Free image databases

Free image databases

Maybe you don’t feel like taking a photo or just don’t have the time. Nevertheless, you need a photo. Unfortunately, for copyright reasons, you can’t just take any picture from the Internet. This is where image databases come into play. All the image databases listed here have different guidelines that you need to follow. More on this will follow later in the copyright chapter.  

Here are some free image databases:  

Pixabay: Pixabay is a free image database that allows you to use the image for almost anything – even commercial purposes. But there are still a few rules you need to follow: 

A) If people are depicted, they should not be placed in the wrong context. 

B) If logos, people and other objects are depicted in this direction, sometimes you need a separate permission. For more information, go to the following homepage and read the terms of use.

Flickr: Flickr is also an image database, but here each image must be handled differently: for some you have to give the name of the artist, for some not. For more information, go to the homepage.

Pexels: Pexels is another free image database. Like Pixabay, you can use the images for practically anything. For more information on what you can and can’t do, click here.

Google Search/Images

Most people are now used to searching for the perfect photo via Google Images. There are  very good news now: you can continue to pick out images via Google Images if you change the search settings.  

Here’s how:

• Step 1: Open Google Search and click on Images. In the lower, right-hand corner, you’ll find Settings.
• Step 2: So, click on Settings and then “Advanced Search”.
• Step 3: Now type what you are looking for in the “contain all these words” box. Then go to Usage Rights and search for “free to use, share or modify – including for commercial purposes”.
• Step 4: Click on “Advanced Search” and pick out a photo you like. Done!