Digital Photography Workflow

Cataloging is the process of associating data with images so that they can be found later based on criteria beyond what a file-system keeps. Cataloging is entirely optional. Without cataloging one can still find images based on file attributes such as its location on disk, filename and date. The date can be misleading as it is often the last modification date which is recorded by the file-system, not the capture date.

Only once keepers are selected and stored in their destined location can they be cataloged properly. There are plenty of image cataloging software, several of which can catalog a number of other digital file types such as video and audio. A cataloging software lets users associate tags, sometimes called keywords or categories, to images. This can be done one image at a time or in a group.

There are two main approaches to cataloging, one is to put all associated data into a database and the other is to place it within image files. A few programs offer a hybrid approach. Since images initially contain embedded data like EXIF, IPTC or XMP, all software which use a database copy some of that data into the database too, speeding up searches.

The most important advantages of using a database-driven approach are:

• Images remain untouched and intact. This is the most secure and allows verification that an image has been produced in-camera for admissibility where authenticity is required.
• Efficiency. All the data being stored together lets programs operate more efficiently.
• Flexibility. Software can store more varied and extensive data in their own databases.
• Off-line indexing. One can search for images that are not physically stored on the computer, such as ones located on removable media.
• Read-only indexing. One can index and associate data with files on read-only disks such as DVDs and Blu-Rays.

On the other hand, storing data within images themselves has two advantages:

• Inseparable. Once data is within a file, it stays with the file while it is moved or copied.
• Accessible. The format of data within image files other than RAW files is standard. This gives it the most chances of being understood.