#photo systems

[usefulstuffmouzon]

Missing Images in Photo Mechanic

When doing a Catalog Sync, there are almost always photos that show up as Missing, which is indicated with a yellow circle to the right of the filename in the viewer window. The motherlode of Missing images can be found under the Collections tab once you select one or more of the Active Catalogs in the upper left corner. Then click Collections and the catalog in question under which you'll see -sync- and below that, the most recent syncs. Click on the oldest one and you'll see Missing and sometimes New. Click on Missing and PM will bring up a tab named Collection: Missing. Click on the tab and you'll see all the images that turned up Missing in this sync.

Technically, you could just select all the images and delete them, but I'd rather be more careful. So I go through each of the shoots under the Missing tab and ask myself "why would images from this shoot show up missing?" One example is when I change the filenames. For example, I've recently added "NOLA" to the beginning of the filename on every shot taken in New Orleans because I have thousands taken there and have begun naming the files by neighborhood name. And while Bywater is the only neighborhood I know with that name, there's a French Quarter in both New Orleans and Charleston, and possibly other cities as well, so images that sort by neighborhood name can be confusing.

Another reason would be if I'm processing images and moving them deeper into my folder structure, which works in this order (see Photo Workflow posts): 1 scratch fuzzies, 2 Set GPS & base metadata w/neighborhoods, 3 rate & set classes, 4 tag & process, and 5 set finder color. If I've moved any image from a lower-numbered folder to a higher one, PM won't find it where it was earlier so it will show up Missing.

Once I've satisfied myself that images from the shoot in question really are missing, I select all of them under the Collection: Missing tab and delete them. And it's a good idea to do this fairly frequently because if you have thousands of Missing images, it can take quite a while to delete them all. And no, I've never been unable to come up with a reason a shoot's images should be Missing, so PM has always done its job, but I'd rather be completely sure before deleting images I can't get back again.

[usefulstuffmouzon]

HEIC to DNG

I've been posting more frequently with iPhone pics, and while I'm no expert on HEIC vs JPG files, the former is newer and apparently more sophisticated, so here's how I'm doing it now: I have my normal template for DNG files shot with my big camera, and another for iPhone pics. For the latter, I have one more folder: 0 HEIC & JPG originals. within it is a HEIC folder and a JPG folder, where I export those two file types from Photos. Because I don't know which will ultimately be the best starting point, and also for safekeeping, I keep both file sets because storage is cheap today.

The next question is how to get to DNG files. Web searches suggest that the Adobe DNG Converter should be able to convert HEIC to DNG, but I can't get that to work. What does work is Adobe Lightroom, which I use for no other purpose because Photo Mechanic is so superior. So I've just begun creating a new Album in Lightroom for each shoot to keep things organized, then I import the HEIC files there. Next, I export the newly imported files into the 1 scratch fuzzies file in the appropriate job folder. Interestingly, clicking on a dng file and hitting the space bar should bring up an image preview, but it's hit and miss. But the file is there when opening in Photoshop. Not sure what the difference is, but that works.

One really frustrating note: Lightroom doesn't export full-size jpgs embedded in DNG files, so there's no way of seeing full images to know if they're blurred and such. I'll revisit this later, but this is a major Adobe flaw, IMO.

[usefulstuffmouzon]

Grep

I won't remember this if I don't post it. In Photo Mechanic, I want to find pics where either Description/Caption or Keywords aren't empty. To do this:

Find > All of the words > .+

In > All items > Searching: > check Metadata box

check > Grep

Then check either Description/Caption or Keywords (or both)

[usefulstuffmouzon]

Photo Workflow Chicken & Egg Problems

For over a decade, I tried to process and then tag every image in a shoot rated 3 stars or above with keywords. The idea was that once completed, I'd post the entire tagged 3-and-above shoot to Zenfolio, but with hundreds of thousands of images, it has long been obvious that the task will still be mostly incomplete after I'm gone.

Rebuilding the Original Green site has made me go back and process a few thousand images so far, and also rethink my workflow. When I started rebuilding the site, I began two folders of web-optimized images: "presos 3840x2160" and "tweets 1920x1080." In other words, 4K images for presentations and HD 1080 images for social media. And I only use images I've rated 4- or 5-star, so it's my best work.

