Comments on: Photo Archive and Management Solutions http://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/ photography education, inspiration and wisdom Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:13:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kevinhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Kevin Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:28:43 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-110 Hi Travis,Portfolio does keep all the data in it's own database which is why it's lightning quick for searches. If you right-click on a thumbnail you can select "embed data" but this only works for the JPEG images, not the RAW images. It also works with the TIFF images but this is where I'm getting corrupted images so test it first.<abbr><em>Kevin’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.kevinokephotography.com/wordpress/2009/04/cemeteries-graveyards-mauseoleums-shrines-whatever-you-want-to-call-them/" rel="nofollow">Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them</a></abbr></em> Hi Travis,

Portfolio does keep all the data in it’s own database which is why it’s lightning quick for searches. If you right-click on a thumbnail you can select “embed data” but this only works for the JPEG images, not the RAW images. It also works with the TIFF images but this is where I’m getting corrupted images so test it first.

Kevin’s last blog post..Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them

]]> By: D. Travis Northhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-109 D. Travis North Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:14:37 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-109 Side note - I forgot to mention that Lightroom was choking on my catalog around 12,000. It could be further compounded by the fact that many of these photos are on a network drive. Extensis wasn't having any problems at this. Side note – I forgot to mention that Lightroom was choking on my catalog around 12,000. It could be further compounded by the fact that many of these photos are on a network drive. Extensis wasn’t having any problems at this.

]]> By: D. Travis Northhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-108 D. Travis North Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:09:48 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-108 I'm doing more experimentation. It doesn't seem as though Extensis is adding keywords into the metadata, like you said. It appears to keep it all in its own database. I'm debating whether or not I find that a nuisance or not. Especially with Kevin's concerns about file corruption, I'm leaning towards the belief that it might be an advantage. However, I don't understand the concerns for slow tagging. I've been able to add keywords to several images at the same time. I've been able to quickly add multiple keywords to images (I have to enter them in one-at-a-time, but then it takes me back to the prompt so I can enter more...rapid fire). Maybe it has something to do with how I installed it? When I installed, I selected the profile that integrated directly with Adobe. So maybe some of the functionality was tweaked as a result?I'm looking more into it. But I think Extensis may have the upper edge at the moment. I’m doing more experimentation. It doesn’t seem as though Extensis is adding keywords into the metadata, like you said. It appears to keep it all in its own database. I’m debating whether or not I find that a nuisance or not. Especially with Kevin’s concerns about file corruption, I’m leaning towards the belief that it might be an advantage. However, I don’t understand the concerns for slow tagging. I’ve been able to add keywords to several images at the same time. I’ve been able to quickly add multiple keywords to images (I have to enter them in one-at-a-time, but then it takes me back to the prompt so I can enter more…rapid fire). Maybe it has something to do with how I installed it? When I installed, I selected the profile that integrated directly with Adobe. So maybe some of the functionality was tweaked as a result?

I’m looking more into it. But I think Extensis may have the upper edge at the moment.

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-107 Kevin Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:17:24 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-107 Portfolio 8.5.2<abbr><em>Kevin’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.kevinokephotography.com/wordpress/2009/04/cemeteries-graveyards-mauseoleums-shrines-whatever-you-want-to-call-them/" rel="nofollow">Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them</a></abbr></em> Portfolio 8.5.2

Kevin’s last blog post..Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-106 Kevin Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:15:42 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-106 I tried Lightroom briefly when it first came out and for a number of reasons didn't pursue it. One was lack of dual monitor support at the time although I gather that the latest version is OK with that. You're right about editing functions. I don't need a DAM for editing but purely for cataloging. I use Nikon NX2 for my basic editing then open the image in Photoshop CS4 if additional work is required.I have heard the catalog size limit for Lightroom to work efficiently isn't really large but have heard different reports on this. Some folks say 100,000 images, others only in the 10,000 image range. Take a look at this post http://thedambook.com/smf/index.php?topic=3534.0 it sums it up well.<abbr><em>Kevin’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.kevinokephotography.com/wordpress/2009/04/cemeteries-graveyards-mauseoleums-shrines-whatever-you-want-to-call-them/" rel="nofollow">Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them</a></abbr></em> I tried Lightroom briefly when it first came out and for a number of reasons didn’t pursue it. One was lack of dual monitor support at the time although I gather that the latest version is OK with that. You’re right about editing functions. I don’t need a DAM for editing but purely for cataloging. I use Nikon NX2 for my basic editing then open the image in Photoshop CS4 if additional work is required.

I have heard the catalog size limit for Lightroom to work efficiently isn’t really large but have heard different reports on this. Some folks say 100,000 images, others only in the 10,000 image range. Take a look at this post http://thedambook.com/smf/index.php?topic=3534.0 it sums it up well.

Kevin’s last blog post..Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them

]]> By: D. Travis Northhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-105 D. Travis North Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:03:47 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-105 Kevin - what version do you have/use for Portfolio?Have you ever messed with Lightroom? It seems to be Bridge+, IMHO. I'm not sure I need all of the editing functionality (though it would speed up my workflow), but I have heard many state that it makes cataloging simple. Kevin – what version do you have/use for Portfolio?

Have you ever messed with Lightroom? It seems to be Bridge+, IMHO. I’m not sure I need all of the editing functionality (though it would speed up my workflow), but I have heard many state that it makes cataloging simple.

