Gert Says
a rather irreverent discusssion
How should you describe your images?
How much information should you use to describe your images?
All images should have the following information associated with them:
- Subject - project name, event, product etc.
- Creator - Photographer, renderer, artist, CAD technician
- Creation date File size, type, (Version # possibly) - if applicable
- Where stored
- Publishing rights - digital rights, ownership, license
- Where used (possibly) - annual report, magazine
To further describe an image so that you and those using them can find the one image they want, you need to decide for what purpose you are using these images and then tailor your descriptions to fit. Paula Berinstein in SEARCHER: The Magazine for Database Professionals presents what she calls Berinstein's Image Taxonomy.
- Instructional Image - how to
- Documentary Image - most common
- Locational Image - where things are - maps, site plans
- Graphical representation of numbers and concepts
- Image Making-the-Unseen Visible - medical, radar
- Surrogate Image
- Decorative Image Statement Image/Story/Emotional
If the purpose of your image collection is to document your work then your information would describe your work - Project East Flat in Donkeysville, Missouri etc. If the purpose is to present concepts then you would need to include information which defines those concepts. This shot of Project East Flat is a good example of ³persistence pays².
In other words describe the image's reason for existing.
