This document discusses finding and using images licensed under Creative Commons (CC). It provides resources for searching CC image databases and outlines the proper attribution required when using CC images. Attribution must include the title, author, image source, license type, and any modifications. Examples of correct CC attribution are also presented. The presentation was given by Erik T. Anderson at the 2015 ACE Conference to explain how to access "good free stuff" like CC images for web content without a budget.

1. Good Free Stuff!
Using Photos
Licensed under
Creative Commons
Erik T. Anderson
University of Idaho
2015 ACE Conference
June 9, 2015
Free Durt by Robb Sutton CC BY‐NC

2. I Needed for Images for Web Content
...but I had:
• no access to a
photographer
• no stock photo
library
• no budget

3. Creative Commons by Imran Abdul Jabar CC BY‐SA

4. Creative Commons (CC) Images
• 340+ million CC
images available on
Flickr
Piggy savings bank
by Alan Cleaver CC BY
PayDay by Mark Strozier CC BY

5. How to Find CC Images
Search tools available:
• Flickr Creative Commons site
– www.Flickr.com/creativecommons
• Creative Commons
– search.creativecommons.org
• Compfight
– www.compfight.com
• Foter
– www.foter.com
• PhotoPin
– www.photopin.com

6. How to Find CC Images
Other search options:
• Google Images search
– Look under “Search tools >> Usage rights”
• Bing & Yahoo Images search
– Look under “License”

8. Keywords: “Idaho” + “agriculture”

10. Attribution
• Attribution is required for all Creative
Commons works
• Attribution is relatively easy to do
• Many users of CC materials use incorrect
attribution (or none at all)

11. How to Attribute CC Images
• Title
– If untitled, use “This work by...”
• Author
– Name or username of author/creator
• Source
– Provide the URL for the source image or link
title back to the original source
• License
– Identify the CC license type and link to the
license text

12. Source: Creative Commons ‐ The Ultimate Guide by foter.com (infographic)

13. Attribution Examples
Source: My Experience Grand Rapids Blog

14. Attribution Examples
Source: Allison Kilkenny’s Blog, The Nation

15. Attribution Examples
Source: Wonkblog, The Washington Post

16. Attribution Examples
Source: University of Richmond

17. Attribution Examples
Source: Blurtblog.net

18. No Free Lunches
Brown Bag (with staple) by Jeffrey Beall
CC BY‐SA with modifications

19. Thank You by Nate Grigg CC BY

20. Good Free Stuff! Using Photos Licensed Under Creative Commons
Presented by: Erik T. Anderson
University of Idaho
eanderso@uidaho.edu
2015 ACE Conference
June 9, 2015
Resources
Creative Commons web site: https://creativecommons.org/
This site is the main hub for the Creative Commons nonprofit organization. It describes the Creative
Commons (CC) concept and explains why CC licenses offer creators and the public an important
alternative to copyright licensing. The site also describes the six CC license types.
Creative Commons Search Tools
Flickr’s Creative Commons site: https://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/
Creative Commons search site: http://search.creativecommons.org/
Compfight search tool: http://compfight.com/
Foter search tool: http://foter.com/
PhotoPin search tool: http://photopin.com/
Google Images search – look under “Search tools >> Usage rights”
Bing and Yahoo Images search – look under “License
Creative Commons Attribution
You may use CC‐licensed material as long as you follow the license conditions. The attribution
requirement applies to all CC licenses. A CC attribution consists of four elements: title, author, source,
and license.
1. Title of the work. If a title is not provided, you can exclude or use one of the following: “This
work by…” or “Untitled by…”
2. Author(s). Provide the name of the creator(s) of the work. A username (e.g., from a Flickr
account) is acceptable.
3. Source. Provide a link back to the original source where the work is hosted (e.g., Flickr page). If
using an image in printed form then provide the source URL.
4. License. Identify the CC license type and provide a link to the license deed.
Modifications to an original work are allowed under selected CC licenses. You should indicate
modifications in your attribution.
Several examples of CC license attribution can be found here:
https://wiki.creativecommons.org/Best_practices_for_attribution