Image management is the heart of the imaging process for large collections however even small collections can benefit from some form of image management. This section presents several image management applications that can help organize image collections.
Image Metadata
Image metadata is non-picture information embedded with picture information in an image file or a like-named associate file referred to as a sidecar. Embedding metadata ensures that the image and it's textual description are much less likely to be separated. Metadata can include information such as the date and time the image was created, category tage, captions, and credits.
Two metadata standards have been widely adopted: the International Press Telecommunication Council standard, IPTC, and the EXchangeable Image File format, EXIF. Neither is optimized for archival image management. IPTC metadata contains information that is added to a photo by photographers and editors, such as the copyright information, image descriptions, and appropriate keywords. The standard has evolved and there are several fields that have been used for archival management. The EXIF standard specifies the format for embedding typically camera-specific metadata (e.g. shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc.) in image files. EXIF is a specification supported by most if not all major digital camera manufacturers.
A recent standard, XMP, Adobe's Extensible Metadata Platform, provides a metadata framework that will incorporate IPTC metadata, via the IPTC Core version 1.0 specification, and EXIF metadata. Image managers that support XMP will expand the scope of information captured to describe the content of images and extend the reach of IPTC metadata beyond its traditional constituencies.
Meaningful descriptions and titles, searchable keywords, and up-to-date author and copyright information can be captured in a format that is easily understood by humans as well as by software applications, hardware devices, and even file formats. Images with XMP metadata will be much more accessible online, as Internet search engines looking for indexed image files will pick up on any embedded metadata as opposed to just the file name.
The one obvious issue with using XMP/IPTC to annotate images is that not all image editors are XMP/IPTC-aware. This means that when you use such an editor to rotate a photo for example and save it, the editor is likely to remove the XMP/ IPTC metadata from the image.
Image Managers
Entry Level
Picasa is a freeware image manager from Google that lacks IPTC and XMP support. It provides a broad range of basic management functions and should be considered by casual users that don't anticipate taking an active role in collection management.
Another popular choice for casual users, Flickr is a online management service that incorporates some EXIF metadata but does not support IPTC or XMP. User's have to import their existing IPTC keywords to Flickr tags and their IPTC caption field information into Flickr's "Photo description", a time-consuming process that is only suitable for small collections.
Currently, PixVue is the only XMP-aware freeware entry-level image manager. It has the ability to edit embedded XMP and International Press and IPTC metadata text in TIF and JPG images. PixVue is not a traditional stand-alone application, it adds functionality to Windows Explorer via context and drop down menus.
A more complete image manager, Adobe
Photoshop Album
Photoshop Album is included with the latest versions of Adobe
Photoshop Elements
Mid-range
Photools offers the IMatch image manager, a robust image management application for experienced users that manage large collections. It includes several features only available in high-priced professional image management systems. These include:
- Image matching features based on color, shape, and texture;
- Flexible categorizing with Dynamic Categories;
- An IPTC Editor;
- Batch conversion and renaming; and
- a scripting language to extend the built-in functionality.
The full version now supports XMP.
idImager is another full-featured image manager that fully supports XMP.
Batch Processes
Batch Conversion
Batch conversion is the process of automatically applying a series of image processing functions to a group of images, e.g. conversion from archival TIF format to JPG format for more efficient transfer. This capability can be useful when managing large image collections.
Most mid-range image editors, e.g. Photoshop Elements, provide batch conversion capability. Irfanview is a popular freeware image viewer that includes a batch conversion utility. A plugin is available that will extend the range of output file formats.
Batch File Renaming
Batch file renaming is the process of applying a file renaming function to a group of files. This capability can be useful when working with collections of related files, e.g. those produced by digital cameras.
Windows XP has an elementary batch renaming capability. It can generate sequentially numbered file names to a selection of files by right clicking on the first file selected and selecting Rename from the context menu. The first file will be renamed as specified while the other selected files will use that name followed by a sequential number enclosed in parenthesis.
Two freeware batch renaming applications are worth mentioning. The Bulk Rename Utility is well organized and has a powerful feature set that includes support for regular expressions. Sherrod's File Renamer has similar features. Irfanview, mentioned above, also supports batch renaming
Related Links
- Adobe Photoshop Album
- Homepage of this leading entry-level image manager.
- Metadata and Digital Images
- A comprehensive overview of the role of metadata in the digital imaging process.
- The Metadata Concept
- A professional photographer's thoughts on XMP.