Hey baby, that's NOT the way to do it... no money for anything and dust and scratches for free!
The problem with buying software is that as soon as you've purchased a package it seems that in no time at all it has been superseded by something else.
Some time ago in our printed edition we profiled PhotoFile - a Windows-based picture library management system produced by TypeCAST of York, UK - an excellent system which many readers purchased.
TypeCAST have now updated this system by introducing PhotoFile Professional, a much faster piece of software designed to find images at speed, with improvements to the presentation on-screen (it even impressed our totally-Mac-based editorial staff). But don't worry too much if you bought the earlier version as upgrades are available.
A clear data entry screen allows photograph details to be quickly entered into your database, either singly or in a batch, using the first photograph as a template for subsequent entries.
It is possible to attach a scanned image of the picture to each record, but to do this you need a suitable scanner like the Nikon CoolScan, Polaroid Sprint or Microtek. Several images can be displayed together to produce an electronic contact sheet.
The real power of PhotoFile Pro lies in its lists. They are compiled on screen automatically and update as new additions are entered. They can also be created by use of the search operations, or manually by simply selecting photographs from the database with the mouse. Should you require a list of all your Velvia 35mm shots taken in Scotland between 1980 and 1985 that have Scots Pines in them, or all 6 x 6 Kodachromes sold to a postcard company, three clicks of the mouse will find them all.
Installation is quick and simple with screen instructions which are easy to follow - although if you've not used this type of program before I would strongly recommend that you read the manual before attempting any data logging.
Running in Windows 3.11 on a PC or SoftWindows on a Power Mac, the program allows similar subjects such as "portraits" or "power shots" to be grouped in addition to both main and sub classification fields. By defining up to 1,000 of these main subject classifications and 1,400 more detailed sub classifications, it is possible to tailor the program to your own specific requirements.
The search functions are fast and will work by subject, format or client categories. The flexible printer configuration allows reference caption labels to be printed on almost any type of A4 label sheet. If the printer is of a high enough quality (24 pin or better) then you can print labels for use on 35mm slide mounts.
Should you regularly submit work to certain clients PhotoFile Pro can be configured to print name/address details on each caption label automatically, together with the � copyright symbol. A choice of typefaces and sizes allow professional looking labels to be produced.
Configuration also allows 1 or 2 unique labels to be printed for each photograph, making it ideal for automatically printing an address label alongside each caption label, individual lines can also be printed in bold type.
If the time has come to really get your picture filing system in order, PhotoFile Pro looks like the ideal solution. It costs �149 pounds + VAT in the UK, and lower cost upgrades from the original PhotoFile are available.
To contact TypeCAST, call or fax (+44) (0) 1904 416684.