Changing Folder Name

[nolanstern]

Currently, I have all my folders set up by date of import but I want to change the date folder name to a new folder name. I know this may not be the best practive but can this be done?

Also, what are some suggestions of folder name people use to organize their photos?

I need to come up with a better way to organize my photos so I exactly where they are in the heirarchy.

Please help...
Chris

 

[Anti]

I import photos from my camera only every few weeks. On the import dialog where you choose the folder name, it tells you in the top left corner the date of the first and last photos (ie. the range they were taken over). I use that for my folder name. Eg.

2''9-'1-24 - 2''9-'3-18

Because Lightroom only sorts alphabetically, this naming scheme gives me a chronological list of folders in the folders panel. My brain likes events sorted chronologically.

Also, each import will have a unique folder name, so I don't need to worry about duplicate filenames clashing; I just leave them the way the cameras name them: ''1.jpg, ''2.jpg

Finally, this flat hierarchy suits me because I only have 3''-6'' photos on my camera before I bother to import them, and only do it about six or eight times a year. Though, I am considering changing it to something slightly less flat. Eg:

2''9
-> '1-24 - '3-18
-> '3-27 - '6-21

I prefer to let Lightroom sort my photos, and once imported, I don't actually use the folder panel much at all.

 

[nolanstern]

I find it confusing to have the hiearchy setup on import by date...that is the reason I am asking about changing the folder name to something more descriptive...

 

[dj_paige]

[quote author=nolanstern link=topic=7381.msg5'288#msg5'288 date=12488'6772]
I find it confusing to have the hiearchy setup on import by date...that is the reason I am asking about changing the folder name to something more descriptive...
[/quote]

Use keywords instead of putting metadata into folder names. Keywords are more powerful than organization schemes based upon folder names.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

I use this system:

 

[Anti]

> I find it confusing to have the hiearchy setup on import by date

Note that I don't use the 'auto date' feature.
I couldn't stand it if every day that I took a photo had its own folder.
There really should be a 'by month' option too.
I assume that's what you're referring to?

I use the: 'into one folder' option to manually create ONE folder for the entire export of between 5' to 6'' photos. Because the photos span several 'events' (parties, weddings, beach days, walks, etc), it would be impossible to have a meaningful, descriptive folder name covering all of them. I would have to import each 'event' separately, into its own folder. That's another reason why I use a simple date range. To describe each event, I use the metadata 'title' not the folder title; much more flexible and powerful.

Since you were asking for suggestions, mine was not to worry too much about the folder structure of the disk - you don't need an elaborate, descriptive structure. I mean, basically you could have 1',''' images in the same folder, and still be able to sort them easily and perfectly in Lightroom using collections and metadata.

 

[clee01l]

[quote author=dj_paige link=topic=7381.msg5'3'9#msg5'3'9 date=12488125'5]
[quote author=nolanstern link=topic=7381.msg5'288#msg5'288 date=12488'6772]
I find it confusing to have the hiearchy setup on import by date...that is the reason I am asking about changing the folder name to something more descriptive...
[/quote]

Use keywords instead of putting metadata into folder names. Keywords are more powerful than organization schemes based upon folder names.
[/quote]The names of folders are unimportant except outside of LR. As far as LR is concerned the files could be in one big folder. Lightroom does not care. Paige makes a very good point. Use keywords. Develop a very good keyword scheme or borrow from one of the many that are available on the web.

Every photo import program I have ever used offers a variation on "Import by Date" So it must have some validity.
If you absolutely refuse the 'By Date' schemas, use the Import into one folder with the subfolder option checked and give a unique name to each import.

 

[Brad Snyder]

nolan, lots of good advice here, but to answer your original question, you can easily can easily rename a folder in Lr, simply by rightclicking it in the folder browser panel in the Left Hand Library Panel, and choosing rename. It will be renamed in Lr and on the disk.