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Finding Images: Home

Information on finding images in library databases and the open web, and finding Copyright Free and Creative Commons licensed images.

Finding images

There are many different ways you can source images online. Monash has a fantastic range of image databases, available exclusively to staff and students, to use images in an educational context without breaching copyright. 

Other organisations, galleries, museums and the open web have a huge variety of digital images too. 

It is important to consider the licensing for the images you find, to ensure you are following copyright law. Copyright Free, and/or Creative Commons licensed images allow you to reuse online images without breaching copyright. However, there may be some conditions on this reuse.  Links are listed in this curated guide to help you find great images that comply with copyright laws.

Using this guide

This guide helps you to:

  • Understand how Copyright and Creative Commons licensing applies to images
  • Apply best practice for attribution and citation
  • Perform online searches for images through the Library and Library databases
  • Perform online searches for Creative Commons images on the web

Get help

Get help from a librarian when you need support beyond what you can find in this guide. Bookings are available for students, educators, and researchers.

Get email advice from the Copyright Office.