Tracyv Loc: Del Mar, Ca

I had some issues with my computer, I do believe all is ok now. But somehow my pictures in Lightroom are shows almost 90K now, where it should be around 10K. Does anyone kno9w how to rid of the duplicates??? Thank You....

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

You can buy software made for the purpose of identifying and displaying duplicates either by file name or by image.

I have used "Duplicate File Finder" (free download) but did not like it because all it does is to scan the drives looking for image files, sorts the filenames into order, then displays a list of the file names expecting the user to delete everything except the first one.

As I use five different cameras, a couple of which have gone round the clock at least once, file name duplicates are inevitable.

My method now is to open Lightroom in the Library, choose all Photographs. On the toolbar just above the filmstrip, there is a sort function, choose sort : Filename

Now all the duplicates are together, enlarge the thumbnail size so that you can see the photos, flag the duplicates and delete them in bulk.

The problem that occurs with this method is it can make rubbish of your folder structure - you could be deleting photos from the very folder you wanted that particular image left in.

Most methods of deleting duplicates will also have an effect on folder structure.

Do you know why the duplicates came into being? (i.e. were back ups of images accidently imported? )

If you can work out what happened, it may be (and usually is) possible to do something differently to wholesale deletions and preserve the integrity of the folder structure.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I change the file name at download time. This avoids duplicates, but more importantly it can give you a meaningful file name. What is DSC_9279 a picture of?

A long time ago I got a copy of Downloader Pro. That simplifies the process of changing file names. When I insert a card into the reader it brings up Downloader Pro. It shows me thumbnails of all the files on the card, sorted by capture date. I can choose one date, or go through and select specific images. I then enter a "job code", which is a text string that is a description of the subject, e.g. Suzie's Birthday Party.

When I download the selected images, the program changes the file name to [job code] [YYYYMMDD] [nnn] so the filename contains the subject, the date, and a 3 digit index number (I can make it 4 or 5 digits in the highly unlikely event I shoot more than 1000 [or 10,000!] shots of that subject). It then stores them in a folder /photos/[year]/[job code]/RAW (since I shoot RAW only). (Actually my camera has a mode that is jpg only, in which case the files go into the folder ..../JPG).

After downloading, my files have a name with a recognizable subject and are stored in a folder with the same subject. No more duplicate file names since even if I shoot that subject again, it will have a different date in the file name.

I use Lightroom and that's my primary search engine for images, but I don't think it hurts at all to have a second method of finding things.

PS: you can now change the file name in LR but I think my way is a bit easier (particularly since I'm used to doing it that way). There are probably other programs by now that do the same thing.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

The OP has 80,000 images to find and delete, renaming at this stage is not going to be the answer :-)

Prevention is always better than cure, but now the horse has bolted, repairs are required. (Was trying to think of another couple of clichés to throw in but decided against it.) I sympathise with the OP, been there & done that, though not to the extent of 8 duplicates to each original, so now my images are prefixed with a date on import.

LR has a brilliant metadata filter which may make sorting the 90,000 photos into manageable blocks a feasibility, it all depends on how the duplicates were created.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've been disappointed by these, too. Some will find duplicate file names, while the better ones compare the data to see if the images are actually identical. I've tried eliminating duplicates in iTunes, with the same poor results. It's fine for a small number of files, but when you get into the hundreds, it's ridiculous.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Let me give you a hand with that.

1. that's just like the pot calling the kettle black.
2. the early bird gets the worm
3. good things come to those who wait
4. early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
5. a penny saved is a penny earned
6. an apple a day keeps the doctor away
7. don't tempt fate
8. don't paint the devil on the wall (German)
9. mind your manners
10. don't put all your eggs in one basket
11. patience is a virtue
12. look out for number one
13. don't let the bed bugs bite
14. a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down
15. wake up and smell the coffee
16. stop and smell the roses
17. it ain't over till the fat lady sings
18. wouldn't kick her (him) outta bed for eatin' crackers
19. rough as a cob
20. he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn
21. is that a mouse in your pocket or are you just happy to see me
22. he went the whole 9 yards.
23. it's not the heat it's the humidity
24. don't burn your bridges
25. he's so ugly, he'd have to sneak up on a glass of water to get a drink

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Thanks for the list, I will refer to that when lost for words.

Please explain #8 - I have never heard it before and am sure it could be useful.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I recognize that, but he's not the only one reading this thread. The suggestion may help someone else.


At my age trying to think of something is counterproductive. It either pops into my head or it doesn't get thought of. Trying just puts it further away.


I've used that and you can do a lot with it. Something LR users should try out because it's a hammer you can apply to all sorts of problems.


I never heard that one either.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Your post is undeniably a good one, deserving of a thread in its own right.

Not enough credence is paid to error prevention in image storage, your post demonstrates forethought and needs highlighting. I shall reference it in the next update in PP tutorials.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

(Don't paint the devil on the wall.)

It's the German equivalent of "Speak of the devil."

James R. Kyle Loc: Saint Louis, Missouri (A Suburb of Ferguson)

Oh Dear....

More Lightroom Problems.....

I am seeing More and more problems with that thing than any other program.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Right! And you haven't seen one problem with Bob's Custom Picture Fixer. LR is used by so many people, and we have over 55,000 here, that there are bound to be questions about it. In most cases, it's not so much a problem as someone doesn't know how to do something with it.

lightcatcher Loc: Farmington, NM (4 corners)

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