About the Author iii
Introduction xi
Chapter 1 Building a Manageable Image Collection 1
Understanding the Elements of Your Digital System 2
Image Capture 3
Downloading/Ingesting Your Images 4
Renaming Your Images 4
Backing Up Your Images 5
Adding Metadata to Your Images 5
Grouping and Arranging Images 6
Archiving 6
Maintaining an Image Collection 7
Exporting, Outputting, and Publishing Your Photographs 7
Start with a New System Now--Don't Wait 8
How to Deal with Your Existing, Unorganized Images 8
Make Your Software Work for You, Not the Other Way Around 10
Organize Your Images in a Manner That Makes Sense to You 10
Don't Let Your Software Dictate How It Has to Be 12
Understanding the Terminology 13
Digital Asset Management 14
Databases 14
Browsers 15
Backups 16
Archives 16
Chapter 2 Database or Browser-Based Photo Management System: Which Should You Use? 17
An Overview of the Two Organizational Methods 18
Database Organizational Systems 19
Working in the Database Environment 22
Enhancing Photos in Database Software vs. Using Dedicated
Editing Software 25
Re-Importing Images into a Database 28
Browser-Based Organization 30
Working in a Browser Environment 31
Chapter 3 Downloading and Ingesting Your Images 35
Card Readers 36
Download Methods 39
Using Your Operating System's Automated Tools 39
Ingesting Images Manually: Should You Use Copy and Paste or Drag and Drop? 40
Using Automated Software 42
Ingest by Tethered Shooting 50
Renaming Files 51
Adding a Copyright Notice 55
Geo-Tagging Images 57
Filing and Organization 57
Date-Oriented Folders 59
Subject-Oriented Folders 60
Location-Oriented Folders 62
Initial Backup 64
Should You Convert to DNG upon Download? 64
To Delete or Not Delete? 66
Chapter 4 Keywords, Ratings, and Tags 67
The Importance of Keywords 67
How to Apply Keywords 69
Keyword Conventions 70
The Keyword Pyramid 72
Making Sure Your Keywords Are Readable in Different Programs 81
Star Ratings and Color Labels 82
Star Ratings 82
Color Labels 84
Designing a System That Doesn't Use Keywords 86
Data Details 87
EXIF 87
IPTC 87
XMP 88
Chapter 5 Finding Your Images 89
Searching a Database 90
Photoshop Lightroom 91
Aperture 97
MediaPro 100
iPhoto 102
Searching in a Browser 103
Mac Finder/Windows Explorer 103
Nikon View NX2 104
Photo Mechanic 105
Adobe Bridge 107
Summary 108
Chapter 6 Protecting Your Data 109
Working with Your Files 110
Distinguishing Between Working Files and Backup Files 112
Dealing with Derivative Files: Composites, Panoramas, 114
and HDR Merges
Backing Up Your Files 119
Keeping Your Backup Media Current 120
Backup Methods 122
Copy and Paste 122
Using Apple's Time Machine Backup Utility 123
Automated Backup Software 123
Cloning 124
My Disk Is Full, Now What? 127
How to Migrate to New Storage Devices 127
How to Migrate to New Storage Technologies 128
Different Storage Methods 129
Internal Hard Drives 129
External Storage Devices 130
Optical Media (DVD/Blu-ray) 131
RAID Systems 133
Network Attached Storage 134
Cloud Storage 135
Chapter 7 Working in the Field 137
The Logistics of Traveling with Camera Gear and Digital Backups 138
Backup Technologies for the Field 141
Laptop Computers 141
Tablet Devices 143
External Hard Drives 145
Camera Setup 146
Synchronizing Date/Time Across all Cameras 146
File Numbering in Camera 147
Memory Cards 148
Downloading in the Field 150
Formatting Memory Cards vs. Deleting Photos 152
Data Safety While Traveling 153
Chapter 8 A Look at Different Systems 155
A Summary of Different DAM Methods, Benefits, and Risks 156
Saving All Images on One Computer 158
Saving Images on Your Computer and Backing Up to an External Device 159
Storing All Images on External Drives 161
Advanced Systems 163
RAID Systems 163
Server-Based Storage 164
Network Attached Storage 165
Cloud-Based Strategies 165
Chapter 9 Sharing Images with Others 167
Protecting the Originals 168
Sharing Your Photos by Using Flickr, 500px, Facebook, and Google+ 171
Flickr 171
500px 173
Facebook and Google+ 174
Photo Blogs 177
Slideshows 180
Photo Books 183
Formatting Images for E-Mail and the Web 187
Formatting Images for Print 191
Ink-Jet Printing 192
Lab Printing 194
Glossary 195
Index 199
