and Using Images Online

Open http://libguides.butler.edu/c.php?g=93912&p=608329 in another browser window to work through this tutorial side by side.

Hi! 

This brief tutorial will take you through Butler University's online guide to finding and attributing (citing) images that are either Creative Commons licensed or in the public domain.

You'll learn how to find and use images that you know you have permission to incorporate into your own presentations, videos, and other projects.

As you complete this tutorial, you can interact with the right side of your screen while you navigate the tutorial on the left.

What is Creative Commons?

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Scroll down and view the video "Creative Commons Kiwi" on the right side of your screen.

When you're finished, click the next arrow at the bottom of this screen.

What is Creative Commons?

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Emily is making a poster, and wants to add a photo of a kitten wearing glasses.  She finds the following photo online:

kitten photo

It's perfect!  Now Emily just needs to add glasses to the image.  She sees that the image has the following Creative Commons license:  

 CC BY-NC 2.0

Does this license allow Emily to alter the image by adding glasses to the kitten?

Can Emily sell her posters?

 (above image:  kitten by Gina under CC BY-NC 2.0)

 

What is Public Domain?

Works enter the Public Domain when their copyright or other usage restrictions expire.  Some works enter the public domain earlier, if the creator wishes them to be used without restriction.

You can use works in the public domain any way you want to.

tarantula nebula

Tarantula Nebula by WikiImages, 04/23/2012.  Public Domain.

Finding Creative Commons and Public Domain Images

Let's look at another page of this guide.  Go back to the top of the page and click the Images tab.

LibGuide navigation

The first box shows you how to search

  • Google Images
  • Flickr
  • Wikimedia Commons

and other websites to find images that are either Creative Commons licensed or in the public domain.

Attributing (Citing) Images

Once you find an image that you have permission to use, you need to cite it appropriately.  

Scroll down to the Attributing Images box, where you'll find additional information and examples of citing images in MLA and APA format.

For Future Reference

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This tutorial has only guided you through part of Butler University Libraries' Find Images and Media online guide.  

Explore the guide on your own to find more useful resources and information, and bookmark it for future reference!

For Future Reference

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Thanks for completing this tutorial.  If you have any questions, please contact the library!

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