Overview
Entagged is a revolutionary camera attachment that cuts down on your admin time by eliminating the need for QR cards. Entagged links your photos to your subjects' data by inserting a unique barcode into each photo's metadata, making the sorting process a breeze. There are multiple options for running your shoot using an Entagged device. In this article, we'll review the process for running a shoot using the Entagged device together with an RFID/NFC scanning subscription.
RFID/NFC scanning requires your subjects to have an RFID/NFC encoded item for you to scan. For this reason, this workflow is recommended for very specific types of Photo Jobs. Some examples are:
- Theme Parks: Some theme parks use RFID-enabled bracelets for entry.
- Hotels and Cruise Ships: Some hotels and cruise ships use RFID-enabled room keys.
- Dance Clubs: Some clubs use RFID-enabled entry bracelets.
- Universities: Some universities use RFID-enabled student ID cards.
- Any event that provides NFC bracelets
- If you do not already own an Entagged device, you can order the right model for your camera here.
- Follow the instructions linked here for connecting your Entagged device to your camera and pairing your Entagged device with your phone.
- Decide whether you would like to scan your RFID codes using the Entagged app on your phone, or an RFID scanner (Click here to see which scanners are supported). Some photographers find a separate scanner to be more convenient, but it is an additional expense. The choice is yours!
- If you do opt for a scanner, make sure to pair your scanner with your Entagged device and app.
- Within your GotPhoto account, create a new job and set the tagging method to QR Tagging with List of Names.
- If applicable, create your names list csv file and upload and import the name list into your Photo Job.
- With the Entagged device plugged in, turn on your camera.
- Open the Entagged app. Your phone will automatically reconnect to your paired Entagged, indicated by a small turquoise dot in the top left corner of the app.
- In the app menu, tap RFID/NFC, and then tap START SCANNING.
- Hold your phone over the subject's RFID-enabled item to scan it.
- When a code is identified and successfully scanned, a confirmation checkmark will pop up along with the scanned code, and the code will also appear at the top of the screen:
In your Entagged app, you should now see the code highlighted in turquoise. This means that all photos taken from this point (until you scan the next RFID item) will have the subject's unique code saved in their metadata:
If an error occurs, the RFID logo and button in your Entagged app will turn red, and an error message will indicate the issue. The previous code will remain saved and displayed at the top. Follow the instructions in the error message to resolve the issue, and scan again.
- It's time to take some pictures! All photos taken at this point will have the subject's unique barcode saved in their metadata.Canon: Info is stored in the Copyright field
Nikon & Fuji: Info is stored in the User Comment field
Sony: Info is stored in the Image ID field (ExifTag 0x2043, ExifTool calls it Sony_0x2043)Sony users: If you plan to edit your images via an editing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.), the software will most likely not recognize this field, and the metadata won't be saved.
We have created a Windows script that will copy the metadata from the Sony field into the UserComment and Copyright field, which will ensure the metadata is stored being edited, and GotPhoto will still be able to detect the codes after you export the images from your editing software. You can download the script here. - Photograph the subject.
- Repeat steps 4-7 with the rest of your subjects.
- Clear the code that is currently saved in your camera by tapping the (x) next to the code in your Entagged app, or manually deleting the barcode from the appropriate field in your camera settings.
- Upload your photos using the method of your choice. If you are using the Web Upload, create a new album first.
- All of your images will be uploaded to a single album. The system will automatically activate the access codes and sort them by filename in each subject's gallery. A note will indicate the activation process and let you know that it will take a moment.
- Open the album, click Resort photos to albums under Individuals Actions, and select your preferred scheme (teacher or group).
The system will then sort the images based on your name list: Folders for each teacher or group will be created so that each gallery goes into the correct folder. New albums will be created for each group or teacher from the name list.
Note: Group photos must be manually moved into the correct albums afterward. - You may now delete the empty folder.
Please note: The "Distribute photos to all albums" option will not work if the access codes have been activated in earlier albums or jobs. We are working on an improvement for this. - Your job is ready to go! You can now upload any group photos, check out GotPhoto's options for easy, streamlined photo editing*, and get ready to set your job to Selling!
Q: How can I verify that the code is stored in a photo's metadata?
A: Access the image's properties in your photo editing app. Under the User Comment field (Nikon cameras) or Copyright field (Canon cameras), you can find the stored barcode.
If you don't delete or overwrite the last scanned barcode (Step 1 of the Review Phase), you will notice the following in your next QR tagging job: Though all access codes are captured, not all the images of QR cards will be automatically tagged. You can fix this by removing the access codes under the Individuals Actions dropdown in the respective album. This will bring you back to the page where you will see the three steps to activate the access codes. Once you've activated the access codes, the pictures will be tagged correctly.
The Takeaway
The Entagged device simplifies your workflow by linking photos to your subjects' data using unique barcodes in the metadata, eliminating the need for QR cards. Whether using a barcode scanner or the Entagged app, this guide walks you through every step to streamline your photography sessions, saving time and reducing administrative tasks.