Citing photos correctly is crucial for academic integrity and avoiding copyright infringement. Whether you’re a student writing a research paper or a professional creating a presentation, knowing How To Cite A Photo properly is essential. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how to cite images found online, specifically focusing on images from Google Images.
Understanding Copyright and Google Images
Before diving into citation formats, it’s important to understand copyright. Most images found online, including those on Google Images, are protected by copyright. This means you can’t use them for commercial purposes without permission. However, using images for educational or research purposes is generally permitted under fair use guidelines, provided you cite them correctly. Google Images is a search engine, not an image source. Therefore, you must always cite the original source of the image, not Google Images itself.
Finding the Original Source
To cite a photo correctly, you must first find its original source. On Google Images, click on the image you want to use, then click “Visit page.” This will take you to the website where the image is hosted. This is the source you need to cite. Look for information like the creator’s name, the image title, the website name, the publisher, the publication date, and the URL.
Citing a Photo in MLA Format (9th Edition)
The MLA format for citing an image found online is:
Last Name, First Name of Creator. "Title of Image" or Description of Image. *Title of Website*, Publisher, Date of Publication, URL.Example:
Photograph of Franklin D. Roosevelt at his desk. *The Washington Post*, 25 Apr. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/04/25/the-white-house-boo-boo-in-counting-roosevelts-executive-orders/?utm_term=.06cac0ac12e5.Notes:
- Use quotation marks around the image title if it has one. If not, provide a brief description in sentence case.
- Only include the publisher’s name if it’s different from the website name.
- Copy the URL exactly as it appears.
Citing a Photo in APA Format (7th Edition)
The APA format for citing an image is:
Creator's Last Name, First Initial. (Year Published). *Title of Image* [Photograph]. Website Name. URL.Example:
US National Trust. (2017). *Franklin D. Roosevelt at his desk* [Photograph]. *The Washington Post*. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/04/25/the-white-house-boo-boo-in-counting-roosevelts-executive-orders/?utm_term=.06cac0ac12e5Notes:
- If the image doesn’t have a formal title, provide a description in brackets.
- Do not include a period at the end of the URL.
Citing a Photo in Chicago Style
The Chicago style for citing an image is:
Last Name, First Name of Creator. "Title of Image" or Description. Digital Image. Title of Website. Date Published. URL.Example:
Franklin D. Roosevelt at his desk. Digital Image. The Washington Post. April 25, 2017. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2017/04/25/the-white-house-boo-boo-in-counting-roosevelts-executive-orders/?utm_term=.8d30c188c74c.
Notes:
- If the image lacks a formal title, provide a description without quotation marks.
Conclusion
Accurately citing photos is a fundamental aspect of academic and professional work. By following these guidelines, you can ensure you’re giving proper credit to the creators and adhering to copyright laws. Remember to always prioritize finding the original source of the image and using the appropriate citation format for your context.
