Combined semantic description and visual attribute search

A system comprising:

• a first search engine configured to execute a first image search based on a submitted scene category, the first image search identifying a first set of images that each have metadata in which a semantic description matches the submitted scene category;
• a processor configured by an interface component to cause a displaying of the first set of images;
• and
• a second search engine configured to execute a second image search based on an image selected from the first set of images, the image being relevant to the first image search and having a visual attribute, the second image search identifying a second set of images that each have the visual attribute and metadata in which the semantic description matches the submitted scene category, the executing of the second image search being performed by a processor of a machine;
• wherein
• the interface component configures the processor to cause a displaying of the second set of images, the displaying of the second set of images being ordered by a specified one of the submitted scene category or the visual attribute, the specified one of the submitted scene category or the visual attribute being specified by a user selection.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

• executing a first image search based on a submitted scene category, the first image search identifying a first set of images that each have metadata in which a semantic description matches the submitted scene category;
• causing the first set of images to be displayed;
• executing a second image search based on an image selected from the first set of images, the image being relevant to the first image search and having a visual attribute, the second image search identifying a second set of images that each have the visual attribute and metadata in which the semantic description matches the submitted scene category;
• providing an option to specify one of the submitted scene category or the visual attribute to order the second set of images;
• and
• causing the second set of images to be displayed, the displaying of the second set of images being ordered by the specified one of the submitted scene category or the visual attribute.