OK,I am sitting in a bar typing this on my smart phone, so give me a break, OK? What do all of you do with your image files? I have often wondered if I am doing something unusual.
I have a slot inmy computer to slide in a CF card, so that's how I download. I copy to my desktop or to a folder there. Then I open the folder inBridge and rename all the images using a year- month-day format then I try to edit them. I say "try" because I have numerous folders of un- edited image files. This winter I got behind by several months.
By editing, I mean delete, and that can be tough to do. I find that for me, it is best if I do it in several steps. Delete the obvious ones, then go back through and delete some more.
Now I sort into folders by subject matter, and try desparately to get them backed up onto external hard drives soon.
I go through and process only those that really grab me, or else something for a specific reason. Right now I am doing very little photography, so I am.hoping to catch up on my filing....
OK, so what do you do.with your image files?
I shoot RAW and use Lightroom which has amazing tools for copying, duplicating, dng conversion, rating by color and or number of stars, etc. I process my images to proof stage in Lightroom - often it is good enough to print. If I need any additional enhancement then I use Photoshop/Photoline/Paint Shop Pro. But the nice thing is that editing in Lightroom leaves you with tiny preview files, plus you can output to the common file formats if you want to add your stuff to social media, send my email etc. Very easy once you get the hang of it.
As already said, Lightroom could be the best solution. Use keywords trying to describe your image. You can create a list of keywords and organize them in categories. Use also IPTC metadata. I always fill Caption, Location, City, Province-state and Country. Regarding file names, this is less important; I use consecutive numbers. All the files are in an external hard disk, and I have 2 backups (one outside; in my parents' house for safety) . I currently have a file of about 35000 pictures (slides+raw files) and I can find any picture in just few seconds doing searches that combine IPTC data and/or keywords.
I hope this could help you.
Regards
Joana
Take a look at this thread Curating your own work into a Portfolio started by Sairam Sundaresan in General Discussion. In that thread I offer some suggestions regarding file management and winnowing the chaff from the wheat.
Ok, here is my "old-timey", not nearly the best, but works fine for me now without delving into the learning curve of other software like LR (which I did buy but have not used - dumb!) method of file organization.
1. I shoot jpg with D700 and D200 (rarely now) - no flames about RAW please - jpg does what "I" need
2. All files in camera start with BTN_#####.jpg sequentially
3. Copy Files to computer hard drive to new folder which describes images and includes month day year
3b. Maybe make several folders if I happened to have images from multiple shootings
4. Open all files using Mac Preview and delete all obvious poor images.
5. Do same as number 4 removing those "I liked" but were not really useable
6. Probably one more serious set of deletions.
7. Open 6 images at a time in PS and make whatever minor changes to account more for digital limitations - as little as possible
8. During number 7, I may skip an image or two that should have been deleted earlier but wanted to see in PS first.
9. Add IPTC metadata to each image using PS (saved so I can easily select it for rest of images
10. File Save As an uncompressed TIFF changing name to short description of image (same for whole set) including the sequential number - like Hofwy-DDD5643.tif. (The DDD has meaning to me per camera used and whether counter has recycled after 9,999 camera triggers)
11. File Save As jpg IBM mode, level 8
12. After processing the six images, close images in PS and edit the 6 original filenames to something like Hofwyl-DDD5643-O.jpg (Copied "hofwyl-DDD" and simply pasted over the "BTN_". Goes very fast)
13. Continue with the rest of the set of files that might be up to several dozen to several hundred - yes, this does take time. When I am finished, all files are either processed to where I want them for internet viewing or emailing and/or have tiff's ready for printing (with perhaps minor changes for printing size and or media to be used
14.Now I have three files for each image a.original unaltered file, a processed tiff and a processed smaller size jpg
15. Create a gallery in my website and upload the processed jpg's to my site and set what needs to me added to the gallery information
16. As soon as possible, I then burn a cd or dvd of the folder including naming convention and date
17. Right after burning disk I copy folder to relevant area of an external hard drive.
18. Lastly, I remove the folder form my internal hard drive to save space on the computer.
As you can see, this is pretty convoluted considering that LR would accomplish things easier with less space needed. I have just been a bit afraid of trusting LR with my library of over 18,000 images - I know, get over it! :)
Now, if someone wants to buy images from the website, they can buy them right there. I have a three day "do not print" with notification emailed to me about the impending sale. I can go see how large a print they want and on what media. It gives me the buyer's email address. If I think they need the tiff image for printing, I can intercede. All I need to do is look at the sequential number of the online file and do a search for it on the external drive to find it. I then "fix" it up for the specific printing need and send it to my printer of choice (which happens to be the same printer I use for my online sales.
