This document discusses how to find photos that can be used freely online without copyright restrictions by searching sites containing public domain and Creative Commons licensed photos like MorgueFile, Wikimedia Commons, Compfight, and the Library of Congress, as well as photos from U.S. government agencies. It provides information on the licenses for different sites and tips for searching for photos by topic at each site while avoiding copyrighted images. Strengths and weaknesses of each image source are outlined.

1. “I Hate Copyright”
How to Find Public Domain &
Creative Commons photos
How to Find Public Domain &
Creative Commons photos
How to Find Public Domain &
Creative Commons photos
Larry Baker
Unrestricted photo
Recognized by Apple as a distinguished school for
innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.

2. Larry Baker (@labcbaker)
Associate Principal, Mercy
High School
Apple Distinguished
Educator
Teaches “Technology
Leadership” at Madonna
University

3. The Bad News about Online Images
....
Photos available online fall under copyright
unless licensed otherwise.
“Fair Use” is fairly generous in educational
settings but aren’t we preparing students for
beyond school?
Some of us set bad examples.

4. The Good News . . . .
Almost every time I have
asked to use a
copyrighted photo I have
received permission.
There are literally
millions of photos in the
public domain or licensed
for non-commercial use.
Used with permission

5. morgueFile
http://www.morguefile.com/

6. The morgueFile license
*You are free to remix.
*You are free to use this work
for commercial purposes.
*You are free to use without
attribution.

7. Weaknesses . . . .
Limited Selection
Not very searchable
Limited Educational Use
Easy to drift into
pay-for photos

8. Strengths . . . .
Photos are completely
unrestricted.
The photos have high
resolution
Easy to download

9. Search . . . .
Search “Eyes”
Search Tip
Choose “Most
Downloads”

10. Wikimedia Commons
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

11. Wanna Work Together
http://creativecommons.org/videos/wanna-work-together

12. Wikimedia Commons CC license
*You are free to remix.
*You are free to use this work
for commercial purposes.
*You must attribute the work

13. Weaknesses . . . .
Favors lapsed
copyright images
Somewhat hit or miss
Subject selection may
be limited

14. Strengths . . . .
Enormous Catalog.
Varied Media.
Full Metadata
All licensed in
Creative Commons
“B-Roll video”

15. Search . . . .
Search “Martin Luther
King”
Refine Search
“Martin Luther King
march”
Both works in Public Domain

16. Photo by John
Triffo
Photo by Ben Russell
Compfight
http://compfight.com/
Photo by Shirley

17. The Compfight license
*Creative Commons
*Always available but conditions vary.
*Often requires attribution.

18. Weaknesses . . . .
Click here
for License
Click here for
attribution
Quality Varies
Extra clicks needed for license
and Photographer
Clever searching required
Easy to drift into
copyright-protected photos

19. Strengths . . . .
Millions of Photos
Terrific variety
All usable for noncommercial purposes
Easy to link or download
Photo by NASA

20. Search . . . . . “Destruction”

22. Now Search ,
“Wrecking Ball”
“Wrecking Ball”

24. z
Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/
All works in Public Domain

25. LOC Photo License
Commonly Public Domain
because legal claim to
copyright has expired.

26. Weaknesses . . . .
Difficult to get quick hits.
Size/resolution vary
Best for historical photos
“Collections” are often by
behest rather than topic.

27. Strengths . . . .
Fabulous Historical Photos
Very Unrestricted Use
Educator Friendly
Detailed metadata
Public Domain

28. z
Flickr: The Commons
http://www.flickr.com/commons

29. z
These photos are from the National Gallery, NASA, U.S.
Mint0
U.S. Government: Photos & Images
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Graphics.shtml

30. “Government Work”
Free to reproduce.
No attribution
required
Free to create
derivative works.
Free to distribute.

31. Weaknesses
No uniform features
across agencies
Searching difficult
Quality & quantity vary
across agencies

32. Strengths
Largely public domain
Fabulous science, art,
social studies sources
Some agencies like NASA
organize their photos.

33. USA.gov Search #1
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Graphics.shtml
History, Arts, Culture
National Gallery
“Winslow Homer”
Public Domain

34. USA.gov Search #2
http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Graphics.shtml
Science and Technology
NASA - Great Images
“Jupiter”
Government
Work

35. USA.gov Search #3
http://www.usa.gov/Topic
s/Graphics.shtml
Environment,Energy, and
Agriculture
National Park Photos
“Learn More”/ B-Roll
Monuments / Mount
Rushmore
National Park Service

36. Upcoming Presentations
MACUL, Grand Rapids,
March 13. “ Empowering
Your iWizards”
ISTE, Atlanta, June 29.
“Becoming a Digital School
Administrator”

37. Find All Links & Slides at
Larry’s Opinion Drive-thru
Larry’s Opinion Drive-thru
Follow Larry @labcbaker