Image acquisition
We have collated some practical information here that is important when obtaining images.
Clarify image rights!
There are copyrights, rights of use and – if people are depicted – personal rights (i.e. rights relating to the use of one’s own image) associated with every image.
Please clarify before publication:
- Is ETH Zurich authorised to use the image?
- Are there any restrictions regarding the intended use?
- Who is the author and what is the correct photo credit?
- Have the people depicted given their consent to the use of the image?
Find ETH Zurich images
E-Pics – the ETH Zurich platform
Various image catalogues are available on the ETH-Bibliothek's E-Pics platform. The terms of use vary depending on the catalogue.
Images for communication
The Corporate Communications image catalogue contains current image material on research, teaching and campus as well as several hundred portraits of professors.
- Access for ETH members: with ETH user account
- From outside: request access by e-mail
The images available from Corporate Communications may be used freely for ETH Zurich communications (including social media). However, they may only be passed on to third parties with written permission from Corporate Communications. When using images in which people are clearly depicted, please remember that these are real people who work at ETH Zurich in a particular context (if in doubt, contact these people directly).For architectural or research images, the creator of the image content must be noted in the image credit or the key, depending on the context.
Standard format for image credits: [name of image author] / ETH Zurich
Images from Adobe.Stock
ETH employees can obtain images free of charge from external page Adobe Stock free of charge and use them for ETH purposes in accordance with the "external page Licence for educational institutions". Adobe images may only be passed on to external parties as long as the intended use relates exclusively to ETH Zurich and is not commercial.
Purchase an Adobe licence
Purchase an Adobe licenceTo use Adobe Stock, the "Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps CC DC" licence must be purchased via the IT Shop.
Registration with Adobe Stock
- ETH user account (username@ethz.ch)
- ETH password for e-mail (Active Directory)
- One Time Password (OTP)
If you have problems with the login, please contact the ID Service Desk.
Picture credits in editorial context
[Name image author] – Adobe.Stock
Organising a photo shoot
When organising photo shoots, please note the following:
- Ensure the licence and/or terms of use are documented in a contract
Whenever possible, work with photographers who have signed a framework agreement with ETH Zurich. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, these photographers assign all usage rights for their images to ETH Zurich. We have a list of photographers and are happy to add to this list on request. - Request consent from the people being photographed
Have the model release form signed by the people being photographes. (Exception: photography at events, see below.) - Create a written briefing
Photo briefings are best communicated in writing. They should contain all relevant information about the job: topic/assignment, date and time, duration, location, contact person, desired subjects (image content, scope, format specifications, area of application), delivery date, fee, usage rights, invoice address.
Photography at events
Participants should be informed in advance and reminded during an event that photographs are being taken (on the website, invitation, posters and presentation slides). Here are two example sentences that you can use:
- "Please note that photos and video footage will be taken during this event."
- “Visitors acknowledge that they may be included in audio recordings, photos and video recordings taken during the event or in connection with it, and agree that these may be used without financial compensation or limited in terms of time or location.”