Efficient keywording techniques or how to create a controlled vocabulary

If you have been using image keywords or tags for a while, the topic of managing your keywords is very relevant. If you’re new however, to image keywords, then this topic might not seem necessary, at least not now. However, after applying keywords to your images without any strategy, you will end up having a pile of keywords that you can’t sort out. Just like folders can become unusable if not named and organized correctly, keywords too can become unusable if not maintained properly. In order to avoid this problem you need to create efficient keywords, or in other words, you need a controlled vocabulary. But how do you create a controlled vocabulary?

Keywords suggestions from a metadata expert

In my interview with Hans Fremuth from Metability Software (Read What is the future of image metadata?), I have asked him for some suggestions for creating efficient image keywords.

Hans Fremuth’s suggestions for starting a controlled vocabulary:
If you want to get a grip on your bulging private collection of pictures, I would just build it myself and add keywords for:

1. people (or organizations)
2. event / occasion
3. location
4. time / season / daytime
5. characteristics / emotions.

Try to stick to the same concept all the time, across all file types (same language, either singular or plural terms etc.). Make sure to maintain a list of the words that you have used so far to avoid different words with the same meaning.

Keyword suggestions from Getty Images

Getty Images has a few tips as well for choosing good keywords for images. Their suggestions however, are focused on stock photographers. Stock photographers provide their pictures for sale and the pictures are very generic for somebody that needs to purchase them.

1. People – some keywords: asian, fat, caucasian, thin
2. Concepts – some keywords: innovation, failure, friendship
3. Age – some keywords: 6-11 months, 10-13 years, toddler, pre-school
4. Human Emotions – some keywords: tantrum, proud, impatient, loving, shy
5. Editorial-specific Terms – some keywords: car racing, prince henry
6. Image and footage styles – some keywords: background, aerial view
7. Topics – some keywords: business travel, capital cities
8. Sayings – some keywords: key to success, love at first sight

A quick glance at these categories of keywords will show you that they are geared toward general photography used to illustrate concepts and ideas. But what about the home photographer that doesn’t try to sell their pictures? If you take pictures of your family and your vacations, what can you use?

My suggestions for creating a controlled vocabulary of keywords

Some general keyword rules first

1. Always use singular for the keywords, even though there might be multiple objects in a picture. Instead of trees I would use tree.
2. Always use lower case for all my keywords. Instead of Birthday I use birthday.
3. Always use the infinitive form of the verb. Instead of cries, I use crying. Applies to the Emotions category mostly.
4. Never use abbreviations. Instead of bday, I use birthday.

My categories of keywords

I pretty much stick with the categories suggested by Hans with a few variations.

1. people – members of my family and friends
2. event – birthday, travel, christmas, easter, new year, graduation, game
3. location – park, home, backyard, california, solvang, palm springs, arizona, grand canyon – a long list.
4. emotions – crying, smiling, laughing, singing
5. time – morning, evening, sunrise, sunset

Why so many variations?

The simple answer is because it can’t be regulated. There is no standard way of applying keywords. There cannot be one controlled vocabulary that fits all purposes.

Actually, there is one universal controlled vocabulary…it’s called the English language! And for that you already have the list created: it’s called the English Dictionary. The problem is that there are way too many words in this list!

The conclusion is that you have to create your own controlled vocabulary that will work for you. Give it a try, start with a few words and add some more, but create some rules for yourself so that your vocabulary will actually be controlled.

Useful resources

• Getty Image Library suggestions for good image keywords.
• ControlledVocabulary.com – David Riecks’ website is the best place for getting more details about constructing advanced controlled vocabularies for photographers.
• How to use folders and tags the right way. This is my own article that shows the strengths and weaknesses of folders and tags.