Renaming files - Do you or don't you?

[canoli]

I've been reluctant to rename my raw files. I realize the original file name is stored in the Raw Data in File Info (in Adobe) forever, so maybe I'm being silly.


I guess I worry that, since I take so many photos of the same thing - the GWB, the Hudson River, street scenes around Manhattan - I worry that all my file names will look the same.


I import shoots into directories that are named by date and a one or two-word description. - year-month-day-descriptor - so I can see Hudson River images from March 2008 very easily.


It's been working so far, but every book I read tells me to import and rename. No author ever recommends keeping the original file name.


What is your scheme when it comes to importing / renaming / organizing your photos?


Thanks Everyone, for any thoughts you'd like to share.

[Jarhead5811]

I tried to rename them appropriatly, even with the date in the file name but found it took too long. Now, I just keep the file name from the camera. I plan to tag them with the appropriate data of who's in the picture and location but haven't even started.

[Sean Setters]

Here's how I organize my images--First, I create a folder named for the day of the shoot with a short description following that. For example:


2009-08-01 Amy Engagement


By putting the year first, the folders are organized according to when they were taken. After creating the folders, I create subfolders like RAW, PS (photoshopped), COLOR, BEST, etc.


It's not a perfect system, but as long as I can remember a roundabout time I took the shots, then the original isn't hard to find.

[Bob]

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"]<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"]You have to think how you will find a specific image without two photos having the same name.<o></o>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"]<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"]I rename each file with names of key persons, things, places, dates and the last 4 digits of the raw file.<o></o>
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[Rodger]

My (imperfect) way of organization is this:


Since I keep a picture a day blog, I find it easy to make a folder for every day. I.e. [7-09-09]


Recently I started being able to do actual shoots for "clients". When that is the case, I dispose of the folder named by date method and use the subject's name. Then I'll put sub folders in after that. [Chris CD Cover] --&gt; [test shots], [check 3 (not used)], etc.


The only renaming of files I do is after I edit a file. I will tag [edit1] on the end. [IMG_3453edit1.jpg]. If I need a print size specific shot, I will do [IMG_3453edit1 8x10].


This seems to work for me right now. although finding certain files from long ago can be a pain sometimes.

[Ehcalum]

I'm always naming/renaming files. I use Breeze Browser and Downloader Pro. My format is generally: shoot id number or shoot name-MMDDYY-frame number-camera name.


1049-013009-0132-AGC.jpg.

[Chuck Lee]

<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"]

<p class="MsoNormal"]<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: #000000; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"]You have to think how you will find a specific image without two photos having the same name.

Bob, I'm sure I have at least 4-5 sets of images with the same name. But...............


I organize similar to Sean. My wife organizes her photos the same way. We own and operatethree cameras.


When I donwload my images from my CF card I create a folder Date-Subject and copy the files into that folder. If there are images from more than one shoot then I create how many ever folders I need. My syntax is like this: 080309-ForumPhotos.


Once the Raws are moved from the card to the hardrive I process with Silkypix and develop to jpeg. I delete any useless raws before exiting Silkypix. The jpeg quality I develop with is based on my workflow. If the images are low ISO and clean I'll apply a USM during development and save a 90% quality jpeg.I'm done with those. If the photos are High ISO (800 and up) I usually develop at 100%,batch noise reduction with Neat Image save@100%, then batch sharpen with Irfanview save@90%. Anything that needs special attention gets saved at 100% no sharp and post processed with CS3.


Once development with SilkyPix is done Icopy that folder and all raw datato a backup drive leaving only the jpgs on my main drive. That folder gets moved into a annual folder in the Photo directory. i.e. Photo/2009/080309-ForumPhotos


I use Picasa 3 as my browser and can quickly find anything based on when it was shot. Sometimes, I have to use my eyes to find what I'm looking for because I don't remember the exact date I took it. Never-the-less, it doesn't take very long to find it. the pickier I become as a photographer the more streamline my image gallery becomes. I also try to reduce the size of those images that will never be printed.


I've never had an issue with recurring file names. IfI want to rework a photo fromraw that was taken a year agoI have no problemmatching it.


I started organizing our images like this in 2004 and it has worked extremely well.

[canoli]

Thank you guys! Good suggestions, interesting how many different schemes, just in the 5 or 6 responses.


No one has said "always rename your files" so I guess I'll keep my current system - directories by date and description [year_month_day_description] and then files with keywords. The only hard part is disciplining myself to enter the keywords.


I really wish Bridge had a histogram display...I like ACR for converting RAW files but I hate having to open it every time just to see a histogram. I like DxPro even better but I'm not sure it supports the sidecar files from Bridge (I think that's where all the meta data resides, in those sidecar files).


Thanks again!

[Ehcalum]

BreezeBrowser is really good bang for buck, and moreso if bundled with DL Pro. has histograms, proofing, webpage generation, watermarking and good naming/sorting capability. Also shows focus points on the image, and all the exif data you could wish for.

[piiooo]

Here's how I organize my images--First, I create a folder named for the day of the shoot with a short description following that. For example:


2009-08-01 Amy Engagement


By putting the year first, the folders are organized according to when they were taken.

That is EXACTLY what I do. I have no problem finding stuff I need.


After I copy the files into my folder I group them by file type and separate jpegs, raws, photoshops etc. I don't change file names unless I have multiple files of the same type and name.