Now
that you have your images cataloged in the computer, each one with
a unique ID and label, and cross referenced to your filing system,
you should be able to find any image you need by searching your
computer database.
Admittingly, this process requires some discipline to maintain,
and time for the initial setup. A lot of cursing has gone on in
this office in dealing with this at times. Slide labeling is one
of the most mundane chores in image organization. Ultimately, this
upfront work saves you a lot of grief in the long run. It is very
worthwhile when you are able to locate that particular image you
have been searching for, or looking for every image of a particular
bird or flower you have shot, or just want to know what images you
have sent out for contests or publication.
Finally,
this organization method has similar application when it comes to
archiving images on CD's. With all of the slide scans we are accumulating,
it became necessary to apply a similar structure to our CD catalog.
With Access, this was a simple modification of the database program
to track which images were scanned, and where they are located at.
The
thumbnails are VERY useful in quickly sorting through CD's to find
a particular scan. Similar to throwing a page of slides on the light
table, you have a visual reference of the scans saved on a particular
CD. Adobe Photoshop 6.0 has a very useful automation
feature that creates these sheets for you with very little effort.
