Image Manager

I currently just use MS Picture Manager to flick through my images and organise them into folders etc.., then when editing use CS3 or Elements 5.

I am not that impressed with MS Picture Manager, it's just OK - how does everyone else organise their libraries, any recommnedations that isn't over complicated, is free or doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

Cheers, Lilly

Lightroom? Ok, it now costs more than it used to but as a RAW work flow tool and library it is excellent. You may as well have a look at the 30 day trial and see if you like it or not.

http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/

Amazon seems to be the cheapest place to get it at the moment:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000MQCFJQ/ref=pd_sl_aw_flat_softwareuk_201682289_1

Lilly,
I do the following:
1. Copy the card to a dated and named subdirectory (e.g. 2007/20070927-Testshots)
2. Use Picasa from Google

The only snag with Picasa is with the way I handle RAW outputs. They always get saved to a subdirectory, e.g. 2007/20070927-Testshots/Silkypix, and my processed Photoshop stuff goes in 2007/20070927-Testshots/Processed

Picasa, alas, seems to only show the directory name "Processed" (of which I have thousands). But at least it shows them in chronological order.

Nice things about Picasa:
* It's easy to use
* Can create a "Gift CD", either with original size images or resized.
* You can arrange photos in albums
* There are upload options for Photobox etc
* It's free

HTH!
Matt

I second Matts preference, Picasa is free and easy too use, I like it.

Mostly I use Elements 4 to manage my pictures, but I also have them organised in folders in my documents as well. If I just want to view the contents of a folder I use IrfanView. If I want to move pictures to other folders I use Elements so that it keeps track of them too. If you move them within my documents Elements loses them and has to hunt which can take a while.

I like the idea of a program that can use the IPTC data embedded in a JPEG. If you can find the JPEG, it's easy to find the RAW file.

The advantage of using the IPTC data is that you can change programs without losing your cataloguing information.

Anybody have any suggestions for software that uses the IPTC data?

G

Hi G,

I've been using Lightroom for a few weeks now, it can search using IPTC data, lets you write any custom IPTC data like copyright info, key words etc. into the metadata when you import the files.

Quite impressed with it, I like the workflow and the export to PSD (with a selection of colour profiles) without having to create a Tiff is a god send. A bit expensive but not if your employer is into graphics apps

Apparently:
I'm off to try it out

EDIT: Yup. Picasa adds IPTC "Keywords". Incidentally, IrfanView (with the plugins) allows full IPTC editing Picasa's search will include the keywords, as well as the file name and directory name.

Matt

You can view directories as a tree. Go to View -> Folder View -> Tree View.

I also use Picasa as an organiser and quick-fixer. What I like about it is it doesn't impose its own structure or force you to change your habits. It will happily coexist with my already highly organised folder structure. Also, it doesn't change your original images (unless you really want it to).

I use Photoshop elements, so firstly I use the Adobe Downloader to copy the RAW files into an appropriate sub-folder (2007 > September > Spiders), Then use the Adobe Organizer to apply various tags and categories (K10D, bugs, macros) This allows me to quickly display all my macro shots, or shots of planes, or photos taken in London or macro shots taken in London, etc etc.

I also use Picasa. I find it especially quick at cataloguing and showing 16MB DNG photo collections on network attached storage. I tried many others, but in comparison they were just too sloooow.

I also use Picasa, nice application I think.
Matt, when using the "collections" you can get an additional hierarchy layer (and I only thought of that when I read your post). I have a similar problem, having the raw files in one folder and the TIFs from Silkypix in another one beneath.

Now I tried the following. I moved the folder "August 2007" to a new collection, named "2007~August". Then I can move the folder "TIF" to the collection 2007, "sub-"collection August. So everything August, raw, TIFF, processed can sit in this "sub-"collection.
The important bit is the tilde (~) in the collection name.

Remember that the Picasa EULA says "in the event that you would like to use the Picasa Software for Commercial Use, please contact us requesting permission for such Commercial Use" so if you are a Pro and are using it to sell your work, ask google

Tim:
I read that as - you can use it for whatever photographic needs you have. However, you can't sell the Picasa itself or "services" based on Picasa. Which is fair enough
Matt

Interesting replies, so far Picassa seems to be the fav amongst you all, Lightroom comes next but also costs, I do lean towards Lightroom - if funds were available would you say it would be the best choice over Picassa, I also use keywords always in all my images that I store for future hassle free hunts.

Thank you
Lilly