Re: how do you name your raw files?

[Newmarket2]

how do you name your raw files?

I'm working on a project with several hundred images shot at different times. I bring these into Lightroom with minimal processing. I sometimes add keywords but never change the name of the RAW file. I then reformat my CF card when it's back in the camera. The result can be multiple images in LR with the same file name. This might get me in trouble down the line and I was wondering if anyone renames files as they import them? or, doesn't think that's a good idea.
ps. I 1st copy the images from my card onto the pc and bring them into LR from the pc. I back up these so my backup copies have the original name from the card.

 

[Mark Sirota]

I rename my files on import to YYYYMMDD-FilenameNumberSuffix.

So I'll only get duplicates if I'm shooting with two cameras on the same day, and the two cameras are close together in terms of file number. If I ever shot with two cameras on the same day, I'd add another token to represent each camera to eliminate that possibility.

Once the files have been renamed on import, they never get renamed again. When I deliver to clients they still have that name.

 

[Denis Pagé]

I do rename to make them look as serial numbers as follows:
{YYYMMDD}_{Cameras' last digits}
An example for an image taken yesterday by camera as _DNC5874.NEF it will become 2''9'9'8-5874.nef

The exact template in Lightroom is
{Date (YYYMMDD»}-{Filename number suffix»}

Using two Nikon cameras I just take care that their number suffix won't overlap.

EDIT: Note that this the date the image was taken and not the import date.

 

[dj_paige]

[quote author=Newmarket2 link=topic=778'.msg53'96#msg53'96 date=1252515467]
I'm working on a project with several hundred images shot at different times. I bring these into Lightroom with minimal processing. I sometimes add keywords but never change the name of the RAW file. I then reformat my CF card when it's back in the camera. The result can be multiple images in LR with the same file name. This might get me in trouble down the line and I was wondering if anyone renames files as they import them? or, doesn't think that's a good idea. [/quote]

I don't see what you mean when you say "this might get me in trouble down the line". Lightroom understands that DSC_'''1.NEF with capture date 2''8/'1/'1 in Folder A is different than DSC_'''1.NEF with capture date 2''9/'9/'9 in Folder B.

I don't rename my photos. They are in folders that are named for the capture date. I haven't run into problems because I don't rename anything, and I don't expect to.

 

[Denis Pagé]

And what if I order your DSC_'''1.NEF image Paige?... :

Depends on the needs of each. But for those who sell online, it is a good idea to have all different names troughout the system.

 

[Newmarket2]

I brought together images of the Pantheon over 3 trips to Rome for a single project. Had such a mess of naming standards and a bunch of file names were the same. I can keep them straight using meta-data, so there was no problem inside of LR, but I then exported them for use in another tool and that's when I ran into a problem with similar names.

I can see that adding date up front would make each one unique, but that does duplicate metadata.

And, although year-mnth-day-dsc_xxx will sort correctly, sometimes (in other applications or in some Windows functions) you can't see the full file name. Then, it's worse - all the names look the same.

 

[dj_paige]

[quote author=Denis Pagé link=topic=778'.msg53113#msg53113 date=1252524747]
And what if I order your DSC_'''1.NEF image Paige?... :

Depends on the needs of each. But for those who sell online, it is a good idea to have all different names troughout the system.
[/quote]

Good point. But this is not a concern of mine at this time. And if it ever becomes a concern, I can rename upon Export

 

[clee01l]

[quote author=dj_paige link=topic=778'.msg53111#msg53111 date=1252524''3]
[quote author=Newmarket2 link=topic=778'.msg53'96#msg53'96 date=1252515467]
I'm working on a project with several hundred images shot at different times. I bring these into Lightroom ... The result can be multiple images in LR with the same file name. This might get me in trouble down the line and I was wondering if anyone renames files as they import them? or, doesn't think that's a good idea. [/quote]

I don't see what you mean when you say "this might get me in trouble down the line". Lightroom understands that DSC_'''1.NEF with capture date 2''8/'1/'1 in Folder A is different than DSC_'''1.NEF with capture date 2''9/'9/'9 in Folder B.

I don't rename my photos. They are in folders that are named for the capture date. I haven't run into problems because I don't rename anything, and I don't expect to.
[/quote]I see no need to rename my photos either. The camers gives me lots of file name flexability with files named AAAAnnnn. The images are numbered continuously for 1',''' images before the 'nnnn' repeats and I can adjust the first 4 characters of the file name to be anything to maintain uniqueness as I choose and I did adjust it for the second 1'''' images. I keep a RAW file for every significant file and derivatives get the same file name plus extensions so I can always find the source if I need to recreate a derivative.
My older body has a fixed file numbering system (IMGPnnnn) and I suspect it will repeat when I trip the odometer at 1',''' images. The files are all stored in a date taken folder so unless I shoot over 1',''' images in a day, there will never be any duplication of folder/file names.

 

[Brad Snyder]

I do YYYYMMDD-HHMMSS-nnnn, where the nnnn is the camera file name numeric suffix, ranging from '''' to 9999. I'd say that 99% of the time or more, that's total overkill, and the camera file name in a dated folder would suffice. But once in a while, the time and sequence # have saved some confusion for me, when my notes were unclear. Since there's no real cost, I continue with that method.

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Ok, here is my method and reasoning.As I shoot with more than one camera sometimes, first I synchronise the time on the cameras although this can be done later in LR but that is more effort.I import to LR without renaming as importing from different cards precludes this.When all files are imported I sort by capture time and rename the NEFs GW2''9'9'9-12345The naming is GW (my initials) 2''9'9'9 (Capture date) 12345 (my consecutive number set at ''''1 for the first file of the year). I don't see myself shooting more than 1''k files in a year!!I then convert to DNG, this retains the original camera generated file name in the metadata.With this my numbering has a sequence and is camera independent.

 

[Replytoken]

Well, for my needs, I find nothing sacred about the name or number that comes out of my camera. I use ImageIngester for renaming and DNG conversion prior to import into LR. The naming scheme that I use involves the date (YYYYMMDD), followed normally by a three digit catalog token (my initials for personal, my work catalog, or my volunteer work), and finally a unique 5-digit sequential serial number. My files are kpet in a date arranged folder structure as well. I know that others like different arrangements, but this arrangement serves my needs and personality best. YMMV.

--Ken