Do you rename your photos?

[geoff5093]

Do you rename your photos, or do you keep the default IMG/MG filename? I typically keep mine with the default filenames, but I've joined my current photos with those from my previous XSi, and now I've been having to rename the duplicates.

[Jon]

I use Downloader Pro (http://www.breezesys.com) to rename the files based on folder number and camera as well as the image number. So a typical file might be 100C-1834_7D.CR2 or 186C-8621_20D.CR2. Downloader Pro automatically extracts the information from the directory structure and EXIF data.

[The Moose]

I have never needed to because I sort by date. Each day I shoot gets its own folder, no need to worry about duplicate filenames.

[gjl711]

No, I have way too many pics to rename them. I organize them under directories. For instance top level I have main categories, things like Trips, Family, Misc, House and such. Then under that I'll create a sub-directory like SanAntonio020310 with the numbers being a date code. Under that I have several directories like Org-Unproc for the untouched raw files, Org-Proc for the images I've processed, Jpegs for the finished pics and Web for pics ready to post.

[pinoyplaya]

I used to sort them through dates. But then I decided to sort them to the photo type/genre. So for portraits, I have a dedicated portrait folder. Inside the folder, is another specific folder. So if I had Self Portraits of me, I would make a new folder called "Self Portrait" and then thats where I put my self portrait images. Each single file is named accordingly based on what I feel like, sometimes i just name it "Self Portrait (1) (Extra Information Here).(format here)"

So basically, I rename my images based on a short description of the image.

[Woolburr]

I have never needed to because I sort by date. Each day I shoot gets its own folder, no need to worry about duplicate filenames.

Exactly my solution. And within each date...each camera gets a separate folder...So today's shot folders might read....
03-19-2010 1DS
03-19-2010 1Dmk2n
03-19-2010 SX110IS

[geoff5093]

I use Downloader Pro (http://www.breezesys.com) to rename the files based on folder number and camera as well as the image number. So a typical file might be 100C-1834_7D.CR2 or 186C-8621_20D.CR2. Downloader Pro automatically extracts the information from the directory structure and EXIF data.

I have never needed to because I sort by date. Each day I shoot gets its own folder, no need to worry about duplicate filenames.
I'll give that a shot.

I typically have folders for animals, architecture, landscapes, people, portraits sports, etc., then have subfolders within each of those. I also have folders though for the original RAW and JPG versions, and that's where the duplicates are coming in.

Another question. Say you want to completely redesign the way you save photos, would you just start from scratch and archive everything you did in the past? I'm thinking about keeping the RAW's and JPG's together in a different folder layout.

Exactly my solution. And within each date...each camera gets a separate folder...So today's shot folders might read....
03-19-2010 1DS
03-19-2010 1Dmk2n
03-19-2010 SX110IS
So if you are looking for a specific photo, say a photo of a river, how would you find it if you don't remember which day and/or camera you took it with?

[Woolburr]

So if you are looking for a specific photo, say a photo of a river, how would you find it if you don't remember which day and/or camera you took it with?

Simple....keywords. Plus the file title can be a clue too...First, I never delete any files. I never edit original images. I only edit duplicate files, then I save them in one of two fashions....for simple edits, I just take the original file name....As an example, I'll use a shot from my 1Ds from today.

Main folder....03-19-2010
Sub folder.....1Ds
camera file....047U9068.tif
edit folder.....Edited
edited file (simple).....047U9068e.jpg or .tif depending on the need for additional editing.
edited file (complex).....Crocus_9068.jpg (keyword tags....flower, spring, garden, home, crocus)

[reddyroc007]

i only rename after i process them. the original stays the same in its own folders with its brothers and sisters.

[Jon]

I'll give that a shot.

I typically have folders for animals, architecture, landscapes, people, portraits sports, etc., then have subfolders within each of those. I also have folders though for the original RAW and JPG versions, and that's where the duplicates are coming in.

Another question. Say you want to completely redesign the way you save photos, would you just start from scratch and archive everything you did in the past? I'm thinking about keeping the RAW's and JPG's together in a different folder layout.


