Science stock photos and royalty free images

Science images, broadly speaking, are any images that depict aspects of the field of science and its many branches. A science image might be a photo of a dental laboratory or the celebration of Science Day or an illustration of an astronaut. Generally, science images fall into a few subcategories, like scientists at work, scientific equipment, microscopic illustrations, science labs, science logos, science icons, and science illustrations. Basically, as long as some aspect of the image is depicting one of these subcategories (among many others), we can call it a science image, and we'll see these images in everything from social media content to marketing campaigns to textbooks. Designers use science images to summon feelings of technological advancement and progress, so you can use them to your advantage when you want to call attention to the positive impact of science on our lives.

Science pictures come in many forms, so there aren't many unifying attributes that they all share; however, all science pictures include connections to the larger field of science. This might mean that the science pictures feature equipment, personnel, iconography, or even signs and illustrations. All of these pictures are relying on the idea of "science." Science pictures generally present the field favorably and showcase advancements in knowledge and what that can mean for the human spirit. People of all ages are drawn to science pictures, from children reading illustrations to adults looking for details on the latest technological developments. As such, science pictures are a great way to draw attention to a project that's trying to communicate competence, facts, and the laws of the natural world.

We often find science images interesting because they appeal to our sense of curiosity. It's common to wonder about the world around us and how it works. Science is the field that brings us those answers. We're all curious about the future and what science can mean for our lives going forward, so we're drawn to science images because they hold the promise of knowledge. Science images often take ideas and concepts that we don't fully understand and simplify them as something we can look at. For example, it's difficult to understand the true size of the universe, but images of galaxies help us picture it. Diseases are another good example. They can cause a great deal of suffering, but if we can see what they look like, then we feel like they somehow have less power over us. A picture truly is worth a thousand words — especially when it comes to science!

Finding high-quality science images is a breeze at Shutterstock. First off, you can scroll down and explore the collection of science images we put together specifically for science design projects. If you have something more specific in mind, type your search terms into the white box labeled "Search for images" at the top of this page. When you get your results, you can use the filters on the left side of the page to narrow down that perfect image. Change settings like orientation, image size, image type, and more. If you have an image already, and you'd like a similar one, simply click "Search by image," and upload your file. The Shutterstock A.I. will scour the library and return similar compositions.

Choosing science images depends on your topic and the audience you want to reach. We tend to think of science images only as shiny images of technology in action, but there's more to the category than this. Are you targeting your message at children? You might do well with an illustration or a drawing that makes science topics relatable in a fun way. Is your audience older, perhaps post-retirement? There are many science symbols and logos that they will already be familiar with — you can take advantage of this to capture and hold their attention with your design. Perhaps your message is for working adults, parents, and general professionals. You'll need images that are widely appealing, so images of scientists at work will invoke the spirit of science you need without being overly specific.