Right click to delete (top) or open and delete (below).
This is an easy one. Eliminate the pictures you know don't need (like those shots with your thumb over the
lens). There are two easy ways to delete digital photos from your Windows computer:
Right-click the photo and choose Delete from the menu options.
Double-click the photo to open in Windows Photo Gallery, and select the red "X" in the lower right.
Almost any photo-organizing software you use (for example
HP Photosmart Essential)
will allow you to delete from a library of photos. Better yet, get in the practice of deleting photos from
your camera before you download to save yourself some trouble.
Giving your photos descriptive file names will help you find the images you're looking for quickly and easily.
Name as you download
Who remembers that "HPIM0007.JPG" was that wonderful sunset shot from your honeymoon? Add
descriptive names to your photos as a part of your download routine. Let's face it-if you wait,
they won't get named.
If you only have a few photos to rename, you just have to click each file name once to highlight and
edit.
If you have dozens to rename, try batching them (covered in the next section).
Be consistent
Name files consistently and add descriptive details in the title for easy retrieval later on. For
example: "Eiffel_tower_2008.jpg" rather than Vacation_2008.jpg."
More than giving your photos descriptive names, tagging them makes them even easier to find later on.
Tagging attaches a keyword (or many keywords) to a photo file. For example, if you can't remember that
the exact title is "Becky's_birthday_2008.jpg" you can still find the file by searching
the tags "Birthdays," "Becky," or even "2008."
There are two ways we recommend tagging your digital photos:
HP Photosmart Essential software
This free photo editing and organization software
(free to download here)
allows you to choose from a list of popular tags (vacation, birthday, etc.) but also lets you
create any custom tag you want in the Tag tab.
Windows Vista®
To tag a photo with Windows Vista, simply double-click the image to open it in
Windows Photo Gallery.
Next, select the Info tab.
On the right-hand side, click the Add Tags button, and include any keywords you want.
Some HP digital cameras allow you to tag your photos before they ever leave your camera.
Watch a demo to see how.
If you just don't have time to add keywords or tags, you can still help yourself by labeling your photo
folders. You may want to use the month and year to label each folder and subfolder. Remember, consistency
is key.
You can also arrange photos into folders with HP Photosmart Essential.
Learn more.
So maybe even with these easy tips, you're still not thrilled about organizing your photos. Try using a
creative project as your starting point to better organization.
Instead of diving headlong into hundreds of photos, search for a theme—a particular type of
photo—and ignore the rest for now. Here are a few examples to get you started.
Family baby photos
Create a special album dedicated to all the members of your family when they were young. Or,
use the birth of a new member as inspiration to start organizing.
Everyday special events
What about those special days that "just happen?" Search for photos of trips to the zoo with the
kids, for example.
Places you've lived
Comb your photo library for pictures of the places close to your heart.
Or, just start organizing the most recent photos you've taken or the photos on your camera's memory card
right now.
As you start to rediscover all those photos, you're going to find a ton you want to show off to family and
friends. HP makes it easy to spread the photographic love around.
HP Photo Printer Buying Guide
To find the best photo printer to meet your needs, check out the
HP photo printer buying guide,
where you can compare features and prices for all the latest products.
Snapfish
While it's always a good idea to store your digital photos on your computer or other storage device,
creating online albums through Snapfish is a really easy way to share. Snapfish also offers dozens
of custom photo gifts for you or anyone special.
Learn more about using Snapfish.
HP photo kiosks
If you're more hands-on, visit an HP photo kiosk at a store near you. Get help creating personalized
photo projects-many of them done while you shop!
Find out where there's an HP photo kiosk near you.
HP Activity Center
The HP Activity Center offers hundreds of free printable projects you can create online and print right at home.
From cards to calendars, party kits to scrapbooks, you'll be amazed how easy it is to make something beautiful.
HP Expression Center
Want more inspiration? Visit the
HP community.
Join the conversation. Post advice or simply share your story with others. You can watch instructional videos,
or even post one of your own. It's easy to join. Let us know what you have to say.
Take a free online class
in digital photography! Explore the many features of your digital camera, find tips for cropping and editing your
images, and discover new ideas for sharing your photos in creative ways.
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