Skip to Main Content

Finding Images and Videos

Images, videos, and audio resources at Otis College and on the web

General Interest

Images available through public websites.

Note restrictions on reuse. Many of them use Creative Commons licenses as a "free, simple, and standardized way to grant copyright permissions for creative and academic works; ensure proper attribution; and allow others to copy, distribute, and make use of those works." (creativecommons.org)

Art and Art History

Architecture and Landscape

Printing and Books Arts

Advertising and Photography

Finding Artists and Designers of Color

Check out our new research guide Finding Diverse Artists and Designers

Los Angeles-area Collections and Museums

Many museums are opening their digital images for research on their web sites. Here are some local collections that are easy to search.

Other Museums

Many museums are opening their digital images for research on their web sites. Here are some of the most innovative collection searches.

Libraries


Or search by institution, including:

Experimental and Video Art

Film and Television

Searching Multiple Streaming Services

Find out where a specific title is available on a particular platform.

For titles in the public domain, search the Internet Archive, OpenGlam, and Google (or other search engine.)

Subscription services

Pay a fee to watch (un)limited content on Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and even YouTube. Specialized content available on many sites, such as Crunchyroll, The Criterion Channel, MUBI, and Britbox.

May have ads

Network Websites

Many TV networks stream full episodes, previews, webisodes, and extra content directly from their websites, e.g. ABC, CBS, Comedy Central, CW, Fox, NBC, and TNT. Most include short commercial breaks. TV episodes are also available for sale from other sites, e.g. iTunes and Amazon Video on Demand, or from subscription services, e.g. Netflix and Hulu.

May have ads

Databases

History, Maps, and Anthropology

Stock Photography and Royalty-Free Images

Look for resources created under either a completely unrestricted use license, or a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) license, meaning that you can download, use, manipulate, share, distribute, or otherwise use them for whatever purpose you'd like without permission. It is strongly recommended that you credit the creator(s) of the image, but it is not necessary. 

Data Visualization and Infographics

Related Guide:

Music and Audio

Otis College of Art and Design | 9045 Lincoln Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90045 | MyOtis

Millard Sheets Library | MyOtis | 310-665-6930 | Ask a Librarian