Methods and apparatus implementing a technique for searching media objects. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes receiving user input specifying a plurality of reference objects (2), defining a set of features for them, and combining the features to generate composite reference information (4) defining criteria for search (6). In general, in another aspect, the technique includes combining object information for a plurality of reference objects to produce composite reference information, comparing (10) the composite reference information to object information for media objects in a collection of media objects, and selecting a media object based upon the comparison.