The saga to find a photo tag/search tool

Workflow (the process, how to manage your photos)

• Plug in camera and photos are Automaticaly downloaded
• Value add – bulk - Type description which is then added with date to folder name, file name, metadata, and set rating to 4.
  Takes me 5 seconds, and then depends on how many photos, tool might take up 30-60 seconds for over 100 photos.
• Value add-refine
  • Revise ratings - rate 3's then rate 2's (almost never do any 1's at this stage)
  • Refine metadata for photos rated 2, and if feel like it do the 3's

The above steps take me 1 to 2 minutes on average - so it realy is quick and easy, and even though only very basic metadata has been added, this adds absolutely unbelievable value to your photos, and makes it so amazingly easy to find your photos.

Also don't forget this relies on the file naming standards and tag hierachy (or your versions of these) - see links at bottom of page.

It does also take the computer a few minutes to download and for the tool to process the photos, but I don't wait for this, so "my time" taken is very brief.

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Below is my full work flow in all it's gory detail, with all the hints and notes to sort out in the future.
Most times, I only do the Bulk and refine steps manualy as described above, and these can be done in a few minutes per "set of photos".
If I need to carefully set ratings, or to split into sub sets, it may take a bit longer, but still quick.

1. download photos (Tool #1 PhotoFileCopy service)

a. Directory rename to proper date photos taken

b. File rename – replace PICT with dir name

c. Archive copies – for CRITICAL photos

d. Auto creates WorkflowStatusFile

2. Value add – bulk (Tool #2 xls/perl exif tool)

a. Directory append Basic description to date (***DO BY HAND***)

b. File rename – DirName####.ext *now done by xls tool*

c. BULK add

• Title
• description (same as Title)
• keywords
• rating – 4 to be default, 5=crap can delete, 3=good, 2realy good, 1 EXCEPTIONAL, note also option of Favourite ratings
• optional Archive here?
• Update WorkflowStatusFile

3. Value add-refine (Tool #2/3 xls/perl exif tool)

Use of this process greatly minimises effort by focussing on the photos of most interest. Of course added data can be added to photos of low interest, if you have the time and energy – you never know in the future just what you will be looking for!

a. Make sure WorkflowStatusFile is kept up to date

b. Movies – quicktime use PICASA tags as no exif/xmp etc tools

c. Rotate (has to be manual with Z5). TOOL = Bridge/Picasa (NOTE both do NOT rotate photo, but set Orientation Exif tag. PixVue seems also to act on this tag, but have only viewed, not “rotated”).

d. Review photos - rate higher or lower (optional delete of lowest rating photos)

e. Review individual photos and update title, especially desc (long), ratings, private etc. MORE EFFORT TO High ratings!
(Review ALL rating2 and see if is a 1, plus add more desc (MAKE DEFAULT= 4), Review all oddities – desc, Check all photos are rated, Check all NON-private are non private)

f. Use trip diary/related www site/… to add info to some (key) photos
REPEAT again again until no more changes.

g. Save metadata to separate files

h. Adjust photo – crop, colour, …. (but to new file)

i. Make sure WorkflowStatusFile is kept up to date

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A trick in metadata - add html codes: "caption test <b>bold text??</b> some more non bold text"<font color = "red">link2</font>
How much data can be added to photo (and taking care of copied data ie copyright!) IPTC caption = 2000
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4. Workflow – webpub (Tool #4 – Picasa)

a. Select photos

b. add permanent metadata tags to photos with website name/date

c. Web pub filter out movies / first frame only

d. To do quicktime movies: (Note will need to use PICASA tags)

e. Create web site and test

f. Publish to www

g. Make sure WorkflowStatusFile is kept up to date

5. archiving (or make mainstream activity – do before view/use?)

6. View/use (Tool #4, 5, ….?)