How to Search for Free Images for Your Blog

Getting images for your blog is not as easy as using Google image search and adding an image credit. Even if you credited the owner of the photo, it doesn’t mean that you were given the rights to share the photo and create derivative works (editing the photo in any way, including resizing the photo). The safer way to obtain photos is to use images with creative commons licenses. Below are some of the sites that you can use to search for free images:

1. Sxc.hu 

• You can use images that say “Standard restrictions apply”

• Check if the photographer needs to be notified, and if so, send him or her a message

• Add an image credit. Include the photographer’s name or username, then add the link back to the original image

• This site has a lot of pictures of random objects

2. Flickr Creative Commons 

• Check license if you’re allowed to share and create derivative works

• To make searching easier, use the advanced search.

• Hit search, then you’ll find the advanced search option beside the search box

• Add your keyword/s

• Add a date to the box beside “Search by date. Photos taken after.” Do this to avoid sorting through all the black and white pictures

• Beside “Creative Commons” check “Only search within Creative Commons-licensed content” and “Find content to modify, adapt, or build upon”

• Add an image credit. Include the photographer’s name or username, then add the link back to the original image

• This site has a lot of pictures of people in different situations

3. Wikimedia Creative Commons 

• Check license if you’re allowed to share and create derivative works

• Check license if you’re allowed to use the image in your country

• Add an image credit. Include the photographer’s name or username, then add the link back to the original image

• This site has a lot of pictures of celebrities

4. MorgueFile 

• Check license if you’re allowed to share and create derivative works

• Check photographer’s page for other instructions that you need to follow before you are allowed to use the photo

• Add an image credit. Include the photographer’s name or username, then add the link back to the original image

• This site has a lot of pictures of random objects

5. Screencapping from movies and tv shows, using posters, album covers, and book covers

• Add image credit. Include the title of the movie, tv show, poster, album, book, and add “courtesy of [name of distributor]”

• Use these photos to illustrate scenarios

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• Blogging Tip: Add an In-Case-You-Missed-It GIF Sidebar Picture
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• Migrating Photos to Imgur
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