Naming your photos

[Lost]

This is a bit of a carry on from this thread. (http://www.ausph.com/showthread.php?t=7240)
Now that everyone has their photos filed (:bounce: hahahha :bounce:) we could look into photo naming.

That thread was directed more towards the newbies to photography so I feel this thread could sort off be the same so that means not everyone has a photo filing/edit program. Remember most of us started with windows.

Naming digital photos is one area I have always had trouble with. Work stuff is easy; each client has a file number and that is in the photo name 3245-45. 45 being the image #. The file #_their name_date is in their folder name. This is a carryover from film days and the book and card system. Today I use outlook to match clients to file #. Works for me and it could be better but I cannot see myself changing it

It's my own personal stuff that I find hard. I find years and dates as a waste of time and prefer subject name_image # _date better

So why do I feel years and dates don’t work: this filing/numbering thing is about finding photos in many years time and I find it hard to remember what year something happened. I had a car written off a few years ago but I have no idea what year (the date is easy; dec 24 :() so 2008… or 0812… or 081224… does nothing for me, but Car Crash 0812 does mean something. But that’s just me (remember my reading/writing is a bit back to front at times) and I find files names in alphabet order is easier. Everyone needs to have something that works for them.

When writing a file name each section should be separated with underscore CarCrash_0812 or car_crash_0812. This apparently has something to do with finding the photos later; type in any word/date and the puter will/should find it for you. That stuff is over my head

I have found these that may help

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/learnmore/folders.mspx
http://hubpages.com/hub/Tips-For-Naming-Your-Photos
http://www.blog.kelschphoto.com/2010/01/photo-file-management/

One tip: rename the original photo file before editing/duplicating/emailing the photo or you will end up with the same photos with different names. yeeep ; been there done that and what a mess it becomes :( ;)

Looking forward to seeing your ideas and thoughts.

[loose cannon]

Oh I hate these threads about filing systems 'cos they keep reminding me of what a shamozzle my current system is.:'(

My current system is that I don't have a system and as the number of files increases it's getting real ugly.

I'm totally at a loss to work out a filing system, mainly for my bird stuff.

I'm thinking that maybe I should create some folders that split birds into different categories like shorebirds, raptors, honeyeaters and the like and completely ignore dates (other than the year maybe).

But then I like to keep my images from the Fitzroy river separate, I don't know why really but I do. Perhaps I'll put some sort of coffee table book together at some point in the future including landscapes etc etc.

Oh dear, I'll be watching this thread with interest. I'll get to those links later Ian as I've got to go and do some other stuff right now but thanks for starting this thread. I've just now set myself a goal of getting this mess sorted by the end of this week so I suppose I can say I've started to address the problem.

The other thread you started made me go back and delete loads of rubbish so thanks for that but this is a bit more challenging. Creating a system is one thing, but me sticking to it is another. :*

[Lost]

what program have you got Mick?

[loose cannon]

I mostly view my images in FastStone Image Viewer, process in DPP / cs3 and I'm running windows 7.

[Jim]

Good thread Ian and great info.

[aslan]

Good info Ian.

I've finally settled on a process that works well for me, but others mileage may vary.

I've set the 'puter up so that when I upload images it automatically creates a folder with todays date. In this way when doing a shoot all pics from the various cards (I only use 4 and 8 gig cards and upload throughout) end up in one folder. They files are simply numbered 001 and upwards.
At the end of the session I rename the folder to the persons name, location and shoot number, eg: Shae Studio #3.
Each folder has a jpeg and a RAW image with the same number, BUT I deliberately have not updated Windows viewer with the RAW previewer. This helps load the folder much faster for previewing and I only preview the jpeg images and then select the accompanying RAW file in PS to process, bearing in mind only around 10/20% of images will end up with the client.
Once I've selected and processed an image I save it as "Final XXX" leaving the original intact. If I do a low res web version (always 1024 on the long side) I name it "Final XXX 1024".
If I process say a B&W conversion as well it becomes "Final XXX BW" or if low res "Final XXX BW 1024"

It works well for me and I dont even have to think about it these days, it just becomes automatic.

[Ageless1]

For anyone who has Photoshop the best program to use for transferring files from a camera and managing those files is Adobe Bridge. For anyone with more than one Adobe program, such as one of the creative suites, it is a must. Bridge allows you access to features of all your other Adobe programs, such as batch processing and also lets you load multiple files to things like Photomerge or HDR Pro in Photoshop.
When you transfer your files from the camera you have the option of naming them by date or by number or by name or any combination of the three. You can also output your images to Pdf or to a web gallery or slideshow or many other formats and options. Bridge is included with any legitimate copy of any other Adobe program and probably available from their website, though I cant swear to that bit but it would be worth a look.

[Lost]

Bloody hell that pisses me off; i spend a lot of time typing out a long post; hit post quick reply and I get some message saying I cannot do it and the whole bloody post is lost. BUGGER

[aslan]

Bloody hell that pisses me off; i spend a lot of time typing out a long post; hit post quick reply and I get some message saying I cannot do it and the whole bloody post is lost. BUGGER

Bloody sucks Ian......................................If I'm doing a long one I write it in word first then cut and paste.

