Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
Jostein, Godfrey, Keith, and Marnie, Thanks for the replies and your insights on how you work. I've got to change some things around here, and you've given me some ideas. Thanks, Bob S. On 6/20/06, Jostein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Bob, I suspect there will be as many best practices as there are photographers on this list...:-) Folder structure is the basic element of my solution. All the RAW-files goes into one folder structure The names of the folders and the organisation is down to personal taste, of course. I prefer a simple date-based setup like this: RawFiles year quarter date-keyword (example: 20060620-gardenShots) date-keyword quarter ...etc. The quarter structure is a bit arbitrary. I chose to use it because it fits well with my production volume and the change of seasons where I live. It also works as a zeitgeber for my secondary backup cycle (DVD burning). For developed TIFF files, I have a similar structure, but skip the date-keyword level. I also have a third structure where I put all images to be published on the web, but that's not in a state fit to describe to anyone...:-) When all that is said, I must admit that I avoid using Photoshop for organising files. Instead, I use ThumbsPlus v7, which is an archiving software capable of creating previews of raw files and keeping them in a database for swift access. In addition, I use a dedicated raw file converter which has a reasonable file browser as well. If you don't wish to invest in archival software, maybe the freeware viewer suggested by Mark Roberts a week ago could be something: http://graunet.dyndns.org/alexwww/rawviewer/rawviewer.php hth... :-) Jostein - Original Message - From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; PDML pdml@pdml.net; Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 4:13 AM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 2nd try, 1st didn't make it to the list. Bob S. -- Forwarded message -- From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Jun 19, 2006 8:09 PM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 To: pdml@pdml.net So now that you have me shooting RAW files, how do I manage them in PS Elements 4.0? That is, I have 3,600-4,000 photos in Elements 4.0 now, mainly jepg's. Some RAW files are also mixed in from this month (GFM and later). They are a pain to open for editing because they each want to be converted on opening. So what do you all do? Convert them all in a batch and just save the converted versions as high quality photoshop files? Do you put the RAW originals away somewhere, out of Elements 4.0? I really need to untangle the mess I am making by having the RAW file and then 2 or 3 versions of the conversion jpeg in the catalogue. What's the best way to do this? Sorry if I wasn't paying attention before :-( Regards, Bob S. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
I have not generated enough photos to bother much with doing anything major, but currently put everything into a folder labeled RAW with sub-folders by client-name then date, or by subject then date. If a subject folder gets to full I create more specific sub-folders. Like: RAW Bob and Jane date Mark Smith date Airplanes Cessna date Beechcraft date Scenics Mountains date Etc. At the present time when I get about a DVD full of raw files I copy them to a DVD, and start a new base folder (e.g. RAW-2). If I was more serious I would have to work out some kind of progressive backup and file system. (BTW CS2 Bridge can label and search for files by category --just in case someone didn't know that). -- graywolf http://www.graywolfphoto.com http://webpages.charter.net/graywolf Idiot Proof == Expert Proof --- Bob Sullivan wrote: Jostein, Godfrey, Keith, and Marnie, Thanks for the replies and your insights on how you work. I've got to change some things around here, and you've given me some ideas. Thanks, Bob S. On 6/20/06, Jostein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Bob, I suspect there will be as many best practices as there are photographers on this list...:-) Folder structure is the basic element of my solution. All the RAW-files goes into one folder structure The names of the folders and the organisation is down to personal taste, of course. I prefer a simple date-based setup like this: RawFiles year quarter date-keyword (example: 20060620-gardenShots) date-keyword quarter ...etc. The quarter structure is a bit arbitrary. I chose to use it because it fits well with my production volume and the change of seasons where I live. It also works as a zeitgeber for my secondary backup cycle (DVD burning). For developed TIFF files, I have a similar structure, but skip the date-keyword level. I also have a third structure where I put all images to be published on the web, but that's not in a state fit to describe to anyone...:-) When all that is said, I must admit that I avoid using Photoshop for organising files. Instead, I use ThumbsPlus v7, which is an archiving software capable of creating previews of raw files and keeping them in a database for swift access. In addition, I use a dedicated raw file converter which has a reasonable file browser as well. If you don't wish to invest in archival software, maybe the freeware viewer suggested by Mark Roberts a week ago could be something: http://graunet.dyndns.org/alexwww/rawviewer/rawviewer.php hth... :-) Jostein - Original Message - From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; PDML pdml@pdml.net; Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 4:13 AM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 2nd try, 1st didn't make it to the list. Bob S. -- Forwarded message -- From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Jun 19, 2006 8:09 PM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 To: pdml@pdml.net So now that you have me shooting RAW files, how do I manage them in PS Elements 4.0? That is, I have 3,600-4,000 photos in Elements 4.0 now, mainly jepg's. Some RAW files are also mixed in from this month (GFM and later). They are a pain to open for editing because they each want to be converted on opening. So what do you all do? Convert them all in a batch and just save the converted versions as high quality photoshop files? Do you put the RAW originals away somewhere, out of Elements 4.0? I really need to untangle the mess I am making by having the RAW file and then 2 or 3 versions of the conversion jpeg in the catalogue. What's the best way to do this? Sorry if I wasn't paying attention before :-( Regards, Bob S. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
