Mojave
I revisited the images I made for a stallion shoot in November after rethinking some of my Lightroom processes this week.
After my computer crash last month, I decided to investigate improvements to my photo storage and workflow. With nearly 100,000 images in my Lightroom catalogs, I’ve needed help for some time, because I often have to rely on memory to find specific images, and it doesn’t always work! I purchased the book Organizing Your Photos with Lightroom 5, a multimedia eBook by Peter Krogh, which I’d read excellent reviews for on various photography blogs and websites.
I’m only on the second chapter, but I already see a variety of ways to improve my system. His book includes videos as well as text, so it’s easy to follow along and see which suggestions could integrate well into an already established workflow.
I’ve had a rudimentary rating system in place for years, but I’ve now decided to follow his process. So, I went through the photos from this job (still in progress) and re-rated and reorganized them in files based on a five-star system and their place in my workflow. Now, instead of simply calling up the entire shoot when I want to work on images, I have them organized in a three-tier set up: the entire shoot, the proofs I uploaded to my website for the client, and the final, edited images.
This photo was one of my personal favorites, so I’ve also added it to my Favorites folder in a new Collection so I can keep my highest-rated images in one place. I hope the rest of the book is as useful as the first two chapters have been, because, if it is, I have a feeling my life will get much easier!
I now realize why Krogh calls his original edition The Dam Book (Digital Asset Management). Once you see how it all works and the simplicity of his well-organized system, you’ll shake your head and say, “Damn, I wish I’d done this sooner.”
Tricia Booker Photography 
What an exquisite work of art. There is nothing more beautiful and majestic.
Thanks, Elliot! I’ve never owned an Arabian myself, but I think they are one of the most beautiful breeds. Your words are so true.
Beautiful image. Beautiful horse. 🙂
Thank you, Dorothy!
Do you find it difficult to sort photos into star categories? I think I would spend as much time trying to decide how many stars to rate a photo as it would take to find it. I admit I am relying mostly on memory to find a particular photo at this time, and it doesn’t always work.
It gets easier with practice, so I’m starting with some smaller shoots. I’ve had a rudimentary system in place but now I’m getting more organized. I’m going to try and do it for 2014 and not worry about going back in time yet. My memory isn’t what it used to be 🙂 especially with so many images in my catalogs!
What a magnificent stallion, and what a kind eye he has
Yes, he does have that inherent kindness.
Handsome, handsome horse.
I, too, need to do some organization on my photo archive. Right now, it’s finding the time to start the project. 🙂
I know the feeling! I keep thinking I’ll have so much time since it’s winter here, but it doesn’t seem to be the case.
I love Arabian horses so much. They are incredibly photogenic.