Well, you can see this is an archaic method, but I have learned to be very fast at it.
Troup, thanks for the detailed comment! Its interesting how different your approach is from mine. I leave my RAW+jpeg image files intact, just sorted in folders by month and by subject until I need them. I don't have a website, I only sell prints right now, and I do my own printing and framing.
I am busy at my day (non-photo) job right now, so I have not done much printing lately. You really have figured out how to handle your files so it works for you; that's what really matters!
I am not going to do much with metadata; I tried it once, but 90% of my images fall into the categories of mountain and lake landscapes. When I want an image I just scan through my jpegs.
At any rate, it's interesting to see how others handle their files. I was not really asking for help, just wondering what others did.
Genny, since I use film, my system is a bit different...
My file names refer to my transparency/negative number. For example, 240.
The first version would be numbered 240-1
**When I scan the film, it's file name is then 240-1-sf.tif ("sf" means "Scan File"). Scan files are not edited.
**Next, I create a Master File. Its file name would be 240-1-mf.psd ("mf" means "Master File"). My Master File is the one I adjust/correct in Photo Shop. It is full rez, with all adjustment layers, and is not sharpened.
**Now, let's say I want to create an image for the Web. I create a new file from the Master File. It's name would be 240-1-Web.jpg If it's a large size Web image, its name would be, 240-1-lg-Web.jpg
Let's say I want to make a 12x16" print. Again, I create a new file from my Master File. It's name would be, (You're right!) 240-1-12x16.psd
So now, what about folder structure?
**240-1-sf.tif would go in No-Edit-Scans\Scan-Files-200-300.
**240-1-mf.psd would go in Master-Files\Master-Files-200-300
**240-1-Web would go into My Pictures\Images-to-Post and/or the appropriate folder in my local copy of my website.
**240-1-12x16.psd would go into \Prints-12x16
My 'working files' are stored on an SSD. Other files are archived on either of two 500GB HD's. Everything is backed up to a 1TB SATA 6GB/s external drive on a weekly basis. (I use Win 7 Pro, 64-bit).
Regarding metadata. With Lightroom or another digital asset management (DAM) app you can be very specific with regard to labels (keywords) that will make it very easy to find a specific group, and then a specific image without having to look at a huge pile if images. For example: Yosemite::Waterfalls::Wildcat::Spring::Spring 2013::Master-Files::Master-Files-200-300::Current Work Files. I can then search on a single keyword, or a combination of keywords to find my images of Wildcat Falls, or a specific one from this spring.
I use an app called PhotoSupreme to manage my images. There are versions for Mac and Windows, 32 or 64 bit. It is feature-rich and is quite fast. It's worth a look if you want a full-featured DAM app.
--P
Posted by Tonia Graves on June 10, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Well I'm not sure if my method is efficient or not but here goes...
-I shoot RAW images only and download them onto my computer into the 'pictures' folder
-Then I go through 2-3 rounds of viewing and deleting sub-standard images (preferably at different times)
-I then batch process the remaining files into small, viewable JPEGS in Photoshop Elements 10 (mainly so I have a picture icon as my Windows doesn't show the RAW images unless I actually open them up)
-At this point I go through and re-name all the images. If it's a mammal it may be M000155, a scenic might be S001001, a reptile might be R000055... The numbers are sequential by the order of the image taken.
-Once the images are re-named, then I drop them into their corresponding folders (for mammals, scenics, reptiles, etc.)
-This is where my process may be inefficient: from this point I put them into Lightroom 4. I recently got this program and am definitely not using it to its full potential, but I still don't know how to really use it yet for processing.
-Also I try to back my images up regularly on an external hard drive
I agree. It's fascinating to see how people approach this. I probably keep way too many images, but over time, I have found that i actually do go back and use some of them.......SOME of them.....
Still, my biggest issue is editing/deleting. I have to work hard to do a good job of that.
I hope others chime in on this.
