Lightroom 5 & Elements 12 - workflow and organisation options?

[LostInSpace]

I've just bought a new iMac and as part of the upgrade decided to move to Lightroom 5 and Elements 12 from iPhoto and Aperture. Whilst iPhoto and Aperture were a good place to start and Aperture is a reasonable product, it's roadmap is unclear and it doesn't have the editing options of the Adobe suite.

So, what would you recommend for my workflow?

Should I download direct from the memory card or via Canon's DPP software?

 

[hollis_f]

Should I download direct from the memory card or via Canon's DPP software?

Don't bother with DPP.

Import from the card into LightRoom.

• Copy the images into a sensible folder structure (lots of people like using Year | Month | Date as a folder hierarchy). LR can automate this.
  
• It's also a good idea to use the rename options to rename the files. LightRoom has a load of custom options so you can get meaningful filenames.
• If you've got a spare hard drive then LR also has the option of saving a copy of each image to an alternative drive - good for instant backup.
• I like to generate 1:1 previews when I import - slows down the import process, but speeds thing up later.
• Then I like to just scan through in Library mode to ensure that all the images were copied across - before I reformat the memory card.
• Next it's time to cull the rubbish -

• Set 'Caps lock' to 'On' and display the first image full screen.
• If it's rubbish press 'X'
• If it's great press 'P'
• If it's undecided press 'U' (or the right arrow key).
• Then press 'Ctrl Backspace' to delete all the 'X' - marked images.
• If required you can go back and look at those 'U' images again and repeat the process.

Now you've got your pics into LR and you've disposed of the rubbish. That's a very good start.

 

[manda]

Good to hear your approach - I'm dreadful at keeping all my images. Must learn to be more ruthless!