Creating a Works Cited page in MLA format can seem daunting, especially when you need to cite visual sources like photographs. Correctly citing photos is crucial for academic integrity and giving credit where it’s due. This guide will break down the process of citing photos in MLA format, ensuring your research papers are both credible and properly formatted.
Understanding MLA Photo Citation
When citing a photograph in MLA style, whether it’s found online, in a book, or in a museum, the core principles of MLA citation remain the same. You need to provide enough information for your reader to locate the source themselves. The key elements you’ll typically include are the creator, title of the image, date of creation, and where you accessed the image.
Core Elements for a Works Cited Entry for a Photo
Regardless of where you find the photograph, your Works Cited entry should include these core elements when available:
- Creator: Start with the photographer’s name, last name first, followed by a comma and then the first name. If the photographer is unknown, begin with the organization or institution that should be credited. If no creator is available, start with the title of the photograph.
- Title of the Photograph: Provide the title of the photograph in quotation marks. If the photograph is untitled, provide a description of the image (e.g., Photograph of migrant workers) without quotation marks.
- Date of Creation: Include the date the photograph was taken, if available. Use the format Day Month Year, abbreviating months (Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, June, July, Aug., Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec.). If only the year is available, use just the year. If no date is available, omit this element.
- Location/Repository: Specify where the photograph is located. This could be the name of a website, book, museum, or collection. For websites, italicize the website name. For books, provide the book title (italicized). For museums or collections, provide the name of the institution.
- Date of Access (for Online Images): If you accessed the photograph online, include the date you accessed it in the format “Accessed day Month Year.”
Formatting Your Works Cited Entry
Remember these general MLA formatting rules when creating your Works Cited entry for a photograph:
- Your Works Cited list starts on a new page after the text of your paper.
- Alphabetize your entries by the first word of the citation (usually the author’s last name).
- Double-space the entire Works Cited page.
- Use a hanging indent for each entry.
Citing a Photo Found Online
When citing a photograph found online, your citation will need to include URL and access date.
Example:
Adams, Ansel. Monolith, the Face of Half Dome, Yosemite National Park. 1927. Ansel Adams Archive, www.anseladams.com/monolith-the-face-of-half-dome-yosemite/. Accessed 14 Aug. 2023.
Breakdown:
- Creator: Adams, Ansel
- Title of Photo: Monolith, the Face of Half Dome, Yosemite National Park
- Date of Creation: 1927
- Location/Repository: Ansel Adams Archive (Website Name)
- URL: www.anseladams.com/monolith-the-face-of-half-dome-yosemite/
- Date of Access: Accessed 14 Aug. 2023
Important Notes for Online Sources:
- Include the URL, removing “https://” but not hyperlinking it.
- Always include the date you accessed the online photograph.
Citing a Photo from a Book
If you are citing a photograph that you found in a book, your citation will resemble a book citation, but with the focus on the photograph.
Example:
Lange, Dorothea. Migrant Mother. 1936. American Photographs, by Lincoln Kirstein, Museum of Modern Art, 1938, p. 142.
Breakdown:
- Creator: Lange, Dorothea
- Title of Photo: Migrant Mother
- Date of Creation: 1936
- Location/Repository: American Photographs (Book Title), Museum of Modern Art (Publisher if relevant), Date of Publication: 1938, p. 142 (Page number where photo is found).
Key points for citing photos from books:
- Italicize the title of the book.
- Include page number(s) where the photo is located, preceded by “p.” for a single page or “pp.” for a page range.
In-Text Citations for Photos
For in-text citations, you will typically use the creator’s last name and the page number if available (e.g., from a book). If there is no author, use a shortened title of the work. If there are no page numbers (like from a website), use just the author’s name or shortened title.
Examples:
- (Adams) – For a photo by Ansel Adams from a website without page numbers.
- (Lange 142) – For a photo by Dorothea Lange found on page 142 of a book.
General In-text Citation Rules:
- Place the citation at the end of the sentence containing the information from the source.
- The sentence’s final punctuation goes after the parenthesis.
- If no author is given, use the first main element from your Works Cited entry (e.g., the title).
Conclusion
Citing photographs in MLA format correctly is essential for academic honesty and strengthens the credibility of your work. By understanding the core elements and following these guidelines, you can confidently cite photos from various sources. Always remember to prioritize clarity and provide your readers with the necessary information to find your sources.
