Performing Backup While Importing

Let's pick up close to where we left off on the last post about importing.  this time we'll discuss how to back up during the import process and I'll describe the equipment I use for this purpose.

Remember in the last blog I mentioned that you select the IMPORT option on the lower left part of the screen in the LIBRARY  module.  Once the new screen is visible, if you have selected COPY or MOVE as the option for importing, the screen below will be visible in the top right portion of the window.

If you want to make a copy as the files are imported, you will check the "Make a Second Copy To:" option.

Please notice that there is a down-facing arrow to the right.  If you click on this you will see a list of your last used folders for back up.  It will look like this:

If you want to use one of these folders to house your back up files, simply select it with your mouse.

However, if you want to create a new folder of the  back up, you will click on the light gray text listing the last used folder.  In my example above, the text says: "G:\Evacuation Drill".  Once this is selected, you will see this:

Look familiar?  It should, it's the standard window that opens for you to select a folder or in our case, make a new one.  To do so, select:  you guessed it!  Make New Folder!!  Once this is done,  you should see something like this:

Note that the New folder will be  shown with a blue background, indicating that you can change the name of this folder at this point.  Simply type the name of the folder you want to create.  Once that is done, press enter twice.  The first time renamed the folder and the second  completed the process of making a new folder.

Once this is done and you have completed the process in the last blog, you can select IMPORT at the bottom right of the window and the process will begin!!

Let me further describe my process.  I shoot onto CF cards, that's what my cameras take.Whether you are using CF, SD, micro SD or any other medium, the process is the same.  My CF card goes into the card reader built into my computer.

If you don't have a card reader built in, there are several options.  One, buy a USB card reader.  They are available from a variety of sources for not much money.  This one can be found here:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/735302-REG/Lexar_LRW024URBNA_Multi_Card_24_in_1_USB_Reader.html

 Alternately, you should be able to connect your camera via USB cable to your computer and use it as a reader.

For a back up system, I use an external device that allows you to read and write to hard drives and change the drives as you want.  The device is a docking station:

Instead of buying expensive, dedicated external hard drives, with this device I can buy regular hard drives that are designed for internal use but place them in this docking station and they serve as an external hard drive.  My older files are on one hard drive and my current files are being backed up to a 500 GB drive that costs less than $50 while dedicated external hard drives tend to cost 20 to 30% more.

The Blac X docking station can also be connected to the computer via SATA connection and is much, much faster than USB.

OK, that's it for tonight.  Next time:  Adding Keywords to imports!

See you then!

Importing into Lightroom

I came to realize  that the most difficult thing for folks to grasp is the process for importing images into Lightroom.  So, over the next few posts, I will run through this process again and offer details and PICTURES!  Hint: this is the point at which you are to be excited!

This blog will cover importing from a camera or camera card.  I will cover the others later.

First step:  hook camera to computer per your manufacturer's instructions or insert your camera memory card into the computer's card reader.  From the LIBRARY module, select Import (lower left panel).  There are two other ways to import:  1.  Select FILE>IMPORT PHOTOS, or 2. Ctrl+Shift+I

A new screen will appear with this bar across the top:

Notice the selected option Copy is highlighted.  This option copies the file from the source onto your harddrive AND adds the photos to the LR catalog.  Copy as DNG will do the same thing but will convert the file format to DNG, Adobe's raw image format.

Move does exactly what it says, moves the file from its current location to the harddrive or to another folder on the harddrive AND it adds the photos to LR catalog.

Add option only adds the photos to the catalog without moving or copying them.

I learned tonight that the only options available when using a camera or camera card are the Copy and COpy as DNG options.  I told y'all I'd learn from you too!

Once an option has been selected it's time to tell LR where to put it!  The right panel gives us more options to choose.  Remember this?

This is where we define the destination of our photos.  Most often, you will want to copy the pictures to the My Pictures folder.  However, you will want to make a sub-folder with a name that will allow you to find the photos later.  You will notice in this screen capture that there are a lot of dates showing for folder names.  this is the way I used to do things before I came to realize that I couldn't remember when I shot pictures!  I needed to use descriptive names for the folders instead.  

By placing your cursor on the My Pictures line and right-clicking, a new window will pop up where you will select Create New Folder.  Then this window will appear:

Click on My Pictures to highlight it, then select Make New Folder from the bottom of the window.

This window will open and your cursor will be in the New Folder line.  Type your desired name for the folder.  Once that is done, hit ENTER, then select OK and you will return to LR.  The folder you just created will be selected for you to copy the new photos into.

One thing that is new for you:  If you are importing images into a single folder that were captured on different days, you have the option of saving them into different sub-folders by date of capture:

Notice the option of Into Sub-Folder and the pull-down menu below it.  Shown here is the Into one folder option.  The other option of sub-folders by date is illustrated below:

You must check the box by the Into Subfolder line before either of these options is active.  To further complicate things, you then have to decide the format of the date you want displayed!

I think that's enough for one night.  Next we will cover how to back up the files as you are importing them.

Now don't be tempted to print all this off so you will have it for future reference, although if you insist, I don't care.  But, this blog will be archived and can be accessed for years to come (if interest keeps up and I can maintain it!).

Spread the word to your friends who may be interested in learning LR or other aspects of photography.  As long as there is an interest, I will keep doing it!

Please feel free to make comments and let me know if this is too simple an approach or if this is what you want.  AND,  ask questions.  That way we can all learn.