Howto organize family/travel vs 'art' photos

[Ron-Alexander]

Lightroom Version Number

15.3

Operating System

1. macOS 26 Tahoe

What are the options to split my photos into what I call 'art' versus family/travel? Right now, all my photos are in the usual dated folder structure. I know I can use collections and keywords, and they both can have a hierarchy as well. I see I can filter on Keyword, but I do not see a similar ability for Collections.
These family/travel photos may never get looked at again but I don't want to get rid of them either.
I see that keywords stay with the images, but collections are virtual. For me, that tilts the choice towards keywords, plus it's embedded in the image file metadata.
Opinions and thoughts welcome.
My inclination is a separate catalogue, but I know several of the gurus will want to talk me out of that (I already have 3 extra lcats for really old image files)

 

[Califdan]

You are correct that many of us will try to disuade you from the multiple catalogs idea. However, this is not all that dis-similar to a professional photographer who has a Work and a Personal catalog. In that case there is a clear biforcation between shots taken in the studio or for paying clients vs. the "family" shots. If your situation also has as clear a segregation then I would let you slide on the 2 catalogs solution.

Keywords can certainly be used to mark an image as either a Family or an Art image or both. The "or both" part is important if there ever is a case where a family/travel shot also turns out to be a masterpeice.

Another option is to create two high level folder structures (on the same or different drives) - one for Art and one for Family - but manage them all in one catalog. The structure of the folders under each of these is up to you. But you'd have to have some way to deal with an image that fits both categories.

 

[Ron-Alexander]

You are correct that many of us will try to disuade you from the multiple catalogs idea. However, this is not all that dis-similar to a professional photographer who has a Work and a Personal catalog. In that case there is a clear biforcation between shots taken in the studio or for paying clients vs. the "family" shots. If your situation also has as clear a segregation then I would let you slide on the 2 catalogs solution.

Keywords can certainly be used to mark an image as either a Family or an Art image or both. The "or both" part is important if there ever is a case where a family/travel shot also turns out to be a masterpeice.

Another option is to create two high level folder structures (on the same or different drives) - one for Art and one for Family - but manage them all in one catalog. The structure of the folders under each of these is up to you. But you'd have to have some way to deal with an image that fits both categories.

I am pleased to hear that. I should have added that going forward my iPhone will be used for the travel and family photos as well as my DJI action camera and drone. The DSLR will only be used for the 'art'.

 

[clee01l]

I know I can use collections and keywords, and they both can have a hierarchy as well. I see I can filter on Keyword, but I do not see a similar ability for Collections.

There is a filter text box at the top of the Folder panel and the Collection panel If you have some intelligent naming in your collections tyou can search on those just like keywords.

The right way to go IMO is to create Smart Collections that use criteria to self populate. They work similar to the Filter bar at the top of the grid view.

I have very few static Collections relying instead on Smart Collections to aide my workflow. John Beardsworth has a Workflow Smart Collections process that I have adopted and extended to include Publish Services.

 

[Ron-Alexander]

There is a filter text box at the top of the Folder panel and the Collection panel If you have some intelligent naming in your collections tyou can search on those just like keywords.

The right way to go IMO is to create Smart Collections that use criteria to self populate. They work similar to the Filter bar at the top of the grid view.

I have very few static Collections relying instead on Smart Collections to aide my workflow. John Beardsworth has a Workflow Smart Collections process that I have adopted and extended to include Publish Services.

I have a few smart collections, most related to workflow etc, and will expand on that.

 

[Jan Roelof]

I would (and do) go with the keywording and then use those keywords, or combinations of them, as the (main) criterion for smart collections. "Art" and "Casual" would be good choices as root keywords in your keyword hierarchy.

 

[clee01l]

I would (and do) go with the keywording and then use those keywords, or combinations of them, as the (main) criterion for smart collections. "Art" and "Casual" would be good choices as root keywords in your keyword hierarchy.

If you create the keywords "art" and "casual", you can uncheck the checkbox labeled "Include on Export" and these will not get assigned to any exported derivatives that contain them

 

[Ron-Alexander]

I would (and do) go with the keywording and then use those keywords, or combinations of them, as the (main) criterion for smart collections. "Art" and "Casual" would be good choices as root keywords in your keyword hierarchy.

Yes, that is what I was thinking. I could then export that 'casual' collection. This would be a one-time spit from the DSLR-created files; after that, the casual would only need occasional updates from the iPhone and DJI cameras, while the 'Art' catalogue happily carries on with the DSLR.

 

[Ron-Alexander]

If you create the keywords "art" and "casual", you can uncheck the checkbox labeled "Include on Export" and these will not get assigned to any exported derivatives that contain them
View attachment 29260

Why would I want to do that, it sounds backwards.

 

[clee01l]

Why would I want to do that, it sounds backwards.

If you notice the Keyword example that I used begins with the "@" which not only sorts to the top of the Keyword List but also indicated (to me) that this keyword will not appear on any image that I export. IOW an internal to Lightroom keyword not seen anywhere else. If you are going to be using the keywords "art" and "casual" and want them shown on every export containing them that's fine and your choice. But for me, I use lots of these non-publishing keywords in Smart Collections

 

[Ron-Alexander]

If you notice the Keyword example that I used begins with the "@" which not only sorts to the top of the Keyword List but also indicated (to me) that this keyword will not appear on any image that I export. IOW an internal to Lightroom keyword not seen anywhere else. If you are going to be using the keywords "art" and "casual" and want them shown on every export containing them that's fine and your choice. But for me, I use lots of these non-publishing keywords in Smart Collections

View attachment 29263

Ah, now I get it. Can you share a few more 'non-publishing' keywords? I understand the sort part and the @ as a 'special' indicator, but I'm just not sure where/how those attributes would be used in general. Also, a former IT guy, although at IBM we called it IS. 67 to 81.

