More than 9999 images: best practice?

[morepix]

Thanks for the input. Two questions:

1. What method do you use to do the actual rename? Not manually, I hope ...

2. With a sequence number appended to the date, if you wanted to be able to take 100-999 exposures in a day and have them sort in the correct time order you would have to use three digits (001, 002, 003 ...) for the sequence. Is that what you do?

I rename the pictures before dumping them into the computer in the
following fashon: 0726061, 0726062, 072606..., 072606n ...

--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[Arfman]

I just use different folders for each shoot. Most shoots have 100-200 images in them, so I never run into that problem

 

[larrytusaz]

The guy who left his image-names the same but added the date as as prefix, that is the best fix I've read so far. I've considered that, the only thing is that it would seem to make the file-name rather long.

I shoot with a Nikon D50, same difference--it names its images DSC_xxxx.jpg.

Before I get into my system, I will mention one program I found handy for renaming--Explorer XP. ( http://www.explorerxp.com/ ) It's a freeware file-manager progam, and it has a rather powerful batch-renaming utility. It also has "tabbed file browsing," so you can have multiple file paths open simultaneously as separate "tabs" (like websites with Mozilla) and then easily drag-drop files by dragging from tab-to-tab.

Also, if you have Nikon View installed (I use it rather than Picture Project), it has a renaming tool built-in as well, although it's not as powerful.

Anyhow, I developed a system which may not be the best, I am always rethinking it, not sure if I could do it some way that's better, but here is how it runs currently:

I have a folder for each camera (in this case, Nikon D50), and underneath there are 3 folders--JPEG, RAW, and UNSORTED.

First-off, I download all photos by simply copying/pasting the "100NCD50" from the SD card into the "unsorted" folder so I can "clean them up" before I "integrate" them with the others. I will then rename this folder "100NCD50-1" (add the -1 part) so that if I download more later before I've "integrated" these with the others I can prevent "cross-contimation" of names (the next batch I'll rename 100NCD50-2, then 100NCD50-3, etc).

I immediately convert the files to lowercase names (websites seem to like lowercase names better, so I'm pre-emptively striking that potential problem).

I move the NEF files (if there are any) to an "NEF" folder within the "100NCD50" folder

I add the "nbj" suffix to JPEGs which were shot in RAW+BASIC mode (nbj standing for Nef + Basic Jpeg) so I can immediately recognize them as less than full-quality JPEGs and so I can easily see that there is a RAW file "original" of such shots

Later on, when I organize the "unsorted" shots:

I then create folders in the JPEG folder for those shots based on when they were shots. Pictures taken today, for example, would have a folder named 2006-07-26. I then move the JPEGs from the "100NCD50" folder within "unsorted" to this new folder

I do likewise for the RAW files. I then delete the empty folders under "unorganized."

The neat thing about Explorer XP is that you have "tabbed browsing" so I can have "unsorted" and "JPEG" and "RAW" open as separate tabs, and then just drap-drop real easily from one to the other.

The thing I don't like about my system is that:

With my first digital, a simple P/S back in 2003, I devised a system where the file was renamed totally, as yyyy_mm_dd_xxx.jpeg (and I still do this with my current "simple" P/S, Sony DSC-W1). I didn't do likewise when I got my first "serious," a Coolpix 5700 because (a) I still had the cheap P/S and I couldn't have duplicate filenames between the two cameras and (b) the JPEG and RAW files would not have matching names so you couldn't link them together.

I don't know that this solves your dilemma, except that since images are organized by JPEG and then by date-time there is no "cross contamination," unless you copy them to a "reprint" folder for having the lab process it and you happen to have the same 2 images there.

I hope I helped. Mainly, I hope someone reads my system and advised me how I could do better.

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
Nikon Dee-50, click profile for more on gear

 

[larrytusaz]

I rename the pictures before dumping them into the computer in the
following fashon: 0726061, 0726062, 072606..., 072606n. This way I
never have 2 files with the same name and I can tell when the
picture was taken just by its filename. I use rename star, but you
can do it with picture project as well as with many other
applications.

I had thought of doing something exactly like that, except for one thing--unless you take every single shot in RAW, the renumbering will mean that your RAW-original will have a different name than the JPEG derived from it, so your JPEG won't "match up" with the NEF file associated with it.

I never found a way around that, otherwise I would've adopted that method myself. Did you find a way around it, or do you only shoot in JPEG so it's not an issue?

