Images

Why are you using images in your work? 

Are they informative/illustrative? Be sure the image you use actually illustrates the point you’re making, otherwise it could ‘muddy’ your writing and confuse the reader. 

Are they decorative? Be wary of using unnecessary images purely for decorative purposes. They could easily end up distracting the reader from the main focus of your work, and if used on a poster, take up valuable space that would be better used for assessed content. 

Whatever the purpose, make sure you use quality images that are clear to read and are displayed well in your document or poster considering size and placement. For example, if the purpose of the image is to illicit emotion or convey information, a grainy/hard to read image won’t serve its purpose.  

And, you always want to make a good first impression to the reader of your work. 

Are you allowed to use the images you intend to use? This might depend on where you found them, and how you want to use them. Should you reference them or add an attribution? If so, how? And, where can you find images you can use? 

Images can refer to any graphic found from any print or online resource, screenshotted from media, or created by yourself/AI.  

Not an exhaustive list, but some key sources of images include:

• openverse (formerly known as Creative Commons)
  do a simple keyword search to find reusable images, videos, music and other media, then use the filters to narrow to specific CC licenses. Suggested attributions are available with each image.
• Pixabay
  Free to use content under the Pixabay License. Search results also include iStock images which are chargeable, so check the image first before using. Attribution not required, but good practice to add one anyway, eg
  Bacteria Black Health by Nadya_il Pixabay License
• Unsplash
  All photos can be downloaded and used for free for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.  Attribution is appreciated, eg
  Image by Arno Smith Unsplash Licence
• Wikimedia Commons
  A number of different licensing options available.  Check images  and use the exact attribution included in the ‘Use this file on the web’ section.
• Pexels
  All photos and videos can be downloaded and used for free.  Attribution is not required but it is a good idea to add one.
• Flickr: The Commons
  Just make sure you're using The Commons site and not just normal Flickr.

Google Images is quick and easy to use, but remember, it aggregates images from lots of different sources. Whatever type of information you are using, you need to ensure it’s from a reliable source and fit for purpose.

So, yes, but make sure to use the Google Images filter to narrow your results to Creative Commons content. 

• From Google Images, enter your search term 
• Click on Tools, just under the search bar 
• Click on the drop-down entitled Usage Rights 
• Choose Creative Commons licences 

Clicking on the image will give more information on ‘Licence details’ and the source of the image. It's always advisable to click through to the original source of the image to verify licence details. 

If you're looking to use/adapt images that you know are copyright safe, it will depend on the license attached to it. An explanation of these licenses can be found from:  
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ 

Some key license examples include: 

CC0 – means it’s in the public domain and free to use. No attribution required, but it’s good practice to add one anyway.  

CC BY – free to use and adapt with attribution (just make sure that any adaptations are explained in the attribution) 

CC BY-NC – free to use with attribution for non commercial purpose, and indication of adaptations 

Images that are copyright cleared should have a caption that clearly illustrates this.  Even for images that are in the public domain where no attribution is required, it's still good practice to add one. Doing this also alleviates any doubt the reader of your work might have about the legality of the image used. 

For examples of good and bad attribution practice, see: 

https://wiki.creativecommons.org/wiki/Best_practices_for_attribution 

An ideal attribution should include: Title, Author, Source, and Licence, eg: 

"Creative Commons 10th Birthday Celebration San Francisco" by tvol is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

If you have a number of images, be as consistent as possible with how your attributions are added. 

If your image is purely decorative and you’ve used a copyright cleared image, just add an attribution. Even if the licence does not require an attribution, it is good practice to do so, 

If your image is purely decorative and you’ve found it online but you’re unsure whether it’s copyright cleared or not, it’s safer to reference it and add a caption. 

If your image is taken from a book, article or online source and you’re discussing it in some way, treat it like any other information type and reference it and add a caption. 

For most submitted coursework, images can be used from any source provided they are referenced correctly. It's also good practice to caption your images appropriately and consistently throughout. So, if using Harvard, include: 

• a citation (in-text and/or with caption); 
• a captioned image; 
• a reference list entry.  

Cite Them Right advises how to reference different types of media to Harvard. PSY modules should follow APA guidance, and LAW modules, OSCOLA. 

Attributions don’t require any entry in the reference list; the reference list should only include references associated with an in-text citation.