client wants searchable image catalog

EG
Posted By
Ed_Geis
Sep 4, 2007
Views
490
Replies
13
Status
Closed
My work for a client includes both print, web design and photography. I’m running Create Suite 2 (will upgrade to 3 when resources allow).

They’ve asked me to create a searchable web-based image database. I’m wondering what the best tool/strategy is for accomplishing this.

If you know of any good online examples please share them. And if anyone’s put something like this together, I’d be curious as to your methods.

I’ve already tagged most of the image files with metadata and keywords using the "File Info" command in Photoshop (or sometimes I just do this in Bridge). Can this be utilized in some sort of database environment?

I realize that these are pretty basic questions–feel free to point me to any online resources that will get me up to speed on current methods for organizing/cataloging images. I see this new "Lightroom" product is designed to do that…
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JO
Jim_Oblak
Sep 4, 2007
Adobe apps can make static galleries, but you need a server that can support scripting and databases to offer any sort of search function.

Is the database intended for your client’s customers, or just the client?

Here’s one option < http://www.extensis.com/en/products/asset_management/product _information.jsp?id=2010>.
EG
Ed_Geis
Sep 4, 2007
Client is a state agency, most of the images would be available for use among agency staff and their partners, a select few would be available to the public.
CH
clifford_hager
Sep 4, 2007
You need to use a database of some kind to catalog all of your images and tie them to the data. The data you are tagging the images with in Adobe, will not be searchable on line. The most common database used in web design is sql.. .net is gaining favor.

The next best way to make images searchable without a database is to name them obvious names. A photo of the state capitol should be VirginiaStateCapital.jpg. Then use alt tags with additional keywords like "VA capital building, VA legislature", etc.

Then a simple Google search bar will find what ever image you might need to find.

The only problem with this last option is you will need to post at least a thumbnail of every image on an actual web page.

With the database method, you could simply upload images to the server and update the database externally, then have it automatically upload on a time schedule.
AC
Art Campbell
Sep 4, 2007
There are a heard of image databases out there, but I’ve settled on IMatch, by photools.com. Cheap and powerful.

Art
JO
Jim_Oblak
Sep 4, 2007
The most common database used in web design is sql

Eh? SQL is structured query language, used by most databases.

Since this database needs to be accessed by two user groups, you need to find (or create) one that allows different permissions.

If you are unable to program your own, I’d stick with the herd of packaged systems which also includes Extensis Portfolio Server & Cumulus <http://www.canto.com/>.
EG
Ed_Geis
Sep 5, 2007
Thanks for the input.

On a related note, how do Photoshop users catalogue large numbers of digital images for their own use? I myself have just a collection of folders on CD-R, but am ready to set up something better so when I need, say, an image of a lobster boat (hey, this is Maine), I can just call up all the images in my collection containing lobster boats in one quick move. Obviously this removes the online component…
EG
Ed_Geis
Sep 5, 2007
Art–thanks for the iMatch tip, I’m downloading the trial version now and will take it for a spin. Cost of a license is very reasonable.
DM
Don_McCahill
Sep 5, 2007
Eh? SQL is structured query language, used by most databases.

Clifford probably meant mySQL, which is the most common database system used by small business and hobbiest web developers. It is often just called SQL.
MB
Michael_Brower
Sep 5, 2007
I suspect a lot of users catalog their photos with Adobe Bridge, or Adobe Lightroom or Apple’s Apeture.
S
SDA
Sep 5, 2007
Don: It’s never called just SQL in reference to MySQL which is a specific database application. SQL is the language that RDMS (Relational Database Management Systems) use.

See <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL> for background information.
JO
Jim_Oblak
Sep 5, 2007
Clifford probably meant mySQL, which is the most common database system used by small business and hobbiest web developers.

MySQL is used in large enterprise too. Clifford may have also meant MSSQL as well (or any other database with SQL in the name).

Discussing SQL may be useless anyway… With no offense to Ed, I doubt that he can hit the ground running in regard to crafting his own system with any database other than the ones already packaged for him in the ready-made commercial (or GPL) image managers.
EG
Ed_Geis
Sep 7, 2007
Jim,

Point well taken–but I may as well get started learning how an online image collection database using SQL might work, even if in the short term I go with something like iMatch.

If there are any resources online you can point me toward (or books), I’d be much obliged to you. Could I fool around with building an SQL database on my Vista Business workstation, or do I need access to a full-fledged server?

Thanks.
JO
Jim_Oblak
Sep 7, 2007
You do not need a full fledged server. Try XAMPP from apachefriends.org to get a server running quickly on any version of Windows.

The problem with trying to roll your own image database is that unless your images are JPG and GIF, you will need to work out a way to convert EPS, PDF, TIFF, etc to previews that will work in a web browser. This is where the ready-made systems are handy. A web server can be configured to do things like this with apps like ImageMagick but it’s not beginner level stuff.

If all you are working with is JPG photos, consider a free gem like Photos <http://alexking.org/projects/photos> from Alex King. You might also look at Coppermine <http://coppermine-gallery.net/> and Gallery <http://gallery.menalto.com>. There is little point in re-inventing the wheel when you can deconstruct these image managers and tweak to your liking.

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