Photo Management Software

July 25, 2011

Photo Management Software

Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture

     With the era of the digital camera, people started to take more and more photos. However, the photos also became digitized, and most are never printed. Somehow, there had to be a way of sorting, cataloging, and adjusting the photos. So as they say, create a need, and someone will invent the solution. 

      With the need, 2 companies decided to create the solution, and the 2 "solutions" came out almost 1 after the other. The 2 of course for those familiar with Photo Image Cataloging Software are of course - Adobe and Aperture. For those on a limited budget, you can download for free Picasa.

      Basically, what these 2 programs do is allow you to store your photos in what is called a library. A digital library is the same as the traditional library in that you have the books, sorted into sections, and then catalogued by numbers, and then "reviewed". However, Lightroom and Aperture go one step further, by allowing you to process and develop your images. This simply means to use a condensed form of photo-editing software such as Photoshop.

     I taught for 32 years, so I always had to be up-to-date with the latest software. Being a teacher allowed me to have "teacher discounts", so that's why I have these 2 softwares. They were much less-expensive than the retail versions.

    I don't use them as much as I should! If you take a lot of photos, you should use the software (either one) every time that you download photos, because if you become "lazy", you end up with a monumental task, and you just don't feel like doing that! However, if you do use the software, and use it properly,it does save you a lot of time and effort. This is especially true, when you have to search for a particular photo from a collection of 50,000 images. And believe me, it doesn't take long to shoot 50,000 images - you'd be surprised!

So let's have a look at the 2 softwares and I'll show you most of the features of them, just to give you a rough idea of what they're about, and what they can do. I'll try to avoid any preference, because I can use them both equally well, and it's more up to you to decide. Don't forget that most software companies will allow you to download a trial version of their software for 30 days.

Don't forget that you can click on any image to enlarge it!

Apple Aperture

Here's an opening window in Aperture.

On the left, notice the folders that contain all of the photos.

In the middle are the actual photos.

You can select from different viewing options.

The above option shows you the folder photos in small size.

When you click or move your keyboard arrow left or right on a small image, the larger one will appear above.

With a click of the mouse, you can then have a full-screen view of the image that you selected.

I've enlarged this particular photo to show you how you can "catalogue" your images.

There is the shooting information on the left, and then you have rectangular spaces where you can add words to remember your photo. The words will then allow you to bring up all images that had similar words. Had I inserted into the keywords space "antique cast iron car", then when I didi a search for these 4 words, all of the images that I had given the same words, would appear.

This image shows you the default listings that come with the software.

You can add new categories as you develop an understanding of the catalogue system.

The words Import and Export allow you to add new images (Import) to the software library, or to send (Export) images to the desktop for further use.

Here's a sample window-capture of some of my folders and files.

A window-capture of the photo-editing software menu.

If I remember correctly,both programs will let you edit a photo and most importantly 

save the original file, and make a new image of the modifications!  

Adobe Lightroom 

Adobe Lightroom is a similar photo-cataloging and image-editing software to Apple Aperture.

Here's a Lightroom portion showing  the search area that will help find you an image.

Here's the window view of my dog Buddy

A full working window view.

The left side is the search section and cataloging area.

The middle is a large image view.

The right side is the image adjustment area.

The bottom is the viewing area of the folder images.

A window capture to show you the area where the actual information of your particular image is.

I've only presented you with a glimpse of what these 2 programs are all about. However, they're excellent when you photograph a lot, need to be organized, and need to edit your images fast. If you only shoot a few photos every week or month, then your own image-editing software like Photoshop Elements will do, and you undoubtedly will do your own cataloging.