Cataloging photographs: Where can I find a list of hierarchical values on the internet?

Hi all,

I have an issue that I am sure everyone of you has had to face:
Cataloging all the personal digital photos. I have about 2,000 now but
want to ensure that I have a robust system before the number gets too
out of control. I am trialling Extensis Portfolio 8 for the next 30
days, which will allow me to set up hierarchical catalogs, etc. etc.
etc. The issue is not with the software.

My issue is what values should I insert in the catalog, and how should
the hierarchy be set up (not the physical go to this button etc, but
the how do I decide that, silly example, a "dog" is a subset of an
"animal").

I am trying to avoid developing my own hierarchy!

My thinking is that libraries have faced this problem for ages, and
they have defined a "language" and values to be used to catalog all
books. Archive departments have come up with a "language" and values
for film and photography.

Is there anywhere on the internet that I can go to where I could
download the hierarchy and values used by these institutions, and
basically reuse them for cataloguing my photos?

In article <1153431757.641305.90060@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups. com>,
"JPC" <jeanpaulcardoso@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I have an issue that I am sure everyone of you has had to face:
> Cataloging all the personal digital photos. I have about 2,000 now but
> want to ensure that I have a robust system before the number gets too
> out of control. I am trialling Extensis Portfolio 8 for the next 30
> days, which will allow me to set up hierarchical catalogs, etc. etc.
> etc. The issue is not with the software.
>
> My issue is what values should I insert in the catalog, and how should
> the hierarchy be set up (not the physical go to this button etc, but
> the how do I decide that, silly example, a "dog" is a subset of an
> "animal").
>
> I am trying to avoid developing my own hierarchy!
>
> My thinking is that libraries have faced this problem for ages, and
> they have defined a "language" and values to be used to catalog all
> books. Archive departments have come up with a "language" and values
> for film and photography.
>
> Is there anywhere on the internet that I can go to where I could
> download the hierarchy and values used by these institutions, and
> basically reuse them for cataloguing my photos?

Most lists are based on something tangible, say beach - girls, surf,
underwater, wave, tree, mountain etc. It's not much use taking a list
from somewhere else when their range of images if different to yours.

Try some cataloging software such as iPhoto or Infranview. Just as in
iTunes, you create playlists of music, these software allow you place
pictures in and one of hundreds of named subjects simply by dragging the
picture into a 'viewlist'.

Start by cataloging your pix set by set creating new subject headings as
you need them. iphoto creates 'aliases' so the picture is only stored in
one place - the library - and the inserting a photo in a viewlist simply
creates a path to the original.

Then it's a simple matter of backing up iPhoto and your pix are always
in subject groups.

JPC wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have an issue that I am sure everyone of you has had to face:
> Cataloging all the personal digital photos. I have about 2,000 now but
> want to ensure that I have a robust system before the number gets too
> out of control. I am trialling Extensis Portfolio 8 for the next 30
> days, which will allow me to set up hierarchical catalogs, etc. etc.
> etc. The issue is not with the software.
>
> My issue is what values should I insert in the catalog, and how should
> the hierarchy be set up (not the physical go to this button etc, but
> the how do I decide that, silly example, a "dog" is a subset of an
> "animal").
>
> I am trying to avoid developing my own hierarchy!
>
> My thinking is that libraries have faced this problem for ages, and
> they have defined a "language" and values to be used to catalog all
> books. Archive departments have come up with a "language" and values
> for film and photography.
>
<snip>

Google is your friend - Dewey Decimal is the system libraries use to
categorise books. Have a look there for some ideas.

