Digital Workflow

[Eric DeWitt]

After hearing Bryan Okeefe’s thoughts on some workflow issues, i wanted to get a discusions going on what others are doing.  I have been using lightroom in the last few months to reorganize my library, and because of that i have been re-evaluating my processes, and i want to try and get this all right the first time!

Heres a few issues i have been thinking about:

-folder library structure:  I have been using a date based system – something like this:  “200751 Trout Opener”.  This is also one of the import options in lightroom, so that works great for me.  I go back in lightroom folder view and add a descriptor to the date level folder after importing just for easy browsing.  

– File Names:

[Richard Bernabe]

Photoshop CS3 – The standard photo editing software
Adobe Camera Raw – RAW converter
Capture One Pro – alternative RAW converter (for images with very bright areas like the sun. No posterization)
NSCS Pro 3.0 – Image management system

All images are captured in RAW, conversions done in ACR or Capture One and opened into CS3 with 16-bit depth. After all editing is complete, I save a high-rez tiff (flattened and converted to 8-bit if I am completely satisfied, tiff w/ layers in 16-bit if not) and a DNG. All images are shot and stored in Adobe RGB.

All images are then assigned a master image number (automatically assigned by NSCS when entering info) and filing code (my code). Images are entered into the NSCS database with captions, descriptions, thumbnail image, and key words for easy searching.

My storage is kinda complicated. All images are always stored in two places simultaneously. 1) computer HD/external HD > 2) External HD/External HD > 3) external HD/DVD.

[john nesselrode]

My workflow needs improvement. Currently use Elements with ACR. Most always shoot RAW and divide the files into various bins depending on the conversion adjustments I expect to need. Then batch convert to JPEGs and then do further editing, reverting to the RAW original when more extensive editing is needed.

I too use a date-based folder system, but I’m planning to scrap that for a categorized folder scheme. I spend a lot of time searching, and date only gets me close a lot of the time. Sometimes it takes way too long to find things if I don’t have a mental time stamp for the picture. I find the organization features of Elements clumsy to use, and I don’t know that I’ll stay with that program long-term, so I haven’t made the large time investment to do it in there, though I like the idea of multiple ‘tags’ for photos. I envision only a few first-tier folders with layers of sub-folders.

I don’t rename files.

I back up all photos to an external HD that is stored offsite. Just can’t cozy up to the idea of DVDs, and another organization issue. I’m considering an additional external HD for another layer of protection. THey’re pretty cheap, compact and reliable.

[Matt Tucker]

Programs Used:
1.

[john nesselrode]

Hey Matt,

I’m curious – with your cataloging software do/can you give multiple ‘tags’ to a file so you can find it multiple ways?

[Eric DeWitt]

Ness, based on what your asking, i think you should check out lightroom if you haven’t already.  You can set up multiple tags on files, and you can have multiple short lists of common used ones that you can save, and its as simple as clicking on the word to add it to the file or files.  No typing at all.  

For me, i think the date based folder system is more efficient, i spent to much time sorting files when i had subject based folder system.  Lightroom seems to give the best of both worlds, where you can leave the folders date based, and add the keywords or location metadata to make for easy finding.

On top of that, it will do 90% of what elements does is most areas, and more than elements in other areas.

[Author]

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