Posted by Laurie Wendt on August 9, 2008 at 3:27 PM
After reading all the praise about Lightroom on this site I decided to make the jump and purchase it a few months ago, I'm also currently waiting for the upgrade to arrive in the mail.
I've been somewhat reluctant to start using it, opting to wait and read up on it some before I start importing. I'd like to develop a good workflow right off the bat. I thought I'd start with the 30 gigs of RAW photos I took while in Colorado this summer. I currently have all the photos already copied to a folder on my hard drive. My question to all of you is with all the options of importing, how do you handle the import process?
I was wondering if anyone has purchased the Lightroom 2 book by Martin Evening, and if you like it?
I also read here that Nat is writing a Lightroom book. Hey, Nate when will it be available for purchase? I sure could use it now!
Any other tips, dos or don'ts you care to share are very welcome.
I highly recommend Scott Kelby's books. I have one of his Photoshop books and his first edition Lightroom book. He dumbs the stuff down so even an idiot like me can understand it.
Posted by Paul Beiser on August 9, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I highly recommend Martin's book (am reading it now), Kelby's LR 1.0 book was really good, and I have ordered his new one as well.
But one of the very BEST resources is Julianne Kost's excellent videos - http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html. Try these out and see what ya think.
Michael Clark has a pretty good ebook as well: http://www.michaelclarkphoto.com/workflow.html
Posted by Brent Murphy on August 9, 2008 at 8:40 PM
In addition to Lightroom Killer Tips, I would also recommend the podcasts available at these sites. You can also find them in the iTunes store:
http://www.mulita.com/blog/ - Looks like George is leaving Adobe, however. Not sure what that means for the future of this podcast.
With the podcasts, don't just watch the current ones. You should be able to download all the previous ones also. I found them very helpful. I've got a couple books on Lightroom, but I've barely cracked them open. These podcasts have been a much better learning tool than a book.
Posted by Kalin Wilson on August 10, 2008 at 1:35 AM
Hey Laurie,
Good recommendations for learning materials, there is plenty out there - lots of free stuff. Once you get your hands dirty with the LR interface, you'll feel comfortable quickly.
You also asked about import workflows. Here are some tips or things to think about.
The import process boils down to two decisions, import in place or copy the files to somewhere else, and import the raw file or convert to DNG (if importing raw files). Of course different import sessions can mix and match as needed. If you have an existing library of images in a directory organization that you like, just import it in place. If you want to start another collection of photo files, establish a root directory and have lightroom copy the files from your input directory or cards.
I keep all of my portfolio photos in one catalog (after trying to make multiple smaller catalogs, by year, work). I like being able to search and filter across all of my photos. I am moving to a workflow where I keep one master catalog for all photos, snapshots, family stuff, serious shoots, etc. and another catalog just for the serious stuff that I have or will work on. The biggest difference workflow wise between these catalogs is that I will delete bad shots from the portfolio catalog while retaining everything in the maser. I have a hard time deleting images - you never know when you might change your mind about it or need it
I organize my files by year and shoot and import into that structure. I name my files YYYYMMMDDKPW_SHOOTNAME-index# (Date, initials_Shootname-index from import order. I have LR rename the files on import using a custom name template. I also have LR apply copyright metadata and keywords (at least those that are common to the import) on import. Use as much of these capabilities as you can on import to minimize your work later.
Consider converting raw files to DNG on import. The advantage of a DNG over just the raw is that if you want LR to write processing metadata to the file it goes straight into the DNG vice an .xmp sidecar (associated file) with a raw. If you ever needed to recreate your database or move files to another app, the DNG is a one stop shop while you'd have to keep the raw and it's xmp together - more management. Asking LR to write it's processing metadata to the files is an option you have enable in the catalog options. It can slow things down a little but I think it's worth it.
Once the import is done the real fun begins. There are good articles out there about using LR's flags, ratings, and labels to evaluate, organize, and weed a shoot. There are lots of tools to keep you organized.
Good luck!
Posted by Nat Coalson on August 10, 2008 at 2:02 AM
Laurie, handling the Import process is the first important step. If the files are already on your hard disk, import them where they are, without modifying them. Add metadata etc. after Import, otherwise you risk overwriting anything that is already there. Going forward, when Importing new images from your camera, issues like converting to DNG, renaming files and adding metadata (copyright and keywords at minimum) are essential during Import. I have a PDF about all this that I can give you, just email me.
You're correct, I'm writing a Lightroom book for Wiley Publishing, due out early next year.... so it will be a while yet. It's all about working in Lightroom more efficiently (so it can be more fun and less work) and always maintaining the highest quality. Lots of hidden features, shortcuts etc. It's on Amazon here
Everyone else who responded to your post covered the great base of online resources for Lightroom. It's a great time to be getting into Lightroom, there's growing momentum and support for the current state-of-the-art software for processing digital photography.
