What is a "born digital" image?

We call an image "born digital" if:

• It was created (e.g. digital camera, computer screen capture program, desktop scanner) in digital form for the Web
• Or you do not know where the image itself (not the place or object in it) is physically stored

How do I evaluate an image creator?

A creator's expertise should relate to your subject:

• Credentials
• Expertise
• A body of work, exhibitions or publications

How do I evaluate a "born digital" photograph?

• What do I see (observations)?
• What might it mean (inferences)?
• How does it make me feel?
• Why might this photo have been taken?
• What is out of the picture? What might be missing?
• What other questions might I ask?

Has my photograph been altered?

• For dramatic or aesthetic impact
• To correct imperfections (e.g., red eye)
• To deceive the viewer

One test for an edited image is to use an image search engine to compare your image with others.

How do I cite a born digital image on the open Web?

• Permanent URL
• Name of website
• Title of image (if untitled, provide a description)
• Photographer or artist
• Date of e-publication or copyright
• Publisher of website
• Identifier / image ID, if given

How do I cite a born digital image in a subscription database?

Gather elements from the vendor's record:

• Permanent URL
• Name of publisher / vendor
• Database name
• Title of image
• Date of copyright or e-publication
• Date of access
• Identifier / image ID
• Photographer or artist, if given

How do I cite an image that I found using a search engine?

A search engine's result points to a source on the Web.

Cite the source, not the search engine result.

• Click the URL link (Bing) or "Website for this image" (Google)
• Cite the Web page on which the image is found