Importing first time to lightroom 4

[Splashon]

Was wondering if it would be best to import all my files at once or do them by day month year, then create catagories
Have read it is better to start as a root directory. Would you suggest moving users/pictures to the c drive root

First time user but looks mighty impressive. Have to work out my new workflow,so many options

Any help with this would be appreciated

Pete

[Lost]

I still use folders to break all the photos up a bit.

best to put all photos into one main photo folder and than add subfolders. I now use year/month folders and add key words/tags to all photos

IMO it maybe best to just import a few files first up to get it all sorted before doing a big import.

From now on you will need to use lightroom to add folders, move or delete files

[K1W1]

I import my photos into a file structure by date and description. Today's files are in a directory called

20120318-Shire Ride

That make it easier for me to find files on the hard drive if I need to without going through Lightroom.

Within LR I use keyword tagging to help find photos. Again today's photos are all keyworded "Shire of Yarra Ranges" "Guided Ride" Reefton. So I can now go to Lightroom and search for "Shire of Yarra Ranges" and almost instantly find every photo I have taken for the shire on all rides over the last 5 years or search for "Reefton" and get only those photos that pertain to rides on the Reefton Spur..

[Snix]

Lightroom can import them and even make directories based on the date. So based on that, you could get it to import all at once and it will do the sorting if you have selected "move" images. If you are creating previews at the same time and there are a lot of images, might be a good idea to switch that off in the options.

One idea is to tag all the images as you import them in groups, that will make it easier down the track if you need to locate something.

[dazza]

i import to c:/pictures/2011-03-20 etc and then rename that folder in LR to add a description on the end, eg "dominic", ill then backup that directory to my hdd mirror

best idea with your archive is to create a separate lr catalog in my opinion. Then just sync to your root directory where those photos are currently, preferably on an external hdd anyhow, and you then have your whole life to resort them

[Splashon]

Still waiting for the software to arrive in the box. Been trying the trial version

Realised the trial doesn't have the file option which totaly threw me

Think I might still import to c\pictures\date as Darren suggested. Atleast it's a familiar start for me
Then work back adding folder by folder into lightroom.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge. Hope to get the delivery soon and make some posts

Originally ordered the software from the US as it was much cheaper, but they refunded my money as they sold out so fast
Waiting waiting waiting. Should have just downloaded

[K1W1]

Realised the trial doesn't have the file option which totaly threw me

The trial version is 100% the same as the full version. There is actually no need to buy the boxed version you just pay for the download version. Within a month or so when the 4.1 release is made your CD will become worthless so why bother?

[Splashon]

Will have to have another look at Adobe tv. Missed something somewhere down the line

I like the cd so I can re-install if need be plus it will have the product key on it and I will know where to find it. Then LR will hopefully automatically download the updates

[K1W1]

Every point release of Lightroom is effectively a new program so there is never a requirement to use the CD again after there has been a point release. If you register with Adobe your serial numbers will be kept on their system and then if you need to do a clean install all you do is download the latest version and it will basically register itself for you.
What I do is download the program and keep the downloaded file on our home server then do the install from there. If I need to I can reinstall from the server. When there is a new update I just delete the last file and replace it with the new one. If you are concerned about computer crashes just burn the download update file to a CD.

[Splashon]

Thanks Kiwi

Have just updated computer systems here and working my way through the whole process
I'm not that tech savvy so it has been a slog over the last 2 weeks. It needed to be done for business purposes

Now I know the trial is complete can start importing to Lr. No excuses now

Pete

[Lost]

Think I might still import to c\pictures\date as Darren suggested. Atleast it's a familiar start for me
Then work back adding folder by folder into lightroom.


It sometime pays to reorganize folders a bit in the old system/program you are currently using before importing into LR.

Yep; you have to the right idea; start importing new photos into LR and then move/reorganize the most recent photos backwards.

BTW: this is a good time to delete the rubbish. Those photos you thought were good but you now know they may not be so good.


This is my filing system ATM for importing new photos.
1 PICTURES

>1 New photos

<<2010
>>>_01
down to
>>>_12 (in subfolders)

<<2011
down to
>>>_12 (in subfolders)

<<2012
>>>_01
>>>_02 (subfolders)
>>>_03



photos are number 1203--000 (Year/month---photo number) I don't worry about any gaps in the photo number list)

Your old photos can be re-named with your system. That's what I have done/doing.

Then all photos are key worded to suit. The key words is also in sort of folders/subfolders>> FAMILY>>tom>>dick>>harry>>cars>>house

Setting up a good filing system is so important. It can take some time to do and sometime to make it work but it has to be done. I have seem families with 1000s of photos on the puter there is no order what-so-ever and they have no idea where anything is. LO L why take photos that can not be found next week/month/year or in ten years

Have you ordered a LR book like Scott Kelby's? Personally I think it is a must have!! Don't be afraid to ask questions. Much of my "system" comes from SK's thought BTW

[K1W1]

Have you ordered a LR book like Scott Kelby's? Personally I think it is a must have!! Don't be afraid to ask questions. Much of my "system" comes from SK's thought BTW

I'll second the Scott Kelby book. Ordering one is the first thing I do whenever I get a new version of LR or Photoshop.

[Lost]

This is old but it may help http://www.ausph.com/showthread.php/15719-gt-gt-File-your-photos-from-now-on?p=139285#post139285

[Splashon]

Enjoy using the edit side but the catalogue is tedious for a newbie
I guess it all comes down to experience. Just have to accept I will make mistakes along the way

Will get the book now I've come this far
Thank you both again for your time with this

Pete

[K1W1]

The big thing to remember with all software and particularly Lightrooms catalogue is that software is essentially dumb. Do not let it make you work it's way. You must take control and set it up so it works (in this case saves files) the way that suits you not the way that suits the program. Software will do what you tell it to do and that is the only way that it will work for you in the long run.