John7199 Loc: Eastern Mass.

Hoggers

I searched and did see any other topics like this.

Right now my pics are "stored" in file explorer, Windows 10. They are in several folders and subfolders. The folders are named but the pix are just numbered by the Explorer. When I import the pictures to LR, do I do it by folder and organize them in LR? Will LR retain any of my names or numbers eg Burlington VT, bridge #DSC_0078, DSC_0079, etc.? Or do I import all folders and deal with them in LR.
John

JD750 Loc: SoCal

LightRoom (LR) Classic will keep a catalog of the images and locations but it will not change the file names unless you use the rename function. Does that answer your question ?

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Picture files are not stored in Windows Explorer - they are stored on your storage media. The individual folder names and file names are strings of text that you chose at one point or another, Windows Explorer only lists what you have. If you are importing files and folders already on your media, AND you use the add (not copy) option, LR will just add the files and folders to its catalog, changing nothing unless you tell it to on import.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Windows Explorer is just a means of "seeing" what is stored on your computer.
Using a "cataloger" is another means.
You do have to tell the cataloger where to look (for them) though.

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

That happens automatically when you import a photo into Lightroom.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The LR Catalogue with its Import function simply records the location of your files and folders and their names. It may also be able to import tags you have put on the files using Windows File Explorer or other apps but I’m not sure about that. I don’t use LR.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Well, when you import them, aren't you telling the LR cataloger where to look?

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

You didn't say, but you should have a second set of storage files to protect you from a drive failure.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Agreed, but a separate scenario.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I think that LR will use the names of folders that you currently use in Explorer.

Important note: once you import to LR, be SURE to make all future changes to folders in LR. The actual files in Explorer will reflects the LR changes. If you make changes directly in explorer, the link to folders in LR will be broken.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Hi John7199,

Lightroom doesn’t store your images it keeps a record, called a catalog, of where they are stored.

You can import them into the catalog where they are. Use the ADD option when importing. Lightroom won’t move them or rename them. However beware, do not move or rename them with Explorer after adding them to Lightroom.

You can also import AND move them if you like. Use the move option to do that. If you have them in a file structure on your hard drive then it’s easier to simply add them.

Once they are in the catalog, from then on, you use Lightroom to move them or rename them if you want to do that.

BigOldArt Loc: Seminole, FL

I guess the OP may be asking whether LR can use the Segments of the folder tree as tags or some other kind of descriptor.

Say I have a file
c:\users\Art\pictures\2001\Bogata\Mary and Joe\Dscn1234.jpg
does LR have a way to make "2001" "Bogata" "Mary and Joe" into fields (tags? Descriptors?) in its catalog/database?

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

It's useful to set up a logical folder structure for your photos. If you can do that before importing them into Lightroom, so much the better. If you have a good folder structure there will never be any reason to move your files again.

If you have already imported files into Lightroom, move them into your new folder structure using Lightroom. That way Lightroom will not lose track of where they are.

Go to the left panel in the Library view. There should be a section titled "Folders". If you don't see a list of folders below that, click on the right-pointing arrow next to the word "Folders". The arrow will point down and you should see a list of folders that hold photos you have imported. If the list does not show your new folder structure, click on the "+" on the right side of the panel (red arrow) and you will get a dialog allowing you to navigate to a folder you want to move an image (or several images) to. Click on "Add Folder" and you will get a list like File Explorer from which you can pick a folder to be added to the list.

Once you have the folder added to the list (since you don't have any files in that folder that have been imported to Lightroom it will be greyed out, but that doesn't matter and you can still drop files into it), select the files to be moved to that folder (shift-click for adjacent images and/or Ctrl-click for individual images). Then click on one of the selected images (not the border around the image) and you will see a stack of images surrounding the cursor. Drag that over to the new folder in the list. Lightroom will then ask if you want to move the files. Click on "move". The files will be moved to the new folder.

(Download)

RCJets Loc: Virginia

This is what I do, and it has worked well for me. I store all of my photos in a remote hard drive, and put my photos in Folders as you would in a file cabinet. It looks something like this:
My Passoirt #2 2021

RCJets Loc: Virginia

Oops - error

This is what I do, and it has worked well for me. I store all of my photos in a remote hard drive, and put my photos in Folders as you would in a
file cabinet. It looks something like this:
My Passport #2 2021
Documents
Downlods