Photo Tag info needed.

[coffee]

I'm coming to the close of my big winter photo project, and need something more to carry me through this winter, so I've decided to spend time tagging all my photos so I can find them easier. I figure it will take me a few months to do if I stick with it before I go computer blind :)

I'm interested in learning more about tagging and keywords, and how everyone does it, if anyone does. Finding info on the internet about photo tags are very sparse believe it or not. Not much there.

So here are my questions:

1) I read there are a couple different ways the tags and keywords are saved on your computer. One is embedded on the file, and one is writen to a remote location. What are the pros and cons to each.

2) what program do you use to tag?

3) What is the difference between tagging a photo, and adding keywords to the properties/keywords of a file?

4) Does anyone have a link to good tagging/photo (keyword) information? I would love to read more about this and try and find out what might be the best program to use for this.

5) And the real important question is: If one program tags a file, can other programs use these tags? For example, can a file tagged using CS3 Bridge be found with windows search engine, or a different editing program?

Thanks for any help.

[coffee]

Just bumping.

[jerryph]

LightRoom does it. Integrated into the file metadata itself, I believe and it is better because you do not need to track anything else to access this info besides the picture itself.

I would suggest LR 2.0, many say it is an awesome program.

I personally, could not care less about tagging my files... I just place them in a directory that is named by date and short description. Never had an issue finding any picture within seconds, and I have over a terrabyte of files... lol

[LensBaby]

Hey one of my instructors gave me some info on how to store photos and set up a system of storage, including keywords. If you want I can send it to you...it might help you. I don't know though. He is a pro and teaches at the Brooks Institute and also Academy of Art University, so he is a well known instructor of photography. Let me know if you want it. It might help.

[coffee]

Hey one of my instructors gave me some info on how to store photos and set up a system of storage, including keywords. If you want I can send it to you...it might help you. I don't know though. He is a pro and teaches at the Brooks Institute and also Academy of Art University, so he is a well known instructor of photography. Let me know if you want it. It might help.

Thank you Sue, I would like to read it yes.

[saykimchi]

Hey one of my instructors gave me some info on how to store photos and set up a system of storage, including keywords. If you want I can send it to you...it might help you. I don't know though. He is a pro and teaches at the Brooks Institute and also Academy of Art University, so he is a well known instructor of photography. Let me know if you want it. It might help.
If there's any way I could get a copy of it too, I would truly appreciate it. I've started to keep track of my pictures, and I'm finding that I'm getting overwhelmed!

[LensBaby]

Yes I will send it to you as well. There is a lot of information there as far as how to organize your photos into a file system with keywords.

[LensBaby]

I can't send the attachment through this email system. Send your email to SusanWood@BellaMomentoPhotography.com and I will send it back to you.

[coffee]

LightRoom does it. Integrated into the file metadata itself, I believe and it is better because you do not need to track anything else to access this info besides the picture itself.

I would suggest LR 2.0, many say it is an awesome program.

I personally, could not care less about tagging my files... I just place them in a directory that is named by date and short description. Never had an issue finding any picture within seconds, and I have over a terrabyte of files... lol

Thanks Jerry for the info. One question: Does PS CS3 Bridge embed this info (keywords) into the files itself? From what I've read, it doesn't embed this info, but can't find a simple explaination as too HOW it saves this info. It talks about saving this info in a XLS files, but it deosn't look like it produces a XLS file. I'm confused. I want a program that does embed this info cause you are right, I don't want to hastle with external files if I don't have to. I already have CS3 Bridge and would like to use it since it's already paid for. But if it saves metadata and keywords externally then I will look to something different. Thanks

[coffee]

Did a test and found the answer. It does save an XSL file. So I won't be using Bridge for tagging. I just can't stand having hundreds of those files hanging around. That's what I hate about CS3. It saves one of these files everytime you open a RAW file for edit. I end up deteting all of them cause I don't care to remember the setting once I open a RAW. All well, back to the drawing board.