New York University Research Guides - Cinema Studies

Fair Use of Images

Selected Digital Image Sites

Researchers and designers often require a broad range of historical visual images. Below are some resources that serve as good starting places, though many of them are more focused on fine arts (rather than film stills and documentation).

ArtStor
Contains thousands of high-quality images, and is particularly strong in art history.
Google Images
Searches images available via Google, of mixed size and quality.
AP Images
Locates photos from the Associated Press archive dating back to 1995.
Reel Poster Gallery
Online gallery of vintage movie posters.
World Digital Library
Includes primary materials from world cultures, including manuscripts, maps, rare books, musical scores, recordings, films, prints, photographs, architectural drawings, and more.
Oxford Art Online
Links images to related entries, covering major artists, periods, and styles.
WorldImages
Contains thousands of images on a range of global topics. This free site also includes some coverage of clothing and dress.
CAMIO: Catalog of Art Museum Images Online
Online collection documenting works of art from world museums, including photographs, paintings, architecture, costume, and more.
LIFE Photo Archive
Growing historical photo archive for LIFE magazine, hosted by Google.
Getty Images
Includes stock photography, editorial photos, and some moving images.
NYPL Digital Gallery
Thousands of digital images from the New York Public Library's collections.
VADS
Thousands of visual arts images, including fashion, design, prints, and sculpture.
Flickr Commons
A free public collection of photographs from major photography archives. Contributors include the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, and more.
American Memory
From the Library of Congress, including many photographs and other visual elements documenting American history.
Ad*Access
Images and database information for over 7,000 advertisements printed in U.S. and Canadian newspapers and magazines between 1911 and 1955.
Still Images: Finding and Using Digital Media
U.K. site with advice on finding images online, getting permissions, and other tips.
Empire Online
Includes documents segment called "The Visible Empire," which includes color plates, maps, and more.
Images from the History of Medicine
Keyword-searchable images from the National Library of Medicine. Includes portraits, pictures of institutions, caricatures, genre scenes, and graphic art in a variety of media.
CalPhotos
From UCB Biodiversity Sciences Technology Group, this site contains thousands of photos, including plants, animals, fossils, people, and world cultures.