What information goes in a proper image credit?

A widely used format is TASL: Title, Author, Source, and License. In practice that means the work's name if it has one, the creator's name, where you found it, and the license it is under. Adjust to fit the medium, but include enough that a reader could trace the original.

Do I need to credit public-domain images?

Legally, usually not, because public-domain works are not under copyright. Crediting is still good etiquette and helps readers find the source. For images under a Creative Commons license, follow the license; public domain is the exception, not the rule.

Does crediting an image let me skip permission?

No. Attribution and permission are different. Crediting a creator does not grant you the right to use their work. You still need a license or another legal basis; the credit satisfies a condition, it does not replace consent.

How do I credit an image on social media where space is tight?

Include at least the creator's handle or name and, where possible, a link or source. If the license requires specific elements, fit what you can and link to the full credit. A tag is better than nothing, but it does not override a license's exact requirements.

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How to Credit Images Properly (and When You Must)

When attribution is required, when it is just courtesy, and the simple TASL format that covers most cases. A practical guide to crediting photos, illustrations, and Creative Commons work.

WMR Team

3 min read · June 30, 2026

How to Credit Images Properly (and When You Must)

Quick answer: Credit an image whenever a license requires it (Creative Commons BY licenses always do) or a contract or platform rule says so; for many stock licenses it is optional but good practice. The simple format that covers most cases is TASL: Title, Author, Source, License. Attribution is not a substitute for permission. This is general information, not legal advice.

Crediting images well is part etiquette, part legal requirement, and the two get confused. This guide separates them and gives you a format you can reuse anywhere.

When attribution is required vs. courtesy

Sometimes a credit is mandatory, sometimes it is simply polite. Knowing which is which saves you from both legal risk and wasted effort.

Required: Creative Commons licenses with the BY element, many editorial and rights-managed licenses, and anything a contract or platform terms specifically demand.
Courtesy: Public-domain works, and many royalty-free stock licenses where credit is welcome but optional.

When the license is unclear, the safe move is to credit anyway. It costs nothing and protects you.

The TASL format

A reliable, widely used pattern for attribution is TASL:

Title. The name of the work, if it has one.
Author. The creator's name or username.
Source. Where you found it, ideally the original page.
License. The license it is shared under.

A full credit might read: "Sunrise over the bay" by Jane Doe, from her portfolio, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trim it to fit the medium, but keep enough that a reader could trace the original.

Attribution is not permission

This is the trap. Crediting a creator does not grant you the right to use their work. The two are separate:

Permission is a license or other legal basis to use the image at all.
Attribution is a condition some licenses attach to that use.

You can credit someone perfectly and still be infringing if you never had permission in the first place. For the ownership side of this, see image copyright basics.

Crediting by context

Where it appears	How to credit
Blog or article	Full TASL near the image or in a captions/credits section, with a link to the source.
Social media	At least the creator's handle and a source link; fit license requirements as space allows.
Video	On-screen credit or an end-card list, plus the source in the description.
Print	A credit line near the image or in a dedicated credits page.

Watermarks are not a credit you can strip

A creator's watermark often serves as their credit and ownership claim. Removing it and adding your own caption does not satisfy a license, and stripping it to obscure the source can run into the DMCA, covered in what is the DMCA. If a license needs attribution, give it as text, and leave the owner's mark alone unless you have permission to edit.

Stay within the rules

Confirm whether your image needs attribution, then credit with TASL and keep a link to the source. Remember that the credit is a condition, not a license. When you only need to clean up your own work, that is a different task entirely.

A note on legal advice

This is general guidance on attribution etiquette and common license conditions, not legal advice. License requirements vary, so read the specific terms, and consult a qualified lawyer for anything with real stakes.

legalcopyrightattributionguide

Frequently asked questions

When do I have to credit an image?: Attribution is required when a license demands it, most notably Creative Commons BY licenses, or when a contract or platform rule says so. For many stock licenses, credit is optional. When in doubt, read the license terms, and credit anyway as good practice.
What information goes in a proper image credit?: A widely used format is TASL: Title, Author, Source, and License. In practice that means the work's name if it has one, the creator's name, where you found it, and the license it is under. Adjust to fit the medium, but include enough that a reader could trace the original.
Do I need to credit public-domain images?: Legally, usually not, because public-domain works are not under copyright. Crediting is still good etiquette and helps readers find the source. For images under a Creative Commons license, follow the license; public domain is the exception, not the rule.
Does crediting an image let me skip permission?: No. Attribution and permission are different. Crediting a creator does not grant you the right to use their work. You still need a license or another legal basis; the credit satisfies a condition, it does not replace consent.
How do I credit an image on social media where space is tight?: Include at least the creator's handle or name and, where possible, a link or source. If the license requires specific elements, fit what you can and link to the full credit. A tag is better than nothing, but it does not override a license's exact requirements.

Related guides

Are AI-Generated Images Copyrighted? What the Rules Say
Purely AI-generated images often cannot be copyrighted, but human-authored elements can be, and the rules differ by country. A plain-English look at authorship, ownership, and AI tool watermarks.
Can I Remove a Watermark from an Image I Purchased?
If you licensed a stock image, you usually get a clean version on download, so there is nothing to remove. Here is what your purchase actually grants, and when removing a mark crosses a line.
Image Copyright Basics Every Creator Should Know
Who owns an image, what a license actually grants, how public domain and Creative Commons work, and where watermarks fit. A plain-English primer for creators, not legal advice.

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