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Digital Photograph Database Design, Organization, Maintenance Suggestions InspectAPedia®  -     How to organize and use an efficient and full-function database of digital photographs Recommendations for digital cameras, adapters, photograph organizing software for microscope digital photography Recommended camera adjustments and settings for use with a microscope Questions & answers about digital photograph database methods to store and retrieve a large library of images using simple computer software

Here we recommend designs for a database of digital photographs with focus on technical microphotography used to form a forensic particle identification data system - at low cost with easy to use tools.

Organizing and finding digital micro-photographs on a computer

Selection of a photo library management program for Digital Photography through the Microscope

Library design is critical if a large number of photographs are to be stored and ever found again. we have found that general purpose PC-type software such as the Thumbs Plus photo management software by Cerious (www.cerious.com) is particularly suited for this purpose for these reasons which also will describe what we consider important in photo library software:

• The program permits ready directory creation, image movement, copying, and deletion without hogging disk space by keeping multiple copies of each image every time one is moved or changed. [The Mac iPhoto program is the world's worst offender in this regard.]
• Basic image manipulation such as rotation, cropping, enlarging, jpeg cleanup, image enhancement, color balance, saturation, contrast, brightness, are readily at hand.
• Image file naming and image clean up or manipulation functions can be applied either to individual photo images or can be applied to groups of pictures. This makes the assignment of meaningful names to images a snap as it can be done en masse rather than having to type in individual photo names.
• Directories can be scanned for duplicate or similar images
• A watermark can be assigned to images, e.g. for © protection
• Annotations and keywords can be assigned to each image, recording technical or descriptive data for each photo.
• Data base functions are provided, permitting searching for images based on name, assigned keywords, or annotations.

Library design for digital photographs through the microscope

Build a file or disk directory library of folders which organize your photos according to your reference library schema. Example, if you're an aerobiologist, mold, or pollen specialist, create folders for:

Microscopy Pictures - a sample library organization

• to be sorted - this is a general import photo directory
• Bacteria
• Ascomycota
• Yeasts
• Amphisphaeria
• Apiosporina
• etc
• Basidiomycota
• Uredinales RUST
• Ustilaginales SMUT MILDEWS
• Acryia
• Agaricales
• Agaricosa
• etc
• Myxomycota
• Mitospores
• Algae
• Chrytidomata
• Oomycota
• Zygomycota
• Pollen
• Animals, Fibers, Insects, Other
• Unknown Particles

First Pass Screening Microscopic Photo Collection by Family or Type

Using a schema similar to the above, we place one or two representative photos of each spore of a general class (Ascomycetes) in the root directory Ascomata and then place all of the additional reference photos of each Genera/Species within its own subdirectory. On recognizing a spore as an Ascomycete, we can quickly scan through my Ascomycete library of representative photos, pick candidates, and look at more photos in their detailed subdirectories where there will be photos of more spore variations and details.

Saccardo organization for Mold Spore Photographs

we have experimented with forcing my higher level reference directory photos into a Saccardo schema, particularly under the Mitospore category, but it's been tough to maintain this order. Scrolling through the library is so fast that it's easy enough to spot and scan, for example, hyaline allantospores that we stopped forcing those photos into a false order and just order them by their individual names.

Using annotations, keywords, and data base search. we include keywords, annotations, comments, with each photo to assist in identification, such as remarks from reference sources about distinguishing characteristics, habitat, etc. I find the annotations extremely helpful, the keywords and search functions we use very little in my lab.

Typical photo annotations include:

• Photo source
• Unique identifying features to look for
• Other similar spores or pollen grains to cross-check against
• Habitat information
• Reference text citation
• Pathogenicity

Let me know how you succeed, or if you're having trouble obtaining successful, sharp photos with good exposure, email me a photo or two. Sometimes by looking at a bad photo we can figure out what camera or microscope changes might improve results.

We are working on a visual spore and pollen key, and currently have about 250,000 images on hand, but still I'm lacking many of the common spores and pollen grains. Anyone willing to collaborate should send me a note.

Image file backups on trips

In the lab we make daily backups of my image library onto a second or even third device. One of these is portable and is carried home each night so that we have off-site backup data. Once the volume of images becomes substantial, use of a portable hard drive is more practical than writing CD's or DVD's.

We also carry an external hard drive on critical excursions, so that we can back up my photos in at least two different media/physical devices. With a laptop along one can also write a CD or DVD for non-volatile storage as well.

