Copyright-Free and Public Domain Images
Recommended Sources for Copyright-Free and Public Domain Images[edit | edit source]
Public Domain Resources[edit | edit source]
- Library of Congress:
- A treasure trove of historical photographs, many of which are in the public domain.
- Perfect for historical images like daguerreotypes or early Kodak ads for the introduction chapter.
- The Met Collection:
- Offers over 400,000 high-resolution public domain images from its collection.
- Search for “camera obscura,” “early photography,” or “George Eastman” for historical visuals.
- Europeana:
- A digital library of European cultural heritage, with many public domain photographs and artworks.
- Wikimedia Commons:
- A large repository of public domain and freely licensed media.
- Ideal for finding educational diagrams, historical photography, and modern examples.
Copyright-Free Image Platforms[edit | edit source]
- Unsplash:
- High-quality, royalty-free images contributed by photographers.
- Great for modern photography topics like “visual language” or smartphone photography.
- Pexels:
- Free images and videos for any use, including commercial purposes.
- Ideal for creative examples of light, composition, and depth of field.
- Pixabay:
- Free images, illustrations, and videos.
- Good for abstract visuals or conceptual themes like “visual storytelling.”
- Rawpixel:
- Public domain and free resources, including vintage and modern photography.
Specialized Photography Collections[edit | edit source]
- NASA’s Image Library:
- High-quality public domain images of Earth, space, and scientific phenomena.
- Perfect for exploring light and advanced topics like astrophotography.
- New York Public Library Digital Collections:
- Includes public domain historical photographs and artworks.
- The Getty Open Content Program:
- A collection of free-to-use art and photographs for educational purposes.