 Internet Archive, Moving Images
This site has indexed over 30,000 vintage (black and white) short films, trailers, cartoons, newsreels, and game videos from a variety of public-domain sources. An advanced search function and many different compression formats for downloading are available. Thumbnails are provided for previewing.
How to use:
Enter search terms in the search box at top left and use the drop-down menu at right to specify the collection to search, such as "Prelinger Archives". Click on "Advanced Search" for Boolean and range queries (scroll down that page for an explanation of these and other advanced techniques). Choose a film and then click on the appropriate streaming or downloading format for your Internet connection.
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
About one million digitized images of United States historical interest are made available here. Many are in the public domain; some are not. Most have an uncompressed TIFF file available for downloading.
How to use:
Enter search terms and use the drop-down menus to limit the search to specific fields such as subject or title.
National Archives
The National Archives and Records Administration collects all the documents and materials created in the course of business conducted by the United States Federal Government. The collection includes thousands of photographs, the vast majority of which are in the public domain.
How to use:
Use the search box at the top right of the home page. Use words such as "photos" or "photograph" along with subject words such as "World War 2" or "Ansel Adams". There is also an advanced search option that appears when one clicks in the simple search box. If you'd rather just browse, click on "online exhibits" on the left side of the homepage.
NOAA Photo Library
The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has an excellent collection of images that for the most part are in the public domain. Large file sizes are readily available. The collections include fish, animals, underwater scenes, and landscapes.
How to use:
While there is a rudimentary search function available, the link provided is to a page for browsing the collection. Click on "Browse Catalog" or "View album" to get started. NYPL Digital Gallery
The New York Public Library is one of the largest library systems in the world. The NYPL Digital Gallery offers more than 520,000 digital images of illuminated manuscripts, historical maps, vintage posters, rare prints and photographs, illustrated books, and printed ephemera. These are made freely available for study and research.
How to use:
Enter title words, subject words, or any word that might be found in a picture's caption and click "GO". Click on any thumbnail image in the list of results to view the full record that includes an image that can be enlarged. Use the "Advanced Search" option to search specific fields of the database, such as subject, caption, or title.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Digital Library System
Hundreds of images of fish and wildlife, most of which are in the public domain. Many are available as TIFF files.
How to use:
Use the first search box (quick search), and choose "Smart search" from the drop-down menu to the right. Enter a search term and press enter.
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