dicklaxt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 397 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
|
Post by dicklaxt on Jun 10, 2015 10:40:15 GMT
I have been gone from PSE for some time and never really did thing's correctly when I was using it. I'd like to start over with somewhat of an organized effort so here's the scenario, A Win8.1 machine set up in a Desktop Mode and PSE11 Software installed. I'm looking at the desktop screen and see the PSE Icon. I have a media card in hand with images,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'm sure there are many preferred ways to get it all rolling, but what's your way, better still what's the best way?  Okay,,,,,,I'm waiting. dick |
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Jun 10, 2015 10:59:11 GMT
The secret is every time you transfer those photos to your computer, organize them immediately. I have so many files full of "to be organized" that now the job is too much to tackle. I can't find anything anymore.
Used to be, I'd get a new computer and start fresh - never transferring anything to the new computer - but with digital scrapbooking, I can't abandon my supplies and start over, although I'm ready to do it just so I don't have to face my mess.
Organize Organize Organize
|
|
dicklaxt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 397
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
|
Post by dicklaxt on Jun 10, 2015 11:09:05 GMT
Yes I do agree but I first must get the correct sequence of events to get it going, for example: insert the media card >open the PSE program,,,,,,,,,,,,just what do you do?
dick
|
|
|
|
Post by cats4jan on Jun 10, 2015 11:28:47 GMT
I transfer my photos to files outside of PSE. I open PSE and then open a file and drag my photo from my file to PSE. I do this whether or not I'm adding a file to an already begun project or starting fresh.
You have to understand I'm not post processing in most cases - I'm creating digital Scrapbooking projects, so my work processes are different than one who uses photoshop for fixing photos. I do minimum post processing - only doing so to ready a photo for my layout.
However, I keep PSE in Expert mode at all times and I keep the "history" window open so I can easily step back in my editing process.
I understand that those who use the Organizer or a similar program are a step ahead of the game, because nothing puts a roadblock into your creativity more than frustration at being unable to grab what you need when you need it.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 12:52:29 GMT
Dick....
It's been a while since I've used Elements as I switched to Lightroom way back. If you have both then first point is to only let one of them Organise or Catalog your images.
Second point is to decide where you want the images stored in your machine. So, decide on a top level folder.
Third point is that both Elements and LR are capable of detecting the moment you plug in your memory card to the reader or connect up your camera. ( I recommend a card reader). At this point the Import or Download dialog appears and off you go. The downloader is capable of placing your images under your top level folder but in sub-folders based on capture date - which I find to be the most affective way.
Forth point is that after the download you'll see the images that you've just stored onto your hard drive in the main window. At this point you should consider Tagging or Keywording them and placing them into Categories or Collections.
Finally make a backup of your newly imported images, then go to work on them.
Colin
|
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Jun 10, 2015 14:51:07 GMT
As already advised, keep everything organized in a manner that you have a fighting chance to find it.
My preferred method that I have currently settled upon, and that is proving to work well for us :
Before taking any pictures, if your camera has the capability, begin a new folder in the memory-card for each day/date of use, thus each days pictures are separated by folder.
Connect the camera to the television and critically view the pictures, deleting any culls.
Instead of directly connecting the camera to the computer, use a CARD READER.
I much prefer to NOT directly enter the images through Elements, as my Windows 7 Windows Explorer method is quicker/easier.
I have a wonderful FREE image-file renaming/renumbering software called DIM (digital image mover) that has numerous naming/numbering/filing possibilities.
When the computer recognizes a memory-card has been inserted, I select "open folder to view files"
In DIM, I enter the chosen folder of the memory-card that I wish to download into the computer.
In DIM, I make any necessary amendments to how and where it will rename and install the files.
Instead of the camera's generic file name/number such as IMG_5782, IMG_5783, etc. (which, if you have more than one camera, will create conflicts once in the computer with identical numbers on entirely different images), I use a unique prefix, a definitive description, the date of capture, and a numbered suffix that begins each days images with "001", so the image numbering sequence coincides with the sequence of capture.
Thus, the first image of the day has suffix "001", the seventh image is "007", and the four-hundred fifteenth image is "415", and so forth and so on.
An example of a new file name/number: Trains_NorfolkSouthern_13-Sep-2013_001, or Johnny_NewRifle_24-Dec-2006_032
To organize pictures of a particular child, image-names may be thus: Reginald_Birthday_14-Apr-2015_026
Reginald_NewBike_18-Jul-2015_018
Reginald_CubScouts_15-Nov-2015_011
DIM then places these new files in folders by year, month, day. (DIM has many other folder structure possibles, such as by event, by customer, etc.)
Being thus named/numbered, I have a fighting chance of finding whatever file I seek.
Once the files are newly named/numbered/foldered, THEN I enter them into the Elements Organizer, where they get various album and key-word tags; a single image may get as many as a dozen tags, or as few as one.
At this point, things are where I can find them now and in the future; having the date of capture as a portion of the file-name is especially helpful.
One important point to remember, unless you use the "include in version set" feature (which I find somewhat quirky and annoying), any edits that you rename/renumber and save-as need to have "include in organizer" checked; and, then, find these new images in the organizer and add all pertinent tags; otherwise, they will not come up in a keyword tag search. ----- Just because the original is tagged does not mean any subsequent edits are also automatically tagged.
This system works well for me; maybe someone will find part of it useful in their own organizing endeavors.
Thanks for reading. |
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Jun 10, 2015 15:04:51 GMT
I will add that, by filing/foldering images by date of capture, it eliminates the problem of "just where does this image fit"; regardless of what the picture may be, it "fits" in the folder specific to it's date of capture. |
|
dicklaxt
Established Forum Member
Posts: 397
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
|
Post by dicklaxt on Jun 10, 2015 15:15:36 GMT
Holy Moly,I had to ask didn't I? I just wanted something simple to do . I'll just have to look into this Card Reader thing. Let do some pondering again.
