Image File Software | To Keep Track Of Your Images

[jcw]

What software do different folks use (for a PC – Windows System) to keep track of your images?

Some times it takes me ages to go find an image I have stored in a folder that is now effectively hidden away on my computer.

Any tips would be great thanks.

[jbrain]

How about storing all images in one and the same folder for a start.

[FracturedRabbit]

Lightroom.

Keywords, catalogues, rank, colour code, create collections, publish straight to social media sites. I have more than 70,000 photos referenced in Lightroom and it is easy to find anything.

Handles 99% of processing requirements. Mapping feature, create books for publishing, slideshows and web pages.

Best photo tool by far IMHO.

[jcw]

Actually, I was planning on light room, this is what a friend recommended as well. I only want to do it once, I have many images to go through.

[Tywais]

Faststone

Picasa

[samuijimmy]

For a free program, Picasa is very good!!! For Mac and PC users

Lightroom etc ....can be complicated in my opinion, and does cost money!....

Acdsee Pro is good too, but again costs money....Often " on sale" if you subscribe to news letters... for PC users....

ACDsee Mac version not up there yet...!!! although not read a review in a while now... )

[Whale]

I use Aperture. But if I was starting out with DAM I think the sheer volume of market share of lightroom would make me go with that.

[phuketrichard]

i have a separate partition on my hard drive just for photos an use Adobe Bridge CS5 to sort and do small edits than Photoshop for major edits.

I sort by country/location/ and other variables ( some by date shot)

also 2 other separate back up hard drives.

[cdnvic]

Actually, I was planning on light room, this is what a friend recommended as well. I only want to do it once, I have many images to go through.

Lightroom has a bit of a learning curve but the payoff is well worth it.

[samuijimmy]

Actually, I was planning on light room, this is what a friend recommended as well. I only want to do it once, I have many images to go through.

Lightroom has a bit of a learning curve but the payoff is well worth it.

I am currently trying Lightroom Trail version 4 .... a few quirks to wrap my head around... but it is not as bad as I remember .... but it's a case of using them often enough to remember what you learned !!!! ... (free 30 day trail).

I think I'll probably buy as it can be installed on two computers.... that took a bit of research to check and find that out!!! Plus can link to Picasa, which I find useful for uploading and email.

I tried out ACDsee Pro for Mac the other day.... very slow processing and screwed up two images... (tried on crappy images anyway) but ditched it .... PDF....

[Bill3173]

Hi all. New to the photography, so have been trailing the usual post photo software. Came across this web site http://photographylife.com/ which I consider a gold mine. It has tutorials on software including Lightroom and the correct way on how to use its features. Apart from this, it has a lot about correct camera techniques and settings. I hope you find it useful. Regards Bill.

[Retired2]

Picasa is the program i have found most useful. I take a LOT of photos.

Picasa offers not only storage but photo adjustment/enhancement - and is the easiest

method for e mailing photos.

I use Fastone to open them to full size.

[FracturedRabbit]

Actually, I was planning on light room, this is what a friend recommended as well. I only want to do it once, I have many images to go through.

Lightroom has a bit of a learning curve but the payoff is well worth it.

I am currently trying Lightroom Trail version 4 .... a few quirks to wrap my head around... but it is not as bad as I remember .... but it's a case of using them often enough to remember what you learned !!!! ... (free 30 day trail).

I think I'll probably buy as it can be installed on two computers.... that took a bit of research to check and find that out!!! Plus can link to Picasa, which I find useful for uploading and email.

I tried out ACDsee Pro for Mac the other day.... very slow processing and screwed up two images... (tried on crappy images anyway) but ditched it .... PDF....

You can email direct from Lightroom using a variety of image sizes; as well as exporting directly to Facebook, Flickr and Smugmug. Right click on a single image or a group of selected images and choose Export.

[RAZZELL]

Add Photomechanic in the mix.

http://www.camerabits.com/

RAZZ

[samuijimmy]

It's amazing how many photo programs are out there !

It comes down to how much one needs for editing... and tracking folders / events etc... ... so from free to XXX $ ! For beginners and non professionals I think safe to say, free is good to start !

Your computer monitor can play a big part in what you see .... Cheap monitors don't give the quality as a mid to high range monitor...

I have a Mac Thunderbolt screen and a mid range Acer screen, the Acer is far better contrast and picture quality on screen... (sadly the Acer went on the blink the other day and in a shop, where I hope they can fix! )

[nokbird]

Getting Started with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 here

Great Guide.

[cdnvic]

I have a Mac Thunderbolt screen and a mid range Acer screen, the Acer is far better contrast and picture quality on screen... (sadly the Acer went on the blink the other day and in a shop, where I hope they can fix! )

I keep migrating my Acer monitor to new desktops for the same reason. It displays the same as when you print on high quality metallic paper.

[samuijimmy]

I have a Mac Thunderbolt screen and a mid range Acer screen, the Acer is far better contrast and picture quality on screen... (sadly the Acer went on the blink the other day and in a shop, where I hope they can fix! )

I keep migrating my Acer monitor to new desktops for the same reason. It displays the same as when you print on high quality metallic paper.

My good Acer screen is no more!

Thanks to Acer in BKK, they won't ship the board / chip (what ever) ... that is needed, to the guy who could fix it here on Samui.... At first they said they would. I gave the guy at shop the money, so he could get it shipped down to Samui, then they tell him no....

He was as miffed as I am about it.....

He did give me my money back, no problem there! ..... I suppose I could ship it to Acer, but suspect it may take months to get it back... turned me off Acer this has!!!

I am now looking at Dell U2713HM or U2711 Ultra sharp, or Samsung S27A750D (or similar 24" models) ....which seem to have reasonably good reviews, but means going to Mainland to look and actually see...

Anyone have any experience with any of these models .... ? or mid range priced monitors?? ( I use Mac computers, so need to be compatible ).

I see that the Invadit have one at 400,000 baht, that's a bit out of reach! although have the ones I listed in the range I would pay, but I would not buy a monitor with out seeing image screen quality first ...

I don't bother with printing any more, never heard of metallic paper though! If I do print it is cheaper to go to Kodak or Fuji shop! .... Ink dries up with the lack of using a printer for me! !

[FracturedRabbit]

27" Apple Cinema Display?

[samuijimmy]

27" Apple Cinema Display?

NOP!

I have a 24" Apple display I use for my Mac Air ..... The gloss screen is not good, in some light conditions, contrast and image detail is not as good, as that Acer screen (was !!!! ) ... even the local Mac guy from Ibeats was surprised when we mirrored the same image on both screens together.... Just wish Apple would go back to their none gloss screen.... it was better on my old Imac!

Perhaps I am a bit too fussy!

I have a cheap screen on the Mini, at the moment (borrowed) it's dreadful to look at... fine for email etc, .... but not for image work !!! Thanks anyway!

Oh it's Christmas .... Merry Christmas everyone!

Edited December 24, 2012 by samuijimmy

[astral]

I agree on using the local shop when printing is required.

I have done away with my colour printer and now have a laser printer/scanner.

Only Black, but that is fine.