Posted by Dottie Short on November 30, 2010 at 11:03 AM
I'm finding that I have many uses for a single image that requires different options such as image size, resolution, psd, jpg, etc. I've tried to solve this issue by creating separate folders for each use, and file them under their respective category.
The Avian folders would contain the following:
Avian Master Folder - The largest edited file I'll ever need, but not sharpened. This is the folder I go to when I need to prepare an image for SmugMug, NPN, or other uses.
Avian SmugMug Folder - Suitable for posting on SmugMug
Avian NPN Folder - Ready to post on NPN
Does anyone have any other suggestions as to how I can tame this bear? What methods have you found to make this job easier?
We include a few initials in our file names to indicate its "fate" and with the original file #, as well as subject. That lets us track back to the original RAW file, the processed TIFF file and the variations.
In your example, if the original RAW was DCM_1234.NEF and an eagle, the processed master would be 1234AE.tiff, the smugmug would be 1234AEsm.jpeg, and the NPN version 1234AEnpn.jpeg. That aids in searches and identifies it at a glance and allows us to return it to the proper folder. Variation not on your list are crops. If we crop the original at any point along the way, it stays in the appropriate folder along with the uncropped version, but with a new designation: 1234AEcrop.tiff, 1234AEsmcrop.jpeg, and 1234AEnpncrop.jpeg. To get really crazy, we have multiple crops of some images, and those get #'s, as in 1234AEnpncrop1.jpeg and 1234AEnpncrop2.jpeg.
That may sound crazy and awkward, but in our own shooting, processing and marketing world we need to be able to know as much about image files as possible without actually opening them while searching.
Posted by Luke Ormand on November 30, 2010 at 12:18 PM
I have my folders broken down by catergory and then by species (I use the categories on NPN to make it a little easier for me, so fauna, flora, avian, macro, etc.). For images I post on NPN, I don't process them until I'm ready to post them so when they're finished I dump them in a "Posted 2010" folder. I also run two blogs, and each one has a folder that corresponds to a year (Birds Blog 2010 for example).
I also have a folder called 'Works in Progress' where I might have a big .Tiff or something that I'm working on... any submissions for contests or publications also get put in their seperate folders.
A compelling reason to use a workflow management tool such as Lightroom is to avoid creating--and then managing--so many folders of one-off images. This is especially valuable for web-uploads as with Smugmug and NPN, where the need to have jpeg legacy copies is not compelling once the image is uploaded.
So in my typical workflow with Lightroom, I work the RAW file to my satisfaction, and then using a one-click Export preset (that I created earlier) to output and upload the appropriately formatted jpeg to their online destinations. Then I delete the jpeg. If I need it again, I'll just click on the export preset.
A given here is that each image is properly categorized and cataloged in collections, but that happens within Lightroom.
Also, if I choose to experiment, say create a B&W version and a color version, then that's managed within Lightroom too, and without making a real second copy of the file. I favor either creating virtual copies (none of these actually change the original RAW file BTW) or use the snapshot feature to capture a desired look and recall it later.
To me this is a lot more streamlined with how I work, and it almost eliminates the need for more folders outside the Lightroom environment.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, theft, three offices, vandalism and hard drive crashes (to name a few factors) mandate more than Lightroom in our working environment.
Hank, puhleaze, I've been making multiple secure backups of image files since I was a Photoshop beta tester in the latter 80s. Dottie wasn't describing a backup architecture anyway, but rather her catalog and filing structure. And she requested comments to make the job easier.
So was I. We're running a business in multiple locations and a hazardous environment. I'm talking about a file structure that works for business management and mobility, as well as backup. Mix disc and drive backup into that, and in our experience Lightroom doesn't cut it for our needs. Doesn't mean it's not a great program, but it doesn't track well enough for us, especially when the business is driven by client names rather than file names. The file names have to follow the clients after the fact, rather than the reverse. It's a different focus.
Posted by Luke Ormand on December 2, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Hank is spot-on to offer his advice. Dottie I'm sure is appreciative of all the input and frankly, if I were running a business that my livelihood was entirely dependent on and I was running said business from a chunk of rock in the Gulf of Alaska, I'd want a secure system as well! It all depends on your end game.
If someone asks what kind of DSLR and lens they should purchase, some may advocate a D90 with a small zoom lens, while others would scoff at the idea and would never purchase something that isn't FF. And then there are those who would argue that 4X5 is the way to go and DSLR's are just a fad. Different strokes for different folks.
Posted by Dottie Short on December 3, 2010 at 3:37 PM
I'm amazed that all you busy photographers take the time to look at my image, but even more surprised that anyone would take time to share their individual organizing schemes. Thanks to all who weighed in with advice. I'm going to think about this a bit more before I make any changes.