So if you are looking for a specific photo, say a photo of a river, how would you find it if you don't remember which day and/or camera you took it with?That's one of the conveniences of Downloader Pro (or most other Digital Asset Management tools). I have it set up to prompt me for the IPTC data (keywords, location info, captioning, etc.) of the photos as I download. Takes a little longer to download, but it makes it a whole lot simpler to work with them later. Photos get stored 2 places; first in folders by camera and folder and second in a hierarchical structure that mirrors the keywording I use (North Carolina | Blue Ridge Parkway, for instance). DLPro also reads the track data from the GPS I carry with me and applies it to my photos as I download.

[ozadam]

i don't rename them, if i need to sort them it's better done with exif info than filename

[Tessa]

I always rename my files (have a simple program for that). Download from card, delete the ones I don't like, then rename the rest by using a short descriptive word and sequential numbers - something like sprint001.jpg, sprint002.jpg etc. Folder also gets a new name and date.

[geoff5093]

I've been using Downloader Pro and love it, it's exactly what I need! I create two folders inside the one that is automatically created, one has a copy of every RAW file from the camera, even duplicates. The other folder holds the edited RAW's and JPG's.

[neilwood32]

I dont name mine - i generally name the top level folder (landscapes, family etc) and then all the photos are put in dated folders.

I dont have tens of thousands of images so it isnt too much work to find a shoot.

[Sibil]

I don't rename files either. My folder strusture is something like the below.

year (e.g., 2010)
camera model (e.g., 40D, G11, SD880, etc.)
chronological folders by event (e.g., 03-26-2010-40D-pool party)
downloaded pics in their native camera numbering sequence

[pinoyplaya]

Ive started to name mine with the date on it now as lightroom will import them automatically and I told it to name it....

YEAR-MO-DA - IMG_XXXX.DNG

[Woolburr]

I've decided that I am now going to call all my photos "Larry".

[PacAce]

I don't rename files either. My folder strusture is something like the below.

year (e.g., 2010)
camera model (e.g., 40D, G11, SD880, etc.)
chronological folders by event (e.g., 03-26-2010-40D-pool party)
downloaded pics in their native camera numbering sequence

Yeah, I do the same thing although I don't differentiate by camera model, at least not for the DSLR cameras although I do between the DSLR cameras and the P&S cameras.

[Bob_A]

I don't rename.

I'm a low volume shooter so my main folders are by camera with sub folders for year and month (one for jpegs and one for the RAWs).

[geoff5093]

After shooting for a couple weeks with the new folder layout (i.e. 2010 > 2010-3-28_GHS Basketball > Then a folder for Originals and Edited), it has been working well and it's easier for me to manage.

I never really understood why people have different folders for different cameras, I'd rather search by date then have to remember which event I shot with which camera.

[Sibil]

I never really understood why people have different folders for different cameras, .....
I do it because it makes finding pictures easier since I keep all the pics shot by the whole family. Another example would be a folder for all the 1DII shots since I use that body only for sports shooting. Another reason is for post processing. I will post process an image differently depending on the camera. For example, an image shot with the 40D may require more sharpening than one shot with a P&S. It works for me.

[geoff5093]

I do it because it makes finding pictures easier since I keep all the pics shot by the whole family. Another example would be a folder for all the 1DII shots since I use that body only for sports shooting. Another reason is for post processing. I will post process an image differently depending on the camera. For example, an image shot with the 40D may require more sharpening than one shot with a P&S. It works for me.
I can see that, especially if you only use one camera for one event. It just seems like a pain to me if I shoot a wedding and use 2-3 different bodies for the event.

[RWatkins]

I have Light Room add LRE (short for Light Room Edited)on the end of files it exports.

[Sibil]

I can see that, especially if you only use one camera for one event. It just seems like a pain to me if I shoot a wedding and use 2-3 different bodies for the event.
You are right. It could be a pain and sometimes confusing. However, for your example, using three cameras for a given event, what I would do is name all three folders with the same exact date and title. The only difference being the camera model inserted in between. Using MS Windows Explorer and searching for date or title would show all three folders.
There are many ways to organize folders and images; from simple, to sophisticated using special software. I don't think there is one best way. The key is to have some organization and sticking to it. What I sometimes see among friends is total lack of organization. Folders all over the hard drive without any meaningful image or folder tagging. You ask them for a pic and they just can't find it anywhere on the hard drive but they swear that it's there somewhere.