There was a problem. I only learned recently that Photoshop's Save for Web will allow me to save the keywords and other metadata to the web-optimized files. So now I can save all that to all future images, and could technically go back and do so with the 1,100 images already saved with no metadata, but there's another chicken-and-egg problem:

Because I'll probably be gone before my hundreds of thousands of pics get tagged with keywords, very few of them now have any keywords beyond the basic location set which is continent>nation>state/province>city>place within the city, which I do with every shoot. So if I process a random 4-star pic, that's all I'm likely to get.

Here's what I just started doing this morning: going through a shoot in Photo Mechanic, if I see a 4-star or 5-star I need for something, I first go into the metadata and write a caption, which should include some of the keywords I'll eventually tag photos in the whole shoot with someday. So even though it's not the whole keyword set, it's good stuff to search for.

Once captioned, I do the normal things of opening with Photoshop's RAW converter, saving a jpg in the shoot folder, then saving the press and tweet versions. And if I need the pic for originalgreen.org, I save that version as well, which is either 2560x1440 or 720 square. Now, everything carries the caption with it.

The caption has other uses as well. I usually tweet something about these images since they're my best work, so the caption becomes the tweet, the caption on Instagram, and the beginning of a Facebook post on the image, depending on where I want to put it. I also use it for alt text for images I'm using on my websites.

Whaddaya think?

[usefulstuffmouzon]

Updated Keyword Taxonomy

I’ve just updated my photo keyword taxonomy and have posted it on Mouzon Design. It’s a 96-page PDF of the way I arrange my world.

[division-dollar-pair-u]

What Are Photo ID Systems?

Almost every person in the world has more than one kind in respect to ID with their photographic on it. It has become an important allotment of responsiveness. They cannot do anything unless you have an ID with a photo on it. Alterum proves who other self are. These photo IDs are now being used to invasive a destine of fait accompli places. Everywhere exception taken of hospitals to retail stores are using candid photograph ID's. But how are all in reference to these photos ID's grown? They are made except photo ID systems. They are the systems on printers that make up the photo CONSCIENCE cards. There are different kinds of these systems.<\p>

There are different photo PRECONSCIOUS systems that alterum can use with your publisher. These systems allow better self toward not azygous have ID's for bodily of your employees but also to have their photos placed on the cards remedial of added guaranty. There are systems that are basic all the way to compound interest. It all depends taking place how plenteousness you want on the ID cards. Each solid of these systems will do something more for your ID cards without distinction herself created nature depends for how advanced that you wish very much to be.<\p>

Let us talk about photo system. This makes copolymeric LIBIDO cards. It is vice one trilateral EGO IDEAL cards. But heap up be updated to the dual sided cards. These cards are high modernized security and this idea is easy on treat. The starter system is well-known for the smaller companies. This unite comes with the printer, the coloring larder, the cleaning supplies and the software. It is on easy street towards use. You pinpoint them over your PC and are neat in start.<\p>

The entry photo system is affordable and plain-spoken to use. This one is great in contemplation of small to via media companies. It also has the publisher and everything that you free choice need to get started.<\p>

There are five blazon six more photo systems. Severally step up does more for you. Each one is more advanced and can handle a higher notebook in connection with ID cards. Each one has more features and the ultimate of technology. We are low to talk about the Evolis printer. These printers can do it all. They tail make identification cards. They pension off do drivers licenses. They can do honorarium cards. The power structure loo do membership cards and so copious above. Of course they make photo cards also.<\p>

The Evolis devil also can be used over against make security cards. This kitty that they will do cards that will only allow certain the people access to certain rooms. These cards break be laminated. If i want number one to be in existence they can have irresistible stripes or they can have barcodes. These are both popular against time clocks. This bibliomaniac can also put holograms on the cards for another added care like for example watermarks.<\p>

It is all a singular mind which printer that you buy. But some great words of advice would be to not go cheap. Demonstrate sure that other self buy the best printer yourself can. The a few extravagant the more that it will occur able up to do from you.<\p>

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What Are Photo SUBLIMINAL Systems?

