Bucket strategies

[Rick McCleary]

Hi Peter -

As I implement this new system of cataloging/archiving, I am creating buckets for new images prior to cataloging them so their location on the JBOD hard drive is permanent, thus making the path that iView uses unambiguous.  So far so good.  However, lurking on another peripheral hard drive (and backed up to DVD's!) are about 60Gb worth of RAW files that were shot prior to my starting to use your system.  I'll have to start chipping away at this backlog of images as time allows.

My question:
Is there any reason to keep my buckets chronological?  Should I reserve some bucket numbers for the earlier-shot files?  I don't think so, but you may have a different thought.

Thanks - Rick

[peterkrogh]

Rick,
Page 258, I do suggest keeping this stuff in earlier sequence buckets.  There's no imperative here absolutely, but that's what I would suggest.

In general, a chronological structure helps you apply the appropriate attention to the asset. That said, you might be in a current situation where you need to get the new stuff dealt with, and don't have time to do ANYTHING with the old stuff. 

If I were you, I would probably start numbering the new buckets at 020, and bring the old stuff in as time allows.
Peter

[Rick McCleary]

Makes sense.  Thanks.

[glenrob]

Slight digression here.  I also have about 60+ GB of images.  I shoot events (Retriever Field Trials and Hunt Tests) and currently name my files as yyyymmdd-hhmmss.EXT.  The directory structure is as follows: \YYYY Photos\YYYY-MM\Originals   -   \YYYY Photos\YYYY-MM\Output Print   -   \YYYY Photos\YYYY-MM\Output Web   -   etc.  Also, I shoot with several camera's (setting the date time with WWV immediately prior to the event in all cameras).

I use Photo Mechanic for initial screening and to rename the files to {datesort}-{timesort}.EXT and have scripts on my website to post JPGs by date and time based on the filename.  I have no problem puting the Originals into directories starting with RAW and probably the Output into directories starting with DRV.  However, I'm not sure how to proceed for more detailed naming of the directories.  The largest storage will probably be from Originals because other than generating small JPGs for the website, I only create Output Print files for orders, and I have saved these because they are tweaked (and named accordingly) in PS for specific printer/papers. 

I like buckets because it makes it easy to backup and keep track of things and I like your idea of upgrading sizes as needed with original disks being reused in the archive.  One thought I had was to use the CD archived JPGs for each event that I use to put up on the website and for copyright submission in a third directory structure: 1 - RAW; 2 - DRV; 3 - WCR.  The WCR directory would have subdirectories (event name) with the relevant yyyymmdd-hhmmss.jpg files under it.  Would it make sense then (and is it possible) to rename files in the RAW and DRV directories to sequence names and keep the yyyymmdd-hhmmss name in metadata.  Alternatively, since the data Photo Mechanic originally used was in the metadata anyway (i.e., Photo Mechanic could reconstruct it) could I just keyword/tag by the filename. 

I'm at a natural lull in my business (the folks with retrievers are hunting them, not competing with them), so this is a good time to set up a robust DAM and, if possible, migrate my current adhoc DAM into it.

I am not yet committed to a particular software.  I'm leaning towards Iview because of DNG support.

Glen

[peterkrogh]

One thought I had was to use the CD archived JPGs for each event that I use to put up on the website and for copyright submission in a third directory structure: 1 - RAW; 2 - DRV; 3 - WCR.  The WCR directory would have subdirectories (event name) with the relevant yyyymmdd-hhmmss.jpg files under it.  Would it make sense then (and is it possible) to rename files in the RAW and DRV directories to sequence names and keep the yyyymmdd-hhmmss name in metadata.  Alternatively, since the data Photo Mechanic originally used was in the metadata anyway (i.e., Photo Mechanic could reconstruct it) could I just keyword/tag by the filename. 

Why do you want to rename?  I don't see the benefit.  If you like the way you are doing it, then keep this system,  It generates unique names and lines up in order.  There are several ways to put the old name in metadata, but I'm not sure why you would want to do it.

If you want to go to a new naming structure, maybe Jan1, 2006 would be a good time to switch.

Rather than trying to use the Web Galleries as a content guide, I strongly suggest DAM software to do that.  Use Catalog Sets or Keywords to keep the material organized by subject.  I do keep my web galleries in a separate directory (actually, they all fit in one bucket. It takes a long time to make 4 gigs of web galleries.)

And keep in mind one of my main rules.  Get the new system up and running before you try to tackle the old stuff.  It will all become more clear once you have started using DAM software and feel comfortable with the new system.

Peter