Images are often used in creative assignments. This guide provides tips for finding, editing and creating your own images, as well as some free resources for images to use.
Finding images
Identify your need
Before searching for images, consider the following:
- Purpose - How will you be using the image?
- Audience - Who is your intended audience?
- Print or digital - What format are you using?
- Accessibility - Will people with accessibility needs be able to view your image or otherwise understand the purpose of the image?
Internet Images
If you use images found on the Internet, you will need to add the source to your reference list. Check the APA Style: Clip Art or Stock Image References for tips on citing images.
You can legally use photos by:
- looking for photos that are licensed under Creative Commons. (in the public domain)
- asking permission from the owner.
- taking your own photos.
- creating your own images.
Free Image Sites
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An extensive library of more than 600 million stock photos, images, and audio, available for free use.
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All images are copyright free. Search images by name and filter by orientation (landscape or portrait) and image type (photo, clipart, or vector).
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Free stock photos, royalty free images & videos shared by creators.
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A library of 1 million stock photographs. Some are free and other require an upgrade to a paid service.
What is Creative Commons License?
There are many sites that share stock images that have been licensed under Creative Commons licenses, which indicate how the images can be reused in plain terms. Search for CC-licensed images through these sites. When you use an image you are responsible for learning the exact restrictions and permissions of that specific image.
Using images
Understanding the different types of files and quality options will help you decide which images are right for your project.
File types
There are a number of File types for images, below are some common types of images you will come across:
- JPG/JPEG - Images are smaller in file size at the cost of lower image quality. Great if there is a file size restriction on file upload or uploading images in large quantities.
- PNG - Uses lossless compression, while slightly larger in file size, images of format tend to keep the quality of the original image
- GIF - Common format for web use, support simple animations.
- SVG - Infinitely scalable vector-based graphics, require specific software such as Adobe Illustrator to open and manipulate.
- HEIF/HEIC - High efficiency image format used by newer Apple devices. Typically can only be opened by other apple devices and software.
Image quality
The image quality is determined by a number of factors, including:
- Quality - type of equipment or software, and skills of the image creator (photographer, artist, etc).
- Resolution - the higher the resolution, the clearer and sharper the image will be. However, the file size of the image would also increase by a substantial amount.
- File format - images are treated differently with different levels of compression. See above for some common format details.
- Image compression - is a type of data compression applied to digital images, to reduce the size for storage or easy of loading
- File size - some formats minimize files size while keeping image quality.
Images from iPhone (iOS 11 or higher)
Beginning with iOS 11, Apple changed the default photo file format for the iPhone and iPad. The new format new Apple devices use is the High-Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) or High-Efficiency Image Format (HEIF) which would normally be readable only by other newer Apple devices. Below are some things you can do to make photos taken from newer devices usable on other devices.
Set Photo Preference in your Device:
You can choose to change the preference of the photos you take before you take the photos. This way it will take any further photos as JPEG format instead of the HEIC/HEIF format. Keep in mind that this will not change any existing photos on your device.
- Open Settings on your device
- Select Camera > Formats
- Choose the Most Compatible option
Alternatively, you can set the device to automatically convert images into JPEG format when they are copied/moved to a PC or a Mac. To do this follow the steps below:
- Open Settings on your device
- Select Photos
- In the Transfer to Mac or PC section, select Automatic
Use a 3rd party software to convert HEIC/HEIF image to a different format
You can use a 3rd party software or app on your computer or phone to convert images from your device into a different format if JPEG is not the format you want to use for your work.
Photo editing software
Below are free software that you can use to edit your images:
- Photoshop Express (Android/iOS)
- Canva (Browser)
- Adobe Express (Android/iOS)
- GIMP (Windows/Mac)
- Photoscape (Windows/Mac)
Compressing your images
Compressing images will reduce their file size so it becomes easier to share the image with others. Keep in mind that most of the time compressing images will result in a lower quality image depending on how much you compress it though most of the time the reduction of quality is neglectable.
Below are some software with the ability to compress images:
- Photo Compress 2.0 (Android)
- Snapseed (Android)
- Microsoft Photos (Windows)
- Adobe Express (iOS)
Creating your own images
Below are free software that you can use to create your own graphics. Most of the software are browser-based so make sure your internet browser is up-to-date.
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A free online graphic design tool that can create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos, and others.
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Web-based toll to create professional posters, infographics, presentations and more.
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Corel Vector (formerly Gravit) is a web-based graphic design app for enthusiasts and aspiring designers.
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A professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows desktop computers.