Using Keywords in Lightroom Effectively

Last week I got an email from a major magazine editor looking for a very specific image of a Hudson Valley location. They needed it that same day since it was their deadline for publication. I knew I had several images they could use, but had no idea when I had shot them, nor did I have much time to search manually. But, I did have the specific location keyworded – Poets Walk – a Scenic Hudson Park. A quick search brought up a hand full of images, and I was able to select and send 4 for consideration.

The whole process probably took me 10 mins tops. Not only did they choose and use an image, but they also were impressed with my quick and efficient response. And similar scenarios have occurred many times over the years, so I’m a firm believer in taking the time to keep my archive organized.

While there are many different ways to organize and keep track of images in Lightroom, one of the most powerful is through the use of keywords. Similar to tags in other applications, keywords are single words or phrases that you assign to an image that allow you to sort and find your images in the future. This increases your efficiency and helps manage your catalog, especially as it continues to grow.

Keyword Basics

You can assign multiple keywords to an image, and keywords can be nested, meaning you can create hierarchical groups of keywords. And since keywords become part of an images IPTC data (that’s just a universal standard for information that is embedded with every digital file), these keywords can be accessed by other applications, or on the web when you export an image from Lightroom.

For example, the search function on my website can find images based on the keywords I added in Lightroom before I exported the files for on-line use. This makes it extremely easy for a visitor to find specific images based on broad search terms like “waterfalls”, or “Acadia”. The same thing happens if you share your images on Flickr or other sharing sites – the keywords will greatly improve the chances of someone finding them when they search using generic terms ie. trees, seascapes, Maine, etc.

Applying Keywords

Keywording is like exercising, in that the more effort you put into it, the more you get out of it in return, so it is a crucial part of my workflow. After importing images from my memory card, and deleting obvious rejects, I then go through all of the images and assign basic keywords.

There are several ways to add keywords in Lightroom, but the following are the ones I like the best:

1. Add keywords on import IF all of the images have the same keyword in common. Examples can be a location, a person, or if all of the images were shot for a specific client. Enter the keyword on the keyword panel of the Import Screen.
2. In the Library Module, select an image or groups of images, then press Command-K ( Alt-K on PC) which brings up a keyword entry field where you can then type a keyword to add to the selected images.
3. Open the keyword Pane, then click and drag a keyword onto an image or group of images to add that keyword.

I use these three ways 90% of the time, but Lightroom provides other ways as well, so feel free to find which works best for you.

Generating Keywords

One difficulty many have is in determining what makes a good keyword to begin with. Here are a few suggestions based on lots of trial and error:

1. Categorize images based on what it is, where it is, or who it is. Every member of my family that I photograph has a keyword as their name. Similarly, every location has a keyword, for ex. Mt Beacon, Acadia, Cape Breton.
2. Use keywords for the seasons of the year, and specific seasonal conditions. These might be: snow, rain, winter, fog, ice, frost.
3. Use generic keywords for subjects you photograph often. For me these include: rocks, lakes, rivers, creeks, leaves.
4. I use keywords to keep track of specific images I search for often – marketing, frames, backgrounds, workshops, studio. These refer to images I might use in each of these specific areas. An image of a client’s office with one of my prints would be keyworded with marketing, as well as the type of print, and the clients name.

Hierarchical Keywords

Another great feature that is worthwhile setting up is hierarchical keywords. Basically nesting keywords within broader categories. The main advantage of this is that when you add a nested, or child keyword to an image, Lightroom will automatically add all of the parent keywords to the image.

I use this extensively with locations. For ex. here’s a typical hierarchy: North America>United States>New York>Hudson Valley>Hudson River>Dennings Point

When I add the Dennings Point keyword to an image, all of the parent keywords get added in one step. Six months later, if I search for Hudson River, that image will show up, together with other images I shot on the Hudson. Here are a few ideas for hierarchies to get you started:

• Continent > Country > State/Province > Region> County > City > Location
• Wildlife > Animals > Reptiles > Lizards > Gecko
• People > Family > Bryce

Filtering by Keyword

All of the hard work would be wasted if there wasn’t an easy way to filter your images by keyword, and fortunately Lightroom gives us several ways. My two favorite ways are:

1. Make sure all of your images are viewable in the Library Module (click on “All Images” in the top left pane) then press Command+F (Control+F PC) to bring up the filter bar in search mode. Now just type in a keyword and all images that match are instantly filtered.
2. Brose the Keyword List (or type a keyword in the search bar at the top ) then click the little arrow at the right hand side of the keyword to show only images with that keyword assigned.

Keyword Resources

Here are a few websites that you may find useful as you get more into keywords and organizing your library.

• Lightroom Keyword List Project
• Lightroom Keyword Help from Adobe
• Photo Keywords

Conclusion

I think you’ll agree that your image library will continue to grow and become more difficult to manage over time. Making keywords a part of your workflow will pay huge dividends now and in the future as you search, filter, and organize you archive. I know it has for me, not only in time saved, but in money earned.

Have any questions or feedback on keywords or Lightroom in general? Let me know in the comments below!