Category structures

[geraldmarsden]

I’m opening this thread in hopes of exploring new ideas for organizing category structures. I’m looking for things that go beyond the usual: Location, Subject, People, Events, etc.
I recently read a little note by Brooks Jensen in which he describes three of his that were new to me: 1) Distance from camera to principal subject [infinity, 20 to 50 feet, 10 to 20 feet, etc.]; 2) Primary color [warm tones, cold tones, saturated colors, pastel colors, etc.]; 3) Compositional shapes [is the basis composition round, diagonal, T-shaped, L-shaped, random].
Interesting!
I use a Photo Technique group [Panorama, multi-shot – depth of focus, multi-shot – dynamic range, multi-shot – increase resolution, etc.].
I suspect there are other ideas out there. I like to hear about them.

[Mike Buckley]

In addition to some of the descriptors you mentioned, I also assign the following catalog labels:

Horizontal, Vertical or Square (indicating the orientation and configured so assigning one automatically revokes another one that had already been assigned)
Selective focus
Extensive depth of field
Lighting (indicating that it's unusually nice)
Pattern
Pair
Group (indicating three or more of something)
Dominant color (I have about 15 colors)
Selective color
B&W (a proxy for any monochrome whether B&W or not)
Sepia
Albumen print
Perspective (indicating that it's unusually interesting)
Close-up
Macro
Reflection

[HaraldE]

Morning,

My usage of the categories is not technical. I use it to keep track of the usage of my photos.
Currently I keep track of which photos are used in which printed Photobook or Calender. These two types of items I use now and then as give aways to people.
Later on I will (most likely) extend this to include a category to remember to whom I have handed out Birthday cards.

So my use is not complicated and rather non-technical but anyway quite key to me. For example, if I want to gove a person a second printed Photobook I want to avoid using the same photo twice.

Regards, Harald

[geraldmarsden]

Harald's comment reminded me that in addition to the PSU categories I referred to in my opening post, I have one in Lightroom that I use for images that I have liked enough to carry through post-processing to the point of making a print (which I mainly hang in my home). This catalog has 1) a 4 level quality rating; 2) a list of storage box numbers (for those that are hanging no longer--so that I can find a print should I need it later); 3) An orientation group -- vertical, horizontal, square; 4) Presentation -- mounted, matted; 5) Nominal aspect ratio ; and, finally, 6) a group for any special collection or groups.