tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

I have all the post, read the book, I even ordered the video, but I can't find this answer. Can some please help me? I just got back from a short trip. However there were 5 different photo shoots, When I import my photos I want to import them separately. After I import one set how do I go back and import the next one. Dumb question I know but I'm at a loss.
Thanks

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

How are you "importing" them? Is it a camera with a cord, SD card or from folders on your computer? Where each of the shoots on different cards? Did you have the camera put the shoots into different folders in the camera? Were the shoots at different times or on different days?

Last, what is your plan to keep them separate once they are in Lightroom. Is it separate folders, key words, collections or other?

tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

Oh boy I guess I left some things out.
1. I use a card reader. I have a CF card reader.
2. Same card
3. Different times and different days. Same three day festival.
4. I didn't know I can have my camera put things into different folders.
Thanks.

StephenVL Loc: Los Angeles, USA

By default Lightroom will import all of the photos on the card and will create a folder for each date. All of the default actions can be changed by you at the time of import.
Lightroom will show you the pictures it will import and you can at that time deselect any you do not want to import.
If your concern is about reimporting photos then make sure that do not import duplicates is on and only the new pictures will be imported.
YouTube has videos that can take you through this process.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

First, when LR detects the card and the import screen appears, create the new folder in the destination drive.

Then, if all of your images are on one card and they are all in the same folder, you will need to use the "uncheck all" then select the first image for day one, scroll down to the last image from day one shoot, hold down the Shift key and click once on that last image then import. You should see a check mark on all the thumbnails that you have selected. Click the import button.

After those are imported, click on Import in LR and either select that card again or it might come up automatically, then do the same thing but this time check day two images and make sure you create a new destination folder on the drive.

Do this until all the images have been imported. Some cameras can create folders for your images to get stored in as someone already pointed out. I don't know if all cameras do this or not. All of mine do but I don't use that feature. I just insert a fresh card each day and I usually Import them daily.

tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

Thanks I'll work on it. I know about checking or not, but I always have to disconnect the card and then start on the next batch. Do I always have to disconnect the card to move onto the the next set of photos?

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

I can tell you what I do, I never import using LR - I use Window Explore, Make the directories on the Hard Drive by right clicking on the Photo's Directory, Then make sub folders for how ever I want to brake it up. I then go to the mass storage in Windows Explore using the Shift Click to the Shift Click ending at. Then just right click and drag them to where I want them or you can right click on the selection and click on copy. Go to the directory you want them and right click past and presto there copied over. When I do a Navy reunion that go for four days, and have events each day I'll make sub directories for each event on the day it took place. I also do video which I keep in another sub folder. When I'm ready to post them, I put them all main folder (copied). Good Luck and hope something works for you.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

And I don't use LR to import, I use NikonTransfer (free).
It has the advantage of showing me the previews of my RAW files before I download them.
I have it to make a new folder with the download date and a sequence number embedded in the folder name.
It also makes a backup automatically to my external drive.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Next time you are importing from a card look in the upper left side of the screen and uncheck the box that says Eject after Import. Now you won't have to R&R the card for LR to keep recognizing it.

Click on the blue download to see it better circled in red

tita1948 Loc: North Idaho

OOO I didn't know that. That would be a great help.

Thanks

micolh Loc: NYC

Scott Kelby has a book called Lightroom4. It is loaded with answers and great tips. I'm sure there will be another one coming out about LR5. THe book has a large spiral binding and is very helpful.
It is easy to follow and is always close by.
Also perhaps your library has a copy.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

You have gotten some good answers already. Think of this next time cards are cheap so use one card for each separate shoot and import each into their own folder

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

This is what I do: First I rename all my photos with the date, the location and the subject and I leave the camera supplied image number on the end as I import. Although it may be better to have that number at the beginning of the file name.
Then I separate the different locations/subjects into different sub-folders and give the sub-folder an appropriate name. I do all this in Lightroom so that Lr doesn't loose track of my images.
So are your shoots on different days? If they are then Lightroom will keep them separate and the what I do is add an appropriate name to the original folder that Lr creates keeping the date in the folder name.
How do I separate images into sub folders? First I select the images that I want to go into the sub-folder then I right click on the folder the selected images are in and I select Create folder inside... then I name the folder, ensure that Include selected photos is ticked and then click create. It best to make sure that the photos you want to include in the new folder are selected before you start this process as it is quicker. If you find you have missed one you can just drag the image from the film strip into the folder.

altheman Loc: Christchurch, New Zealand

Wall-E if you are using a windows computer it is now possible to download a codec for your camera that will enable windows to generate thumbnails of your images. Just Google it

FrumCA

Scott Kelby's book on LR5 is out now. You can find it on Peachpit.com as an ebook for $20.00 or print for $39.99. You might want to check out Martin Evening's books as well. $38.39 for ebook; $47.99 for print. I have the LR4 print copies from both of these guys and they are both excellent in my opinion.