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Questions & answers about digital photograph database methods to store and retrieve a large library of images using simple computer software

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Digital Photography & the Microscope
Introduction to Digital Photography and Microscopy
Some Factors Involved in Obtaining and Using Good Photomicrographs
The Digital Image Formation Chain
Selection of Digital Cameras
Camera mounts
Camera Settings
  Automatic Settings
  Image print size
  Manual setting mode
Focusing tips for Digital Cameras
Take some test photos

Getting your photos from camera to the computer
  Simple method - flash card
  Manufacturer's cables
  Video bus

Building and Organizing a Digital Photo Library on a computer
  Photo library management
  Photo Library design
  First Pass Screening
  Saccardo Method

Image Library Backup Suggestions
References for Digital Photography

References for Digital Photography Through the Microscope - Micro Photography

A Short Course in Nikon Coolpix 990 Photography, Dennis P. Curtain, http://www.shortcourses.com - RECOMMENDED

Resolution of Digital Photomicrographs from Scanned Film, Theodore M. Clark, Microscopy Today, Feb/Mar 2001 http://www.couger.com/microscope/Ted-Clarke/papers/FilmScanner/

Light, Michael I. Sobel, University of Chicago Press, 1987, ISBN 0-226-76751-5

ThumbsPlus image software, provides highly functional image database including basic editing, cropping, enlarging, enhancement of photos, image organization, keywords and comments attached to each image, and search capability - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for PC platforms. Typically less than $100. Network support available.

PhotoShop image editing software, provides sophisticated image editing, available for PC and Macintosh computer platforms. Not recommended for reference library use - this is overkill for image editing and lacks good database functions. Typically more than $400.

iPhoto image software, provides easy user interface and limited function to organize and print photos for MAC computer platforms - not recommended, limited function, very wasteful of disk space, lacks good database functions. Free included with new Apple computers or operating systems.

Photo Explosion image software - free from Microsoft with other OS purchases. Untried.

Picture Easy software from Kodak - free with some Kodak cameras, simple organizing and photo manipulation.

Nikon View software - free from Nikon with purchase of Coolpix cameras, easy image import and simple image manipulation and printing. Great for printing contact sheets of photos (which themselves are pretty useless).

[1] Thumbs Plus image data base software from Cerious software, www.cerious.com is a top choice low-cost option), and will be searched-through for reference purposes

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Aerobiology, Building Science, Microscopy, & Laboratory References, an extensive technical bibliography
• Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd Ed., GS deHoog, J Guarro, J Gene, & MJ Figueras, Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, Universitat Rovira I Virgili, 2000, ISBN 90-70351-43-9
• Atlas of Mold Related Illness: Index of Symptoms and health, physical, neurological, psychological, and other complaint which people suspect may be mold or building-related.
• Atlas of Indoor Mold, Online Clinical Mold Atlas, Toxins, Pathogens, Allergens and Other Indoor Particles - Medical Health Effects of Mold (separate online document)
• Building Floods: quick steps after a building flood or plumbing leak can prevent costly mold contamination
• Classes of Mold: what types of cosmetic, allergenic, or toxic mold are a problem? Can mold be cleaned-up successfully?
• Clinical Mold References - Detailed bibliography of mold reference texts
• "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency US EPA - includes basic advice for building owners, occupants, and mold cleanup operations. See http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.htm
• "Disease Prevention Program for Certain Vegetable Crops," David B. Langston, Jr., Extension Plant Pathologist - Vegetables, University of Georgia (PDF document) original source: www.reeis.usda.gov/web/crisprojectpages/209797.html
• "Disease Prevention in Home Vegetable Gardens," Patricia Donald, Department of Plant Microbiology and Pathology, Lewis Jett
  Department of Horticulture, University of Missouri Extension - extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6202
• "Management of Powdery Mildew, Leveillula taurica, in Greenhouse Peppers," Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, British Columbia - Original source: www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/peppermildew.htm
• Environmental Health & Investigation Bibliography - our own technical library on indoor air quality inspection, testing, laboratory procedures, forensic microscopy, etc.
• Fifth Kingdom, Bryce Kendrick, ISBN13: 9781585100224, is available from the InspectAPedia online bookstore - we recommend the CD-ROM version of this book. This 3rd/edition is a compact but comprehensive encyclopedia of all things mycological. Every aspect of the fungi, from aflatoxin to zppspores, with an accessible blend of verve and wit. The 24 chapters are filled with up-to-date information of classification, yeast, lichens, spore dispersal, allergies, ecology, genetics, plant pathology, predatory fungi, biological control, mutualistic symbioses with animals and plants, fungi as food, food spoilage and mycotoxins.
• Fungi, Identifying Filamentous, A Clinical Laboratory Handbook, Guy St-Germain, Richard Summerbell, Star Publishing, 1996, ISBN 0-89863-177-7 (English)
• Mold Action Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions, What to do about mold, mildew, and other indoor allergens
• US EPA: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Building US EPA
• US EPA: Una Breva Guia a Moho - Hongo - en Espanol
• Most Common Indoor Molds Found in buildings, A Table of
• Mycology, Fundamentals of Diagnostic, Fran Fisher, Norma B. Cook, W.B. Saunders Co. 1998, ISBN 0-7216-5006-6
• ...