Cover images and photos in a column

A cover image is mandatory in Columnist: without one, a column does not pass the publication checks. But being technically able to upload a file does not mean you have the right to use it. The author declares the rights to the image and is responsible for having a lawful basis for publishing it.

The safest source is your own photo

If you took the photo yourself and there are no additional legal restrictions, the copyright question is usually simpler. Even your own photo, however, may include identifiable people, private property, a work of art, or another protected element that is subject to local rules.

A stock library with a licence

Read the terms of the specific licence. “Free” does not always mean “usable anywhere without conditions.” Attribution may be required, commercial use may be limited, or modification may be prohibited. Keep the licence page and the photographer’s details in your own notes.

If an image is released under Creative Commons, check the exact licence elements rather than relying on the CC logo alone.

A photo supplied with the photographer’s permission

If a photographer sends you an image, confirm permission to publish it in the chosen outlet and to keep it in the archive afterwards. Written correspondence with clear consent is more useful than an oral “go ahead.” For professional photography, it is better to set the terms out in an agreement.

Why an image from search results is not enough

A search engine shows images hosted on other websites; it does not transfer rights to you. The file may be protected by copyright, and the caption shown in search results may not identify the actual rights holder. The formula “found it, downloaded it, named the source” does not create permission.

What “declaring rights” means

When uploading a cover image, the author confirms that they have a lawful basis for using it. This is not a licence granted by the platform and not an automatic rights clearance. If the declaration is false, responsibility does not disappear.

How to choose an image that does not look like generic stock

Look for something specific to the subject. For a column about local transport, a real stop or route detail is usually stronger than smiling people with laptops. For a professional explainer, you can photograph an object, a tool, a document with personal data removed, or a real working environment.

The cover must still work at a small size. Tiny text inside the image, complicated collages, and dozens of details disappear in a feed.

Photos inside the text

Images inside the article have captions. A caption explains what the reader is looking at and, when necessary, who took the photo. A filename such as IMG_4821 is not a caption.

Example: “Old and new station entrance layout after the ticket gates were moved. Photo by the author, May 2026.” This tells the reader what the image shows and where it came from.

Profile photo

The author’s profile photo is uploaded through Chakloon Passport, the network’s single sign-on. Cropping and scaling are available during upload. Choose an image that remains recognisable in a small author card: the face should be large enough, the background should be simple, and there should be no tiny text.

Image checklist

• the rights holder is known;
• the licence permits publication;
• attribution is included if required;
• the image does not expose unnecessary personal data;
• a person’s image rights have been considered;
• the cover is understandable at small size;
• photos inside the article have meaningful captions;
• licence information is saved by the author.

Columnist is available at columnist.mib.news.

Cropping a cover and writing a photo caption

Choose the cover so that the main subject remains clear after different crops. A face pressed against the edge, tiny lettering on a sign, or an important detail in a corner may disappear in a feed card. A safer image has one clear focal point and some space around it.

A photo caption answers “what is the reader looking at, and why is it here?” It does not answer “what is the filename?” “IMG_4821” is not a caption. “Entrance to the library after renovation, June 2026” already gives context. If someone else took the photograph, the licence may require the photographer’s name, so check that before upload.

Image checklist

• I know who created the image;
• I have the right to publish it in this context;
• required attribution is included;
• the main subject survives cropping;
• the caption explains the image rather than repeating the article headline;
• the frame does not contain personal data that should not be published.

For a series of images, use one captioning rule throughout: who or what is shown, where, and when, if that matters to the story. Do not add a fact to the caption merely because it looks obvious in the image if that fact is not supported by your checked notes.

FAQ

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