Lightroom file organisation

EOSAddict wrote in post #3034024
I am trying to use Collections to manage my workflow... Currently every import gets added to 5 collections under a Workflow parent collection. Then as each stage gets completed they are removed from the Collection...

Still teething but seems to work OK and I can instantly see what images are at which stage of work.

Al, anyway you could elaborate more on this? I am curious as to what steps are involved and why you are doing it this way.

Mike,

I never seem to get time for a full session on the PC so my PP is happening in dribs and drabs.

I import all my files into an 'unprocessed pics' folder on the PC with their original in-camera filenames. Step 1 is to review and discard the rubbish. Then I rename them and move them to my folder structure. Then I tag them. Then I develop them. Then I export to jpg and upload to smugmug.

My Working COllections are:

unreviewed
unprocessed (rename/move)
untagged
undeveloped
unexported

and finally I add the uploaded images to the "uploaded to smugmug" collection.

Seems to be the best way of working my existing workflow into LR.

Currently I have approx 300 images undeveloped, 100 untagged, 25 unreviewd.

I can easily go into LR, click on the collection and know what work needs to be doen to the images.

EOSAddict wrote in post #3033987
TJ,

IF you are going off the Beta, forget it! LR 1.0 is like a whole new package!

I like the sound of that!

In2Photos wrote in post #3033999
I have LR set up to auto detect a card and open LR (if not already open) when inserted. The dialog box allows me to select where to import (I choose Convert images to DNG). Then I let LR sort the files by date (It creates a folder for each day there is an image) as subfolders of the folder I chose (To be Sorted is mine). I can get a screen shot later if you need.

That sounds exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks.

In2Photos wrote in post #3034003
I like his CS2 book as well which is why I am curious about the Lightroom book.

I'll let you know as soon as it arrives. I've had an email order confirmation and it says the book could be 10days (maybe as it's an import)

EOSAddict wrote in post #3034048
Mike,

I never seem to get time for a full session on the PC so my PP is happening in dribs and drabs.

I import all my files into an 'unprocessed pics' folder on the PC with their original in-camera filenames. Step 1 is to review and discard the rubbish. Then I rename them and move them to my folder structure. Then I tag them. Then I develop them. Then I export to jpg and upload to smugmug.

My Working COllections are:

unreviewed
unprocessed (rename/move)
untagged
undeveloped
unexported

and finally I add the uploaded images to the "uploaded to smugmug" collection.

Seems to be the best way of working my existing workflow into LR.

Currently I have approx 300 images undeveloped, 100 untagged, 25 unreviewd.

I can easily go into LR, click on the collection and know what work needs to be doen to the images.

I was wondering what on earth "collections" were. So basically they are user-defined groups of images, which may or may not belong to one or more collection (much like a filter) that can then be viewed "as a group" - and removed/moved as required?

Do you just drag/drop them to/from one collection to another?

EOSAddict wrote in post #3034048
Mike,

I never seem to get time for a full session on the PC so my PP is happening in dribs and drabs.

I import all my files into an 'unprocessed pics' folder on the PC with their original in-camera filenames. Step 1 is to review and discard the rubbish. Then I rename them and move them to my folder structure. Then I tag them. Then I develop them. Then I export to jpg and upload to smugmug.

My Working COllections are:

unreviewed
unprocessed (rename/move)
untagged
undeveloped
unexported

and finally I add the uploaded images to the "uploaded to smugmug" collection.

Seems to be the best way of working my existing workflow into LR.

Currently I have approx 300 images undeveloped, 100 untagged, 25 unreviewd.

I can easily go into LR, click on the collection and know what work needs to be doen to the images.

Makes sense. I also rarely get to sit down and just work on them. This wek I stayed up 3 straight nights 'til 12-1 just to get some done. Then get up at 5:30 to get ready for work. Needless to say I was worhtless at work. I am almost done with the current images though. Just a few more keywords and some sorting to do.

Mike, TJ.

Collections are pretty much like Tags (you could easily do this with Tags) but are just within the LR library. Images can belong to multiple collections but you can only view one at a time. I just select the images I want, right click on the collection in question and select either add/remove images fromt his collection. I think you can D&D too!

TeeJay wrote in post #3034066
I was wondering what on earth "collections" were. So basically they are user-defined groups of images, which may or may not belong to one or more collection (much like a filter) that can then be viewed "as a group" - and removed/moved as required?

Do you just drag/drop them to/from one collection to another?

You got it. I have a few collections right now:

Web Images (Images that are currently on my Pbase site)
Funny Faces (Shots of my daughter throughout the years with funny faces)
Scrapbook (these shots are for my wife's scrapbook and there are sub-collections for each month/page of the book)
Hallway Photos (Images that need to be edited and printed for my hallway).

To place photos in a collection I go to a folder click on the image (s) and then drag them onto the collection I want (Make sure you have expanded the collection panel).

Al and Mike, Thats great, thank you.

Now I've done the deed (or clicked the "checkout" button to be precise) I'm getting to be really looking forward to playing (sorry, working) with Lr.

TJ

Ok guys, one last question (for now anyway)

I've posted this in another thread but not seen an answer yet....

I'm sure I read somewhere that Lightrooms license allows the purchaser to install the software on a desktop PC AND a laptop - so for people who attend events could import the cards (albeit temporarily) and use Lightroom to adjust and print the photo's whilst "on site".

Is this true, or is it just another rumour?

TJ,

Without checking I'm pretty sure that is true. I'm sure you can install on a Mac AND a PC anyway.

EOSAddict wrote in post #3034193
TJ,

Without checking I'm pretty sure that is true. I'm sure you can install on a Mac AND a PC anyway.

Hmm, as much as I have nothing against Mac's, I didn't especially want the expense of having to actualy buy one!

Lol,

No, but I assume the dbl licence applies to two machines anyway...

EOSAddict wrote in post #3034233
Lol,

No, but I assume the dbl licence applies to two machines anyway...

point taken

EOSAddict wrote in post #3034048
Mike,

I never seem to get time for a full session on the PC so my PP is happening in dribs and drabs.

I import all my files into an 'unprocessed pics' folder on the PC with their original in-camera filenames. Step 1 is to review and discard the rubbish. Then I rename them and move them to my folder structure. Then I tag them. Then I develop them. Then I export to jpg and upload to smugmug.

My Working COllections are:

unreviewed
unprocessed (rename/move)
untagged
undeveloped
unexported

and finally I add the uploaded images to the "uploaded to smugmug" collection.

Seems to be the best way of working my existing workflow into LR.

Currently I have approx 300 images undeveloped, 100 untagged, 25 unreviewd.

I can easily go into LR, click on the collection and know what work needs to be doen to the images.

Are you doing that renaming from within Lightroom? If so, do you do that in batch, and how?

Select the images and F2 or Library > Rename Photos