The simplest way to sort photos is to use only two or three labels, apply them in one pass, and let search tools do the rest. A flag for keepers, a color for status and a few keywords for subjects cover nearly every need.
Keep the System Small
Many libraries fail because the system is too detailed. If you need a chart to remember what each label means, you will stop using it. Choose a few options that match your habits and write them on a note beside your computer until they become automatic.
| Tool | Suggested use |
|---|---|
| Flag (keep or reject) | Keeper or reject from the first pass |
| Number scale one to five | Optional, only if you really use it |
| Color label | Workflow status: edited, sent, printed |
| Keyword | People, places, events, themes |
| Collection or album | Groups for a project or gift |
A Simple Routine
- Import the shoot and add a general keyword for the event and place.
- Do one quick pass. Flag keepers and mark rejects.
- Filter to keepers only and apply a color label to the ones you will edit.
- Add keywords to the finished set, such as names and themes.
- Collect the best of the year into one album for easy viewing.
Think About Search
Good sorting is really about finding. Ask what you will look for in a year. You might want all photos of a person, all pictures from a place, or just your best work. Keywords answer the first two, and a flag answers the third. Use plain words and a consistent spelling, so that you do not end up with two keywords for the same thing.
Use Numbers Carefully
A one to five scale tempts people to spend time deciding between two numbers. If you use it, define the levels clearly: one for reject, three for decent, five for the best of the year. Skip the middle numbers if they cause hesitation. A flag is often faster and works just as well.
A look at your system is worth a few minutes once a year. Look at the labels you never use and drop them. Look at the ones you rely on and make sure they are applied the same way every time. A tidy, small set of labels will keep working for many years as the library grows.
FAQ
Should I label old photos too?
Do it in small sessions, beginning with the years you care about most. Even a folder name with the date and event helps.
Do labels transfer between programs?
Some do and some do not. Check the program’s guide and keep your folder names meaningful as a backup.
The Short Version
Use few labels and apply them once. A flag for keepers, a color for status and keywords for people and places are plenty. A small system you follow beats a perfect one you abandon.
