Ticket Options
Question Details
TICKET ARCHIVE -> iPhoto managing my 'digital workflow'
Timothy Gerges - Jan 14, 2006 - 3:27 pm
Hi
I just need some help. I like to be organised and i need some help doing so with my mac..
On my windows pc, i process all my images, then sort them, then sort the original raw files again. However, this can be time consuming, so i came up with a flowchart of what i want the mac to do, and i was wondering if you could tell me if i expecting too much.
Here Goes..
Camera - raw files imported to 'to be processed' folder - I process images - after i'm finished processing and converting batch, automatically move to 'to be sorted' folder - i sort the Jpegs into different folders and the harddisk (eg chruch, work etc) - Raw files follow their respective JPEG files but placed into seperate 'raw' folder in the folder inwhich i placed the respective jpegs.
Also, i want to access the pictures from the harddiskdrive and not only from iPhoto.
is this at all possible, am i asking too much, or do i need to get different software?
I know this is a long question, but your help will greatly appriciated.
Thank you
I just need some help. I like to be organised and i need some help doing so with my mac..
On my windows pc, i process all my images, then sort them, then sort the original raw files again. However, this can be time consuming, so i came up with a flowchart of what i want the mac to do, and i was wondering if you could tell me if i expecting too much.
Here Goes..
Camera - raw files imported to 'to be processed' folder - I process images - after i'm finished processing and converting batch, automatically move to 'to be sorted' folder - i sort the Jpegs into different folders and the harddisk (eg chruch, work etc) - Raw files follow their respective JPEG files but placed into seperate 'raw' folder in the folder inwhich i placed the respective jpegs.
Also, i want to access the pictures from the harddiskdrive and not only from iPhoto.
is this at all possible, am i asking too much, or do i need to get different software?
I know this is a long question, but your help will greatly appriciated.
Thank you
earthsaver - Jan 14, 2006 - 4:40 pm
iPhoto, in my experience, is designed to be a much narrower system. Unlike iTunes, it doesn't allow the user to organize photos separately. If you're doing so much work with RAW, perhaps you need not process them into JPEGs at all. Have you considered investing in Aperture instead?
http://www.apple.com/aperture/
- Ben
http://www.apple.com/aperture/
- Ben
Timothy Gerges - Jan 15, 2006 - 2:01 am
Hi
I have considered, but there is that cost factor, at the moment i dont have the capital to make any more investments, although i have read all about it, also, I only have a g4, aperture wont run on anything less than a g5, or atleast thats what it says.
I export to JPEG because I read that thats how the pros do it - do you know how they manage?
Thanks for your speedy response
I have considered, but there is that cost factor, at the moment i dont have the capital to make any more investments, although i have read all about it, also, I only have a g4, aperture wont run on anything less than a g5, or atleast thats what it says.
I export to JPEG because I read that thats how the pros do it - do you know how they manage?
Thanks for your speedy response
earthsaver - Jan 15, 2006 - 2:26 am
One of the pros who was quoted for the video about Aperture shown during Steve's keynote this past week said he has stopped exporting JPEGs altogether and switched completely to editing RAW alone. I wonder how many Pros use iPhoto for more than organization; I think a lot of them do their editing in Photoshop.
However, your flowchart, given second thought, doesn't seem that difficult to implement. Think about it this way:
1. RAW files imported to iPhoto.
2. Process images.
3. Export processed images as JPEGs; select desired destination as Export location.
4. Export processed images as existing RAWs.
5. Sort photos manually as desired, or dabble with Automator if you're running Tiger and find a way to automate any process along the way. (For example, if you tag your photos with keywords, maybe you can have Automator sort them to the right separate destinations.)
Did I miss anything? Here's a page of info about RAW in iPhoto:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300879
However, your flowchart, given second thought, doesn't seem that difficult to implement. Think about it this way:
1. RAW files imported to iPhoto.
2. Process images.
3. Export processed images as JPEGs; select desired destination as Export location.
4. Export processed images as existing RAWs.
5. Sort photos manually as desired, or dabble with Automator if you're running Tiger and find a way to automate any process along the way. (For example, if you tag your photos with keywords, maybe you can have Automator sort them to the right separate destinations.)
Did I miss anything? Here's a page of info about RAW in iPhoto:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300879
Timothy Gerges - Jan 15, 2006 - 5:09 am
I would only imagine that pros use programmes like Photoshop, but for the moment i am stuck with what i got.
This is what i was doing with the windows computer. It works rather well, except i cant automate files to follow their jpegs:
1)I would import the Raw files to the 'raw to be processed' folder (using the camera's import software)
2) Then i would use the camera's file veiwer utility software to cahnge the elementry metadata (the white balance and colour matrix etc.)
