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Find Images, Sounds, and Music

Using and Citing Resources

Using images from the internet is not as easy as copy and pasting! Just like citing your information, you need to give credit for the pictures and music that you use for your projects. Below are websites for images and sounds that you can use! Most of these are free. Free does not mean that you don't have to give credit to the artist.

Definitions

  • Royalty Free: This means you didn't have to pay for it, but you still need to give credit to the artist

  • Creative Commons: This means it's free but it depends on each individual piece of work whether you have to credit the artist or not

  • Public Domain: This is usually an older resource and you can use it however you want, without credit
The image features a person with purple hair holding a megaphone and the text %22Royalty Free%22 along with the message that even though the content is royalty-free, the artist still needs to be credited.
The image depicts a smiling cartoon character wearing headphones and dancing, with the text %22Creative Commons%22 and a message about the meaning of %22free%22 in the context of creative work.
The image depicts a cartoon character with purple hair and glasses, standing in a starry background, with the text %22Public Domain%22 above them. The text below explains that %22This is usually older music and means that you can use it however you want. Without credit!%22

Websites to Find Media Resources

  • Wikimedia: Many of the images on Wikimedia are free to use and public domain. If they are labeled "public domain" you don't have to cite the source! Creative Commons depends on the license - when in doubt cite it out!
  • Google: What? Google image searching?! WAIT! when you search, go to the bottom where it says "usage rights" and make sure you select "free to use or share". Then when you find the image you like, make sure you don't put "google" in your citation! click on the image to go to the website it's from and cite from there!
  • The Noun Project: This resources has images you can use that are great for infographics! You can use the images for free, and they download with credits already on them!
  • MorgueFile: Do not use Dreamstime, iStock, etc, only files from MorgueFile! These are free images to download that you can use for projects and presentations without having to cite your source.
  • Pexels: A great search engine for free photos!
  • Pixabay: Do not use Shutterstock, only images from Pixabay! These are free images to download that you can use for projects and presentations without having to cite your source.
  • Creative Commons: does the work for you and gives you search results that you can use without credit!
  • Unsplash
  • The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Free Music Archive: This is music you can use but you need to check the license to make sure you need to credit the artist or not
  • Purple Planet Music
  • Bensound
  • YouTube
  • Soundcloud 
  • Freeplay Music
  • Amazon Music
  • ccMixter