How Do You Cite an Image?

Including images or photos in your papers or presentations can add visual appeal and provide additional information that isn’t possible through words alone. However, as with written sources, images require proper citations in order to avoid copyright violations. If you’re not sure how to properly cite an image, this article will explain the basics of citing an image in MLA, APA, and Chicago style.

For example, if you are writing a paper or creating a presentation about Franklin D. Roosevelt, you may want to include a photograph of the former president sitting at his desk in the Oval Office. While it is permissible to use photographs of public figures for educational purposes, it is important to note that the images you are using are subject to copyright protection and must be cited in accordance with the terms set by the copyright owner. In this case, the image would be cited as: “Photograph by John Hickney.”

In many cases, determining the proper way to cite an image can be difficult. While you should always make a good-faith effort to find all of the necessary information, some details may not be available, especially when dealing with online images. Generally speaking, if you are able to locate the following information, your image citation should be complete:

Name of creator: (last name, first initial) Image title or description: Date of creation or date of access: (month-day-year) Source: (name of website and URL)

In addition, some online images may be found through library licensed databases. These types of images can be cited in much the same way as online images in general; however, you should check the individual database’s terms of use or copyright/permissions section for any specific citation requirements. If no citation requirements are specified, the general rule of “creator, image title, source” applies.

While most images that are used in academic writing will be found online, there are a few different scenarios that can arise depending on where you’re getting your images. For instance, some museums or art galleries may require that you cite an image in a very particular way. Additionally, many publication style guides have their own guidelines for citing images that are found in databases.

In these cases, it is important to follow the guidelines of your particular style guide for citing images. Regardless of the specifics of your style guide, there are some basic rules that should be followed when citing an image in your writing. These guidelines are as follows: