Start with the visible attribution
Write down the creator name, agency name or asset number exactly as shown. Search that text alongside a plain description of the image. If the watermark names a library, use that library's own search to look for the asset. A matching listing can provide clearer attribution than an uncredited repost.
Check the relationship
- Preserve the full watermarked file.
- Search the image without retouching the watermark away.
- Compare the asset on the named publisher's site.
- Read the actual licence or contact the stated rights holder when reuse is your goal.
An image may appear on a wallpaper site without its original watermark. That does not make the wallpaper site the creator or give permission to reuse it. Equally, a watermark on a repost is not conclusive proof of ownership.
What to record
Keep the page URL, image identifier and visible attribution together. Search results establish where copies are available; licensing requires separate evidence. If the credit is unreadable, seek a larger legitimate preview rather than trying to invent the missing characters with an AI enhancement tool.
Continue with photo formats and metadata.
Written by Facehunch with AI assistance and checked against the cited sources. Our editorial policy.