Manual · Chapter 3
Reviewing Photos
The main ViolaScope workspace is designed for quickly moving through a photo collection, inspecting individual images and making review decisions without leaving the current workflow.
The main workspace
After photos have been loaded into a project, they become available in the central workspace.
The workspace is where you perform most of the actual photo review.
Depending on the selected viewing mode, ViolaScope can display a single photo, a grid of photos, a full-screen view, a two-photo comparison or the map view.
The filmstrip
The filmstrip provides a compact overview of the photos in the current working set.
It allows you to move directly to another photo without leaving the current workspace.
The currently selected photo is reflected in the main viewing area, while the filmstrip remains available as a navigation aid.
Depending on your current selection and workflow, additional visual information such as favorite status may also be visible in the filmstrip.
Move through your photos
ViolaScope provides several ways to move through the current photo set.
You can select photos directly from the filmstrip or use the navigation controls in the workspace.
Keyboard navigation is also available and is described in detail in the Keyboard Shortcuts chapter.
This allows you to choose the method that best suits the speed and style of your review process.
Review a single photo
The single-photo view is useful when you want to concentrate on one image at a time.
The selected photo is shown prominently in the center while the surrounding interface keeps ratings, navigation and metadata available.
This is often the main working mode for an initial pass through a photo collection.
Use the grid for an overview
The grid view displays several photos at the same time.
This is useful when you want to get an overview of a series, identify similar frames or select photos for closer inspection.
You can adjust the grid according to the amount of visual detail you need.
Selected photos can then be examined more closely in another viewing mode.
Use full screen for closer inspection
Full-screen view gives the selected photo more space and reduces surrounding visual distractions.
This is useful when you want to examine composition, focus, expression or other image details more closely.
Ratings and review decisions remain part of the ViolaScope workflow while you inspect the photo.
Compare two photos
Comparison view places two selected photos side by side.
This is particularly useful for similar images from the same sequence where small differences may determine which photo you prefer.
You can compare details such as expression, sharpness, timing or composition without repeatedly switching between two separate views.
Ratings and culling decisions can also be used while working in comparison mode.
Review and rate without changing views
ViolaScope is designed so that evaluation and organization remain closely connected to the visual review process.
While inspecting a photo, you can assign ratings, favorites, color labels and culling states without first leaving the current viewing context.
This reduces unnecessary navigation when working through larger photo collections.
Use filters during review
Filters can be used to reduce the visible photo set during a review session.
For example, you can display photos with a particular rating, color label, culling state or tag.
Filtering changes which photos are currently shown. It does not delete photos or remove their stored project information.
This makes it possible to perform several review passes over the same project using different criteria.
A practical review sequence
One possible workflow is:
- Start with the complete photo set.
- Move through the photos one by one.
- Use ratings or culling states to record initial decisions.
- Use the grid to review groups or similar images.
- Compare difficult pairs side by side.
- Use filters for a second pass through selected groups.
- Refine ratings, labels, tags or culling decisions as needed.
This is only one example. ViolaScope does not require a fixed review method, so you can adapt the sequence to your own photographic workflow.
Review decisions do not delete photos
Reviewing and organizing photos in ViolaScope is separate from deleting image files.
A low star rating or a Reject culling state records your decision but does not itself remove the image.
These decisions can later be used for filtering and export.
Next step
The next chapter explains the rating and labeling tools available during photo review.
Back: Create a Project and Load Photos