Lightroom catalogues ...am I missing the point? (Page 3): Thanks...the real take away message I am getting here is to do EVERYTHING in LR.

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Lightroom catalogues ...am I missing the point?

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Jun 10, 2018 11:05:45 #

fotobyferg

Thanks...the real take away message I am getting here is to do EVERYTHING in LR.

Jun 10, 2018 11:16:19 #

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

fotobyferg wrote:

Thanks...the real take away message I am getting here is to do EVERYTHING in LR.

That will remove major points of confusion.

However, there are workflow adjustments that allow you to do anything you want any way you want to do it.

Jun 10, 2018 11:22:59 #

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The "EVERYTHING" list is really only a few things.
-moving image files from camera to computer
-rearranging where image files are on your computer
-deleting image files
-renaming of image files or folders
-initiate the editing of image files in other software like Photoshop, NIK, Topaz, etc.

Check out True Macro-Photography Forum section of our forum.

Jun 10, 2018 11:30:13 #

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

fotobyferg wrote:

OK, I am probably about to set myself up for some *sshole in UHH to tell me how stupid, ill-advised or obtuse I am regarding photo storage.
If you are one of those types, please scroll on past and resist the temptation to once again prove your superiority.

However, if you are one of the nice guys, and have a moment to spare, I'd like your opinion on my (amateur/novice) methodology.

Basically, I have never completely grasped the whole LR catalogue thing...but I am ok with that because, before I obtained my LR subscription, I did simple edits in iPhoto where I managed my own collections easily. Now that I have obtained LR and Luminar I play a bit in both and use iPhoto only occasionally.

Here's the catch:
I have always been tidy about organizing my photos. Once I have made my edits, I export them all to a folder on my desktop (as jpegs, of course) and place them as a subfolder in Macs Pictures folder. I back them up on external hard drives, SmugMug and run Carbonite in the background. So, finding my pictures is never an issue.

My question:
Is that why LR can never find them again? Since I have made my edits and am happy with the results (i.e. I don't ever go back and re-edit a picture) is my current method a reasonable approach? I understand LR is a powerful tool for photo organization...but do I really need it if I never go back and do additional edits? Does LR only store the RAW images and, because I (gasp) delete them after editing, LR can't find the edited jpegs?

I hope I do not sound like a total idiot. As I said, I am not terribly upset when LR gives me those !!! marks on images...but I would like to understand why and, despite watching several videos on the subject, I still can't wrap my head around it.

Can some of you helpful UHHers provide some assurances that, given my goals (just have fun) and level of competency (reasonably happy with my picture taking skills) my approach to photo organization is adequate for my needs?

I might add that at this point in my life, with so many additional interests, I am getting less motivated to learn new software, etc. Basically, I am strictly a hobbyist who likes taking pictures when convenient....mostly trips and my adult son's rugby games, with some wildlife and macro thrown in for diversity.

TIA

OK, I am probably about to set myself up for some ... (show quote)

Tia, Lr is essentially a database. It does not store your images. It stores a directory path to your images. That’s because it NEVER alters your original files. Lr can only EXPORT or PRINT or POST to a web gallery. The catalog (database) stores the *instructions* to change your file when you export, print, or post. You can edit/change those instructions at any time.

If you move your originals after working with them, Lr won’t know where they are until you redirect it to them.

Jun 10, 2018 11:31:33 #

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

fotobyferg wrote:

Thanks...the real take away message I am getting here is to do EVERYTHING in LR.

Yes... and, you can use plug-ins to do some stuff, then come right back into LR. So, for me, LR is the main program.

Jun 10, 2018 11:51:33 #

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Humble opinion.....

I all but married Lightroom 4 because I swallowed the RAW pill. I thought Lightroom was full of all the magic that I used to have in my darkroom. The extension was that I thought everybody should marry Lightroom!

My opinion has changed. Lightroom is not for people that enjoy some randomness, disorganization or other methods of control. There is nothing wrong with a photographer shooting a perfect landscape, ordering a gorgeous wall hanging print and throwing the card in a drawer. The measurement of success is the print, not the process.

The same is true for the iPhone shooters that put their stunning images on screens all over the world. They never get printed nor do they end up in an organized catalog. The joy comes from making people happy with fresh, imaginative images. The measurement of success is a process that continues day after day.

This topic is about Lightroom and the confusion it can cause.

Reading the original post, Tia seems to want a collection of finished images in one place on her computer while also having a computer cleaned of the pieces leading up to the finished images. In other words, if she loaned you her computer and you browed for photos you would see nothing but her best work.

I wonder what the best tool and workflow for that process would be? I could make Lightroom do that, but that would not be a best use.

Jun 10, 2018 12:00:55 #

fotobyferg

Spot on Bill!

I am only interested in the finished product. Though my “best work” is a flattering statement, I’m not really too picky, lol.

I am known for my organizational skills...OCD tendancies, lol. So, not knowing LRs software very well, I default to my own system of management.

Lately, I have been trying to improve my LR understanding, thus my question here in UHH.

All the best!
Heidi

Check out Advice from the Pros section of our forum.

