Do you rename the images?

Yesterday I was at my friends house and he was importing his pictures he toke the day before and he imported them without changing the filenames.
I was amazed, because I do that always when importing my images.

What do you guys do?

Can't say I bother. I put images in named folders and then keyword if necessary.

I replied no but I haven't hit 9999+ yes with my 40D. At that point I will precede the number with a "1", then a "2" etc.

Maybe it's time I converted to a more permanent method such as appending the Create Date along with a series number.

I let Lightroom prepend my file names with the date. That's as far as it goes.

Jelle,

I used to change the name when I first started shooting digital, but I've now stopped doing it. I will rename images for specific purposes*, but my filing system consists of naming the file with something that identifys when and where and maybe why, so the _MG_9999 system works well for me.

*I've just finished printing off a series of James Toseland (MotoGP) and Chris Vermuelen images, and I've kept the number and just added a little more information. Example: one image is now named RCB2345-220608JS, so I've got the subject (JS), the date taken (22-06-2008), the image number and my initials. This information is on a printed label on the rear of each image, along with a more descriptive text.

Yep, I use the Batch Rename in Adobe Bridge to rename my files. Usually it is because I shoot with 2-3 cameras that have different file names. First I rename based on date and time to get them in correct chronological order and then I rename based on event. The first rename stores the original filename in the metadata.

I just leave them. They end up in named folders.

I add 5D to the file name the camera assigns so I know which camera I used.

I use this freeware program:
http://www.sherrodcomp​uters.com …_filerenamer_do​wnload.cfm

Also use it to renumber for files greater than 9999

twofruitz wrote in post #7386305
I just leave them. They end up in named folders.

Same here.

I do change them when I convert from RAW to JPEG though. Not that I have to I suppose, but the option's there so I thought what the heck, why not

nope never. They keep their date name and image number and then go into monthly folders. Import through LR then even if I move them to one of my 3 external hard drives, I know how to find them by their date name.

I normally will rename files if I used more than one camera body or lens for the same day. Like going to the zoo or such, and I shoot the Bigmos and another lens. I want to be sure I keep the two lenses separate. It keeps me from getting confused and helps determine which lens was doing what that day. Or I'll shoot at a particular spot, like Brookfield Zoo or Willowbrook Wildlife Center, and throw all the photos into one folder and use the zoo name on the folder.

Lately, though, I've been doing monthly folders with individual date folders inside those.


The good part is I use Paint Shop Pro batch rename, and it works perfectly. I can rename a whole folder, which can sometimes be over 1200 photos, in a matter of a minute or two.

I do it once I complete my selections in Lightroom, the rest I leave as is.

I did first the monthly shooting, but I found it to difficult to remember when that picture was shot, so I started to rename.

I haven't in the past, but I just hit 10,000 on the 5D and I'm wondering what to do now.

I'm about to hit 10,000 on my 40D as well.

bohdank wrote in post #7386278
I replied no but I haven't hit 9999+ yes with my 40D. At that point I will precede the number with a "1", then a "2" etc. ....

Is there a simple way of doing this?

I rename YYYY-MM-DD-XXXX. I'm also sorted into folders first by year, then month, then day.