LibGuides: Copyright: Using Images

Can I use images from library resources?

Each database, journal, or book publisher is likely to have its own terms and conditions for how their images can be used.

Sometimes, images may be used for research and/or educational purposes, but each use must be evaluated carefully. Permission or payment may be required. Images should be cited as instructed by the copyright holder.

If you have questions regarding the use of images from any Library resource (books, ebooks, journals, databases, etc.), please contact the Library for guidance or the publisher of the material in question for permission/instruction.

Where can I find free-to-use images?

"Free," in this context, means that there is no cost associated with use and/or that copyright either does not apply or has been waived. There may be specific license requirements that tell you how you must use and attribute a resource.
Not all "free" image sites are created equal. Some sites "borrow" from pay-for-use sites. If you have questions about whether a site is legitimate, find another source.
Carefully read licenses and terms of use.
Be wary of images of, or containing, trademarks (e.g. Coca Cola, Nike, Mcdonalds). Even if you find them on a free image site, usage may violate trademark laws.
Even when citing the source of an image is not required, it makes sense to do so. In addition to crediting the creator of the image, citation allows others to see where the image originated and that it was used legally.
Library Services cannot guarantee that all images on the websites we share on this page have been uploaded legally.
Responsibility for legal use lies with you.

Free to use

*Note* Library Services cannot guarantee that all images on these sites have been uploaded legally.

Age Without Limits: Age-positive Image Library
3000+ free-to-use photos showing a "realistic and diverse depiction of ageing". Images are published under a CC0 designation. Attribution is not required but is appreciated using the following format: “by
[Contributor] via Centre for Ageing Better”.
To download images enter your email or create an account.
ISO Republic
High-resolution CC0 photos and videos.
Nappy
CC0 licensed, high resolution Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) photographs. For personal and commercial use.
Pexels
Photos and videos are free to use and modify. Attribution is not required but is appreciated.
Pixabay
Over 570000 high quality photos, illustrations, and vector graphics. Free for commercial use. No attribution required.
*Note* There is an increasing number of AI generated images on Pixabay. You can limit your content type to "Authentic only".
Unsplash
Photos can be downloaded and used for free, for commercial and non-commercial purposes. No attribution is required. Note: Unsplash+ photos are available for a fee.

Some restrictions apply

Disabled and Here
This is a disability-led effort to provide free & inclusive stock images from our own perspective, with photos and illustrations celebrating disabled Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC). Images are licensed CC BY 4.0.
Flickr
Flickr is a photo management and sharing site. To use the site, you must create a free user account. Searches can be limited by licence, including Creative Commons. Images must be used as the licence specifies.
The Gender Spectrum Collection
A stock photo library featuring images of trans and non-binary models that go beyond clichés. This collection aims to help media better represent members of these communities as people not necessarily defined by their gender identities—people with careers, relationships, talents, passions, and home lives. Images are licensed CC BY-NC-ND.
Microsoft Office Online Pictures
Microsoft Office Online Pictures is powered by Bing Image Search. Pictures can be directly embedded in your documents via the ribbon at the top of the document screen, under "Insert", then from the "Pictures" group, click "Online Pictures". A pop-up will appear where you can search for images in the Bing search box. Select a picture, then click insert. Bing uses the Creative Commons only filter which provides a link to the image source. Review the source to determine if your use complies with the license. When using pictures or clip art from Bing, you are responsible for respecting copyright.
Obesity Canada Image Bank
Hosted on Flickr, this collection "provides a collection of photographs that individuals with obesity in ways that are positive and non-stereotypical." Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Openverse
This search engine, linked on the CC website under “Search the Commons” and maintained by WordPress, allows you to search for CC-licensed content across the web. You can filter by the type of license or by intended use (commercial, modify/adapt).
Wikimedia Commons
Many of the 80 million+ media files uploaded to Wikimedia Commons are CC-licensed or in the public domain. Be sure to check the license/terms of use for each resource and provide attribution as required.

Free to use

Nutrition Label Generator
Free nutrition label generator.

Some restrictions apply

Anatomy TV
Images can be used for educational purposes, provided that the copyright information is not cropped out and they include a link to the site's Terms and Conditions page.
ClinicalKey
Images may be exported from the Presentation tool (user account required). You must use the citation provided by Elsevier. Copyright restrictions may apply.

