Workflow can be a make or break situation in how your business is run. Spending all your time with file naming, culling, or unproductive backup techniques can create not only time constraints but also a negative relationship with your images after your shoot. Following some quick and easy workflow tips will get you back on track and more importantly back to shooting.
Chris Eyre-Walker walks through the 10 steps that help smooth his workflow from importing, file structure, culling, rating, editing, and most importantly the backup. He uses Photo Mechanic, however these steps can be used with Adobe Lightroom, Bridge, or other programs that allow for ratings.
If you are a traveling photographer, a large part of his naming is the country the image was shot in for easy access to locations. The speed in culling is a great tip for us image hoarders as he trashes every image he feels initially does not work for him. Not only will this speed up workflow, but the de-cluttering of images that will never be used can free up needed space.
Backing up images is all a process stemming from virtual collections. First he creates ratings that will allow him to trash those he will not use; one star to allow him to know which images need to be edited and two stars to let him know which images have been processed. Images that have been edited will be backed up onto external drives (two for secure backup) and then on programs such as BackBlaze. I have used this particular backup method as well for years and the recovery can be a lifesaver when a drive fails in the middle of an order.
Workflow should be just as simply as the name; it should flow and not be a hindrance to your lifestyle.
Always useful to be able to compare my own workflow with that of others. In the past I've found subtle changes that make a world of difference.
Thanks Andy, hope you found something useful in this one too ;-)
One of my favorite and most practical videos. I love to hear other phototgrapher's workflows and get practical tips on how and why they work a certain way. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks!
Great video. We share a similar approach. I was also impressed with the Backblaze mention. I've been using them for around 2 years. I don't think it gets any cheaper. Also, next time you're around a bunch of photographers ask them there take on smart previews. 9 out of ten photographers don't use it. Blows my mind.
Thanks David. Yes, surprises me every time how few photographers use (or even know) about Smart Previews... I couldn't live without them!
I know I'm late to the party here, but I'm dusting off my gear and getting started again as an amateur photographer. I remember the last time I was doing this I was really struggling with making a consistent workflow that didn't feel like a burden. This time around, I decided to put a premium on establishing a workflow and organization system early. I've read a number of web sites and even a book or two on the subject and I really like how clear and streamlined this presentation is. Bravo.