LIFE - 2008's Best Fair Use Photographs

#1: Horses on Bianditz Mountain

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:46:41 EDT

Wikimedia Commons, a repository of "fair use" or free-to-use content, recently held several voting rounds to determine the best free-to-the-public pictures of 2008, many of which we've collected in this gallery. Just as Wikimedia Commons doesn't own these images, neither does LIFE. Also, our website automatically places a watermark on all photos displayed here. If you'd like to distribute an image in this gallery, the link in each caption will take you a non-watermarked version. We start with #1, a pair of horses on Bianditz Mountain in the Basque Country of Spain. The photo was taken by Mikel Ortega and edited by Richard Bartz. Non-watermarked version available here.

#2: Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:47:14 EDT

A fire breather in the "Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band" in Chassepierre, Belgium. Photo by Luc Viatour. Non-watermarked version available here.

#3: Steam Locomotives

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:48:07 EDT

Steam locomotives in a roundhouse at the Chicago, Illinois, rail yards in 1942. Photo by Jack Delano. Non-watermarked version available here.

#4: Twilight Rays

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:55:40 EDT

The setting sun at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. Photo by Mila Zinkova. Non-watermarked version available here.

#5: Hong Kong

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:56:23 EDT

Hong Kong's skyline at night. Taken from Lugard Road at Victoria Peak by Wikimedian Base64. Non-watermarked version available here.

#6: Paris

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:56:58 EDT

A view over Paris, the city of lights, at dusk. Taken from the Maine-Montparnasse Tower by Wikimedian Benh LIEU SONG. Non-watermarked version available here.

#7: Turtle

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:57:55 EDT

A green turtle, taken by Wikimedian Mila Zinkova. Non-watermarked version available here.

#8: Migrant Mother

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:57:48 EDT

Dorthea Lange's iconic image of a destitute pea picker in the California dust bowl in 1936. Non-watermarked version available here.

#9: Snipe Fly

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:17:58 EDT

A snipe fly on a water droplet-specked leaf. Photo by Richard Bartz. Non-watermarked version available here.

#10: Paris Opera

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:18:43 EDT

The grand salon of Paris' Palais Garnier opera house. Photo by Eric Pouhie, edited by Rainer Zenz, Niabot. Non-watermarked version available here.

#11: Gordon Dam

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:19:47 EDT

A view of Gordon Dam in Tasmania. Taken by Wikimedian Noodle snacks. Non-watermarked version available here.

#12: Fire in Quebec

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:37:52 EDT

A fire in Massueville, Quebec, Canada. Taken by Sylvain Pedneault. Non-watermarked version available here.

#13: Lava in Hawaii

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:39:40 EDT

Arching fountain of lava south of Pu‘u Kahaualea in Hawaii. Photo taken by J.D. Griggs, edited by Mbz1. Non-watermarked version available here.

#14: Fly Head

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:39:14 EDT

Head of a fly (Caliphrodae). Photo by Richard Bartz. Non-watermarked version available here.

#15: September 11th

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:40:08 EDT

A New York City fireman calls for 10 more rescue workers to make their way into the rubble of the World Trade Center. (Text by U.S. Navy.) Photo by Preston Keres. Non-watermarked version available here.

#16: Yamnuska

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:40:53 EDT

Mount John Laurie, a.k.a. Yamnuska, west of Calgary, Canada. Photo taken by Chuck Szmurlo. Non-watermarked version available here.

#17: Ice Wall, Ocean Floor

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:40:59 EDT

An ice wall and the ocean floor in McMurdo Sound in Antarctica, where a remote-controlled underwater camera has uploaded images to the Internet via radio signals. Photo by Steve Clabuesch. Non-watermarked version available here.

#18: Soap Bubble

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:42:45 EDT

A soap bubble. Photo taken by Mila Zinkova, edited by Alvesgaspar. Non-watermarked version available here.

#19: Whirlpool Galaxy

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:43:18 EDT

The Whirlpool Galaxy, a spiral galaxy located in the Canes Venatici constellation. Photo by NASA and European Space Agency. Non-watermarked version available here.

#20: Mandarinfish

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:43:56 EDT

Mandarinfish in Liège, Belgium. Photo by Luc Viatour. Non-watermarked version available here.