3) I would then export the raws into Jpegs and that would place them into the 'to be sorted' folder.
4) Now depending on what changes i need to make, I would Coral PhotoPaint to modify the picture. (For greater changes i would use the raw file, and then export again to jpeg, and for minor adjustments, i would use the first Jpeg i created)
5) Then i would sort the final Jpegs. As far as i am now, i really havent had the time to also sort the original raw files, so they are all sitting in one big folder.
Are you following my problem here, I end up with really nice pictures, but i use alot of time that would be rather spend on homework.
Although i have created a system to follow to keep all my pictures organised, it takes a long time.
Maybe i should actually only use Raw files and not export. but i havent tried, although for my next batch i will see how things go.
I never intended to use iphoto to doctor (if thats the right word) my pictures, but i want it to organise them for me acordingly, so that editing can be done with a different, more powerful application (whenever i can get my hands on one).
Does photoshop have organising capabilities, and what about aperture, would i be able to use just one programme for my whole workflow?
This is what i was doing with the windows computer. It works rather well, except i cant automate files to follow their jpegs:
1)I would import the Raw files to the 'raw to be processed' folder (using the camera's import software)
2) Then i would use the camera's file veiwer utility software to cahnge the elementry metadata (the white balance and colour matrix etc.)
3) I would then export the raws into Jpegs and that would place them into the 'to be sorted' folder.
4) Now depending on what changes i need to make, I would Coral PhotoPaint to modify the picture. (For greater changes i would use the raw file, and then export again to jpeg, and for minor adjustments, i would use the first Jpeg i created)
5) Then i would sort the final Jpegs. As far as i am now, i really havent had the time to also sort the original raw files, so they are all sitting in one big folder.
Are you following my problem here, I end up with really nice pictures, but i use alot of time that would be rather spend on homework.
Although i have created a system to follow to keep all my pictures organised, it takes a long time.
Maybe i should actually only use Raw files and not export. but i havent tried, although for my next batch i will see how things go.
I never intended to use iphoto to doctor (if thats the right word) my pictures, but i want it to organise them for me acordingly, so that editing can be done with a different, more powerful application (whenever i can get my hands on one).
Does photoshop have organising capabilities, and what about aperture, would i be able to use just one programme for my whole workflow?
earthsaver - Jan 15, 2006 - 11:11 am
Photoshop does have a file browser now, but I'm not the expert to talk to about it. I imagine Aperture is designed to be your wholeness solution.
However, while you're stuck with iPhoto, I think you just need to rearrange your steps a bit. Edit your photos while still raw, in iPhoto or whatever other app you prefer, before exporting them (if at all).
You could export the edited files and organize them using your manual scheme. However, why not just use metadata in iPhoto to organize them into albums. How many different folders were you using for the manual sort?
Does the iPhoto organization system not make this process easier. You could use metadata to create smart albums and might not have to move any photos manually into albums. Do your homework and let iPhoto take care of the sorting, right?
However, while you're stuck with iPhoto, I think you just need to rearrange your steps a bit. Edit your photos while still raw, in iPhoto or whatever other app you prefer, before exporting them (if at all).
You could export the edited files and organize them using your manual scheme. However, why not just use metadata in iPhoto to organize them into albums. How many different folders were you using for the manual sort?
Does the iPhoto organization system not make this process easier. You could use metadata to create smart albums and might not have to move any photos manually into albums. Do your homework and let iPhoto take care of the sorting, right?
Timothy Gerges - Jan 15, 2006 - 1:20 pm
Suppose,
Just before i stop bothering you...
A couple of questions..
My folder systems run rather deep (about seven folders in each catagory, with 3 folders in thoses folders), is it possible to make folders in folders with iPhot, i have tried, but not luck, am i missing something?
Also, if it does, i still want one folder inwhich i can find all the catagories. This needs to be accessible from the harddrive without the use of iPhoto. (like browsing in 'my computer' {for windows, i'm not sure of the mac equivilent}). Do you know what i mean, or should i concentrate more on my english communication homework? Is this possible if i use iPhoto to manage my pictures?
Just before i stop bothering you...
A couple of questions..
My folder systems run rather deep (about seven folders in each catagory, with 3 folders in thoses folders), is it possible to make folders in folders with iPhot, i have tried, but not luck, am i missing something?
Also, if it does, i still want one folder inwhich i can find all the catagories. This needs to be accessible from the harddrive without the use of iPhoto. (like browsing in 'my computer' {for windows, i'm not sure of the mac equivilent}). Do you know what i mean, or should i concentrate more on my english communication homework? Is this possible if i use iPhoto to manage my pictures?