Thanks for all the input.
I just went and looked up a Card Reader on Amazon,,,,,,now just what does that do for me that the slot on my computer tower can't do.
dick
|
|
|
|
Post by Major Major on Jun 10, 2015 15:25:16 GMT
On more method to consider:
I don't use a card reader. When I plug in my camera to the computer via a USB cable, it automatically gives me the option to look at the photos in Windows Explorer.
In my My Pictures folder, I have folders set up by category (Thanksgiving 2014, Niagara Falls trip 2012, etc).
I open a second copy of Windows Explorer, then drag and drop the relevant photos to the proper folder (creating one if none exists) and rename them immediately. That's the critical part for me - DSC225.jpg doesn't mean anything - Katy blowing out candles.jpg does. I don't need to include the date in the file name because the date stamp is on the file, available in the date column in Windows Explorer.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tpgettys on Jun 10, 2015 15:38:32 GMT
Holy Moly,I had to ask didn't I? I just wanted something simple to do . I'll just have to look into this Card Reader thing. Let do some pondering again. Thanks for all the input. I just went and looked up a Card Reader on Amazon,,,,,,now just what does that do for me that the slot on my computer tower can't do. dick Nothing, card readers are for people that can't access their memory card any other way. |
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Jun 10, 2015 16:49:29 GMT
Dick, some computers come equipped with a memory-card slot; some do not, hence the necessity of a separate card-reader. If you are fortunate enough to have a slot for the memory-card, then by all means use it. My wife carries a small card-reader (Transcend; seven bucks at Amazon) and has had numerous occasions where it has really came in handy, such as being able to view Person-A's memory-card on Person-B's laptop, or put the full-size birthday party pictures straight from the memory-card onto grandma's computer, rather than having to go through the hassle of getting them to her through alternative means. The reason I like the actual date of capture as a part of the file name is that, although when in "details" view, Explorer lists the date beside the file name, once I make any edits, Explorer replaces the actual date of capture by "date last modified", which creates confusion for me. By having the date as part of the file-name, that information is right there with the image, regardless of which program the image may currently be being edited in. Before we began using our current system, our images were in a logistics nightmare; I spent the better part of this past winter getting a handle on organizing them and the effort, although frightening at first, was well worth it. |
|
|
|
Post by Sepiana on Jun 10, 2015 17:34:41 GMT
Yes I do agree but I first must get the correct sequence of events to get it going, for example: insert the media card >open the PSE program,,,,,,,,,,,, just what do you do?dickDick, I believe this is less a question of "the correct sequence of events" than one of which sequence fits your circumstances and your use of Elements.
First of all, you need to decide -- use a card reader or just plug in your camera into your computer. I myself favor using a card reader. That's my personal preference.
Second, once you have decided on the above, how do you want Elements to handle the import of your photos? Which method you adopt will depend on your use of this program.
Do you use the Organizer? Then, the simplest method is to let the Organizer do the job via the Adobe's Photo Downloader. The Photo Downloader will get your photos from your camera or any other storage device and bring them into the Organizer. To use the Downloader, bring up the Windows AutoPlay dialog and select "Organize and Edit using Adobe Elements Organizer x.x". Once the Downloader has done its job, you will be back in the Organizer.
You don't use the Organizer? No problem. Just set the Windows AutoPlay to "Import pictures and videos using Windows". Your pictures will be imported into a folder in the Pictures Library. Then, you can decide what to do to -- move the folder, rename it, create subfolders, etc. Now, your photos are ready to be opened in Elements. You can just right-click on a photo and select "Open with Photoshop Elements x.x Editor" or you can first open Elements and do File>Open.
|
|
|
|
Post by Major Major on Jun 10, 2015 17:34:53 GMT
Buckskin -
I was the one who made the comment about not needing a date in the title. The problem you cite is solved by displaying Date Created rather than the generic "Date".
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2015 18:03:20 GMT
Dick,
As Sepiana stated, you need to find a workflow that works for you.
I started all over when I moved to LR a year or so ago. All of my files at that time were on my laptop, with a backup on an external drive. I decided to use LR's organizer, but prior to setting it up I faced the task of re-organizing over 20,000 photos. The way they were organized up to that point just didn't work me any more.
My advise, think how and for what reasons you take the photos. Do you mainly photograph distinct events, such as birthdays, family gatherings, or do you go out and shoot as the mood takes you? Both of these would benefit from different approaches. Drawing a folder tree first might help you to decided before you take the plunge.
Additionally, I would recommend putting the actual files onto an external hard drive rather than you computer. In fact, having another back up on a second external hard drive is even better, which is how I operate. That way, should one fail you haven't lost your photos. Just ensure you back up regularly!
Getting your photos from your SD card into the Organizer, well, as others have said, there are a number of ways of achieving this and in the end it comes down to what is easiest for you.
|
|
|
|
Post by BuckSkin on Jun 10, 2015 20:13:45 GMT
I like storkington's idea of drawing a "folder tree"; thus a theoretical plan of action can be examined before actually committing to it.
We use two external hard-drives that are always connected; everything is backed up on both drives under identical folder-tree structure.
Further backup is provided by never emptying a memory-card; a hi-capacity/hi-quality SD card is even within our meager budget and they are cheap insurance against loss of the original images.
The actual computer's "My Pictures" is only used as a temporary landing place for various projects.
I dump the recycle bin almost daily; thus, it is a whole lot easier to see if there is anything in there that should not be.
|
|
