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Multiple catalogs in Lightroom

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annekarinwd

Biker with a camera
Joined
Nov 5, 2019
Messages
4
Location
Stavanger
Lightroom Experience
Intermediate
Lightroom Version
Classic
Lightroom Version Number
Lightroom 6
Operating System
  1. macOS 10.15 Catalina
A question: I have a main Lightroom Catalog which includes 85000 images(!) This works OK, but I want to make separate catalogs (for example "Grand children" and "Nature"). When I import pictures from my big photo library into another catalog, will the photos be duplicated in this process? The import page says in the upper right corner: "Destination folder", and I have to decide the destination for the import. If the images are duplicated, I am afraid my hard drive will be filled up too soon! Or have I misunderstood the whole thing? :eek:
 
You don't want to reimport them. Also creating separate catalogues defeats the purpose of cataloging. Create separate folders and/or include key wording, collections, etc. You can create master grand kids/nature folders then using LR drag the subfolders into the masters. After you import new flies just drag that folder into the appropriate master folder.

I like using the folder system and others use only key wording. There are several ways to do this.
 
You don't want to reimport them. Also creating separate catalogues defeats the purpose of cataloging. Create separate folders and/or include key wording, collections, etc. You can create master grand kids/nature folders then using LR drag the subfolders into the masters. After you import new flies just drag that folder into the appropriate master folder.

I like using the folder system and others use only key wording. There are several ways to do this.
Thank you for your informative reply! I just wonder, can a single catalog contain unlimited images?
 
Because a catalogue is just a database (text only) which is a record of your adjustments. It has nothing to do with actual files themselves. You can use other developers and it won't effect LR's edits. As long as the catalogue knows where the files are all is good.

I have been using LR since 2011 and my catalogue is less than 1000MB. It has been reported that there are catalogues with over a million files.
 
Or for better words catalogues that contain records of adjustments for over a million files.
 
It's hard enough managing photos when they're catalogued in one place, and I wouldn't recommend fragmenting control into multiple catalogues.

Also imagine the complexities when there's a nature picture - but one of the grandchildren is in the picture. Which catalogue? Keywording eliminates this problem.
 
I have a main Lightroom Catalog which includes 85000 images(!)
No doubt the exclamation mark means that you think that this is a huge catalog, and so a split is needed/logical. It is not. It is a medium sized catalog and there is no need at all to split it. My own catalog is about 200,000 images and I know photographers who have catalogs with well over a million images.
 
The person must wear down a lot of cameras.
 
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