IPTC codes and getting started

[Ted Grudzinski]

As I start to us this more, I feel I'm lost in getting started. Is there, anywhere, a primer on  how this things works or is setup? For example, "Keywords" has a check box and then a check box next to that? Why would I want supplmental catagories, are you only allowed a single catagory per field? Where can I find the IPTC scene and subject codes? See I need to find a "IPTC for Dummies " book.

Thanks all,

Ted

[Kirk Baker]

Ted,

As I start to us this more, I feel I'm lost in getting started. Is there, anywhere, a primer on  how this things works or is setup? For example, "Keywords" has a check box and then a check box next to that? Why would I want supplmental catagories, are you only allowed a single catagory per field? Where can I find the IPTC scene and subject codes? See I need to find a "IPTC for Dummies " book.

The first checkbox determines whether or not the keywords will be applied to your selected photos when the overall IPTC Stationery Pad is applied.  If it is unchecked, then the keywords will not be added in the bulk operation.

The second checkbox with a '+' next to it determines if when applied the keywords will append or replace the keywords in the current photo.  If unchecked, then the operation will be a replace.  If it is checked then the keywords will be appended to the photo's current set of keywords.

The IPTC Scene codes can be found here:

http://www.iptc.org/NewsCodes/

The Category fields are mostly used by news organizations and they would likely tell you what to put into each field.  Don't feel left out if you never use them.

-Kirk

[TomBrooklyn]

The IPTC Scene codes can be found here:

http://www.iptc.org/NewsCodes/

That website and the downloads available there are as clear as mud.   That is certainly not the IPTC Codes For Dummies version. 

Is there a simple explanation and breakdown anywhere?   

[vAfotoriporter]

The IPTC Scene codes can be found here:

http://www.iptc.org/NewsCodes/

That website and the downloads available there are as clear as mud.   That is certainly not the IPTC Codes For Dummies version. 

Is there a simple explanation and breakdown anywhere?   

Captions and especially the other fields are used in unike ways by each and every agency newspaper and photographer. Mostly it is up to you how you want to use them if you do it just for your own archive.
And it is completely up to your employer if you have to fit your work into the system of any larger organization. They will have writen or oral instructions for you on this.

For example this is how AP sums it maybe this can help you to start with:
http://www.ap.org/apserver/userguide/codes.htm

[Luiz Muzzi]

Hi, Szurkebarat,
Thanks for your invaluable tip.
Regards,

-Luiz Muzzi

[vAfotoriporter]

Hi, Szurkebarat,
Thanks for your invaluable tip.
Regards,

-Luiz Muzzi

You are welcome.
I use this as a basis for my workflow, but as I don't have to stick to it too strictly I made some modifications for my own setup.

[nmf]

Tom, the IPTC site used to have a large reference chart with all the codes for the categories and IPTC Subject Code field such as for individual sports or events and, explanations but I've been unable to find it on the site for a while.

Does anybody know where it can now be found please ?

Having asked that does anybody even use them still or have they been superseded by keywords ?

Thanks