This is the way I'm managing Raw files. I typed it up for myself so I would stick to it better. Raw Workflow: 1. Import raw files to: ~/MyPictures/RawImport/yymmdd directory. 2. Process using RSE 3. Convert to jpeg into directory: /converted. 4. Move jpegs to /pictures/istd/yymmdd structure for import into Elements. 5. Rename raw file directory to 'archive_x-x'. x is the image number. 6. Copy Directory to CD-R. 7. When the enough files accumulate, copy again to DVD. Store offsite. 8. Delete Raw files from Hard Drive. This gives me CD-R and DVD backups of my Raw files and RSE conversion data. It also keeps the Raw files out of Elements, making it easier to manage (to me). Because I rarely change jpg filenames, I can easily find the RAW original if needed. Elements Workflow: 1. Apply Tag To be reviewed/Categorized to all new images 2 As images are categorized, remove this tag. 3. Perform jpg backups as per Elements 3 Reminder. If I end up shooting jpeg for a specific reason, these files go straight to the /pictures/istd/yymmdd Directory structure. dk On 6/20/06, Jostein [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Bob, I suspect there will be as many best practices as there are photographers on this list...:-) Folder structure is the basic element of my solution. All the RAW-files goes into one folder structure The names of the folders and the organisation is down to personal taste, of course. I prefer a simple date-based setup like this: RawFiles year quarter date-keyword (example: 20060620-gardenShots) date-keyword quarter ...etc. The quarter structure is a bit arbitrary. I chose to use it because it fits well with my production volume and the change of seasons where I live. It also works as a zeitgeber for my secondary backup cycle (DVD burning). For developed TIFF files, I have a similar structure, but skip the date-keyword level. I also have a third structure where I put all images to be published on the web, but that's not in a state fit to describe to anyone...:-) When all that is said, I must admit that I avoid using Photoshop for organising files. Instead, I use ThumbsPlus v7, which is an archiving software capable of creating previews of raw files and keeping them in a database for swift access. In addition, I use a dedicated raw file converter which has a reasonable file browser as well. If you don't wish to invest in archival software, maybe the freeware viewer suggested by Mark Roberts a week ago could be something: http://graunet.dyndns.org/alexwww/rawviewer/rawviewer.php hth... :-) Jostein - Original Message - From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; PDML pdml@pdml.net; Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 4:13 AM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 2nd try, 1st didn't make it to the list. Bob S. -- Forwarded message -- From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Jun 19, 2006 8:09 PM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 To: pdml@pdml.net So now that you have me shooting RAW files, how do I manage them in PS Elements 4.0? That is, I have 3,600-4,000 photos in Elements 4.0 now, mainly jepg's. Some RAW files are also mixed in from this month (GFM and later). They are a pain to open for editing because they each want to be converted on opening. So what do you all do? Convert them all in a batch and just save the converted versions as high quality photoshop files? Do you put the RAW originals away somewhere, out of Elements 4.0? I really need to untangle the mess I am making by having the RAW file and then 2 or 3 versions of the conversion jpeg in the catalogue. What's the best way to do this? Sorry if I wasn't paying attention before :-( Regards, Bob S. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] So what do you all do? Convert them all in a batch and just save the converted versions as high quality photoshop files? Do you put the RAW originals away somewhere, out of Elements 4.0? Just an amateur... I convert all and put them in a structured folder system that makes them easy to back up, then index them using Serif AlbumPlus (which has advantages for me which are probably not important for others). It does NOT read RAW files BUT I delete nearly all such files after conversion anyway. I shoot RAW so that I can adjust the image during conversion. Occasionally (1 photo in perhaps 20 - 40), I think I might want to redo the conversion process so I keep the RAW file. It goes into a special folder and I tag the converted version to let me know that I have kept the RAW file. Keith McG Folder structure is: DVD1 CD1 Location/Event Location/Event PEF CD2 etc. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
In a message dated 6/21/2006 3:07:57 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] So what do you all do? Convert them all in a batch and just save the converted versions as high quality photoshop files? Do you put the RAW originals away somewhere, out of Elements 4.0? == Didn't see original post so not sure what you are asking, exactly. But I can tell you what I do and why. I use mainly Elements 3 to manage my photos. Even though I also have PS CS, I am not that conversant with it yet. And I like some of the photo management stuff in Elements that does not appear to be there in CS or not in the same way. When I am in the Editor part of Elements, I can use the File Browser to see my pictures. It pulls out the jpg thumbnails in each RAW file for me to see. When I am in the Organizer part of Elements, it also pulls out the thumbnails embedded in each RAW. So I can use either or both to look at my pictures. No actual conversion is taking place. I NEVER get rid of RAW files, they are my negatives. I also don't do batch conversations, usually. I have no need to. I don't print that many photos or share that many photos. I ONLY convert when I am going to create a low-res jpg for showing on the web. AND/OR when I am going to print a photo. I convert and save as