- Import images directly from camera on to working (fast) hard drive through Lightroom. Basic metadata (name, copyright info, contact info, etc) is added using a preset. I keep the original file name but add the year as a prefix. Add any general keywords that apply to all of the images in the batch.
- Deletion of the obvious.
- Go through images again for more critical evaluation. Repeat until satisfied.
- More detailed key wording of keepers. This can be done in groups for similar images.
- Process select images.Title,caption and more key wording are added if needed.
- Once per month I move that month's images from working drive to final location on internal archive hard drive. On this archive drive I have folders listed by year with sub folders by month. All of the RAW and processed images are stored in the same monthly sub folders. Sorting is very powerful in LR.
Everything is backed up (including LR catalogs) to two external hard drives with one kept off site. LR takes a bit of getting used to but now I find it makes managing images a lot faster and easier. IMHO, LR is well worth the bang for the buck. I just hope they keep it as a stand alone and not make it cloud only like PS.
Discussion
10 repliesI have a slot inmy computer to slide in a CF card, so that's how I download. I copy to my desktop or to a folder there. Then I open the folder inBridge and rename all the images using a year- month-day format then I try to edit them. I say "try" because I have numerous folders of un- edited image files. This winter I got behind by several months.
By editing, I mean delete, and that can be tough to do. I find that for me, it is best if I do it in several steps. Delete the obvious ones, then go back through and delete some more.
Now I sort into folders by subject matter, and try desparately to get them backed up onto external hard drives soon.
I go through and process only those that really grab me, or else something for a specific reason. Right now I am doing very little photography, so I am.hoping to catch up on my filing....
OK, so what do you do.with your image files?
I hope this could help you.
Regards
Joana
Take a look at this thread Curating your own work into a Portfolio started by Sairam Sundaresan in General Discussion. In that thread I offer some suggestions regarding file management and winnowing the chaff from the wheat.
--P
1. I shoot jpg with D700 and D200 (rarely now) - no flames about RAW please - jpg does what "I" need
2. All files in camera start with BTN_#####.jpg sequentially
3. Copy Files to computer hard drive to new folder which describes images and includes month day year
3b. Maybe make several folders if I happened to have images from multiple shootings
4. Open all files using Mac Preview and delete all obvious poor images.
5. Do same as number 4 removing those "I liked" but were not really useable
6. Probably one more serious set of deletions.
7. Open 6 images at a time in PS and make whatever minor changes to account more for digital limitations - as little as possible
8. During number 7, I may skip an image or two that should have been deleted earlier but wanted to see in PS first.
9. Add IPTC metadata to each image using PS (saved so I can easily select it for rest of images
10. File Save As an uncompressed TIFF changing name to short description of image (same for whole set) including the sequential number - like Hofwy-DDD5643.tif. (The DDD has meaning to me per camera used and whether counter has recycled after 9,999 camera triggers)
11. File Save As jpg IBM mode, level 8
12. After processing the six images, close images in PS and edit the 6 original filenames to something like Hofwyl-DDD5643-O.jpg (Copied "hofwyl-DDD" and simply pasted over the "BTN_". Goes very fast)
13. Continue with the rest of the set of files that might be up to several dozen to several hundred - yes, this does take time. When I am finished, all files are either processed to where I want them for internet viewing or emailing and/or have tiff's ready for printing (with perhaps minor changes for printing size and or media to be used
14.Now I have three files for each image a.original unaltered file, a processed tiff and a processed smaller size jpg
15. Create a gallery in my website and upload the processed jpg's to my site and set what needs to me added to the gallery information
16. As soon as possible, I then burn a cd or dvd of the folder including naming convention and date
17. Right after burning disk I copy folder to relevant area of an external hard drive.
18. Lastly, I remove the folder form my internal hard drive to save space on the computer.
As you can see, this is pretty convoluted considering that LR would accomplish things easier with less space needed. I have just been a bit afraid of trusting LR with my library of over 18,000 images - I know, get over it! :)
Now, if someone wants to buy images from the website, they can buy them right there. I have a three day "do not print" with notification emailed to me about the impending sale. I can go see how large a print they want and on what media. It gives me the buyer's email address. If I think they need the tiff image for printing, I can intercede. All I need to do is look at the sequential number of the online file and do a search for it on the external drive to find it. I then "fix" it up for the specific printing need and send it to my printer of choice (which happens to be the same printer I use for my online sales.
