How do I know if I can republish, modify, or otherwise use a photo from the web?

If you find a photograph online and it is not accompanied by any license or copyright notice, it should be assumed to be fully protected by copyright. In such cases, the photograph may not be published, modified, or otherwise used without author’s permission.

A photograph may be used if it is made available under a license that explicitly permits such use. For example, a photo may be published under a Creative Commons license.

The Creative Commons website also provides a database of images, including photographs that are free to use under clear licensing conditions, making it easier for users to access and use copyrighted material legally.