Embedded Files
If you're like me, you've probably seen images on pinterest that you would like to reuse, but the image is presented without provenance. You don't know where it's from or how to get the rights to use it. Perhaps you suspect it's in the public domain. Today I'm going to show you how you can (sometimes) find out more information about an image and where you can download it with a reusable license.
The first step is to see if the same image is presented elsewhere on Pinterest with more information. To do this, click on the pin. Then, go to the bottom right corner. There should be a magnifying glass icon and the word "Explore."
This function performs a sort of image search. Scroll down to see if there are any other pins with the same image. Depending on the image, you may find a pin for Internet Archive or a pin that gives more information on the image.
If the first method comes up short, you can do a google image search. To do this, download the image. In the panel beside the pin, click the three dots (more options). You should see a menu, and "download image" should be an option. Important: We are not downloading the image to reuse it yet. We are going to do a google image search.
Now, open a new tab and click on the rectangle thing in the search bar. Upload the image you downloaded. Look at the search results. Depending on the image, you may find a Wikimedia link. You may also simply find the name of the painting and/or the author.
This is what I get for the example image. Note the Wikimedia links. I now also have a location that I can also use to help me find this particular image and ones like it.
If, at this point, you have not found a link to a sight where you can download the image with a license, you have probably found out the name and/or author of the image. I would now recommend going to Wikimedia Commons. You can use the information you have to perform a search. If all you have is a source, such as a book or periodical, you can search Internet Archive. Even if you do not find the image you were looking for, you may find a related image. As always, make sure you are allowed to use the image. Happy searching!
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