Lightroom: Filters or Smart Collections?

[Sonny]

I like using both but YMMV.

Lightroom ? Filters or Smart Collections?

[Tom]

Ha, I use neither. I kick it old school with the folder system.

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Ha, I use neither. I kick it old school with the folder system.

I agree folders are a must for proper DAM. Combine that with Lightroom's filters and collections and you have one very powerful tool.

[Tom]

I just don't have a problem finding a picture ever.

If you said "I want the ring shot from Lauren and Neil's wedding", I could go:

Photography>Weddings>2010>Lauren_Neil>Details>Deta ils_JPEGS

I definitely think I need to learn to use filters, keywords and what not more, though. Well, I do keyword, but don't search with it.

[JohnT]

Once you use Smart Collections, you'll wonder why you waited so long. At least I did.

[Steelsun]

I use folders and key words. Probably have to learn to use smart collections one of these days.

[BeccaJ]

im soooo not up to speed on what lightroom can do. it does what i need it to, so i havent ventured further. i really need to read up on it - cause i just use the folders currently too

[Bob_S]

Originally Posted by JohnT

Once you use Smart Collections, you'll wonder why you waited so long. At least I did.

+1

I use folders but I also use ratings, labels, flags and keywords to look for particular shots across all folders. I like to keep track of what went to a publisher or to a booster club or Facebook. Those span multiple folders though so folders and filter/collections are needed.

To use the example above is easy to find the ring shot, but what if you wanted to find all of your ring shots. That is where the filters and collections come into play.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by BeccaJ

im soooo not up to speed on what lightroom can do. it does what i need it to, so i havent ventured further. i really need to read up on it - cause i just use the folders currently too

Follow this blog. Matt posts a lot of good stuff almost daily.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips

A search will render other good LR sites as well.