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-103 Kevin Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:56:12 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-103 Corruption is a major issue as I have discussed in my article and I am wary of products these days because of it. The debate about whether to embed the data or use sidecar XMP's will likely go on. I prefer embedding it but it does have risks. As I mentioned, PhotoMechanic which embeds the data has never had any reports of corruption and this program is heavily used by sports and event photographers with huge amounts of images to deal with.Trvais, Portfolio is an awesome program and excellent for cataloging huge amounts of images. I have a number of catalogs, the largest at 125,000 images and others in the 25,000 image range. These can all be viewed seperately or searched at the same time so theoretically I can search close to 200,000 photos or more easily. There are limits to the number of images per catalog, many variables determine this. The catalog layout I use likely will hit it's peak at 250,000 photos per catalog. My old computer is a little sluggish for this but the new one is very good.Keywording is not one of Portfolios strong points as I mentioned. One word at a time, very slow. Yes, Portfolio handles RAW data very well, it just wont embed data or write sidecar files. This means that when you open the RAW image in another application your keywords, title and other data doesn't come over with it.<abbr><em>Kevin’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.kevinokephotography.com/wordpress/2009/04/cemeteries-graveyards-mauseoleums-shrines-whatever-you-want-to-call-them/" rel="nofollow">Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them</a></abbr></em> Corruption is a major issue as I have discussed in my article and I am wary of products these days because of it. The debate about whether to embed the data or use sidecar XMP’s will likely go on. I prefer embedding it but it does have risks. As I mentioned, PhotoMechanic which embeds the data has never had any reports of corruption and this program is heavily used by sports and event photographers with huge amounts of images to deal with.

Trvais, Portfolio is an awesome program and excellent for cataloging huge amounts of images. I have a number of catalogs, the largest at 125,000 images and others in the 25,000 image range. These can all be viewed seperately or searched at the same time so theoretically I can search close to 200,000 photos or more easily. There are limits to the number of images per catalog, many variables determine this. The catalog layout I use likely will hit it’s peak at 250,000 photos per catalog. My old computer is a little sluggish for this but the new one is very good.

Keywording is not one of Portfolios strong points as I mentioned. One word at a time, very slow. Yes, Portfolio handles RAW data very well, it just wont embed data or write sidecar files. This means that when you open the RAW image in another application your keywords, title and other data doesn’t come over with it.

Kevin’s last blog post..Cemeteries, graveyards, mauseoleums, shrines, whatever you want to call them

]]> By: D. Travis Northhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-102 D. Travis North Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:58:23 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-102 Perhaps I don't understand what you mean by embedding data into RAW. But I'm experimenting with Extensis 8 right now, and it seems to support EXIF data and RAW quite well.So far, extensis seems to be pretty nice. I'm still muddling through it, so it's too early to decide. But I am quite confused as to it's tagging (keywords, as they call it). I'm used to being able to see a tag cloud or a tag list...and I can't seem to find that. I'll find it though. Software demos are always tough. Perhaps I don’t understand what you mean by embedding data into RAW. But I’m experimenting with Extensis 8 right now, and it seems to support EXIF data and RAW quite well.

So far, extensis seems to be pretty nice. I’m still muddling through it, so it’s too early to decide. But I am quite confused as to it’s tagging (keywords, as they call it). I’m used to being able to see a tag cloud or a tag list…and I can’t seem to find that. I’ll find it though. Software demos are always tough.

]]> By: VojtechThttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-101 VojtechT Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:13:47 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-101 Travis: it is clear that when you have over 100,000 photos like Kevin, that DAM is the best choice, especially when you're a professional and search for images often. I have something like 20,000 images only (I'm taking pictures for 7 years only), so it is not that hard to find an image that I'm looking for. I also have a special folder with ~2000 images that are "worth preserving". And my experience is that I mostly access this folder and recently downloaded images only. I'd like to have all my pictures described and tagged as you do, but I just don't have time for that... Kevin: I have no experience with Extensis, but most applications embed data into RAW images through sidecar XMP files. You might ask them for this feature. Some other products write information directly into RAW images, but I have already seen a few cases where images were corrupted this way, so I prefer that sidecar XMPs. Travis: it is clear that when you have over 100,000 photos like Kevin, that DAM is the best choice, especially when you’re a professional and search for images often. I have something like 20,000 images only (I’m taking pictures for 7 years only), so it is not that hard to find an image that I’m looking for.
I also have a special folder with ~2000 images that are “worth preserving”. And my experience is that I mostly access this folder and recently downloaded images only. I’d like to have all my pictures described and tagged as you do, but I just don’t have time for that…
Kevin: I have no experience with Extensis, but most applications embed data into RAW images through sidecar XMP files. You might ask them for this feature. Some other products write information directly into RAW images, but I have already seen a few cases where images were corrupted this way, so I prefer that sidecar XMPs.

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.shutterphoto.net/article/photo-management-solutions/comment-page-1/#comment-100 Kevin Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:32:04 +0000 http://www.shutterphoto.net/?p=660#comment-100 Hi Travis,I agree about the number of images. I have about 125,000 photos in my main Extensis catalog and a search for a keyword is almost instant. This is the beauty of a proper DAM.I have my images in very vague folders like British Columbia/Wildlife for instance and just leave it at that. I let the DAM locate what I want.One item to note about Portfolio which I mentioned in my piece, you cannot embed data into RAW images which is very unfortunate and if I were looking at a DAM now I might consider something else.<abbr><em>Kevin’s last blog post..<a href="http://www.kevinokephotography.com/wordpress/archives/640" rel="nofollow">Waiting for the Light</a></abbr></em> Hi Travis,

I agree about the number of images. I have about 125,000 photos in my main Extensis catalog and a search for a keyword is almost instant. This is the beauty of a proper DAM.

I have my images in very vague folders like British Columbia/Wildlife for instance and just leave it at that. I let the DAM locate what I want.

One item to note about Portfolio which I mentioned in my piece, you cannot embed data into RAW images which is very unfortunate and if I were looking at a DAM now I might consider something else.

Kevin’s last blog post..Waiting for the Light

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