Understanding MLA Image Citation

MLA (Modern Language Association) image citation is an essential aspect of academic writing, especially when including visual elements such as photographs, illustrations, or charts in your work. Properly citing images not only gives credit to the original creators but also adds credibility to your research. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of citing images in MLA style, covering various scenarios and providing examples to ensure accurate and effective citations.

When to Cite Images

It is crucial to cite images whenever you use them in your academic work, whether it’s for a research paper, essay, or presentation. Here are some common situations where image citation is necessary:

• Direct Reproduction: If you reproduce an image directly in your work, such as inserting a photograph or a diagram, you must provide a citation.
• Paraphrased or Summarized Images: Even if you don’t directly reproduce an image but refer to it or describe it in your own words, a citation is still required.
• Online Images: When using images obtained from websites, databases, or online platforms, proper citation is essential to acknowledge the source.
• Printed Sources: Images taken from books, magazines, or other printed materials should be cited to give credit to the original publication.

Basic MLA Image Citation Format

The basic format for citing images in MLA style is as follows:

Artist or Creator Last Name, First Name. Title of the Image. Title of the Container, Other Contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication Date, URL or DOI.

Let’s break down the components of this format:

• Artist or Creator Last Name, First Name: Begin with the last name and first name of the artist or creator of the image.
• Title of the Image: Enclose the title of the image in italics or quotation marks, depending on its type. Use italics for longer works like books or albums, and quotation marks for shorter works like poems or articles.
• Title of the Container: If the image is part of a larger work, such as a book or website, include the title of the container in italics.
• Other Contributors: List any additional contributors, such as editors or translators, if applicable.
• Version: Provide the version or edition of the image, if available.
• Number: Include the number of the image, if it is part of a series or collection.
• Publisher: Identify the publisher of the image or the website where it was obtained.
• Publication Date: Include the date the image was published or created.
• URL or DOI: Provide the URL (web address) or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the image, if applicable.

Example MLA Image Citation

Here’s an example of an MLA image citation for a photograph:

Adams, Ansel. Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. Photographs of the American West, ed. John Szarkowski, Little, Brown, 1960, p. 98.

In this example:

• Adams, Ansel is the artist or creator’s name.
• Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico is the title of the image.
• Photographs of the American West is the title of the container (in this case, a book).
• John Szarkowski is the editor of the book.
• Little, Brown is the publisher.
• 1960 is the publication date.
• p. 98 indicates the page number where the image appears in the book.

Citing Images from Websites

When citing images obtained from websites, it is important to include additional information such as the website title, author (if available), and the date of access. Here’s an example:

Doe, John. Sunset over the Mountains. Nature Photography Blog, 2023, naturephotography.com. Accessed 15 May 2023.

In this example:

• Doe, John is the author or creator of the image.
• Sunset over the Mountains is the title of the image.
• Nature Photography Blog is the title of the website.
• 2023 is the publication date.
• naturephotography.com is the URL of the website.
• Accessed 15 May 2023 indicates the date the image was accessed.

Citing Images from Online Databases

If you obtain an image from an online database, such as a digital library or an academic database, you should include information about the database in your citation. Here’s an example:

Smith, Jane. The Great Wave off Kanagawa. Artstor, Artstor, www.artstor.org. Accessed 20 May 2023.

In this example:

• Smith, Jane is the artist or creator’s name.
• The Great Wave off Kanagawa is the title of the image.
• Artstor is the title of the online database.
• Artstor is the publisher or provider of the database.
• www.artstor.org is the URL of the database.
• Accessed 20 May 2023 indicates the date the image was accessed.

Citing Images with Multiple Creators

When an image has multiple creators or contributors, list them in the order they appear on the source. Here’s an example:

Smith, John, and Jane Doe. Cityscape at Dusk. Urban Photography, UrbanPhotography.com. Accessed 10 June 2023.

In this example, both John Smith and Jane Doe are credited as creators of the image.

Citing Images with Unknown Creators

In some cases, you may come across images with unknown creators or artists. In such situations, you can start the citation with the title of the image followed by the rest of the information. Here’s an example:

Untitled Landscape. Fine Art Photography Magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, 2018, pp. 42-43.

In-Text Citations for Images

In addition to the full citation in the Works Cited list, you may also need to provide in-text citations for images within your work. MLA format typically requires you to include the artist’s last name and the page number (if applicable) in parentheses after the image. For example:

As depicted in Ansel Adams’ Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico (98), the interplay of light and shadow creates a mesmerizing effect.

Table: Example MLA Image Citations

Conclusion

Citing images in MLA style is an important practice to ensure academic integrity and give credit where it is due. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can properly cite images from various sources, including books, websites, and online databases. Remember to include all relevant information, such as the creator’s name, image title, publication details, and access dates, to create accurate and comprehensive citations. With proper image citation, you can enhance the credibility of your work and contribute to the scholarly conversation.

FAQ

How do I cite an image with multiple creators in MLA style?

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When citing an image with multiple creators, list their names in the order they appear on the source. For example: Smith, John, and Jane Doe. Cityscape at Dusk. Urban Photography, UrbanPhotography.com. Accessed 10 June 2023.

What if I can’t find the publication date for an image?

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If the publication date is not available, you can use the abbreviation n.d. (no date) in place of the publication date. For example: Doe, John. Sunset over the Mountains. Nature Photography Blog, n.d., naturephotography.com. Accessed 15 May 2023.

How do I cite an image with an unknown creator in MLA style?

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If the creator of an image is unknown, start the citation with the title of the image followed by the rest of the information. For example: Untitled Landscape. Fine Art Photography Magazine, vol. 3, no. 2, 2018, pp. 42-43.

Can I use a different citation style for images?

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While MLA is a commonly used citation style, other styles like APA or Chicago may have different formats for citing images. It’s important to follow the citation style specified by your instructor or publisher.

Where can I find more examples of MLA image citations?

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You can refer to the MLA Handbook or online resources provided by reputable institutions or libraries for additional examples and guidelines on citing images in MLA style.