iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

I read a lot of folks use Picasa for organization and edit in either PE or PS. Is there an advantage to using Picasa vs the organizer that comes with PE?

And before you lightroom people jump on, I'm not interested in purchasing lightroom so this is not an option for me (my picture count is in the 1000's not the 10's or 100's of thousands as some of you). :wink:

nyweb2001

I'm different....I don't use any programs to organize...guess I'm old fashioned ! I have 1000's of shots in folders grouped by subject, Raw, Jpeg. I edit in Elements 9 or Zoom Browser EX and just open from those folders. Probably not the way most do it, but I'm so used to it, I can find just about any pic I'm looking for in no time !

Iduno Loc: Near Tampa Florida

Personally I haven't been successful with Picasa but I know I'm in the minority. I like what nyweb2001 said. To paraphrase, it really doesn't matter what you use as long as it works for you. If I wasn't using LR I'd probably use Elements organizer.

photocat Loc: Atlanta, Ga

I am with Pete on this one, altho, i print out a contact sheet (a hold over from darkroom habits) so I can review the page without using the computer.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I do the same thing, nyweb. I have folders for subject matter, and it has worked fine for me. I keep thinking I should use one of the organizer programs and put key words with each photo, but that would take days. My folder system works for me.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

PE Organizer crashes constantly for me. I have 180,000+ (and counting) photos on 3 drives, and Picasa has no trouble. I also have full blown CS5, and have much better luck with Picasa organizer than Bridge as well. For me, Picasa is the only way to organize.

birdie

I also have my own folder system which works for me and never pay any attention to Picasso. In fact it gets in my way but is always there trying to organize everything new I put in my computer. Can I just eliminate it from my computer or is it an integral part of one of my programs. I really don't remember how I got it or if it was just there as part of the operating system from day one. This computer and I co-exist. I do things my way and it is busy doing things it's way and neither understands the other.

MtnMan Loc: ID

I am very happy with the Organizer in PSE 10.

I particularly like that I can do quick edits and send to Facebook without even going into the Editor.

I also like the fact that PSE 10 has the Adobe Camera Raw editior.

I am happier using one consistent interface. I still have much to learn about it.

But I don't have near the number of images some of the folks here do.

Regards,
Larry Leach

TheBirdMan Loc: Southeast Missouri, USA

I started accumulating images long before there was any organizational programs for them. I, like most who have replied, have my own file system by image subject type. I also rename all of my images before I place them in a folder. The date they were taken is a unique name that will never reoccur (12 14 11) since the computer will not often accept symbols like ~ or - or / Windows photo viewer will allow you to see the date an image was taken when you hover your mouse over the thumbnail of the image. It will also file the images in sequential order by date. There is also a download that will allow Windows Photo Viewer to read and process RAW images.

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

Hello iresq,

I have about 40,000 images 0n two computers and this is what works for me:

I am using Windows XP. I file all my images in "My Pictures" Some photogaphers begin their file name with the date or year. I don't. I use the subject matter for a folder name. For instance Gloucester, MA., Lighthouses, Grandkids, Boats, Infa Red projsects, Experiments, Cars, Girlfriend (name), Camping trips. Family Events.

Under Gloucester, I might have a folder for doorways, harbor shots, boats, people etc.

Under Grandkids, I might have a folder for Tyler, one for Ryan, one for Trey.

Under Boats, I might have sail boats, motorboats, boats shows.

Under Girlfriend (name) I might have each trip such as Cape May 2009, Cape Cod 2010. Kayaking.

NOW what if I wanted to file pictures of a cool boat shot in Gloucester Mass. I would copy it to my "Gloucester Mass" folder and also copy it to my "Boats" folder. If I had it filed by date as some people do, I would never remember when I shot it and would be going through folders year by year. However, all I have to do is look in my "Boats" folder or know where I shot it and go to my "Gloucester, Mass" folder.

Under Family Events, you might have Easter 2009, Easter 2010, Easter 2011, Christmas 2009, Christmas 3010, Christmas 2011. All of your Christmas pictures will appear together one after the other automatically by date in your "Family Events" folder. If you want that silly picture of Aunt Emma with a carrot in her ear, all you have to know it was taken on Easter and you don't have far to look !! All your Easter folders are right together. Windows will sort/file them that way for you.

If I am emptying an SD card, ( you know how images stay there for ever !!) I may highlight all the grandkids images and copy them to the grandskids folder and then go back later and drag all of the Tylers to his folder and all the Ryans to his. You could even do Tyler 2009, Tyler 2010, Tyler 2011 if you want to.

But, at least when I want a image of that lighthouse in Gloucester, I know it will be in the Gloucester folder and/or in the "Lighthouses" folder. I don't have to remember what year it was shot and then going trought folders by year.

This will work well for you with the relatively small amount of images you have. And you don't have to buy any programs or worry about compatability or crashing.

Regards, Gary

birdie

GC likes NIKON ... mine is similar to yours, except for those things that are just so unique they defy classification, I have a folder called accessories the sparkly wind chime, the hollow log with the fake snake coming out, just stuff like that that I see as I go along.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's exactly what I do, except for the aunt with the carrot in her ear. I have a separate folder for her. I can find things very quickly.

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

You guys sound so organized!!!!
I have a system based on year and months, that's it. I usually recall when I took a picture and go look for it. That way I review other that I have forgotten. I guess there is something to be said for a messy office where no one is allowed to 'organize'.
'I know I have shot something similar... When? Oh! 2008! Where was I? Oh, Blue ridge. August. and hop I go to the folder of August 2008. When I get older and more forgetful I guess it will be impossible for me to find anything but in the mean time I have to recall what I did, where and when.
Software to navigate? ACDSee 3.1 (1999 version)

English_Wolf Loc: Near Pensacola, FL

:shock:

That many? :shock: :mrgreen: (j/k :evil: )

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I used to keep my photos in an online photo site, NO MORE. They went out of business without notice. Thankfully, I had all my photos backed up on discs and jump drives (a LONG time ago) Of course, I do not want my photos stored on my computer (in folders or not), I bought a 1TB external hard drive to put them on. It was on sale for $69.99 at Walmart. I put thousands and thousands of photos on it and it still has about 90% free space.
I did all that a few years ago and just in time, because CDs and jump drives can become contaminated and you may lose them all. The best part about a portable EHD is that you can take it anywhere and attach to any computer to see the photos and bore your friends to pieces. NO NO, none of the phots here would bore anyone. I meant MINE!!!!
Oh, and I do put mine in folder on the EHD.