Library organization

John Poirier · 10-25-2013, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by NicoleC

Darktable is only compatible with certain major Linux builds and Mac OS. Shame, because it looks like worthy competitor.

I downloaded a bunch of trials, but most everything does image manipulation, not organization. I guess I will have to try and learn LightRoom.

If you run a Web search for "image management software" you will find a number of options.

Like markdemarais, I've been using IMatch for a long time and find it very useful. It doesn't have a glitzy interface like Lightroom, but I find it much more user friendly for basic cataloging.

Racer X 69 · 10-26-2013, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by elliott

Darktable.

Thank you Elliot!

NicoleC · 10-26-2013, 05:10 PM

I spent some quality time with Light room over the past two days and its growing on me although there are some things which seem insanely stupid and out of order for a workflow. My PP seems to be better too, but that might have something to do with the number of LR processing tutorials I read instead of the software itself.

**jatrax** · 10-26-2013, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by NicoleC

out of order for a workflow.

Workflow is personal and everyone has different ways of doing things.

For image processing the develop tab is mostly laid out top to bottom. Start with WB and end with sharpening and NR. That works well for me.

The real power of Lightroom though is in setting up presets.
For example my 'import' preset does the following:

Changes file name to format: year.month.day@hour.minute.second+suffix
Adds copyright info to the file
Copies the file from SD card to the network file server
Makes an archive copy to the attached external drive
Applies +20 clarity, +20 vibrance, masks sharpening to 65, turns on lens corrections and applies a few other things I don't remember at the moment

This gets everything to the point that a well exposed image can be exported without further adjustment. Of course most images get additional tweaks but this gets them all close without having to mess with all of them.

So as you find something you like doing, or find something you are doing to all images, make it a preset. Then either set the preset to be applied on import or use it as a one click process.

10-26-2013, 05:54 PM	#19
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by NicoleC out of order for a workflow. Workflow is personal and everyone has different ways of doing things. For image processing the develop tab is mostly laid out top to bottom. Start with WB and end with sharpening and NR. That works well for me. The real power of Lightroom though is in setting up presets. For example my 'import' preset does the following: Changes file name to format: year.month.day@hour.minute.second+suffix Adds copyright info to the file Copies the file from SD card to the network file server Makes an archive copy to the attached external drive Applies +20 clarity, +20 vibrance, masks sharpening to 65, turns on lens corrections and applies a few other things I don't remember at the moment This gets everything to the point that a well exposed image can be exported without further adjustment. Of course most images get additional tweaks but this gets them all close without having to mess with all of them. So as you find something you like doing, or find something you are doing to all images, make it a preset. Then either set the preset to be applied on import or use it as a one click process.

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10-25-2013, 10:55 AM	#16
John Poirier Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Gabriola Island Posts: 619	Originally posted by NicoleC Darktable is only compatible with certain major Linux builds and Mac OS. Shame, because it looks like worthy competitor. I downloaded a bunch of trials, but most everything does image manipulation, not organization. I guess I will have to try and learn LightRoom. If you run a Web search for "image management software" you will find a number of options. Like markdemarais, I've been using IMatch for a long time and find it very useful. It doesn't have a glitzy interface like Lightroom, but I find it much more user friendly for basic cataloging.

10-26-2013, 03:57 PM	#17
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,068	Originally posted by elliott Darktable. Thank you Elliot!

10-26-2013, 05:10 PM	#18
NicoleC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 448 Original Poster	I spent some quality time with Light room over the past two days and its growing on me although there are some things which seem insanely stupid and out of order for a workflow. My PP seems to be better too, but that might have something to do with the number of LR processing tutorials I read instead of the software itself.