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How to Cite Your Sources

When using images in presentations, hand-outs, public-facing scholarship, and various semi-informal publishing settings, it is important to give credit to the creator(s) of images. While the standard citation styles give guidance on how to cite images in notes and bibliographies, more is left up to the author when it comes to how to caption an image. This page provides some conventional expectations when it comes to image captions. Use this advice in combination with citation guidance provided by the style manuals.
 
For standard image citation advice, see the “images” sections on the respective MLA and Chicago tabs of this guide.

Elements of an Image Caption

The purposes of an image caption are to:

 

  • Give credit to the creator
  • Provide basic identification or description of the image
  • Clarify the permissions or rights under which you are using the image

 

Due dilligence

Before you decide to use the image, make sure you have done the following:

 

  • Know who the creator is. Because other people have not captioned their images well does not give you license to do so as well. Dig to find who created the image.
  • Dig to find the original. It is easy to discover images on social media, but usually those images were originally posted elsewhere. Do not settle for the most convenient location. Look for the most stable and authoritative original version. See the resources on this page for help.
  • Determine whether you have the right to redistribute the image in this way. Remember that fair use does not extend to redistribution outside the classroom. If the image is copyrighted, ask for permission. If the image is license free, make sure. If the image is yours, say so. If the image is CC-licensed, you have less to worry about. 

 

Provide the following elements in this order:

  • The phrase "Image source" or "Source"
  • Author/Creator
  • Title
  • Date
  • URL where accessed
  • Provide a brief statement about the rights or permissions under which you are using the image. Some examples might be:
    • "Used with permission" - in the case of a copyrighted image where you have contacted the creator
    • CC BY-SA - when an image has a Creative Commons license 
    • "license-free image" - when you have determined the image is not under copyright or licensed
    • "original photo" or "author photo" - when you are the creator of the image

An Example

Image source: Mark Fletcher, "hedgehog," 2009. Accessed via https://www.flickr.com/photos/fletchthemonkey/3807893972/ CC BY-NC 2.0.

Remember

The practice of image caption formatting changes depending on context. Different kinds of publications require more and less documentation. Different disciplines also vary. The elements listed above are suggestions based on the most common elements necessary to describe an image, make it possible to find again, and clarify why you get to share it. Take additional cues from good examples in the context where you are publishing. Finally, be responsible. Someone put work into the production of this image and they deserve credit. 

Find the Original Image

Check the source's "Terms of Use," Image Credits," or "Image Permissions" section to make sure you know whether the image is under license or copyright or other terms of use.

Resources for Learning More about Image Captions

Citing Creative Commons Media

Example:

8256206923 c77e85319e n.jpg

"Creative Commons 10th Birthday Celebration San Francisco" by Timothy Vollmer is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Questions? Contact reference@carleton.edu

Creative Commons License
Gould Library Research Guides are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License unless otherwise noted.

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