 

[clee01l]

Ah, now I get it. Can you share a few more 'non-publishing' keywords? I understand the sort part and the @ as a 'special' indicator, but I'm just not sure where/how those attributes would be used in general. Also, a former IT guy, although at IBM we called it IS. 67 to 81.

Here's a few from the top of my ... list.

 

[Califdan]

If you plan to use LR/Cloud (eg to get images from your iPhone into LrC), be aware that you can only link one LrC catalog to your adobe cloud repository. This should be considered if you are thinking about the 2 catalog option as only one of those two will be able to sync with LR/Cloud.

 

[PhilBurton]

The right way to go IMO is to create Smart Collections that use criteria to self populate. They work similar to the Filter bar at the top of the grid view.

Concur 100%.

I have very few static Collections relying instead on Smart Collections to aide my workflow. John Beardsworth has a Workflow Smart Collections process that I have adopted and extended to include Publish Services.

John Beardsworth's process is very flexible and adaptable. I also use it to track my import/keyword/develop/etc workflow.

On ingest,all photos go into one more collections and/or smart collections. Keywords are key to supporting this approach.

 

[Ron-Alexander]

If you plan to use LR/Cloud (eg to get images from your iPhone into LrC), be aware that you can only link one LrC catalog to your adobe cloud repository. This should be considered if you are thinking about the 2 catalog option as only one of those two will be able to sync with LR/Cloud.

I don't use the cloud. 99% of my internet traffic is at home, and my phone only costs me $ 45 CDN/$30 USD because I spend a significant amount of time outside cell phone reception. My wife's phone is only $ 25 CDN/$18 USD. The ironic part is that before we moved, we lived in a part of Cajada where we were surrounded by all kinds of free WiFi, and our cell reception didn't even cover the entire highway into town. My family was worried that if something happened while I was out fishing or hunting, I couldn't call for help, but the new iPhones have satellite calling

 

[clee01l]

I don't use the cloud. 99% of my internet traffic is at home, and my phone only costs me $ 45 CDN/$30 USD because I spend a significant amount of time outside cell phone reception. My wife's phone is only $ 25 CDN/$18 USD. The ironic part is that before we moved, we lived in a part of Cajada where we were surrounded by all kinds of free WiFi, and our cell reception didn't even cover the entire highway into town. My family was worried that if something happened while I was out fishing or hunting, I couldn't call for help, but the new iPhones have satellite calling

It is difficult to imagine living in a place without internet. (Not WiFi but Ethernet) AT&T provides Gigabit and faster via Fiber to my wiring closet in my home. Even if I lived in a place with out wired service, I believe I would subscribe to Starlink's WiFi service which is up to 400mips. Starlink is available through out most of the modern world states. and even parts of Africa. For some years not I have eliminated cable TV infavor of a faster cheaper internets services. If I were a frequent traveler, I would sign up for Starlink's Roaming plan. instead of a residential plan.

If you have internet, then you are missing out on one of the best parts of your Adobe Subscription. You already have 1TB of Cloud storage ,evidently going unused.

 

[Ron-Alexander]

It is difficult to imagine living in a place without internet. (Not WiFi but Ethernet) AT&T provides Gigabit and faster via Fiber to my wiring closet in my home. Even if I lived in a place with out wired service, I believe I would subscribe to Starlink's WiFi service which is up to 400mips. Starlink is available through out most of the modern world states. and even parts of Africa. For some years not I have eliminated cable TV infavor of a faster cheaper internets services. If I were a frequent traveler, I would sign up for Starlink's Roaming plan. instead of a residential plan.

If you have internet, then you are missing out on one of the best parts of your Adobe Subscription. You already have 1TB of Cloud storage ,evidently going unused.

I also have so-called gigabit over cable, but NO TV; everything I watch is on the internet. When I first moved to the lake house, we had a very slow 2400 bps (it was supposed to be 9600). Turns out the Bell switch was the last pre-digital switch in Canada (forget the name). I then got some sort of satellite service, but it was maybe 9600 until they finally erected a tower at the end of my driveway. Not sure of the tech, but it was ok. Then we sold the house and moved into the RV. I have never been wealthy enough to afford the $150 ish some people pay for cellular internet, so I learned to live without it. While at the lake (2004 - 2017), there was no Starlink. When we had the RV, we were lucky enough to piggyback (steal) on the park's WiFi. By the time we got back to our small town, it had been wired with fibre. It's $100ish with NO TV. I can't imagine what I am missing out on; I lack for nothing. The marketing people at Adobe must love you. Ah, I see you are in TX. Bigger is better, eh?

 

[Replytoken]

These family/travel photos may never get looked at again but I don't want to get rid of them either.

Slightly OT, but a thought to consider, many find that these photos are the ones that have the most value after the photographer has passed. If you have family members that might have interest in these photos, you may want to plan for a place to put exported copies so they are available. This does not necessarily change how you want to keep your art photos separate, but it may have an impact on how you make the family photos, or exports of them available.

--Ken

 

[Ron-Alexander]

Slightly OT, but a thought to consider, many find that these photos are the ones that have the most value after the photographer has passed. If you have family members that might have interest in these photos, you may want to plan for a place to put exported copies so they are available. This does not necessarily change how you want to keep your art photos separate, but it may have an impact on how you make the family photos, or exports of them available.

--Ken

I already gave each kid 'their' photos.