scg3

All stock photos have to be keyworded, alas! I've used a program called Keyword Perfect for years that's very helpful in that it can be programmed to provide KW's in the right formats for Alamy, Getty or just the usual Photoshop "File Info" box. Also, although I've yet to try it, it can work directly with Lightroom. On the other hand, the proverbial learning curve is quite steep and there are some parts I've never understood. My question: has anyone else used Keyword Perfect? I'd enjoy swapping stories. Second question: What other keywording programs have any of you tried? Like being a freelance photographer, no two people do it the same way but without keywords, stock doesn't sell. Admittedly, it's about as exciting as doing the laundry and I can't do more than a dozen at a time before my brain starts turning into Wonder Bread. I'm thinking some dialogue might makes the task a little more pleasant. Even after something like 50,000 stock photos the end will never be in sight. Oh and while I'm on the subject, what's a good manual for Lightroom? I suppose I should give it a try.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Tony Northrup's Lightroom book. Available in print and ebook with something like 12 hrs of video:

https://northrup.photo/product/lr/

jwest Loc: South Dakota

One of the best tutorials for Lightroom I have found is Julieanne Kost's video series. http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html The main thing about Lightroom is developing a workflow and storage/naming convention BEFORE you start to use it. Very difficult to change it after you start down a path.

Lonestar North Loc: Lakeland, FL

I keyword all my photos in Adobe Bridge. I have some meta data templates that will import a keyword list along with importing the original files. I would for example use a template for location (US, Florida, Tampa, Brooks Subdivision, back yard) if all the shots were from the same spot and also for my copyright data.

Van Gogh Loc: Lansdale, Pa.

I've used this site with some success: http://microstockgroup.com/tools/keyword.php