2. Can I use this photo in a print report?

3. Can this photo be downloaded and used in a calendar I want to sell?

4. Can this photo be used in a brochure I'm creating for a friend?

Answers

1. One of the first things to look at on photos is the credit that is usually located in the bottom right hand corner of the photo. The person or entity noted there took the picture and controls the usage of the photo. You cannot assume that the picture is free to download until you contact them. Most news photos can only be used within a report on the event and are not free to use for other purposes unless you receive permission. In this case, the photo is from the Scripps Howard Spelling Bee so you would have to contact them to ask permission.

2. Most photos on the Internet are posted in low resolution to make them faster to download. High resolution photos are needed if they are to be printed. So you have two considerations for photos on the Internet that you want to download for print: 1) the resolution and 2) copyright restrictions.

3. In almost all cases in which you want to download a photo for use in a product from which you will earn money, you will not be permitted to do so.

4. Even though you will not be making money through this use, its use is commercial and not educational so you would certainly have to ask permission first which more than likely would be denied.

Reference Guide to Media Literacy