« Embedding Metadata | Main | Signed Consent, Social Stigmas »

Didn't Drown, Waved, Swam a Little

The slides for the workshop on managing large volume of photo field data can now be downloaded from here [1MB], related presentations here. It draws on the methods we've evolved in Nokia Research to handle large volumes of photo field data. Its not rocket science but neither is it straight forward if you're just getting started.

The 3 things that make the biggest difference? Work out what you are likely to use the photos for before you get started - yes it's obvious, no most people don't really understand the implications of the answer; create a naming strategy for folders and files and assume someone else will want to retrieve data years from now simply based on these names; work out how to batch process images.

Probably the liveliest discussions centered around issues of data consent. If, for example you have data consent to use a photo for research purposes can it be used in a workshop that discusses the research? What about a paid-for workshop? Or on a web site that accepts advertising? Figure out where the line is and make sure the research team (and everyone who might use the photos) knows which side of the line they are standing on. If I'm brutally honest the second liveliest discussion centered around chocolates.

The PowerPoint compression tool mentioned can be found here.

Thanks to everyone who contributed their time and knowledge - Anjali, Laura, Divya, Dionne, Todd, Roland, Roberto, James and Kathi, plus Elizabeth, Ken and Tracey for hosting with such grace.

Writing from Cairo | October 16, 2006 | Permalink