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Finding and downloading images to use on the website

Where you can find appropriate images to add value to a web page, and how to make sure you have permission to use an image.

Before you look for an image for a web page:

You can source images from various places, depending on what you need the image to show.

Where possible, you should use University images on web pages to give an accurate view of life and work at Bath.

University images

For images of University subjects and activities, you can:

  • search the Fotoweb image library
  • commission the University’s in-house photographer to do a photoshoot

Fotoweb image library

You can find thousands of photos of various University subjects in our Fotoweb image library.

You can search for key words to find specific images or browse photos arranged by folders, including:

  • Campus Views and Aerial Shots
  • City of Bath and Local Area
  • Students
  • Research
  • Learning and Teaching

Where you can use an image from Fotoweb

You can use images from Fotoweb to promote the University on the website. You can also use Fotoweb images to promote the University on any of our other channels, including:

Contact photo@bath.ac.uk if you want to use a Fotoweb image to promote:

  • the University outside University channels
  • something other than the University or our associated businesses

Downloading images from Fotoweb

You need to log in to download an image from Fotoweb for the website.

If you don’t have access to Fotoweb, email photo@bath.ac.uk

When you’ve logged in:

  1. Click on the image you want to use on the website.
  2. Click ‘Download’.
  3. If the image doesn’t download automatically, click ‘Download’ again in the dialog box.

Commissioning new University photos

If you can’t find the right image on Fotoweb, you can commission the University Photographer to take new photos.

Before taking photos of specific people, you must get permission from them using a University consent form.

If you’re planning to photograph a location or event, you need to display a location notice warning form so anyone there can see it.

Find the appropriate consent and location forms for your photoshoot.

Before starting a photo shoot, you must get permission from the people being photographed using a University consent form.

Non-University images

If your content needs an image but you can’t use a University one, you can:

  • search stock photography websites
  • search Creative Commons websites

Stock images are usually for commercial use under paid or restricted licences. Creative Commons images are free to use but often specify how they can be used and need to be attributed.

If your web page is about a particular person or group, you can ask them for an image, but make sure it’s:

Wherever you get your images, you must make sure you have the right permission to use an image before putting it on the website. If you choose a stock or Creative Commons image that has been generated by AI, you can use the caption box to acknowledge the use of AI.

Don’t use images you find in search results, for example Google Image Search. These could be under licence, and it might be illegal to use them.

Stock image sites

You can find a lot of stock image websites online, including many dedicated to inclusive imagery which you can use to represent our diverse community of staff and students, for example:

You might need to create an account and pay for images you download from some of these sites.

If you're downloading free images, make sure they:

  • are good quality
  • don't show recognisable people or trademarked locations

Check the terms of use

Stock image sites allow you to download images under licences which describe the terms of use, including how you’re allowed to use an image.

Every stock image website has its own conditions about crediting images so always check the licence and terms of use before you download an image from a stock image site. Be aware that there may be different rules for commercial and editorial use.

If an image is licensed for editorial use only, you must only use it with content that is newsworthy or of interest to the public, for example, an Announcement page about research.

You must not use editorial-use-only images on any content that promotes or advertises commercial activity at the University. This includes activities related to:

  • student recruitment
  • research funding
  • enterprise
  • the Sports Training Village
  • University food outlets

Avoid AI-generated stock images

Many stock image websites include images created using Generative AI.

Don’t use AI-generated stock images on the website.

AI-generated stock images can be problematic for several reasons, including:

  • risk of copyright infringement where an AI image has been generated based on a person’s photography or artwork
  • bias or discrimination because the image has been generated using an unbalanced data set
  • stereotyping of roles attributed to genders, ages, and races because the image has been generated from limited data

When you search on stock image sites, filter the results not to show AI-generated images.

Creative Commons images

If an image has a Creative Commons licence, you can use it for free, but you might have to meet certain conditions, including:

  • crediting the photographer
  • not using the image for commercial purposes
  • not modifying the original image

Always check the licence before you use a Creative Commons image and make sure you follow the terms.

Use the Creative Commons search portal to find Creative Commons image sites.

Find out more about Creative Commons.

Creating your own images

Images on the University website should look professional and represent the University in a positive way.

It’s best not to create your own images or use photos you’ve taken. If you’re going to need an image for a web page, it’s best to book a photographer or commission a designer to do the work in advance.

If you do need to create your own image, make sure it's:

Generative AI tools

In very limited situations, you can create your own images for the website using Generative AI (GenAI) tools.

GenAI tools can generate images from text prompts. They use massive datasets to generate these images, so anything they produce is at least partially copied from human-made art or photography.

There are several risks involved in using GenAI tools to create images, including:

  • copyright disputes
  • bias and stereotyping of people and characteristics
  • data protection breaches
  • environmental costs
  • damage to the University’s reputation and credibility

When you can use GenAI to create images for the website

You must not use GenAI tools to create images for any webpage unless you need to show something that cannot be photographed or easily illustrated in another way. For example, you can use GenAI tools if you need to illustrate something to do with scientific research that’s impossible to photograph, like a chemical reaction or a hypothetical concept.

You must make sure the image you use is accurate before you add it to the website.

Writing prompts for GenAI tools

To create an image using a GenAI tool, you need to write prompts that describe the image you want.

When you write prompts, it’s best to:

  • be specific and descriptive
  • ask for a particular style or medium, for example ‘photographic’
  • say what you don’t want as well as what you want

You might need to write several prompts, or refine your original prompt, before you get the right image.

Acknowledging GenAI use

If you use an AI-generated image on the website, you must acknowledge that it was created using an AI tool.

Where possible, use the image caption field in Typecase to say which AI tool you used to create the image.

Which image size to download

Wherever you get your images, always download the largest available version. This gives you more flexibility when you prepare your image for the website.

How to select the right kind image

Read about choosing appropriate images for use on the website

Contact us

If you have any questions about finding images to use on the website, get in touch.

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