In academic writing and research, properly citing sources is crucial to give credit to creators and avoid plagiarism. The American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition style provides guidelines for citing various types of sources, including audiovisual media. This guide focuses specifically on How To Cite A Photo Apa style, ensuring your references are accurate and correctly formatted. Understanding the nuances of citing photographs is essential for students, researchers, and professionals across many disciplines.
When it comes to audiovisual media, the citation style can depend on whether the photograph or image is a standalone piece or part of a larger work. This article will break down the process of creating APA citations for photographs and other audiovisual media, drawing from the established guidelines of the APA 7th Publication Manual.
Citing a Photograph in APA Format
The fundamental format for citing a photograph in APA style involves several key pieces of information. Here’s the template to follow, broken down step-by-step:
Photographer, P. (Year of publication). Title of photograph [Photograph]. Source. URL
Let’s dissect each component to understand how to apply it effectively:
- Photographer, P. This refers to the last name of the photographer followed by a comma and their initial(s). If the photographer’s name isn’t available, consider the source (e.g., an organization or website name) as the author.
- (Year of publication). Provide the year the photograph was published or created. If the exact year is unavailable, use “n.d.” (no date).
- Title of photograph. Italicize the title of the photograph. If the photograph has no formal title, create a brief descriptive title within square brackets. For example, [Birds-eye view of city skyline].
- [Photograph]. Include this in square brackets to clearly indicate the medium of the source.
- Source. Specify the source where you accessed the photograph. This could be a website name, a journal, a book, or a newspaper.
- URL. If you found the photograph online, provide the direct URL of the photograph. If the photograph is from a print source, this part is omitted.
Here’s an example based on the original article’s template:
Ryan, S. (2019). Sea smoke on Lake Michigan [Photograph]. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/world/year-in-pictures.html
Alt text: APA citation example for photograph from New York Times website, showing format for photographer, year, title, medium, source and URL in APA 7th edition.
In this example, “Ryan, S.” is the photographer, “2019” is the year of publication, “Sea smoke on Lake Michigan” is the title of the photograph, “[Photograph]” denotes the medium, “New York Times” is the source, and the provided link is the URL.
Citing Other Audiovisual Media in APA 7th Edition
While our focus is on photos, understanding how to cite other audiovisual media can be beneficial. APA 7th edition provides guidelines for a range of media types. Here are some common examples:
Film or Video
Director, D. D. (Director). (Date of publication). Title of motion picture [Film]. Production company.
Loyd, P. (Director). (2008). Mamma mia! [Film]. Universal Pictures.
Alt text: APA citation example for film Mamma Mia, displaying format for director, year, title, medium and production company according to APA guidelines.
TV Series Episode
Writer, W. W. (Writer), & Director, D. D. (Director). (Original air date). Title of episode (Season number, Episode number) [Tv series episode]. In P. Executive Producer (Executive Producer), Series title. Production company(s).
Korsh, A. (Writer & Director). (2019, September 25). One last con (Season 9, Episode 10) [TV series episode]. In D. Liman & D. Bartis (Executive Producers), Suits. Untitled Korsh Company; Universal Content Productions; Open 4 Business Productions.
Alt text: APA citation example for TV series episode from Suits, showing APA format for writer, director, air date, episode title, series title, and production companies.
YouTube Video
Person or group who uploaded video. (Date of publication). Title of video [Video]. Website host. URL
Tasty. (2018, March 7). 7 recipes you can make in 5 minutes [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5wHw6l11o
Alt text: APA citation example for YouTube video by Tasty, demonstrating APA format for uploader, date, video title, medium, website host, and URL.
Artwork in a Museum
Artist, A. (Year of release). Title of artwork [medium]. Name of museum, City, State, Country. URL of museum
Hopper, E. (1942). Nighthawks [Painting]. Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States. https://www.artic.edu/artworks/111628/nighthawks
Alt text: APA citation example for artwork Nighthawks displayed in Art Institute of Chicago, illustrating APA format for artist, year, title, medium, museum details, and URL.
Key Considerations for APA Photo Citations
- No Title: If a photograph lacks a formal title, create a concise descriptive title within square brackets. For example: [Close-up of a sunflower].
- Source Importance: Always identify the source clearly. For online photos, this is usually the website. For print photos, it could be the book, magazine, or journal title.
- Retrieval Dates: APA 7th edition generally does not require retrieval dates for most online sources unless the content is likely to change over time (like wikis). For most photographs on reputable websites, a retrieval date is not necessary.
- Consistency: Maintain consistency in your citations throughout your work. If you’re citing multiple photos and audiovisual media, ensure you are applying the APA style uniformly.
Conclusion
Mastering how to cite a photo APA style, along with other audiovisual media, is a critical skill for academic integrity and clear communication. By following the guidelines and templates provided, you can confidently and accurately cite photographs and various media types in your research and writing. Remember to always consult the APA 7th Publication Manual for comprehensive guidance and specific cases not covered here. Proper citation not only avoids plagiarism but also enhances the credibility and professionalism of your work.
