Need Workflow help

[Dextor143]

Hi,
I have been doing photography for few years but I still don't have a good work flow process, currently I upload all my pics on iPhoto and then one by one use some on the lightroom for editing.

My hard drive is all full with multiple files for the same image. Can someone guide me on how they keep their RAW separate from the client one and also keep them in external drive so the internal HD don't get too full all the time.

Thanks a bunch.

 

[MCAsan]

I have been using Lr as my digital asset manager (DAM). I had it copy the raw images from cards to specified folders. I use a folder for the year and a subfolder for each day with images. You can do similar manually using Finder.

Put your images in folders and subfolders on an external library drive inside a pictures folder. Use the same library drive to hold documents, videos, music...etc. Then have another or equal or larger size that Time Machine uses to backup the entire Mac file system.

I have over 111,000 images in my Pictures folder and this approach works well for me.

 

[The Bad Guy]

It's really quite easy.

1. Import to your DAM of choice.
2. Delete the crap (95%)
3. Edit the rest.

 

[MCAsan]

On a Mac, you have the advantage that you can use Finder to view the image files. Finder will show you the embedded jpg inside of raw images. Those jpg are usually good enough to cull out the obvious problems of missed focus, poor composition...etc. That will make for a much faster import if you are using a DAM like Lr, C1P. If using app like Luminar or Photo RAW, you just move the keepers into folders of your choice via Finder. Then you browe to the images you want to edit.

 

[Reality4711]

Hi,
I have been doing photography for few years but I still don't have a good work flow process, currently I upload all my pics on iPhoto and then one by one use some on the lightroom for editing.

My hard drive is all full with multiple files for the same image. Can someone guide me on how they keep their RAW separate from the client one and also keep them in external drive so the internal HD don't get too full all the time.

Thanks a bunch.

Simple is the most reliable - usually.

I suggest that with your system, if funds allow, a 1TB SSD in a usb3 case. New work is imported to your home hard drive all work done on them also stored there until the next job is started at which point move Masters (in its own file) plus completed images (in its own file) moved to the external drive. A simple, well-named file system will suffice on the external drive while your workflow with the shoot of the day/week will be handled by the faster internal drive unencumbered by older files. Using the 'Finder' is a good suggestion for the one person army. The complex, time-consuming DAMs often recommended do not IMO provide any advantages until your business requirements are much more complex or you become addicted to sitting in front of your computer instead of taking photographs.

Regards Sharkey

ps.. 'Fast Raw Viewer' is what it says and can be highly recommended if you work entirely in RAW..