It seems to me that a pretty fundamental requirement that flows from this for a change of date to move the files in the f-spot controlled directory tree to where they should then be, within f-spot’s directory structure.

I don’t mind it trashing my folder structure. I mind it trashing my folder structure and then refusing to help fix it! At least the option to KEEP the directory organised would be useful. If the files can be dumped & re-imported, then they can be moved.

For experts, perhaps the advanced features/plugins could be enabled from a menu or preferences.. on the other hand all features should be easily accessible. What a contradiction! :)

I think this would be very useful. As an example, look at how the Nikon D300 presents image info in this screenshot:

http://a.img-dpreview.com/reviews/NikonD300/Images/Captures/TV2007090718324400-01.jpg

(from http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond300/page8.asp ).

On the first line, they manage to convey that the image was taken with Matrix Metering, in Aperture priority mode, at 1/320 seconds shutter-time, with F2.8, ISO400 sensitivity and 31mm focal-length. This is far superior to an exif-view that only shows you one item per row since it takes less space and is a lot easier to read quickly.

From a UI prospective something that really annoys me is that there is no shortcut for “delete from disk” there is a patch lying around since two years in bugzilla that still apply (more or less). What’s about pushing this patch in ?

Thanks for your efforts anyway. Appreciated.

Another thing I would like, that I’ve been thinking of, is to have a per-image subdirectory as needed:

I usually shoot images with both RAW and JPEG. That way I have a semi-finished image from the start that I can look at and index, and can process the RAW image for best quality. Also, the JPEG will tell me if the image is OK or should be thrown away without having to spend the time to convert the RAW file. Two files, but of course really the same image.

Then I process the RAW image and postprocess in Gimp, and create a third image that is really “the same” in a deep sense. I might experiment with making a black and white version, and perhaps a different crop. Another couple of images that all conceptually belong tightly together. If nothing else they should share most or all tags, shooting information, name and so on.

So in my dreams F-spot does this. As soon as there’s more than one image file for an image, it will have a link to the original JPEG “IMG12345.JPG” in the original folder, alongside a subdirectory “IMG12345/” containing the IMG12345.JPG (linked to) and IMG12345.DNG RAW file, and whenever I open either file in Gimp, UFRaw or Hugin from F-spot, the applications will default to save in that IMG12345/ subdirectory (just hand them a file in that subdirectory). That way all versions are neatly collected in one place.

Not going to happen I guess, but it would be very nice.

In particular:
* sliders adjusting ‘brightness’ of highlights, lights, darks and shadows
* comparing two or more images with an ability to see 100% or 400% crops of the same area of all those images at once
* hotkey quality ratings in norma mode, comparison mode and even in fullscreen
* show essential shot info (shutter speed, apperture, iso level and zoom level) in a very compact form

http://www.apple.com/aperture/features/100.html can be a good source fo inspiration:
“Start with White Balance adjustments, move on to Exposure, and then apply image enhancements.”

Good luck!

Rather unrelated points on my f-spot wishlist:
- There could be a better way to access different versions.
- Is there a way to show the comment in the browser? Even if it is only the first few words, I would at least see, which photos are with or without comment. As it is, comments are useless for me.
- Oh yes, I am one of those keeping their own directory structure… A way to permanently uncheck this “copy images to folder” would be great

But could you please look at the import feature? :) I want to use my own directory structure and its really annoying that every time I import I have to uncheck the “Copy images to folder..” checkbox. Is it to much to ask that the program simply remembers what I chose to do on last import?

cheers,
mg