Home Library

Welcome to the Cape Town Digital Library

Your go-to platform for downloading high-resolution photographs and stunning 4K video footage that showcases the beauty, culture, and energy of Cape Town.

Take a sneak peek at the premium visual assets available by watching the preview video on the left.

Our library is powered by Canto’s industry-leading AI search — meaning you can find what you need simply by typing in natural language. Whether it’s “sunrise over Table Mountain” or “urban lifestyle shots,” the AI will instantly surface the most relevant images and videos from across the collection. This makes locating, refining, and downloading assets faster and smarter.

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to search, request, and download assets from the library.

Click here to read the Terms & Conditions of asset usage.

For any inquiries or assistance, please contact info@thisis.capetown.

Login / Access Request

If you already have an account for our library (hosted via Canto), fill out your email address and password, and click login.

If you accessing the library for the first time, please click on Access Request, and fill out the Access Request form and click submit. Once your request has been submitted, we will endevour to process it within 48 business hours. If the request is urgent and merits a quicker turn-around, kindly send an email to info@thisis.capetown.

Once approved, you will receive an email (from noreply@canto.global) that your account has been created, with a link to activate your account. Click the link, choose a password, and click submit. You will be directed to the library. Please remember your login details for future use.

Navigating the Library

There are two ways in which you can begin your search for assets:

You can type what you are looking for in the search bar. Just describe what you’re looking for in natural language, and the industry-leading AI will scan the entire library and instantly retrieves relevant photos and videos. The assets will be listed in order of relevance. You can refine your search again and again via the search bar on top, or select a folder option to the left.
You can click on one of the sections below the search bar (Visit, Live, Work, Study, Play, Invest, Events, Film Locations). You will then be presented with the assets grouped in folders. Simply click on the section, or folder to the left, to view those assets. If you prefer to search for something specific, type it in the search above (note that this searches throughout the entire library).

Refining your Search

There are a few ways of refining your search within the library.

Use the search bar above. It is integrated with AWS recognition software, and searches across the entire library
Use the folder structure in the far left column. We have already bundled assets into specific folders and sub-folders for ease of searching.
Use the File Type options to the far right column. You can search only for images or videos.
Search by Asset type to the far right column. Most assets have to be individually requested (Has to Request access) for download. All images with the clipboard & clock icon has to be requested. There are however some assets that can be download without any further request (Free to Download). These assets do not have any icons over the image (like the first three to the left)
For a detailed step-by-step guide on how to download, or request access, see the section called Asset Requests below.

Download & Asset Requests

Some assets can be downloaded without requesting them, whilst other has be individually requested (explained above)

Downloading assets: Assets with no icon overlay, can be downloaded without further request. Simply hover over the image/video thumbnail, and click the arrow icon in the bottom left corner, or click on the asset to open it, and click the arrow icon in the top left corner. Images can be download in their original size, or you can crop, resize or compress them as requested. Videos can be edited to download only the section you need.
Requesting assets: If an asset has a clipboard and clock icon overlay it has to be requested for download. Hover the image/video thumbnail, and click the Require Asset Request (paper and pen) icon in the bottom left corner, or click on the asset to open it, and click the Require Asset Request (paper and pen) icon in the top left corner. This will open the Asset Request popup.
Create your own Asset Collection name, and click create (Surfing example to the left). Then click the tick box next to your collection name, and click add files. You can now continue to add assets you would like to request to the same collection. When you have selected your last asset, click the check box, and click Submit Request. Fill out the form, and submit. We will endeavour to process the request within 48 hours. You will receive an email if the request has been approved.

Please note: All assets are strictly for non-commercial use only.