As for tips etc. I'm trying to stay on top of my blog (easier said than done for me); I have some Lightroom performance tips, workflows etc. at www.ProPhotoWorkflow.com
One bit of advice for using Lightroom: stay on top of your file management. Using DNG, with a good file/folder system, and frequent backups will avoid a lot of headaches.
With that worry out of the way, working with your photos in Lightroom is so fun and easy, you might look forward to sitting at the computer, working on your photos...
Posted by Laurie Wendt on August 10, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Thanks everyone for all the great info. Looks like I have a lot of reading and video watching to do!
Discussion
7 repliesI've been somewhat reluctant to start using it, opting to wait and read up on it some before I start importing. I'd like to develop a good workflow right off the bat. I thought I'd start with the 30 gigs of RAW photos I took while in Colorado this summer. I currently have all the photos already copied to a folder on my hard drive. My question to all of you is with all the options of importing, how do you handle the import process?
I was wondering if anyone has purchased the Lightroom 2 book by Martin Evening, and if you like it?
I also read here that Nat is writing a Lightroom book. Hey, Nate when will it be available for purchase? I sure could use it now!
Any other tips, dos or don'ts you care to share are very welcome.
Thanks
Also, preorders are being taken for Scott Kelby's 'Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers'.
You can see the overwhelmingly positive reviews for his first book here.
But one of the very BEST resources is Julianne Kost's excellent videos - http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html. Try these out and see what ya think.
Michael Clark has a pretty good ebook as well: http://www.michaelclarkphoto.com/workflow.html
http://www.thedigitalphotographyconnection.com/LFDP.php
http://www.mulita.com/blog/ - Looks like George is leaving Adobe, however. Not sure what that means for the future of this podcast.
With the podcasts, don't just watch the current ones. You should be able to download all the previous ones also. I found them very helpful. I've got a couple books on Lightroom, but I've barely cracked them open. These podcasts have been a much better learning tool than a book.
Good recommendations for learning materials, there is plenty out there - lots of free stuff. Once you get your hands dirty with the LR interface, you'll feel comfortable quickly.
You also asked about import workflows. Here are some tips or things to think about.
The import process boils down to two decisions, import in place or copy the files to somewhere else, and import the raw file or convert to DNG (if importing raw files). Of course different import sessions can mix and match as needed. If you have an existing library of images in a directory organization that you like, just import it in place. If you want to start another collection of photo files, establish a root directory and have lightroom copy the files from your input directory or cards.
I keep all of my portfolio photos in one catalog (after trying to make multiple smaller catalogs, by year, work). I like being able to search and filter across all of my photos. I am moving to a workflow where I keep one master catalog for all photos, snapshots, family stuff, serious shoots, etc. and another catalog just for the serious stuff that I have or will work on. The biggest difference workflow wise between these catalogs is that I will delete bad shots from the portfolio catalog while retaining everything in the maser. I have a hard time deleting images - you never know when you might change your mind about it or need it
I organize my files by year and shoot and import into that structure. I name my files YYYYMMMDDKPW_SHOOTNAME-index# (Date, initials_Shootname-index from import order. I have LR rename the files on import using a custom name template. I also have LR apply copyright metadata and keywords (at least those that are common to the import) on import. Use as much of these capabilities as you can on import to minimize your work later.
Consider converting raw files to DNG on import. The advantage of a DNG over just the raw is that if you want LR to write processing metadata to the file it goes straight into the DNG vice an .xmp sidecar (associated file) with a raw. If you ever needed to recreate your database or move files to another app, the DNG is a one stop shop while you'd have to keep the raw and it's xmp together - more management. Asking LR to write it's processing metadata to the files is an option you have enable in the catalog options. It can slow things down a little but I think it's worth it.
Once the import is done the real fun begins. There are good articles out there about using LR's flags, ratings, and labels to evaluate, organize, and weed a shoot. There are lots of tools to keep you organized.
Good luck!
You're correct, I'm writing a Lightroom book for Wiley Publishing, due out early next year.... so it will be a while yet. It's all about working in Lightroom more efficiently (so it can be more fun and less work) and always maintaining the highest quality. Lots of hidden features, shortcuts etc. It's on Amazon here
Everyone else who responded to your post covered the great base of online resources for Lightroom. It's a great time to be getting into Lightroom, there's growing momentum and support for the current state-of-the-art software for processing digital photography.
As for tips etc. I'm trying to stay on top of my blog (easier said than done for me); I have some Lightroom performance tips, workflows etc. at www.ProPhotoWorkflow.com
Also I'll be teaching Lightroom and Photoshop at Bret Edge's workshops in Moab this Fall/Winter, info at
http://moabphotoworkshops.com/?goto=workshopcalendar
One bit of advice for using Lightroom: stay on top of your file management. Using DNG, with a good file/folder system, and frequent backups will avoid a lot of headaches.
With that worry out of the way, working with your photos in Lightroom is so fun and easy, you might look forward to sitting at the computer, working on your photos...