Using images and other media
Copyright is an exclusive right given to owners of creative content such as books, artworks, and films. When reusing films and images you will need to consider the rights of the owner.
Generally speaking, this involves being fair in your use: using extracts rather than copying whole works, and attributing the creator. However, it is also possible to find film that is available under an open reuse licence, or where the copyright has expired or been waived.
Follow the flowchart below for further information and guidance. This flowchart has been created with AV material in mind, but the principles apply broadly to other categories of copyright work.
Images are, for many, an indispensable teaching aid. They conceptualise and condense information, convey meaning, and make presentations and materials more visually appealing.
It is important to consider use of copyright images in context because this context will largely determine whether the use is lawful. As an overarching set of principles, use the four step process illustrated in the PDF below:
The Library subscribes to databases which provide images under licensing terms. You are responsible for checking your use against these. We also provide a comprehensive and regularly updated list of sources for reusable images in the section below.
Where to find reusable images
This section has been created to help you discover reusable images. The best place to start is with the Openverse – Creative Commons CC Search. This is a federated search engine combining Flickr, Wikimedia Commons, and more.
You can limit your search to include particular licence terms and it is particularly useful as it gives the exact text to be used for attribution.
You can find more information from our tutorial on discovering and using images, graphs, charts, and figures.
Some other sites where you will find images which are in the public domain or have a Creative Commons licence are listed below. However, do remember to check the terms of use as these will vary.
Pixabay
Pixabay is a community of creatives, sharing copyright free images, videos and music. All contents are released under the Pixabay License, which makes them safe to use without asking for permission, even for commercial purposes.
Attribution not required, but appreciated.
Pexels
Pexels offers free stock photos you can use anywhere including for commercial purposes. Attribution recommended. All contents are released under the Pexels License. Attribution not required, but appreciated.
Cupcake
All photos on Cupcake are licensed under the Creative Commons licence CC0, which means that you are free to use the images without any costs.
You can copy, modify, distribute and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking for permission. Attribution not required, but appreciated.
Unsplash
All photos published on Unsplash can be used for free. You can use them for commercial and noncommercial purposes. You do not need to ask permission from or provide credit to the photographer or Unsplash, although it is appreciated when possible.
All contents are released under the Unsplash License. Attribution not required, but appreciated.
Wellcome Collection Images
Wellcome Collection Images includes thousands of Creative Commons licensed images from historical library materials and museum objects to contemporary digital photographs.
University of Sheffield Digital Special Collections
You may use these images for private study without seeking permission. You may also use it for strictly educational purposes such as PowerPoint presentations or student handouts.
Use this statement for acknowledgement: “Reproduced with permission of the University of Sheffield”.
University of Sheffield National Fairground and Circus Archive
You may use these images for private study without seeking permission. You may also use them for strictly educational purposes such as PowerPoint presentations or student handouts.
Use this statement for acknowledgement: “Reproduced with permission of the University of Sheffield”.
National Fairground and Circus Archive