Design Center Tutorial
Setting up an organizational system in Lightroom
Bringing images into the computer
I like to set up folders in preparation for receiving digital images. This fits the Lightroom workflow quite well, even though this portion is not done in Lightroom. I set up my hard drive so that there is a specific folder for digital images (this is like a filing cabinet). Then I create main folders in the digital images folder for each year (these are like cabinet drawers). I do all this separately from actually setting up of folders for a specific shoot, though, usually, I set up a new year folder when I have the first shoot from the year. You can see how this might look on your computer in Figure 1.
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Figure 1: The beginnings of an organizational system.
Now every time I have a new shoot, I open the year folder and create a new folder for that shoot. Put some thought into how you name these folders. They should represent your photography and how you shoot.
Given I do a lot of travel and nature photography, I mostly name these folders based on location by state (or country) and month (the location fits both my travel and nature needs) as seen in Figure 2. Now when any folder is imported into Lightroom, it shows up with the same name in the Shoots area, a name that makes organizational sense, and also one that is easy to search. If I go to a specific location many times, then I simply set up new folders with the same location but different months.
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Figure 2: Folders labeled by location and month.
Tip: In both Windows and Mac, an easy way to create a new folder is to right-click in the opened folder space and select New Folder—another good reason to have a right-click mouse for Mac!
I often have sublocations, places within the state or country that need to be separated. I create new folders for them within the bigger folder as shown in Figure 3, using those specific locations, the larger location, and a date. This way that particular folder goes into Lightroom with a solid naming scheme for folders. Again, this is all searchable, so I am starting my organization from the start.
Figure 3: Subfolders for sublocations.
Tip: You can download images to your computer either from the camera or from a memory card reader. I highly recommend a card reader. With the camera, you have some distinct problems: you have to find a place to put the camera, the camera must have a fully charged battery (or be plugged into an AC adapter), and you need to keep track of your camera cord. With the memory card reader, you have some definite advantages: it's usually faster than the camera, it requires no additional power, you can keep it attached to the computer, it has a very small footprint, and you can keep it plugged in and in place, ready for use.
I do all this before downloading any memory card. Once I have a folder (or folders) ready for photos, I put my memory card into a card reader and open its folder. I see a lot of photographers just downloading the over-riding or top-level DCM (digital camera media) folder that holds the actual images. To me, that creates extra work later because you end up with folders and names you don't need. I go to the actual photos inside the folders, select them all, and drag them to the new folder or folders I have created for them on my hard drive as described previously.
