Files, Metadata & Workflow — 60 Terms Defined

Export Files, Metadata & Workflow Generating a delivery file from an edited image, with a chosen format, size, colour space and metadata.

Export Preset Files, Metadata & Workflow A saved combination of export settings applied in one action to ensure consistency and avoid errors.

File Naming Convention Files, Metadata & Workflow A consistent rule for naming image files so they sort predictably and stay unique.

File Size Files, Metadata & Workflow MB The storage a file occupies, determined by pixel count, bit depth, channel count and compression. Bytes ≈ px × channels × bits / 8

Folder Structure Files, Metadata & Workflow The hierarchy of directories in which image files are physically stored.

Format Migration Files, Metadata & Workflow Converting archived files to a current format before the original becomes unreadable.

Geotagging Files, Metadata & Workflow degrees Recording the latitude, longitude and sometimes altitude of an image's capture point in its metadata.

HEIF Files, Metadata & Workflow MB A modern container format using video-derived compression to store images at roughly half the size of JPEG for equivalent quality.

Image Licensing Files, Metadata & Workflow Granting specified rights to use an image while retaining ownership of the copyright.

Ingest Files, Metadata & Workflow The controlled process of copying images from a memory card into the working system, with verification and renaming.

IPTC Files, Metadata & Workflow A metadata standard developed for the press, holding descriptive and rights information such as caption, creator, keywords and copyright.

JPEG Files, Metadata & Workflow quality 1-100 The dominant lossy image format, using frequency-domain compression to achieve small files at the cost of some quality.

JPEG XL Files, Metadata & Workflow MB A newer image format offering both lossy and lossless compression, high bit depth, and lossless recompression of existing JPEGs.

Keywords Files, Metadata & Workflow count Descriptive terms attached to an image to make it findable by subject rather than by filename or date.

Lossless Compression Files, Metadata & Workflow ratio Compression that reduces file size while allowing the original data to be reconstructed exactly.

Lossy Compression Files, Metadata & Workflow ratio Compression that permanently discards image information judged least perceptible, in exchange for much smaller files.

Metadata Files, Metadata & Workflow Information stored within or alongside an image file that describes the picture rather than forming part of it.

Metadata Preset Files, Metadata & Workflow A saved template of creator, copyright and contact fields applied automatically on import.

Model Release Files, Metadata & Workflow A signed agreement in which a recognisable person consents to the commercial use of their image.

Pick Flag Files, Metadata & Workflow A binary marker used during a first culling pass to separate keepers from rejects.

Pixel Dimensions Files, Metadata & Workflow px The width and height of an image measured in pixels, which is its only fixed measure of size. Total pixels = width × height

PNG Files, Metadata & Workflow MB A lossless format with transparency support, designed for graphics and screen use rather than photographic delivery.

PSD Files, Metadata & Workflow MB A layered working format that preserves layers, masks, adjustments, text and smart objects for continued editing.

RAID Files, Metadata & Workflow An array of drives configured for redundancy, speed or both, presented to the system as a single volume.