Files, Metadata & Workflow — 60 Terms Defined

3-2-1 Backup Rule Files, Metadata & Workflow count The guideline of keeping three copies of data, on two different media types, with one copy off-site. 3 copies, 2 media, 1 off-site

Archive Files, Metadata & Workflow TB Long-term storage of completed work in a form intended to remain readable for decades.

AVIF Files, Metadata & Workflow MB An image format based on the AV1 video codec, offering high compression efficiency, wide gamut and high dynamic range support.

Backup Files, Metadata & Workflow count A separate copy of image files kept so that loss of the original does not lose the work.

Batch Rename Files, Metadata & Workflow count Renaming many files at once using a template built from metadata, sequence numbers and fixed text.

Bit Rot Files, Metadata & Workflow The gradual, silent corruption of stored data over time, in which individual bits change without any error being reported.

Bits per Channel Files, Metadata & Workflow bits The number of bits used to record each colour channel of a pixel, determining how many tonal levels are available. Levels = 2^bits

Caption Field Files, Metadata & Workflow characters The IPTC field carrying a written description of what the image shows.

Card Formatting Files, Metadata & Workflow Erasing a memory card in the camera to restore a clean file structure before reuse.

Catalogue Files, Metadata & Workflow count A database recording every image in a collection along with its metadata, previews and editing instructions.

Catalogue Backup Files, Metadata & Workflow MB A copy of the catalogue database, holding every rating, keyword, collection and editing decision.

Checksum Verification Files, Metadata & Workflow hash Computing a mathematical fingerprint of a file and comparing it later to confirm the data has not changed.

Chroma Subsampling Files, Metadata & Workflow ratio A compression technique that records colour information at lower resolution than brightness information. 4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0

Cloud Backup Files, Metadata & Workflow TB Storing a copy of image files on remote servers accessed over the internet.

Collection Files, Metadata & Workflow count A named grouping of images assembled for a purpose, independent of where the files are stored.

Colour Label Files, Metadata & Workflow A coloured tag applied to a file to indicate its status in a workflow, independently of its quality rating.

Compression Artefact Files, Metadata & Workflow Visible distortion introduced by lossy compression, such as blocking, ringing or colour smearing.

Copyright Metadata Files, Metadata & Workflow The metadata fields asserting authorship, copyright status and usage terms for an image.

Culling Files, Metadata & Workflow % The process of reviewing a shoot and selecting which frames are worth keeping and editing.

Digital Asset Management Files, Metadata & Workflow The systematic organisation, description, storage and retrieval of a body of image files.

DNG Files, Metadata & Workflow MB An openly documented raw container designed as a universal, archival alternative to proprietary camera formats.

Embedded Colour Profile Files, Metadata & Workflow KB An ICC profile stored inside an image file, telling any application what its colour numbers mean.

Embedded Preview Files, Metadata & Workflow px A JPEG rendering stored inside a raw file, used for camera playback and fast browsing before conversion.

EXIF Files, Metadata & Workflow The standard block of technical metadata a camera writes into a file, recording settings and equipment.