My File Management System

[Abel]

My File Management System

First off, let me state that I manually copy my files from my CF Cards over to my computer, then organize and title directories prior to importing them into Lightroom 3. Keep in mind that this File Management System can be applied to ANY computer platform and/or editing software platform but I do suggest this be the first step in your workflow.

As you can see in the photo below, I have directories broken down into Year, Month, Day and Hires. Naming the directories in the fashion shown will ensure that they be displayed in the correct order and are very easy to interpret at a glance.

As for the Hires directory, that is a directory where I export all of my edited files from Lightroom 3 so that the exported processed files and the original RAW files are not intermingled within the same directory which can cause some confusion. The automated way I use to create this Hires directory within Lightroom 3 will be explained in the next section below.


My Lightroom 3 Export Settings

As I mentioned earlier I always want my original RAW files and processed exports to reside in different directories since it makes it so much easier to find files to send to print etc. I use Lightroom 3 as my main photo editor and the settings below are what I use when EXPORTING photos and the software will automatically dump my exports into a Hires directory. You do not have to use the exact term Hires as I have done, choose any name you wish such as Exports, Edits or Processed for example but the key is to stay consistent.

For those photographers that do not use Lightroom 3 you can still use separate directories for your completed edited photos you just may have to set them up manually.

[rab3rd]

So do you keyword in addition?

[Abel]

nah... i dont keyword in LR... If i need to find something ill search in Finder real quick.

[Abel]

thats why i put a short description in the folder name.

[rab3rd]

Hmm, I may have to think about this way again. I wasnt being descriptive last time I used dates and soon it got really hard to find anything

[Abel]

the short description helps me out a ton... in fact those are more important than dates in my mind BUT i also like to use dates since that helps keep them in chronological order...

Say for instance on the NYC directories... I went there in '10 and Im going back in '11... so if i search for "New York City" it'll yield these results:

2010-04-09 - New York City
2010-04-10 - New York City
2011-06-05 - New York City
2011-06-06 - New York City
2011-06-07 - New York City

if i didnt have dates then how would i be able to distinguish what is the most recent NYC group... dates make it easier

[rab3rd]

yeah, I think thats where I screwed up using dates, no additonal information. IMagine the pain that created

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Abel

After talking to Rob in the chatroom I noticed that I hadn't posted a photo of how I organize my photos on my computer.

This is the system I use and I've been very happy with it.

YEp...that's pretty much how I do mine.

[biggin]

YYYY_MM_DD is the only way dates should be identified.....

Mine is the same as well.

[Kenski Photo]

Exactly the way I organize mine. I do this is lightroom but I have been rethinking of creating a new catalog for each month instead of the year. This has bitten me in the butt once already and it was TERRIBLE going back and rebuilding the catalog with the edits.

My only issue is backing it up. I have a hard time with my back ups. First I have it on my "WORKING DRIVE" as I call it. USB 3.0 1TB drive that I cart around with me. First I upload it to a external hard drive, then to my NAS also with my online backup service PLUS I keep all my archives on a hard drive that I keep in a safety deposit box. Alittle OVERKILL?? Yes, but I almost lost my entire collection a year ago (10 years worth) so Im a bit edgy now about it.

I also insure two of my hard drives with data protection plans for free recovery. The one in the safety deposit box and my external hard drive. The NAS is basically for viewing purposes and my working hard drive gets bounced around soooo much that I replaced it once a year just cause.

[The Loft Studios]

I'm very detailed with my folder hierarchy.....

•Year Folders
•Month Folders
•Category Folders
•Client Name Folders
•*Optional Folder(s)*
•Images Folders (Raw/Processed)
•*Actual Image Files*

[Abel]

looks good mark!

i just reattached another file photo in the first post to show a bit more in depth like you did. I also like having a separate folder for processed images. Makes things so much easier.

[KenJulio]

So I have to ask, with the folders broken down in details, what does this gain you? I'm relying heavily on keywording and metadata.

Also, for having catalogs for each month, you will lose your keywords you had used for the previous month. Unless you import your monthly catalogs into a larger catalog.

[revjvegas]

Fyi...

LR has a built in search...using the metadata, you can look up everything by date. So you don't really need to save in folders named by date necessarily.

Just an option.

[revjvegas]

...Just to add, I will say this...this is no one correct way. I think one has to work out what he/she likes best and fits into your workflow.