a .PSD first, then a .JPG. If I am printing, IIRC, been a long time, I usually print from the .PSD. And I save them by the same name in the same folder, the extensions are different so they don't overwrite each other. I do like using the Organizer part of Elements to organize my photos, that way I can tag them with descriptive names and not have to bother with making any actual name/file changes. There seems to be a presumption that everything should be converted to JPG in your question. Maybe I am reading it wrong. My question would be why??? By keeping the RAW one can always convert and edit again. Maybe next time doing a BW conversion, or next time cropping. If one just converts then deletes any RAW, the JPG will not convert well again or at all again. I am more likely to get rid of conversions that I ended up editing that I didn't like. I am more likely to get rid of JPGs than PSDs. In other words, I don't actually convert that many photos. Only the good ones. HTH, Marnie aka Doe Already discussed my backup procedures elsewhere. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
Hi Bob, I suspect there will be as many best practices as there are photographers on this list...:-) Folder structure is the basic element of my solution. All the RAW-files goes into one folder structure The names of the folders and the organisation is down to personal taste, of course. I prefer a simple date-based setup like this: RawFiles year quarter date-keyword (example: 20060620-gardenShots) date-keyword quarter ...etc. The quarter structure is a bit arbitrary. I chose to use it because it fits well with my production volume and the change of seasons where I live. It also works as a zeitgeber for my secondary backup cycle (DVD burning). For developed TIFF files, I have a similar structure, but skip the date-keyword level. I also have a third structure where I put all images to be published on the web, but that's not in a state fit to describe to anyone...:-) When all that is said, I must admit that I avoid using Photoshop for organising files. Instead, I use ThumbsPlus v7, which is an archiving software capable of creating previews of raw files and keeping them in a database for swift access. In addition, I use a dedicated raw file converter which has a reasonable file browser as well. If you don't wish to invest in archival software, maybe the freeware viewer suggested by Mark Roberts a week ago could be something: http://graunet.dyndns.org/alexwww/rawviewer/rawviewer.php hth... :-) Jostein - Original Message - From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; PDML pdml@pdml.net; Shel Belinkoff [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 20, 2006 4:13 AM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 2nd try, 1st didn't make it to the list. Bob S. -- Forwarded message -- From: Bob Sullivan [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Jun 19, 2006 8:09 PM Subject: OT: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0 To: pdml@pdml.net So now that you have me shooting RAW files, how do I manage them in PS Elements 4.0? That is, I have 3,600-4,000 photos in Elements 4.0 now, mainly jepg's. Some RAW files are also mixed in from this month (GFM and later). They are a pain to open for editing because they each want to be converted on opening. So what do you all do? Convert them all in a batch and just save the converted versions as high quality photoshop files? Do you put the RAW originals away somewhere, out of Elements 4.0? I really need to untangle the mess I am making by having the RAW file and then 2 or 3 versions of the conversion jpeg in the catalogue. What's the best way to do this? Sorry if I wasn't paying attention before :-( Regards, Bob S. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
Re: Managing all these RAW files with Photoshop Elements 4.0
On Jun 20, 2006, at 12:11 AM, Jostein wrote: Folder structure is the basic element of my solution. All the RAW-files goes into one folder structure The names of the folders and the organisation is down to personal taste, of course. I prefer a simple date-based setup like this: RawFiles year quarter date-keyword (example: 20060620-gardenShots) date-keyword quarter ...etc. I use a similar folder structure but take a different twist on it. ~Pictures ~Pictures/2006 ~Pictures/2006/ready-to-work ~Pictures/2006/ready-to-work/20060101[-optional event tag] ~Pictures/2006/ready-to-work/20060101[-optional event tag]/IMGPXXX1.dng ~Pictures/2006/ready-to-work/20060101[-optional event tag]/ IMGPXXX... .dng ~Pictures/2006/ready-to-work/20060102 ... ~Pictures/2006/worked ~Pictures/2006/worked/project-name[-optional start date] ~Pictures/2006/worked/project-name[-optional start date]/[tag-]XXX1.psd ~Pictures/2006/worked/project-name[-optional start date]/[tag-] XXX... .psd ~Pictures/2006/worked/project-name #2 ... That way, I know where all the originals are for the whole library (always in a year/ready-to-work subdirectory) and individual renderings to Photoshop and other formats are collated into the worked area so I can easily identify what's been included in a project. (Kind of the same concept as Adobe Lightroom's Sessions and Collections although I came up with the structure before I'd seen Lightroom.) If a particular project is a grouping of files from several ready-to-work subdirectories, I make a copy of those .DNGs to a subdirectory of the project for ease in finding and managing the entire project as a unit. I've not found any particular need to do month or quarter segregation myself, but of course you can figure whatever structure makes the most sense to you. :-) I also have a third structure where I put all images to be published on the web, but that's not in a state fit to describe to anyone...:-) I do the same, but it's in the form of an exact mirror of my websites on the local hard drive. Makes it easy to work the HTML that way. When all that is said, I must admit that I avoid using Photoshop for organising files. Photoshop CS2+Bridge has little capability for organizing files. Lightroom has DAM facilities built in. Right now, I use iView MediaPro as a cataloger/organizer. It reads the RAW format files JPEG previews and can create thumbnail catalogs very easily. Godfrey -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
