• long running

Free to Download: 2.8 Million High Resolution Images @ Smithsonian

3350

Great offer. Enjoy :)

The Smithsonian Institution is inviting the world to engage with its vast repository of resources like never before. For the first time in its 174-year history, the Smithsonian has released 2.8 million high-resolution two & three dimensional images from across its collections onto an open access online platform for patrons to peruse and download free of charge. Featuring data & material from all 19 Smithsonian museums, nine research centres, libraries, archives and the National Zoo, the new digital depot encourages the public to not just view its contents, but use, reuse and transform them into just about anything they choose.

Direct link to collection search - thanks to Lockdude

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Comments

  • +20

    "new digital depot encourages the public to not just view its contents, but use, reuse and transform them into just about anything they choose - be it a postcard, a beer koozie or a pair of bootie shorts."

    ummm ok Smithsonian

    • +28

      I'm a simple man. I see bootie shorts, I save them for my museum.

  • +3

    Collagasaurus?

    Nah thanks, still too scared from the Animal Crossing critters, and that was only in 720p

  • Nice.

  • Check out the Smithsonian's "Sidedoor" podcast if you're interested in the stories behind the exhibits.

    • +2

      In the case of the Wright brothers and the first powered flight, you'll get 'their' version of the story behind the Wright Flyer. Check out documentaries on Gustave Whitehead.

  • +8

    Direct link to the collection search bar - for those who don't want to read the article :)

    • Thanks. Added to OP :)

  • +2

    Anyone know what the license is? Does it allow commercial use without restriction?

      • +10

        He's not talking about free to download. He's talking about free to use.

        I couldn't find any usage restrictions on the site but I didn't do a thorough search. If the Smithsonian is US federal government, it might mean the images are all public domain - the US government by law can't produce anything with copyright restrictions, or so I read.

    • +16

      As per the FAQ (https://www.si.edu/openaccess/faq)

      May I use Smithsonian Open Access content for commercial use?
      Yes, you may use Smithsonian Open Access assets designated as CC0 for commercial purposes without any attribution, permission, or fee paid to the Smithsonian. While you do not need the Smithsonian’s permission to use open access content, you are responsible for obtaining any third-party permissions that may be required for your use. For example, a third party may claim rights in the content such as trademark, privacy, or publicity rights. You are fully responsible for your own lawful use of these materials and for not infringing on the rights of third parties.

      If the item is not designated CC0, you must still obtain prior written permission from the Smithsonian for commercial use.-

    • +1

      Click on a photo and look for Metadata Usage (or Restrictions & Rights).

      Then go to https://www.si.edu/termsofuse

      For example, https://www.si.edu/object/nmnhmineralsciences_1001299 is CC0 which is public domain (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)

  • -8

    Inb4m2f

    • ?

      • +1

        The negs

  • +2

    For the first time in its 174-year history

    Maybe it would be more authentic to say "For the first-time since broadband internet allowed the easy dissemination of HD digital imagery", which wasn't possible for its first 150 years.

  • Plus 1 for something unique :)

  • +2

    anyway to download them all

    • +2
      1. Learn Python
      2. Yes
      • +1

        Finally a reason to have a look at that Python course on Udemy from OzBargain 5 years ago!

  • Nice

  • dare someone to search for boobs lol

    • +3

      Open private (incognito) tab:

      Boobs

      "Your search yielded no results"

      Talk about anticlimactic…

    • +1

      For research purposes only… Boobs

  • They should offer a torrent for the entire collection. I wonder how many TBs that would be?

  • Oh yeah? Well you can find billions of images for free thanks to Google Images. Beat that! And guess what? They even have BOOBIES!!!

    • You can’t use all these commercially for free though…

    • The majority of images available on the internet over low res, overcompressed garbage (under 1MP). It it wonderful to have access to archives of HQ images, if you wish to edit, make into 4k wallpapers, print out on a tshoirt or pillow case, etc.

      Are there any art galleries with HQ digital versions of their collections?

  • +2

    Yess!! 6 terabytes of images to add to my collection that I will never look at or have a use for. Atleast they're free right!? Time to buy more storage. Thanks OP!!

  • I couldn't find one good image

  • Are you in the pocket of the Wright family?

    American propaganda.

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