Anatomy Tool
An open platform for learning and teaching of Anatomy. Images can be limited by license. Most are Creative Commons licensed or Public Domain.
Dermatology Atlas
Over 12,000 photos of dermatology diseases. Free to use for non-commercial purposes if you include a link to their site.
Health Education Assets Library (HEAL)
A collection of over 22,000 freely available digital materials for health sciences education housed at the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Digital Library
MedPix
MedPix is a free, open-access database of medical images, teaching cases and clinical topics curated by the US National Library of Medicine. Materials are free to use for personal and local teaching at your institution, including distribution of handouts and syllabi. Permission is required for other usage. You must create a free account.
National Cancer Institute - Visuals Online
A collection of 3000+ biomedical, science, and patient-care related images. Most images are in the public domain. Others have copyright restrictions and require permission to use.
NIGMS Image and Video Gallery
A searchable collection of scientific photos, illustrations, and videos licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial ShareAlike 3.0.
Open-i
Open Access Biomedical Image Search Engine. A National Library of Medicine service which provides access to over 3.7 million images from about 1.2 million PubMed Central® articles; 7,470 chest x-rays with 3,955 radiology reports; 67,517 images from NLM History of Medicine collection; and 2,064 orthopedic illustrations. Various license types.
Public Health Image Library (PHIL)
Images are either "Public Domain" (free use) or "Copyright Protected" (restricted, obtain permission before use).
Smart Servier Medical Art
A collection of over 3000 medical images made available for use or modification under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Citation is required.
Wellcome Collection
Medical and other archival images from Wellcome's library and museum collections.Search can be limited to Creative Commons licensed images or public domain.
Wikimedia Commons
Many of the 80 million+ media files uploaded to Wikimedia Commons are CC-licensed or in the public domain. Be sure to check the license/terms of use for each resource and provide attribution as required.

Free to use

Aiga.org Symbols
The complete set of 50 passenger/pedestrian symbols developed by AIGA is available for all to use, free of charge. Signs are available here in EPS and GIF formats.
Open Icon Library

Some restrictions apply

Icon Finder
Use filters to include only "free" items. Be mindful of license restrictions. Some items are free for commercial use with a link back to the designer's website, some are free to use without a link back.
The Noun Project
The Noun Project has more than 25,000 icons and the collection grows each day. Many icons and symbols are available for free, while others can be purchased. Check the license note under each image for Public Domain, Creative Commons, and other license stipulations.

Citing Images

The image I'm using is Creative Commons (CC) licensed:

Please review the Attribution page of the Creative Commons guide for instructions and examples.

The image I'm using is in the Public Domain, CC0 or other open licence that doesn't require attribution:

Although you don't need permission to use works in the public domain, citing your source is always best practice for ethical reasons and to help others find the source.

Your citation should include:

The creator/author's name (if known)
The title of the image
The date of creation of the original image
The source where you found the image (e.g., the URL)

Follow the format of your chosen citation style (e.g., APA). For guidance on formatting citations, visit the Writing & Citing Sources page of this guide.

The image I'm using was created in-house for Nova Scotia Health:

When using images created for Nova Scotia Health, it is best practice to include the following copyright statement with the image:

©[year], Nova Scotia Health Authority

The image I'm using comes from Microsoft Stock Images:

Microsoft Stock Images are free to use within Microsoft Products and do not require citation. You may choose to add a blanket statement to your PowerPoint presentation or Word document saying:

"All images from Microsoft Stock"

The image I'm using comes from Microsoft's 'Online Pictures' collection:

Visit the Microsoft Office section of the Creative Commons guide.

The image I'm using is being used with the permission of the copyright holder:

Provide attribution as directed by the copyright holder. Examples may include:

"Used with permission from..."
"Adapted with permission from..."

Can I create my own images?

It can be difficult to find exactly the right image, particularly for clinical procedures or conditions. If you can't find an image that you are permitted to use, you may be able to create something yourself.

Suggestions:

Take your own photograph. Keep in mind that:
- a signed release form may be necessary
- copyright for photos taken for work purposes is held by your employer
Use photo editing software to edit a free-to-use image from sources such as Pixabay or Wikimedia Commons. Remember to read the license to ensure that modifications are permitted.

Image Editing
Wikipedia

What about AI?

**** Coming Soon ****