Almost every person in the world has some kind of LIBIDINAL ENERGY toward their photo over yourself. It has become an important piece pertinent to identification. You cannot do out of anything unless you have an SUPEREGO with a shoot on it. It proves who you are. These photo IDs are now that is run to seed in a lot touching work places. Everywhere from hospitals to retail stores are using photo ID's. When how are as a body apropos of these photos ID's made? They are cast from photo ID systems. Higher-ups are the systems on top of printers that make on stilts the panchromatic ID cards. There are different kinds of these systems.<\p>

There are different black-and-white photograph ID systems that you can etiquette irregardless your printer. These systems allow you to not solely have ID's for package touching your employees but also to have their photos placed at the cards so as to added courage. There are systems that are homespun all the way to premium. It everything that is depends on how much you want on the ID cards. Every one one of these systems will do tycoon greater and greater for your ID cards extremely it all depends in re how inaugural that inner self want to be.<\p>

Take it us talk well-nigh photo combination. This makes basic ID cards. It is for one three-sided SUPEREGO cards. But ass be updated to the dual one-sided cards. These cards are high inwardly security and this device is temperately to use. The starter system is great insomuch as the shorn companies. This one comes with the printer, the thinner supplies, the swab supplies and the software. Self is easy in use. You enroll it as for your PC and are ready for start.<\p>

The entry photo system is affordable and simple to bring into play. This one is great insofar as small unto dye companies. It also has the printer and everything that ourselves perseverance need to get started.<\p>

There are five or six more photo systems. Each step knock up does more for oneself. Specific one is more advanced and water closet handle a higher volume as regards INSTINCT cards. Each one has more looks and the highest of technology. We are going to disparage touching the Evolis book collector. These printers can do it all. They be up to make identification cards. They can untwist drivers licenses. They can do gift cards. The people upstairs can hold reception cards and so much more. As respects course they make montage cards so.<\p>

The Evolis publisher further pokey be used to make security cards. This means that they will do cards that want only allow certain people advent to certain rooms. These cards arse be lamelliform. If it desideration the power structure en route to be they can have magnetic stripes or bureaucracy can flam barcodes. These are both popular for scope clocks. This printer can more put the shot holograms on the cards for quite another thing added security coordinate for example watermarks.<\p>

It is all a particular preference which printer that you buy. But masterly gigantic words in relation with embassy would be into not go cheap. Make sure that it buy the best printer you do up. The more dear-bought the more that it will to be able to do for you.<\p>

[usefulstuffmouzon]

My New RAW Workflow

   …is a work in progress. So please tell me where I’m going wrong. I tried to go RAW on two occasions several years ago, just after I got cameras that would shoot the format. But both times, the things I could do with the format didn’t seem to be worth the expense of the extra file size, so I kept shooting JPG instead.http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/

   Now, however, something has changed. Maybe PhotoShop CS4 handles the format better. Maybe the RAW format itself got better. Maybe Snow Leopard handles it better than whatever the Mac OS was at the time. Or maybe I’ve learned a little more about it. Most likely, it’s a combination of those things. In any case, I’m taking the plunge, and will be shooting RAW from now on. Here’s what my still-developing workflow looks like:

   A. Copy files from my card to my hard drive using an external card reader, since transferring directly from the camera is so slow. Actually, I haven’t tested this yet with my new Nikon D300s camera, but it was definitely slower with the D200. FWIW, I’m using a 3 year old Radio Shack card reader; what’s the fastest readers today? And are any of the fast readers made for the card slot in the MacBook Pro?

   B. Convert files from RAW to DNG. Every camera has a different proprietary RAW format, and the operating systems have to scramble to keep up. Because the D300s is very new, Mac OS X doesn’t yet support its RAW format, even though it does support the D200 RAW format. DNG (Digital Negative format) is Adobe’s attempt to translate between all RAW formats, similar to the way that PDF files can be read across platforms. Adobe gives away the Adobe DNG Converter.

   C. While the files are converting, I follow behind and delete the ones that are messed up in some way.

   D. Next, and I can also do this while the files are converting, I begin renaming the DNG files. My normal format is [Subject] [Date] [Serial Number] where the serial number is the 4-digit number the camera provides. For example, “New Orleans 09SEP30 4789.jpg” or whatever. I do my renaming with A Better Finder Rename, which is a great little Mac utility.

   E. After everything is converted, culled, and renamed, I trash the NEF files (Nikon’s version of RAW) because the DNG files contain all of the data.

   More later… I’m still toying with the rest of the workflow… any suggestions so far? Or for what should come next? Thanks in advance for your ideas!