I use ImageDB as my data base and have developed my own hierarchy. It's
difficult, I know, as some categories are abstract actions like actions,
while others are strict nouns - places, objects, etc. Try the imageDB
site, he has good advice on creating your own category list.

http://www.focussoftware.co.uk/

The only sensible advice I can offer is to also create a TEMP category
for those images you can't sort out immediately
Phil

JPC wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> I have an issue that I am sure everyone of you has had to face:
> Cataloging all the personal digital photos. I have about 2,000 now but
> want to ensure that I have a robust system before the number gets too
> out of control. I am trialling Extensis Portfolio 8 for the next 30
> days, which will allow me to set up hierarchical catalogs, etc. etc.
> etc. The issue is not with the software.
>
> My issue is what values should I insert in the catalog, and how should
> the hierarchy be set up (not the physical go to this button etc, but
> the how do I decide that, silly example, a "dog" is a subset of an
> "animal").
>
> I am trying to avoid developing my own hierarchy!
>
> My thinking is that libraries have faced this problem for ages, and
> they have defined a "language" and values to be used to catalog all
> books. Archive departments have come up with a "language" and values
> for film and photography.
>
> Is there anywhere on the internet that I can go to where I could
> download the hierarchy and values used by these institutions, and
> basically reuse them for cataloguing my photos?

A hierarchical system may not be the best way to go. There is a book out
entitled "File Don't Pile" that I think you may find worth reading. You
may decide afterwards that you don't want to use that system, but even if
you don't it may give you some ideas.

As far as libraries go, google "Dewey Decimal System" and "Library of
Congress Classification System". The first hit on each will be a good
summary of the system.

You'll find that libraries cross reference by subject, author, and title,
which might not be the most convenient organization for you--among other
things unless you're running a service bureau "author" will always be you.

Don't know if Extensis allows it, but you might want to take a look at an
inexpensive book entitled "File, don't pile" that describes a
straightforward indexing system. Their approach may not work for you but
it's worth looking at.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Hi all

Thanks all for your advice and links to other information.

Intuitively, (and speaking with very little experience of cataloging
photos - I have set up a large list of folders on my hard disk with
unique filenames) I feel that the hierarchy system would suit the range
of vague outlines to specific items. I acknowledge that a flat system
may work, and take it on myself to read the "File, not Pile" book.

For now, I have chosen to experiment with the Library of Congress
classification system, specifically for subjects data.

My aims with using this system (or if any others are more applicable)
are to:
a) reuse existing cataloguing knowledge (don't want to re-invent, nor
re-catalog later),
b) remind me to catalogue the photos fully by assiging as many catalog
entries as are applicable,
c) provide a framework so that I can determine if any photographic
areas are "missing",
d) will allow users (initially myself and girlfriend) to find all the
photos that we are looking for in a readilly understandable way.

The intention is to (much later on) be able to publish the photographs
onto a website, or provide photos to a stock agency.

If anyone is interested, I can let you know how successful the system
is in a month or two?

Kind regards,
Jean-Paul

On 24 Jul 2006 06:52:41 -0700
"JPC" <jeanpaulcardoso@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Hi all
>
> Thanks all for your advice and links to other information.
>
> Intuitively, (and speaking with very little experience of cataloging
> photos - I have set up a large list of folders on my hard disk with
> unique filenames) I feel that the hierarchy system would suit the
> range of vague outlines to specific items. I acknowledge that a flat
> system may work, and take it on myself to read the "File, not Pile"
> book.
>
> For now, I have chosen to experiment with the Library of Congress
> classification system, specifically for subjects data.
>
> My aims with using this system (or if any others are more applicable)
> are to:
> a) reuse existing cataloguing knowledge (don't want to re-invent, nor
> re-catalog later),
> b) remind me to catalogue the photos fully by assiging as many catalog
> entries as are applicable,
> c) provide a framework so that I can determine if any photographic
> areas are "missing",
> d) will allow users (initially myself and girlfriend) to find all the
> photos that we are looking for in a readilly understandable way.
>
> The intention is to (much later on) be able to publish the photographs
> onto a website, or provide photos to a stock agency.
>
> If anyone is interested, I can let you know how successful the system
> is in a month or two?

Please do. I'm sure many of us are interested in your experiences.

