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.