Skip to Main Content

Using Images

Using MLA format to document sources of photographs

Information You Will Need to Create Citations

To cite images, you will need at least some of this information (depending on what image you are citing, where it is held, the citation style you are using, etc.)

  • Name of the photographer
  • Title of work (if there is one)
  • Date created
  • Institution where it is held (if applicable)
  • City of institution (if applicable)
  • Database you used to access
  • Date accessed

Citing and Attributing Images in Presentations, etc.

Attribution statements A photo of someone holding a sign that says "Give Thanks".give credit to the original creator(s) whenever you reuse or re-purpose their content. If someone reused your creative works would you want them to give you attribution?

 

 

 

Photo by Simon Maage on Unsplash

What's the standard we use to give attribution?

As recommended by Creative Commons, this is an ideal attribution:

Cupcakes on a glass platter on a green table

“Creative Commons 10th Birthday Celebration San Francisco” by tvol is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Because:

  1. What is the title? “Creative Commons 10th Birthday Celebration San Francisco”
  2. Who is the creator/author? “tvol” – linked to their profile page
  3. What's the source? “Creative Commons 10th Birthday Celebration San Francisco” – linked to original Flickr page
  4. What license is used?? “CC BY 2.0” – linked to license deed

Citations vs. Attribution

What's the difference? 

 

Citation

Attribution
Purpose 

Academic and legal purposes (plagiarism and copyright infringement).

Legal purposes (e.g., rules of Creative Commons licenses).
Rights 

The rights of the copy (meaning copyright) are NOT shared with the general public by the copyright holder.

Copyright IS shared with the general public by the copyright holder by marking the work with an open-copyright license.
Permission 

Protects an author who wants to refer to a restricted work by another author.

Author of an open work has given advanced permissions to use their work.
Usage 

Used to quote or paraphrase a limited portion of a restricted work.

Used to quote (or paraphrase) all or a portion of an openly licensed work.
 Remix / Adapt 

Can paraphrase, but cannot change work without permission.

Author has give advanced permission to change work.
Style 

Many citation styles are available: APA, Chicago, MLA.

Attribution statement styles are still emerging, but there are some defined best practices.
Giving Credit 

A reference list of cited resources are typically placed at the end of the book.

Attribution statements are found on the same page as the resource.

Learn more:

Related guides from UC Merced Library