Help… my digital images are out of control!!! (Walter D. Joseph)

I can remember the moment I got my first digital camera, my view of the planet completely changed. I saw something beautiful and aesthetically pleasing in my surroundings, that I had to capture. I was constantly experimenting and continually loading my images to my laptop. Well, one day I decided to work on a project. I knew I had all of the pictures I would need; however they were all saved somewhere on my hard-drive…in one of those many folders. Unfortunately I was unable to simply search through my folders because I used generic file names like Macro1, Macro2, Black & White1, Black & White 2 and so on. Guess what?! It was time for me to get my photographs in order. I have chosen this topic because I (like many others) have a digital camera and did not keep my images organized so that they were easily accessible.

There is a lot of software available to aid me with this issue, but what I prefer to use is Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9; which houses two imaging applications. They are MS Digital Image Pro9 (a photo manipulation program) and MS Digital Image Library 9 (a database of digital images).

Personally, I like its familiar Explorer-like interface-with the right pane as your image browser and image showcase; while the left region is your folder pane.

What is great about Microsoft Digital Image Library 9 is the fact that you do not have to transfer your images from their current location. Instead, the program automatically scans your hard drive and identifies all of your “photo” files, allowing you to deselect folders you do not want to use. Now, you are able to sort your images according to keywords, dates, or file names. From here, you can make the image full-screen view and use the basic functions of fit to screen rotate, print and zoom (in or out) and you can select multiple images for creating a slideshow.

The suite also allows you to keep track of your images metadata, or information about your picture such as the time and date the shot was taken and the shutter speed. The suite also allows you to add the metadata with captions and keywords to categorize and identify your photos. Another great function of this application is that it allows you to rate your images. Simply use the preview pane and select the number of “stars” you give the image (1 being poor and 5 being great).

Retouching of an image can be done by selecting the edit button and Digital Image Pro 9 opens the selected snapshot. The suite offers several “quick-fix” functions such as “smart erase” and “red eye” tool. As an “all in one” application, Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9 features a lot of templates for creating projects such as albums, postcards, calendars and even scrapbooks. The software also comes with thousands of frames and mats that can be used on your images.

Microsoft Digital Image Suite 9 is a great application that allows you to organize, reshape, resize, enhance color, and create cool albums and projects with your images. If you have used this software let others know how you liked it or hated it. Also tell us about other photo applications that you recommend.