The websites below are your best options for finding images at the source, butyou can also use Google.
Pexels
Range of image sizes.
Discover images without something specific in mind.
Search tool could be more helpful.
Search by keyword or browse by collection.
There’s also a handy Popular Searches page to see what other people are downloading.
Unsplash
Several collections and genres to explore.
Quick download button makes getting the images easier.
Asked to credit the author after every download.
Mixes in Unsplash+ (paid) content.
If I’m not on Pexels, I’m browsing for public domain photos at Unsplash.
Plus, there are loads of ways to find something, such as through collections and trends.
I also like toview photos by topic.
Kaboompics
New photos are added daily.
Custom download size option.
Helpful and unique filtering and sorting options.
Use images for any reason, no attribution required.
Strange layout that might take time to get used to.
The color picker isn’t very useful.
Tens of thousands of additional public domain images are available through Kaboompics.
you could browse through them by color, keyword, orientation, or category.
Pixabay
Large collection of images.
you’re free to donate to the creator.
Free images, regardless of download size.
Can hide AI-generated images.
Login required for full resolution.
Complaints about poor and rude customer service.
Complaints of arbitrary rejection of images.
The photos are stunning, high-resolution images that are free to use with any project.
No attribution is necessary.
The filters let you target your searches by publish date, color, size, and orientation.
Public Domain Pictures
Finding the top public domain images is easy.
There’s an option to donate to the image creator.
Premium download fee for larger images isn’t expensive.
Must watch for special conditions that govern image use.
Larger image sizes require a payment.
Lots of ads, some which look like free images.
Can’t filter by orientation.
Public Domain Pictures has thousands of gorgeous photos and drawings.
Morguefile
Established resource, popular with creative professionals.
Some image URLs are served by ad domains, and blocked by ad blockers.
Must create a user account.
Morguefile is a high-quality source for public domain images.
The site tends to attract high-res photo submissions and has hundreds of thousands of free stock photos on file.
Remember these things while using Morguefile (according totheir license):
Wikimedia Commons
Enormous catalog.
Familiar design and navigation, similar to Wikipedia.
RSS feed options to stay updated.
Confusing, multi-channel layout.
Some photos require attribution.
If the site has a downside, it has to be its vast size.
Almost everything you see here is free to use.
Some of it comes with restrictions that are explained on the same page as the image.
The most common is that the original creator must be attributed.
NYPL Digital Collections
Astounding selection of thematically arranged content.
Focus on archives, not on generic stock photography.
Outstanding site navigation and visual appeal.
Mix of free and license-required images.
Although gorgeous, this collection might be too hyper-focused for general editorial usage.
Before downloading these public domain pictures, scroll to the bottom of the download page to see theRights Statementsection.
Flickr Commons
Historical photographs, free for general use.
Partnership with many prestigious organizations.
Long-running, started in 2008.
Usually several size options.
Access thousands of public photography images at the Commons, a joint project betweenFlickrand the Library of Congress.
Dozens of institutions around the world participate in the Commons.
Many of the photos are historical, and all are fascinating.
They’re categorized as having “no known copyright restrictions.”
Are the Images in the Wrong Format?
Use animage file converterto secure your public domain photo to a different file format.
What Are Public Domain Images?
It’s simple: they’re images that are freely available for use, for commercial and private purposes.