Jun 10, 2018 12:11:28 #

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Heidi,

With a little more time focused on some basics, Lightroom will fulfill all your OCD dreams. Imagine a smooth, efficient process where your "best work" is available for anyone anywhere. Or, just you.

Once folders and catalogs are nailed down, there can be a "best work collection".

Jun 10, 2018 12:22:05 #

Steamboat

I have found Matt Koloskowski has a real knack for explaining LR and PS https://mattk.com/products/
I more than got my money's worth from his Lightroom Course, and he will answer your specific questions personally as well.

There are lots of free learning courses on the market. Ever try Lynda learning? https://www.lynda.com
Those courses are free through many public library's, Email your library and see its one of their perks.
Hope this helps

Jun 10, 2018 12:22:52 #

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

fotobyferg wrote:

Thnk you, Heidi, for asking this question in your OP! This has been one of the most informative threads I've read in a while.

I used to use Photoshop Organizer for organizing, tagging, and keywording my files. I would modify them in full Photoshop if anything extensive was required, but just "tune them up" a bit in PSO. I'm now doing the same thing in LightRoom, but in a much more organized way. All of the very helpful advice in this thread is going to make it a lot easier.

Andy

Jun 10, 2018 12:23:23 #

CaptainBobBrown

Most simply put, the Lightroom catalogue is its internal database of where you have specified you want your pictures kept. The Catalogue corresponds exactly to the directory structure on your disk drive but for Lightroom to know accurately where to look for image and 'sidecar' files you must use Lightroom to specify any additions/deletions to that directory structure. If you modify the directories outside of Lightroom than your directory structure is out of synch with the Lightroom version it calls its "Catalogue". Once that happens you might encounter the famous "cannot find..." message. If your workflow doesn't begin with the Lightroom import process you will always have Lightroom problems. I use Lightroom exclusively for both managing my image locations and directory structures so that my directory structure always corresponds exactly to what's on my drive(s). Good luck.

Check out People Photography section of our forum.

Jun 10, 2018 12:41:44 #

JD750 Loc: SoCal

fotobyferg wrote:

Thanks...the real take away message I am getting here is to do EVERYTHING in LR.

Yes. After you have imported the images into Lightroom do not touch the folders ever again with the Finder. Move folders, or their contents, only from inside Lightroom.

This is easier than you think. You already have an existing folder hierarchy for storing pictures and you can can easily use it. One thing, you want LR to display the top folder of your directory tree. That might be Pictures for you or a subfolder under Pictures. If the top level is not showing up, simply right click on any subfolder and choose "Show Parent".

See attached screen shot, (click download if it's not legible) you can see LR is keeping a catalog of my external disk Tosh3_ImageLib and you can see the folder structure in Lightroom is identical to what I see using Finder. The top level for this Catalog is Tosh3_ImageLib.

(Download)

Jun 10, 2018 13:00:36 #

fotobyferg

So, if I bring my parent folder into LR, LR will then be able to find all my folders currently listed in Finder?

That seems too easy, lol.

Edited to add....holy crap, I just added every frigging folder from Finder into LR!

Jun 10, 2018 13:06:12 #

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

fotobyferg wrote:

Hi Bill,

Actually, I do like LR...just confused on the catalogue system. I don’t always get the “back up images” text box when I exit LR. Should I see it every time?
Are you saying that, when I see that text, I could customize the storage location...or just continue to use its default location?
I am about to head out for another rugby game...but would like to see your screenshots.
Thanks!

Are you getting a backup images text box or a backup catalog text box when you leave LR? I suspect that what you're seeing is the normal back up a catalog text box. That has nothing to do with the images themselves, merely the LR catalog which indicates which images were imported and their location, and the edit overlays. If you have imported and/or edited a number of images in any particular Lightroom session it's always a good thing to do before exiting in the event your main catalog should become corrupted. In that event you will have a backup with all your current edits to fall back on.

Backup catalogs can replace your current catalog if the need arises. However if you rarely run the backup and need to restore a corrupt catalog with a backup catalog it will likely not contain a number of your most recent Imports and edits. The catalogs do not get corrupted or fail very often, but if and when they do, you will be grateful for a backup. You don't need to run one when you exit every session, especially if you haven't made any edits or imported any new images.

Jun 10, 2018 13:14:55 #

JD750 Loc: SoCal

fotobyferg wrote:

So, if I bring my parent folder into LR, LR will then be able to find all my folders currently listed in Finder?

That seems too easy, lol.

LR only sees Folders & Images that have been imported. So can import one of the subfolders, and after importing it, make sure show parent is checked on it. Then click on the parent and choose Synchronize Folder and LR will import all the subfolders, that are not in the catalog. (Actually, LR only imports images, and if the images are in a folder, it displays that folder too.)

I recommend you check the option "Show Import Dialogue" when synchronizing. Also... maybe test it on a smaller sub-tree. ;)

Food for thought you may prefer LR CC over LR Classic. LR Classic has grown to be a very complex program. So Adobe created Lightroom CC to simplify things. LR CC is much more like iPhoto and easier to use for the casual user. But the casual user is encouraged not to use both LR Classic and LR CC. It can be done but it is not simple.

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