Tech tricks to help you organize your digital photo library

Our smartphones' increasingly advanced cameras lead to a constantly growing collection of digital photos. Managing this expanding library can become a challenge. Fortunately, dedicated apps offer powerful organization tools.

Both Google Photos (Android and iOS) and Apple Photos (iOS) efficiently sort images by date, album, and other criteria, alongside editing and backup capabilities. However, these apps also include less-known features, leveraging advanced AI to simplify the organization process. Let's explore these helpful tools.

Creating Albums: The Traditional Approach

For those who appreciate order, creating themed albums is a practical solution. This improves accessibility and allows for browsing by topic.

To create albums:

• Google Photos: Select photos by tapping and holding one, then selecting others. Tap the plus icon (top right), choose "Album," name it, and you're done! Access albums via the "Albums" tab at the bottom.
• Apple Photos: Tap "Select" (top right), choose photos, tap "Add To," then "New Album…," and name it. Access albums via the "Albums" button at the bottom.

Beyond manually created albums, both apps automatically generate albums based on faces and locations, streamlining the process of finding specific people or travel memories. These automatically generated albums are accessible from the app's Albums page.

Smart Searching: Beyond Manual Tagging

Searching by keyword is far more efficient than manual browsing, eliminating the need for extensive manual tagging. Google and Apple Photos automatically tag and categorize images.

Experiment with keyword searches (e.g., "trees," "sunsets") using the search bar. The apps will return matching images. Try various descriptors, even vague memories—the AI often surprises with its accuracy.

Location-based searches leverage the location data embedded in photos' metadata. Simply type a location to retrieve images taken there.

People-based searches require a bit more interaction. The apps identify faces appearing in multiple photos, but you need to identify the individuals. In both apps, you'll find a section displaying identified faces. Tap a face, add a name (matching a contact if possible), and then search using that name. In Apple Photos, access people albums via the "Albums" tab, then "People."

Date-based searches are also supported. Both apps chronologically order photos by default. You can also search using specific dates (e.g., "January 2017," "2016") or, in Google Photos, use YYYY-MM-DD format or relative terms like "last week."

Both apps support combined search terms (e.g., "sunsets in Barcelona"). These search capabilities are constantly improving.

Building Highlight Reels: Showcasing Your Best Shots

Create highlight reels—albums, short videos, or collages—to showcase your favorite photos.

• Google Photos: Use the "Assistant" tab (bottom left) for suggestions or manually create albums, movies, animations, or collages. Add effects to movies before saving.
• Apple Photos: Explore the "Memories" tab for automatically generated collections. Manually convert albums into Memories reels by selecting the album, scrolling down, and choosing "Add to Memories." Edit the style and effects as desired.

These tools transform the management of your digital photo library from a daunting task into a streamlined and enjoyable experience.

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