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
Nikon Dee-50, click profile for more on gear

 

[jamesdc1]

I let Nikon Transfer name the files...

"20060726-hhmmss"

Somtimes it will add a -01 if you have more than 1 picture in the same second. This name makes the pics sort in the order taken.

I also have a folder for each event called "20060726 name of event"
These will also sort in the proper order.

--
http://www.jamesdc.net
-James-

 

[RLD]

--

Until recently I left the filenames unchanged, but would add a suffix to edited files to keep the original as a backup. For example DSC_2056.nef would become DSC_2056A.nef after editing.

I kept things organized by using subdirectories for each year, month, and finally photo shoot. For example:
2004\...
2005\...
2006\...
2006\0601_Jan...
2006\0602_Feb...
2006\0603_Mar...
2006\0603_Mar\060315_TemescalBeach...
2006\0603_Mar\060321_Getty_Museum..
2006\0603_Mar\060321_Getty_Museum\DSC_2056.nef
2006\0603_Mar\060321_Getty_Museum\DSC_2056.jpg
2006\0603_Mar\060321_Getty_Museum\DSC_2057.nef
2006\0603_Mar\060321_Getty_Museum\DSC_2057.jpg

Since reading the DAM Book ( http://www.theDAMBook.com ) I've begun renaming files, and adding IPTC data such as name copyright info, etc. during transfer to the directories. I also set the file attribute to Read Only for the originals.

In renaming the files I've begun adding the shooting date, my initials, and deleting the DSC from the original filename. For example:
DSC_2056.nef, and
DSC_2056.jpg
become,
RLD_060726_2056.nef and,
RLD_060726_2056.jpg

This preserves the camera number, adds a date which ties the file back to the directory tree, assures uniqueness if the numbers repeat later, and adds a personal identifier.

Earlier the Breeze Systems program Downloader Pro was recommended. I'll second that. ( http://www.breezesys.com ) Downloader Pro has amazing versatility for photo image files. It will rename using various parameters from the image file. It will even delay changing the date until 3 hours after midnight for New Years Eve photos.

Downloaded Pro also provides IPTC forms to fill out and will transfer the data into the image files while downloading.

MY getting organized is still a "work in progress".
RLD

 

[pgordito]

...I thought this could be of some help for those who use downloaderpro:

1.Go to: file\preferences

2. In filename I use: "D70-02-%o-ISO%i-%K1mm-f%K2-1!%K3s"

3. In download directory I use: "D:\Fotografia\D70\img_NEFs\%1\%1-%2-%3"

And as you can have more than one definition I also use:

"D:\Fotografia\P93\%Y\%1-%2-%3\" for my sony p93 as download directory and
"P93-01-%o-ISO%i-%K1mm-f%K2-1!%K3s" for my sony P93 download filename

Hope that helps.

Regards,
Pedro

 

[Marcello Zini]

Thanks for the input. Two questions:

1. What method do you use to do the actual rename? Not manually, I
hope ...

I use an application called "rename star" but as I said it can be done with other batch renaming applications

2. With a sequence number appended to the date, if you wanted to be
able to take 100-999 exposures in a day and have them sort in the
correct time order you would have to use three digits (001, 002,
003 ...) for the sequence. Is that what you do?

no, they start from 1 with no zeroes, but I use the "sort by: picture taken on" function (windows)

any other question I'm here

--
...slowly building my gallery at http://marcello.zoto.com/galleries

/\arcello
NikonD70_ 18.70DX 50.f1.8D SB600
SonyF717_wa_tele
[my signature shouldn't contribute to any forum search]

 

[RBH]

I already had to deal with this issue (albeit for a different reason) , my D70 is my 2nd Nikon digital so I already have duplicate file names. What I've been doing is creating year-month folders (ex: 0607) that I copy all my shots (and scans) for the month into. Beyond that I use Picasa to catagorize them.

Now, this was great for the 1st yr or 2 but now I have 60 folders so I'm starting to rethink this metod, but it still works and allowed me to deal with duplicate file names.

--
Bob
F2, N2000, N80, CP-950, D70s

 

[Marcello Zini]

I rename the pictures before dumping them into the computer in the
following fashon: 0726061, 0726062, 072606..., 072606n. This way I
never have 2 files with the same name and I can tell when the
picture was taken just by its filename. I use rename star, but you
can do it with picture project as well as with many other
applications.

