The way Lightroom (LR) works is that for existing files, you tell it where the files are and it scans them and adds the files to it's database. Any keyword tagging, and edits that you make to the pictures are stored in the database. You don't deal directly with the RAW files after you import them into LR. The folders aren't for backup, they contain the actual files.
When you make edits, LR doesn't write anything to the source files, and no files are created until you export. You still need the source files, and if you delete them, LR won't be able to work with the picture. As for organization, you can let LR handle it, or you can organize the files yourself, or anywhere in between. When I import pictures, LR puts the files on my HDD by date and I process and tag them. After I've got them how I like them, I move them (inside LR) to different folders based on subject matter. I do this because that's how I like to do it. You don't need to buy LR right away, Adobe has a 30 trial for LR so you can see if you like it before buying. I'd recommend doing that if you aren't sure. On Tue, Jul 13, 2010 at 10:10 PM, Eric Weir <eew...@bellsouth.net> wrote: > > On Jul 13, 2010, at 5:50 PM, Charles Robinson wrote: > >> The only organization I do outside of LR (ie, before even importing them >> into LR) is to group into a "month" folder (2010_June, 2010_July, etc...) - >> this gives me a discrete collection of files which I can later back up. >> Typically (but not always) I have less than 4.7 gigs of images each month, >> which means I can both spin off a copy of the folder to a second harddrive >> AND burn a copy onto a couple of different DVDs. If I slopped everything >> into one huge folder I wouldn't have any handy way of grouping them for >> backup and the eventual move to "off-line" status. > > So the folders you create before importing are for backup purposes only, in > case you need them? You don't do any organizing within LR? I take it you do > organize "photos," i.e., edited versions of initial images? > > [I suspect maybe it's time to hold off on my questions till I've had some > experience trying to do it. It's beginning to feel like I could go on asking > questions forever. Which would probably not be particularly helpful to me, > and would just take up you guy's time. Though everyone seems eager to help, > and I'm getting lots of helpful information.] > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Eric Weir > Decatur, GA USA > eew...@bellsouth.net > > > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > PDML@pdml.net > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow > the directions. > -- Aloha Photographer Photoblog http://alohaphotog.blogspot.com/ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