Well, you can see this is an archaic method, but I have learned to be very fast at it.
Remember...you asked
I am busy at my day (non-photo) job right now, so I have not done much printing lately. You really have figured out how to handle your files so it works for you; that's what really matters!
I am not going to do much with metadata; I tried it once, but 90% of my images fall into the categories of mountain and lake landscapes. When I want an image I just scan through my jpegs.
At any rate, it's interesting to see how others handle their files. I was not really asking for help, just wondering what others did.
My file names refer to my transparency/negative number. For example, 240.
The first version would be numbered 240-1
**When I scan the film, it's file name is then 240-1-sf.tif ("sf" means "Scan File"). Scan files are not edited.
**Next, I create a Master File. Its file name would be 240-1-mf.psd ("mf" means "Master File"). My Master File is the one I adjust/correct in Photo Shop. It is full rez, with all adjustment layers, and is not sharpened.
**Now, let's say I want to create an image for the Web. I create a new file from the Master File. It's name would be 240-1-Web.jpg If it's a large size Web image, its name would be, 240-1-lg-Web.jpg
Let's say I want to make a 12x16" print. Again, I create a new file from my Master File. It's name would be, (You're right!) 240-1-12x16.psd
So now, what about folder structure?
**240-1-sf.tif would go in No-Edit-Scans\Scan-Files-200-300.
**240-1-mf.psd would go in Master-Files\Master-Files-200-300
**240-1-Web would go into My Pictures\Images-to-Post and/or the appropriate folder in my local copy of my website.
**240-1-12x16.psd would go into \Prints-12x16
My 'working files' are stored on an SSD. Other files are archived on either of two 500GB HD's. Everything is backed up to a 1TB SATA 6GB/s external drive on a weekly basis. (I use Win 7 Pro, 64-bit).
Regarding metadata. With Lightroom or another digital asset management (DAM) app you can be very specific with regard to labels (keywords) that will make it very easy to find a specific group, and then a specific image without having to look at a huge pile if images. For example: Yosemite::Waterfalls::Wildcat::Spring::Spring 2013::Master-Files::Master-Files-200-300::Current Work Files. I can then search on a single keyword, or a combination of keywords to find my images of Wildcat Falls, or a specific one from this spring.
I use an app called PhotoSupreme to manage my images. There are versions for Mac and Windows, 32 or 64 bit. It is feature-rich and is quite fast. It's worth a look if you want a full-featured DAM app.
--P
-I shoot RAW images only and download them onto my computer into the 'pictures' folder
-Then I go through 2-3 rounds of viewing and deleting sub-standard images (preferably at different times)
-I then batch process the remaining files into small, viewable JPEGS in Photoshop Elements 10 (mainly so I have a picture icon as my Windows doesn't show the RAW images unless I actually open them up)
-At this point I go through and re-name all the images. If it's a mammal it may be M000155, a scenic might be S001001, a reptile might be R000055... The numbers are sequential by the order of the image taken.
-Once the images are re-named, then I drop them into their corresponding folders (for mammals, scenics, reptiles, etc.)
-This is where my process may be inefficient: from this point I put them into Lightroom 4. I recently got this program and am definitely not using it to its full potential, but I still don't know how to really use it yet for processing.
-Also I try to back my images up regularly on an external hard drive
I agree. It's fascinating to see how people approach this. I probably keep way too many images, but over time, I have found that i actually do go back and use some of them.......SOME of them.....
Still, my biggest issue is editing/deleting. I have to work hard to do a good job of that.
I hope others chime in on this.
- Deletion of the obvious.
- Go through images again for more critical evaluation. Repeat until satisfied.
- More detailed key wording of keepers. This can be done in groups for similar images.
- Process select images.Title,caption and more key wording are added if needed.
- Once per month I move that month's images from working drive to final location on internal archive hard drive. On this archive drive I have folders listed by year with sub folders by month. All of the RAW and processed images are stored in the same monthly sub folders. Sorting is very powerful in LR.
Everything is backed up (including LR catalogs) to two external hard drives with one kept off site. LR takes a bit of getting used to but now I find it makes managing images a lot faster and easier. IMHO, LR is well worth the bang for the buck. I just hope they keep it as a stand alone and not make it cloud only like PS.