As far as Lightroom goes, I've resisted purchasing because of the following:
* I want to have control over my organizing options. Girls do change their minds, and I don't want to wrestle with LR if I decide to reorganize. I can move images around between folders outside of Adobe Bridge without losing track of them. When I used Elements years ago, I seemed to have a problem losing images at times.
* I work with Photoshop CS4 and Nik Plugins, and I really don't feel as if I need another editing software.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
P.S. I live on the Gulf coast and you forgot floods and hurricanes
Dottie, for a full-fledged digital assets management program, take a look at IDImager. The Pro-Desktop version is excellent! I use it and find it meets my needs perfectly. You can do some editing in IDI, but it's primary use is to organize your stuff.
I use PS to do all my editing, and, since obtaining and learning IDI, I don't even use Bridge any longer; no need.
One thought on digital asset management: Before you decide on a program to use, set up your file system the way you want it before importing images. This will make it much easier, in the long run.
Discussion
11 repliesThe Avian folders would contain the following:
Avian Master Folder - The largest edited file I'll ever need, but not sharpened. This is the folder I go to when I need to prepare an image for SmugMug, NPN, or other uses.
Avian SmugMug Folder - Suitable for posting on SmugMug
Avian NPN Folder - Ready to post on NPN
Does anyone have any other suggestions as to how I can tame this bear? What methods have you found to make this job easier?
Thanks in advance for any ideas.
In your example, if the original RAW was DCM_1234.NEF and an eagle, the processed master would be 1234AE.tiff, the smugmug would be 1234AEsm.jpeg, and the NPN version 1234AEnpn.jpeg. That aids in searches and identifies it at a glance and allows us to return it to the proper folder. Variation not on your list are crops. If we crop the original at any point along the way, it stays in the appropriate folder along with the uncropped version, but with a new designation: 1234AEcrop.tiff, 1234AEsmcrop.jpeg, and 1234AEnpncrop.jpeg. To get really crazy, we have multiple crops of some images, and those get #'s, as in 1234AEnpncrop1.jpeg and 1234AEnpncrop2.jpeg.
That may sound crazy and awkward, but in our own shooting, processing and marketing world we need to be able to know as much about image files as possible without actually opening them while searching.
I also have a folder called 'Works in Progress' where I might have a big .Tiff or something that I'm working on... any submissions for contests or publications also get put in their seperate folders.
A compelling reason to use a workflow management tool such as Lightroom is to avoid creating--and then managing--so many folders of one-off images. This is especially valuable for web-uploads as with Smugmug and NPN, where the need to have jpeg legacy copies is not compelling once the image is uploaded.
So in my typical workflow with Lightroom, I work the RAW file to my satisfaction, and then using a one-click Export preset (that I created earlier) to output and upload the appropriately formatted jpeg to their online destinations. Then I delete the jpeg. If I need it again, I'll just click on the export preset.
A given here is that each image is properly categorized and cataloged in collections, but that happens within Lightroom.
Also, if I choose to experiment, say create a B&W version and a color version, then that's managed within Lightroom too, and without making a real second copy of the file. I favor either creating virtual copies (none of these actually change the original RAW file BTW) or use the snapshot feature to capture a desired look and recall it later.
To me this is a lot more streamlined with how I work, and it almost eliminates the need for more folders outside the Lightroom environment.
ME
ME
If someone asks what kind of DSLR and lens they should purchase, some may advocate a D90 with a small zoom lens, while others would scoff at the idea and would never purchase something that isn't FF. And then there are those who would argue that 4X5 is the way to go and DSLR's are just a fad. Different strokes for different folks.
P.S. Hank, you forgot forest fires!
Eeeeeek!!!!
As far as Lightroom goes, I've resisted purchasing because of the following:
* I want to have control over my organizing options. Girls do change their minds, and I don't want to wrestle with LR if I decide to reorganize. I can move images around between folders outside of Adobe Bridge without losing track of them. When I used Elements years ago, I seemed to have a problem losing images at times.
* I work with Photoshop CS4 and Nik Plugins, and I really don't feel as if I need another editing software.
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
P.S. I live on the Gulf coast and you forgot floods and hurricanes
Dottie
Ooops.
And oil spills. We both know about those, sorry to say.
I use PS to do all my editing, and, since obtaining and learning IDI, I don't even use Bridge any longer; no need.
You can read more about IDImager here
There is also a great IDI forum, here.
One thought on digital asset management: Before you decide on a program to use, set up your file system the way you want it before importing images. This will make it much easier, in the long run.
--P