[Lost]

As you would have guessed I’m sorting out the odd photo or ten and as many say they use the date or part of the date as the main file number/name I thought I should look into ways to make it work for me.

Now this is getting a bit past the newbie program but I have come up with a way of using Lightroom. I have always had trouble understanding lightroom re/numbering after being used to Bridge but like all things new it’s just a matter of spending some time to learn the best and easiest way to do it.

After some time [lot of really] fiddling around I have Lightroom set up to automatically rename all photos when importing (downloading) images from the camera with YYMM-#. This will become the file number for life and will look like 1103-033. I’m really hoping I don’t have to add the DD also. Any time later I can add a subject name/s to the file to read like 1103-033_test_photo.DNG and if I type in “test” or “photo” the puter will/should find it for me. Keywords/tags will also be attached to the file so the subject name is not overly important; it’s more of a back up.

I have also worked out (and hope) that if I import all images into the one folder called New Photos the number sequence should continue. If I import into a new folder the sequence will return to 001. This will happen for the first import of the month.



Couple of questions: does it make any difference if an underscore or hyphen is used in the name when it comes to searchers?
Question for those who know Lightroom numbering: with searches in mind; can the name just be typed in behind the file number or should the insert custom text buttons be used to add a subject name.

I can add buttons to push if someone wants to know how I have done it and how edit the name. LO L then someone will show me an easier way to do it. :(

[Lost]

A bit left out:
as with setting up the folder system a new photo system is for new photos from now on and old photos can be renamed when time is available and it would be best to work from the newest to oldest or just the very best. With the idea outlined above it will be easy to end up with several 0904-022 file numbers when renumbering old photos as those photos are spread over different folders and hard drives.

Another problem I have thought of is what happens and how to handle photos when two cameras are used at the same time. No one said this digital photo thing was meant to be easy.

[Ageless1]

Another thing to contend with Ian is using multiple memory cards as they will probably have their own set of numbers and may cause some issues.

[Lost]

Another thing to contend with Ian is using multiple memory cards as they will probably have their own set of numbers and may cause some issues.
There is no reason why all photos cannot be downloaded and then renumbered while sorted to captured time. The same for two cameras.

Most of my stuff photos back to September last year now have the new file number of yymm-# . I added sub folders for each month in the New Photos folder and dragged the photos to there (easier than it sounds)>>set sort to capture time>> hit the renumber button/s and bob'syauncle all done. I will use the keywords to put the photos into a rough subject list and type in a name/subject. No rush for that. BTW it was only about 1300 images. See; as I toldya; it pays to delete the rubbish.

Now to see if the date way all works as everyone reckon it does. Look out if it doesn't :banghead: :stomp: :hot: :mad: :bomb: :timebomb:

Sorry to those on the more basic programs, but I'm sure there is way to do most of the above with your program; you just need to find the way. Google will have the answer.

[Lost]

I mostly view my images in FastStone Image Viewer, process in DPP / cs3 and I'm running windows 7.

i would think you could do a similar resort/refile/renumber in Bridge. It really is a pretty good filing program.

You sound to be like so many starting with digital; the photography/gear part is the fun and the filing is forgotten until it all becomes all to messy to sort out. I can only suggest you get a system started for the next down load of images.

With your bird photos i would suggest trying date--#_Type of bird_location. That can be done in bridge which does have a great batch rename and key wording. Spend some time on it; it is worth it.

[loose cannon]

Thanks for the response Ian.

Problem for me is that Bridge doesn't recognize files from the 500d or 7d, nor does ACR for that matter and I will have to convert all files to DNG format to go down that path.

Hmm.. so this would be a good way to go. Yes? No?

Sorry if it seems a stupid question but I'm totally ignorant here. I probably should mention that I do have a learning disability that can be quite debilitating at times (seriously).

Once I get my head wrapped around this I'll be fine but I'll probably ask a lot of what appear to be dumb questions along the way. There is a brick wall between my head and computers and a lot of headbanging is required to get the info to stick.

I remember when I first got the 500d and immedietly ran into problems using cs3 I downloaded the Adobe DNG converter but had some problems there so started using DPP.

The problem with the DNG files was that they appeared VERY dark in Bridge and suffered terribly from banding so I abandoned ship and went back to DPP. It was all too hard for me at the time so I took the easy path.

Now, I'm thinking that maybe I was saving the images in the wrong colour space? Does that make any sense? If I can sort that little drama out I may be well on my way.

[Lost]

There are problems with the older PS and new canon raw. There maybe a plug in that others know about.

I would really suggest you look into Lightroom 3 and you could do all your filing and editing in the one program. I feel that would make it easier for you. unfortunately having the best camera is only part of the digital photo thing.

I'm also a learn by practice person who has writing/read problems so I know where you are coming from. I really battled to get things to work for me as outlined above

[loose cannon]

Thanks Ian, I'll might download Lightroom trial version and see where that takes me.

[Lost]

Thanks Ian, I'll might download Lightroom trial version and see where that takes me.

Tip: get Scott Kirby's Lightroom book. Not sure if LR 3 is out but there is a LR2 book.