Tips for using and preventing issues in PhotoMatch
These tips will help you prepare for using PhotoMatch and prevent issues you could encounter if not properly prepared.
Tip #1: Set each of your cameras to use different prefixes
This can help prevent accidental overwriting of images previously uploaded.
Nikon cameras will have a prefix of DSC_
Canon cameras will have a prefix of IMG_
By changing these prefixes to a unique prefix for each camera, you can help avoid having duplicate image names. Therefore prevent images from being overwritten within an event.
Tip #2: Set each of your cameras to use continuous numbering instead of resetting to 0001 each time
This can also help prevent accidental overwriting of images previously uploaded. By setting your camera to continuous numbering, each time you insert a new memory card and start photographing your image name will continue where it left off instead of starting over with 0001. By changing to continuous numbering, you can help avoid having duplicate image names within an event.
Tip #3: Start each shoot with a freshly formatted memory card
Using a memory card that has images already on it, will slow down the communication between your camera and the tablet. It can also be confusing if you have to retrieve images from the card if you have images from other events on it.
We recommend you always copy all the images from your memory cards to a computer or external hard drive after every event. We recommend quarantining those memory cards until you are confident all images have been uploaded and there is no reason to need the images from the card. After your quarantine period format the memory cards before they are sent out to new events.
Tip #4: Each photographer must upload to a unique folder, this includes multiday events
If more than one photographer uploads into a folder, there is a chance images will be overwritten and names be matched to incorrect images. Each day requires a new folder for each photographer. Other scenarios where you should start a new folder
- Have to change camera batteries during a shoot… log out and log into a new (unique) folder
- Have to change memory cards during the shoot… log out and log into a new (unique) folder
- Have to change cameras during the shoot… log out and log into a new (unique) folder
- Have to change PhotoMatch tablets during the shoot… log out and log into a new (unique) folder
- Multiday events… log out and log into a new (unique) folder each day
Tip #5: If you import rosters, sync your name data to PhotoMatch as soon as you import it into CORE.
Syncing your data means either using the PhotoMatch Sync button on the Names & Contact Data page in CORE or enabling the event on the retail website. Either will push the data to cloud where PhotoMatch can retrieve it.
Don’t forget to log into each PhotoMatch tablet that will be used at the event, including backup tablets, to pull the data into that local tablet. This will allow you to use PhotoMatch without an internet connection.
We don’t recommend waiting until the night before or the day of the event to sync your data. We recommend syncing it as soon as you import it into CORE. This way if there is an unexpected issue (like maintenance) in the hours before the event you will still be able to use PhotoMatch.
Tip #6: Windows Updates
Windows updates are released every 2nd Tuesday of each month. Make sure you keep your windows up-to-date. If you delay updates, each delay will mean it will take longer to update the next time and you could miss a critical update that affects how your tablet with run. We recommend scheduling time to ensure all updates are complete within a day or so of their release.