Timothy Gerges - Jan 15, 2006 - 1:20 pm
Suppose,
Just before i stop bothering you...
A couple of questions..
My folder systems run rather deep (about seven folders in each catagory, with 3 folders in thoses folders), is it possible to make folders in folders with iPhot, i have tried, but not luck, am i missing something?
Also, if it does, i still want one folder inwhich i can find all the catagories. This needs to be accessible from the harddrive without the use of iPhoto. (like browsing in 'my computer' {for windows, i'm not sure of the mac equivilent}). Do you know what i mean, or should i concentrate more on my english communication homework? Is this possible if i use iPhoto to manage my pictures?
Just before i stop bothering you...
A couple of questions..
My folder systems run rather deep (about seven folders in each catagory, with 3 folders in thoses folders), is it possible to make folders in folders with iPhot, i have tried, but not luck, am i missing something?
Also, if it does, i still want one folder inwhich i can find all the catagories. This needs to be accessible from the harddrive without the use of iPhoto. (like browsing in 'my computer' {for windows, i'm not sure of the mac equivilent}). Do you know what i mean, or should i concentrate more on my english communication homework? Is this possible if i use iPhoto to manage my pictures?
earthsaver - Jan 15, 2006 - 2:29 pm
I just tested iPhoto folders myself. You can create any number of hierarchical folder levels as you like. Just drag newly created folders into each other. But as I said at the beginning, iPhoto is not designed with manual Finder-based file browsing and organizing in mind. That's where you would use a more professional application, I suppose.
iPhoto is built to accommodate both novice users as well as some pros, perhaps like you. I don't know how it will help with your English communication homework, but I think it will do a fine job streamlining your photo organization process and reducing its complexity, in part, by eliminating the need to organize and browse photos manually in the Finder.
I guess I still don't understand why you need the latter functionality.
iPhoto is built to accommodate both novice users as well as some pros, perhaps like you. I don't know how it will help with your English communication homework, but I think it will do a fine job streamlining your photo organization process and reducing its complexity, in part, by eliminating the need to organize and browse photos manually in the Finder.
I guess I still don't understand why you need the latter functionality.
Timothy Gerges - Jan 16, 2006 - 8:46 am
I have done some reading on the internet (i seem to do alot of this,) and skimmed through apertures manual, I think it is perfect, so get ready for the 'dummest' question to be posted on this site..
Is there a lesser equivilent for aperture?, one that does not require a G5 Processor, a less graphically demanding one at a lower price?
Is there a lesser equivilent for aperture?, one that does not require a G5 Processor, a less graphically demanding one at a lower price?
earthsaver - Jan 16, 2006 - 2:47 pm
Not a dumb question at all, particularly when such a solution was just announced: Adobe LightRoom.
http://labs.macromedia.com/technologies/lightroom/
http://labs.macromedia.com/technologies/lightroom/
earthsaver - Jan 16, 2006 - 2:48 pm
Not a dumb question at all, particularly when such a solution was just announced: Adobe LightRoom.
http://labs.macromedia.com/technologies/lightroom/
http://labs.macromedia.com/technologies/lightroom/
Timothy Gerges - Jan 17, 2006 - 12:11 pm
Thank you, I followed your link, and was rather impressed, I was just about to download it when i saw it was only for Macosx tiger, No worries.. atleast i know it is there, which brings me to my next question (totally unrelated)...
How do you find out about these things, i mean, i would like to think i am rather up to date with stuff like this, and i brag about it at school with my friends, but i would never have seen this comming without you. Whats the secret? How are all of you guys always on the ball?
Anyway, thanx
How do you find out about these things, i mean, i would like to think i am rather up to date with stuff like this, and i brag about it at school with my friends, but i would never have seen this comming without you. Whats the secret? How are all of you guys always on the ball?
Anyway, thanx
earthsaver - Jan 17, 2006 - 1:02 pm
I follow Mac news daily on a wide range of sites. I'd be happy to share them with you. Email me earthsaver at mac dot com and I'll send you the .opml file exported from NetNewsWire, for you to peruse.
Timothy Gerges - Jan 17, 2006 - 1:59 pm
earthsaver - Jan 19, 2006 - 10:20 am
FYI, Tim: iPhoto 6 now allows you to store your photos anywhere you like and still point to them effectively.
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...60114072954622
- Ben
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.p...60114072954622
- Ben
Timothy Gerges - Jan 19, 2006 - 10:37 am
Thank you for your assistance. it means alot
IF THIS IS YOUR QUESTION AND YOU WISH TO RESPOND, LOGIN HERE FIRST.
