Smart Ways to Use Online Images for School Projects

by Tania Dooley

Freelance photographers work
for themselves and sell
 their pictures.  This is how they
 make their money.
Photo via Pixabay

     We've all done it before, we are in a pinch and we need just the right photo to complete our projects so we search Google images and get the temptation to copy and be done with it.  We do this because we know that images can effectively get our message across in a way that words cannot do.   This is why can spend hours searching for just the right image.  Our presentations, posters, and PowerPoint are bland without them. However, think twice before copying that image.

     The problem is, there is a right way to get these images for our use and there is a wrong way; the wrong way can get us in trouble because of copyright infringement.  Copyright infringement is when a person reproduces or uses another person's work, usually an image or idea, and does not ask permission from the owner of the work.  Most of the time crediting the author is sufficient enough to keep you from infringing, however, there are instances where that is not enough.  

Student typing keybopard
Via Pixabay

Given the way social media uses memes, using and reusing images, the lines of copyright infringement have been blurred. To add to the confusion there are thousands of copyright rules surrounding images or content found online.  In my teacher-librarian training and education I keep a binder just for copyright laws, to be as knowledgeable as possible to keep myself and students from infringing them.  

     The most prudent thing is to get images from known sources that allow free usage without copyright infringement as long as you attribute the author or creator in your bibliography, reference section, and within the picture itself. Here are four sites that allow the usage of images without copyright infringement:

1. Wiki Media Commons - in this site you can borrow pictures, and crediting the author is easy- just click "more details" to find the author. When there is no specific author or creator attribute "Via WikiCommons." You can also upload your own pictures for others' usage.
2. Library of Congress - since this is a history blog this is where I get resources relevant to my topics. Use the search tab for anything history-related. Attributing is easy when you click "Cite this item" as it gives you bibliographic data for three different citation styles: Chicago, MLA, and APA.
3. Pixabay - this site has the most variety of pictures, but you do have to create an account. Attribute the author, but when there is none attribute, "Via Pixabay."
4. FreeImages.com - this site also has variety, but you must sign up. Same rules follow regarding atrribution.

"The most prudent thing to do is to get images

from known sources that allow free usage without 

copyright infringement"

Freelance photographers.
By Gunther Schneider Via Pixabay

     In each of these cases, you must still give credit in the bibliographic or reference section of your work or project. In the end, it is society's moral obligation to give credit to the hard working creative people that come up with pictures that are worth spreading around.   Oftentimes, these people are freelance workers who only get paid every time their pictures or creative work is used.

Notes: Notice the examples throughout other posts on my blog.  Pictures credit the website and attributes (credits) the author or creator of the picture.  At the end of my posts, I still give credit once again under the bibliography or reference section.  

References
Pictures Via Pixabay. Authors attributed.