Picture Organization Software

[crokett]

Any suggestions? One thing this hard drive mess taught me is that I need to go and organize all the photos we have. I am looking for something that will tag with subject, time, event, etc. I think Picasa will do this but have used it and am not a big fan. Are there any other decent apps out there?

[germdoc]

I think if you had a Mac you wouldn't be asking this question...

On our Dell I just use the Microsoft Vista photo program, which actually works pretty well, but *nothing* is as intuitive or as easy to use as iPhoto.

[docrowan]

I love Picasa. If you decide to give it another try, make sure to get Picasa 3, and in your folder view, select "Tree View". I found it much easier to understand than the "Flat Folder View".

I love the Web publishing option. I use it for work - organizing and sharing photos of our military projects.

[jziegler]

I haven't found anything for Windows that I like better than Picasa for organization. I agree that tree view is better. The editing capabilities aren't great, but functional.

The pros all like Adobe bridge I beleive it is, but price is probably pretty high.

Jim

[crokett]

I love Picasa. If you decide to give it another try, make sure to get Picasa 3, and in your folder view, select "Tree View". I found it much easier to understand than the "Flat Folder View".

Maybe I will try Picasa again and tree view. The biggest annoyance was the view which I guess is flat folder. The other one was seemingly not being able to save a photo I resized back to source and having to export it as a new photo.

[jziegler]

The other one was seemingly not being able to save a photo I resized back to source and having to export it as a new photo.

That might be pretty simple too. After you make any changes, there is a button at the top of the thumbnail area for the folder that says save changes. It replaces the originals, but I think that it may also make a backup copy. I know that works for most edits, so I'd imagine that it does for a resize too.

Jim

[leehljp]

• When cameras with geo-location markers become plentiful, I will get one.
• Facial recognition software is absolutely wonderful.

Those two items make hunting for a few photos among 5,000 - 10,000 fun.

I recently installed the facial recognition software and I cannot say enough good things about it. As SOON as I saw it in action, I put it on LOML's computer and daughter's computer. I never thought it would be that helpful, but now wonder why I took so long to upgrade.

I see great possibilities for geo-location finders for photos too. All I need is a camera with that on it so that it can be incorporated into the photo info.

After you make any changes, there is a button at the top of the thumbnail area for the folder that says save changes. It replaces the originals, but I think that it may also make a backup copy. .

The above software saves changes but also keeps the original unaltered - but most people don't want to go that route.

[crokett]

The above software saves changes but also keeps the original unaltered - but most people don't want to go that route.

Yeah that is what annoyed me about Picasa too - I want the change saved to the original, I don't want two copies floating around. If I didn't want the pic changed I would not have edited it.

[MilDoc]

I've used Adobe Photoshop Elements since Version 2, now use version 5 (6 & 7 not worth the upgrade price IMHO).

You can find Version 2 for $44 or so on Amazon, and it is good enough for most. It's organizing ability is great. Make it easy to say "find pics of me, wife, Karl," or any other combination. Takes about 1 second since you "tag" all photos as you organize.

And the editing capabilities beat Picasa.

[Bruce Cohen]

David,

Check this out, It's an Adobe product and if comes in a Windows compatible version. You can even download a 30 day free version.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/

Bruce

[jkristia]

I use ACDSee and have used it for several years and like it. I tried Picasa once but didn't like it
http://www.acdsee.com/

[Ed62]

I recently installed the facial recognition software and I cannot say enough good things about it.

Is this a software that can be installed on a computer, to use offline? If so, do you have a link for it? I know Picasa has facial recognition software, but I think it's only use is for web albums.

Ed

[Gray Guy]

I use ACDSee and have been for a number of years.

http://store.acdsee.com/store/acd/en...=1244648571240

It is an excellent program for those that don't want to spend the money for Adobe Lightroom or the older Bridge.

John

[Tom Slick]

I just bought adobe lightroom and am going through the organization process. I can't give any feedback on it yet.

I agree with MilDoc. Photoshop Elements will do anything the average person needs, has organization built in, and is cheap.

[leehljp]

I agree with MilDoc. Photoshop Elements will do anything the average person needs, has organization built in, and is cheap.

I have to disagree with that statement as to the "average person needs" - If facial recognition and organization is not known, then yes. But once seen in action . . . unbelievable. It does automatically for me what I hated about photo organization programs.

With 10,000 photos (5,500 on my computer) I hate/detest typing in names and organizing by groups etc. 90% of my 'photo search' has to do with individuals or people groups. Now all I have to do is look at a single photo with a person's face (anywhere in the program's general file and without any tag or name typed in) and click on the person's face and whammo - most all photo's with that face in it will appear.

I like it when the computer thinks for me in the same way that I think. Now for the geocoded photos!