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Media Usage

Media Rights
Data Rights
Citing or Linking to the NBII LIFE
FAQs about using Digital Images About

Media Rights - How can I use these images?

Most images that we accept are public domain images, unless otherwise stated. If an image is listed as "public domain," you are free to use it as you wish; no need to ask for permission. We simply ask that you please give credit to the photographer and the National Biological Information Infrastructure (Example photo credit: John Doe/life.nbii.gov).

If an image is copyrighted (i.e., if the copyright symbol © is shown with the image), please read the License field that is given with each image for any statements about how it can be used. Most non-profit uses (except fund-raising or product sales) are encouraged, but please check each image, as a few images came onboard before our nonprofit policy was finalized. If permission is needed, contact the person or organization listed under the "Responsible Party" field given with each image (located under the "More Credit Info" tab). If no information is given, or if you cannot locate the "Responsible Party" field, please email life@nbii.gov.

1. All of the thumbnail versions of copyrighted images are considered available for fair use purposes (educational, personal, etc. under the fair use section of U.S. copyright law. A suggested credit line is provided with each image. Please note that NBII LIFE thumbnails are images < 120 pixels on the longest dimension and are shown first within the browse categories or the search.
2. For all other image sizes, again, please read the Rights and License fields for each image to determine whether permission is needed for use.

Model Release - unless noted specifically with an image under the "More Credit Info" tab or in the "Description" field, no person featured in a photograph in the NBII LIFE has signed a model release statement or has in any other way agreed to have their photograph used for publicity campaigns or for commercial uses

Data Rights - How can I use the data that comes with an image?

The NBII LIFE is still determining its policy regarding the information, or metadata, that comes with an image. Data itself are not copyrightable under U.S. copyright law, but descriptions of the metadata may be copyrighted. Do not copy and then display such information verbatim unless you place the text in quotation marks and provide a citation. You may otherwise assume that data are provided at the same level of rights as the media. Please request permission from the Responsible Party (given with each image) or email us at life@nbii.gov if you have any questions about how the metadata may be used. Please provide a citation with its use.

Citing or Linking to the NBII LIFE

Whenever you use data or refer to specific groups of images from the LIFE, it is best practice to provide a citation. Since web resources change often, we highly recommend including the date that you accessed the LIFE, as follows:

NBII, USGS 2009. The NBII Library of Images From the Environment (LIFE; http://life.nbii.gov, current date). National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS, Reston VA 20912 USA.

We will soon be providing recommended citation formats for particular collections. In the meantime, we recommended using the heading for a collection given in the Web site, as follows:

NBII, USGS 2009. The Fauna of Oklahoma Special Collection, The NBII Library of Images From the Environment (LIFE; http://life.nbii.gov, current date). National Biological Information Infrastructure, USGS, Reston VA 20912 USA.

Please feel free to link to our site, <http://life.nbii.gov>. See the Help section for more information on how to set up links, especially to groups of photos, or to individual photos within our library.

Please note that the NBII LIFE Logo can only be displayed on Web sites, presentations, exhibits, and other forms of publication by organizations with which we have signed a partnership agreement.

Finally, for just mentioning our library within a document, we recommend the following format: "the NBII LIFE, http://life.nbii.gov", including the "NBII" so that "LIFE" is not confused with its many other uses!

FAQs about using Digital Images

What color mode are the images?

All the images from the NBII LIFE are saved in an RGB format. The RGB format gives users more versatility and control with the image than other formats.

How large can I print the digital images?

For the highest quality print, our images can safely be enlarged to 125% of their original size without noticeably affecting quality (i.e., a high resolution image at approximately 8.5" x 11" can enlarge to 10" x 15", a 1.25 to 1 ratio). Since it is critical to know what resolution you need for the output device or final end use of the image, we recommend you follow these guidelines:

Select "High" for the largest possible print quality for posters and exhibits
Select "Med" for presentation, brochure, PowerPoint or smaller reproduction quality
Select "Web" for internet, webpage, blog and other multimedia quality

When I enlarge an image, how do I keep it at it's best quality?

Our high resolution images have been optimized for a minimum final print size of approximately 8.5" x 11" using a screen frequency of 150 lpi (or 300 ppi - often referred to as dpi). You may, however, print the images at a larger size and still maintain adequate quality. To maintain the best image quality, the image resolution (ppi) should remain equal to twice the screen frequency (lpi). For example, 150 lpi x 2 = 300 ppi. You have three options for enlarging an image:

Use a lower screen frequency:

If you require only a 130 lpi screen frequency, you can enlarge the image to approximately 9" x 14" at 260 ppi and still maintain the 2-to-1 ratio of ppi to lpi (i.e., 130 lpi x 2 = 260 ppi). Lower screen frequencies will allow you to enlarge the images even further. Screen frequencies are dependant on your final output requirements. For example, if you are using an image for a brochure that will be professionally printed, typically a 150 lpi screen frequency is used.

Resample the image to a higher resolution

Resampling refers to changing the pixel dimensions (and therefore display size) of an image. When you resample down (or decrease the number of pixels), information is deleted from the image. When you resample up (or increase the number of pixels), new pixels are added based on color values of existing pixels. Many image-editing programs use an interpolation method to assign color values to any new pixels they create based on the color values of similar adjacent existing pixels in the image. For example, if you take a high resolution image from our library and resample the resolution from 300 ppi to 400 ppi, it increases the pixel dimensions and the file size.

Resampling can, however, cause the image to appear somewhat softer, out of focus or blurry. To compensate for this, you may want to apply a sharpening filter to the image to eliminate some of the blurring. You will need to experiment with this technique to determine if the results will be satisfactory for your needs.

Use a lower ppi-to-lpi ratio, such as 1.5 to 1

Following the guidelines above for maintaining image resolution (ppi) equal to twice the screen frequency (lpi) will ensure the highest image quality. You can go below this ratio with relatively little noticeable difference in quality. By using the ratio of 1.5 to 1, you can enlarge our high resolution images to 10.5" x 16" at 225 ppi (i.e., 150 lpi x 1.5 = 225 ppi). You should never go below a 1-to-1 ratio of ppi to lpi. Generally, a 1.25 to 1 ratio is the lowest you can go. You will need to experiment with various ratios to determine which will work best for your needs.

Disclaimers

Individual contributors set their level of usage and permissions, so look for the "Rights" statement accompanying each image. For information on how to credit contributors, see under Media Usage.

Model Release - unless noted specifically with an image under the "More Credit Info" tab or in the Description, no person featured in a photograph in the NBII LIFE has signed a model release statement or has in any other way agreed to have their photograph used for publicity campaigns or for commercial uses.

NBII Disclaimer, Attribution & Privacy Statement