The goal of my cataloging script is mainly your fourth one. I invent
tags as I need them, mostly for place names or plant and animal
identifications. As the number of tags grows, I'm finding the need for
better flexibility in organizing the hierarchy. (It's simply a matter
of software and time. ) The secondary goal is the generation of
web content, which has been working well for a couple years.

Paul Allen

"JPC" <jeanpaulcardoso@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153749161.517080.95380@b28g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>
> My aims with using this system (or if any others are more applicable)
> are to:
> a) reuse existing cataloguing knowledge (don't want to re-invent, nor
> re-catalog later),
> b) remind me to catalogue the photos fully by assiging as many catalog
> entries as are applicable,
> c) provide a framework so that I can determine if any photographic
> areas are "missing",
> d) will allow users (initially myself and girlfriend) to find all the
> photos that we are looking for in a readilly understandable way.
>
> The intention is to (much later on) be able to publish the photographs
> onto a website, or provide photos to a stock agency.
>
> If anyone is interested, I can let you know how successful the system
> is in a month or two?
>
> Kind regards,
> Jean-Paul


You will need to compile a list of all the possible tags for your existing
photos first. If you later come up with a tag that applies to existing
photos you will have to manually locate those photos and tag them. That is
probably going to be the most labor-intensive part of your project.

JPC wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I have an issue that I am sure everyone of you has had to face:
> Cataloging all the personal digital photos. I have about 2,000 now but
> want to ensure that I have a robust system before the number gets too
> out of control. I am trialling Extensis Portfolio 8 for the next 30
> days, which will allow me to set up hierarchical catalogs, etc. etc.
> etc. The issue is not with the software.
>
> My issue is what values should I insert in the catalog, and how should
> the hierarchy be set up (not the physical go to this button etc, but
> the how do I decide that, silly example, a "dog" is a subset of an
> "animal").
>
> I am trying to avoid developing my own hierarchy!
>
> My thinking is that libraries have faced this problem for ages, and
> they have defined a "language" and values to be used to catalog all
> books. Archive departments have come up with a "language" and values
> for film and photography.
>
> Is there anywhere on the internet that I can go to where I could
> download the hierarchy and values used by these institutions, and
> basically reuse them for cataloguing my photos?

Forget hierarchical catalogging. Just use tags like Flickr does. That's
a much better approach for organizing your pictures. It's infinitely
extensible, easy to use, and you don't have to redo the whole thing if
you change your mind about something.

-Gniewko

On 20 Jul 2006 14:42:37 -0700, "JPC" <jeanpaulcardoso@hotmail.com>
wrote:

c. etc.
>etc. The issue is not with the software.
>
>My issue is what values should I insert in the catalog, and how should
>the hierarchy be set up (not the physical go to this button etc, but
>the how do I decide that, silly example, a "dog" is a subset of an
>"animal").
>
>I am trying to avoid developing my own hierarchy!
>
>My thinking is that libraries have faced this problem for ages, and
>they have defined a "language" and values to be used to catalog all
>books. Archive departments have come up with a "language" and values
>for film and photography.
>
>Is there anywhere on the internet that I can go to where I could
>download the hierarchy and values used by these institutions, and
>basically reuse them for cataloguing my photos?

You're right about libraries and archives dealing with this issue.
But if you look at the Dewey Decimal system of the Library of Congress
system, it may not serve your needs.

I am facing the same problem as you, and discussed it with my wife, a
librarian and archivist. A better starting point is a "controlled
vocabulary." There is even a web site with a name similar to that.
(I'm offline now, so I can't search for it, else I would be giving you
an URL.)

As always, Google is your friend here.

Also go to the IPTC website. They have a large controlled vocabulary
that is designed to facilitate exchange of media of all kinds- not
just photos- between the media creators and news organizations.

Hope this helps.

Pere Kodak

Thanks Pere

As suggested, I have requested membership to the Yahoo group
ControlledVocabulary. The link is below (so that anyone who follows
this thread can find the URL you talked about in your post!)

http://www.controlledvocabulary.com/index.html

Will let you know how it goes.

KInd regards,
Jean-Paul