I had thought of doing something exactly like that, except for one
thing--unless you take every single shot in RAW, the renumbering
will mean that your RAW-original will have a different name than
the JPEG derived from it, so your JPEG won't "match up" with the
NEF file associated with it.

I never found a way around that, otherwise I would've adopted that
method myself. Did you find a way around it, or do you only shoot
in JPEG so it's not an issue?

if you shoot only raw or only jpg everything is straightforward.
If you shoot raw+jpg then you have 2 options:

1) split the files in two folder, order them using the same criteria and rename each group the same way

2) use Picture Project

it's not an issue for me as i shoot either jpg only or raw only - I don't like jpg basic since I'm on a D70. Hopefully this new D80 will allow raw+jpg of any compression ratio.
--
...slowly building my gallery at http://marcello.zoto.com/galleries

/\arcello
NikonD70_ 18.70DX 50.f1.8D SB600
SonyF717_wa_tele
[my signature shouldn't contribute to any forum search]

 

[morepix]

I was going to implement a renaming scheme. But there's an issue I hadn't even thought of: Another Nikon digital, and you have the same issue all over again -- and so on, until you buy into another camera make, or Nikon changes their in-camera naming scheme so you can change the filename to something other than DSC_... . I don'w want to be stuck with that forever. It would almost be worth dumping Nikon and going to Canon or Pentax to avoid that.

Thanks for the wake-up.

I already had to deal with this issue (albeit for a different
reason) , my D70 is my 2nd Nikon digital so I already have
duplicate file names.

--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[pgordito]

...using downloader pro you can use exif info to automatically rename your files. So if you have D70 in exif you can use it to add that to your file name.

Believe me, if you haven't tried it yet, download it and try for your self.

It's easy, although a little confusing at first.

Regards,
Pedro

 

[genece]

And it seems that the latest version keeps track of the shutter snaps.....I have not yet installed the new version, but as was said it keeps track of all your cameras, and now it seems it will use shutter snaps as a naming tool.
I have asked them to be sure before I install the new version.

I hope I am correct.As that should solve my problem.

--

.

.

------------------------------------------------------------
Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30

D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

 

[f-601]

As I explained (or tried to) earlier, use picture project. It renames, adds dates or timestamps (if you wish), adds a sequential number. This sequential number is maintained on your PC. You can select any number range you like. The in camera numbers become irrelevant. Even if you would start using several nikon DSLRS or what ever, it would still import your files and numbers/names them according to your plans.
Cheap and easy, what else does one need ;-)

 

[morepix]

I hear you. I'm about to reinstall it on my PC and give it another try. Question: Could it also be used to transfer gobs of images from a portable hard drive like an Epson P2000?

As I explained (or tried to) earlier, use picture project. Cheap and easy, what else does one need ;-)

--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[morepix]

Well, I may be a dunce, but I can't find anything in Picture Project that provides for renaming image files as they're transferred from the memory card. Oh, well ...
--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[morepix]

What a great program! I just downloaded it, tried it, and bought it. Thanks.
--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[morepix]

What does "shutter snaps" mean? The actual number of times the shutter has been triggered? And if so, where would Downloader Pro get that info?
--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

 

[genece]

It is included in the exif while not all programs can read it ,programs such as Iexif display the snaps. It also will display the ISO which many other readers do not show.

http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/

What does "shutter snaps" mean? The actual number of times the
shutter has been triggered? And if so, where would Downloader Pro
get that info?
--
http://www.pbase.com/morepix

--

.

.

------------------------------------------------------------
Gene
From Western PA.

Panasonic FZ 20 and FZ30

D50 and lenses.

http://imageevent.com/grc6



Just trying to learn and it's slow going!

 

[larrytusaz]

I have seen "The Rename" recommended a lot as a renaming utility. I downloaded it, used it, and I do want to report a significant problem with the program which I encountered.

The significant problem is that any files/folders edited with this program then end up being unable to be renamed again, deleted, whatever. I was trying some "practice" files with this program and would then have to start over, and I'd try deleting the files so that when I re-downloaded off the card I wouldn't have any "clutter."

But even after shutting "The Rename" all the way down, and trying out some known "fixes" recommended for this scenario, nonetheless Windows would INSIST that the files were "currently in use by another program" or whatever and Windows would stubbornly refuse to let me delete them.

So, everytime I wanted to start over and try again, I'd have to reboot, every single time.

Watch out for that.

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/
Nikon Dee-50, click profile for more on gear