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Author Topic: Managing image crop versions  (Read 3520 times)

pdm

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Managing image crop versions
« on: July 11, 2009, 09:24:36 pm »

I was hoping people could share their methods for managing multiple cropped versions of images in Lightroom. Normally when i've done fine art prints for myself, I print my images at whatever size best suited the image, so I didn't really have multiple crops of a single image. Now, I'm starting to produce images that multiple third parties may want a print of, so Im ending up with having to have multiple crop sizes. Just looking for some ideas if anyone has them on how to manage multiple crop sizes. Obviously virtual copies is part of the solution here, but are tags the right way to go to label them or what?

Thanks for input.

-pdm
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wolfnowl

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2009, 01:14:27 am »

Well, I haven't encountered this situation, but since you can't give a virtual copy a different filename (that I know of), a keyword of 8x10 or 11x14 or 20x30 would make sense to me.  It would also allow you to create a smart collection of all of your 12x16 files for example, based on keywords (a virtual copy can have different keywords than the original, I checked).

Mike.
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john beardsworth

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2009, 01:42:28 am »

Virtual copies have a Copy Name field, which defaults to Copy 1, Copy 2 etc. Use this, and enter a meaningful name, and keep keywords for describing the image. You can search on Copy Name through the filter panel or in smart collections.

John
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pdm

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2009, 10:28:02 am »

Copy Name looks like it will be very useful, I didn't know about that at all. I modified my Loupe and grid info settings to show copy name now so I can see it easily. I wish I could edit copy name without having to go back to Library module, but this may solve my problem.
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pegelli

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2009, 01:57:30 pm »

I use the snapshot feature for multiple versions/processings of the same picture, and name it by version/characteristic. Since I don't need it on a lot of my pictures I find it easier to remember, as sometimes I forget the existence of a virtual copy (and have created "virtually" identical copies several times because of that )
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pieter, aka pegelli

john beardsworth

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2009, 04:14:29 pm »

Someone put this very well in a post on an other forum - Snapshots are an editing tool, not a management/output tool.

John
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pdm

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #6 on: July 12, 2009, 11:17:36 pm »

Quote from: johnbeardy
Someone put this very well in a post on an other forum - Snapshots are an editing tool, not a management/output tool.

I can probably agree with that statement, however I don't see a better way to do it with LR's current feature set and you haven't offered one. It might be nice if the crop tool allowed you to save multiple named crops for a single image. Maybe during output phase you could pick which crop you wanted via some method.  For now virtual copies seem to be the only instrument I have to accomplish this.
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Schewe

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #7 on: July 12, 2009, 11:36:07 pm »

Quote from: pdm
Now, I'm starting to produce images that multiple third parties may want a print of, so Im ending up with having to have multiple crop sizes. Just looking for some ideas if anyone has them on how to manage multiple crop sizes. Obviously virtual copies is part of the solution here, but are tags the right way to go to label them or what?


I would use Collections for this...and you can make Collections so that they are based on VC's from the original. So, you have your own archive original then you do separate Collections for each and prints size/crop you need. Yes you could even use keywords of some sort and use the Smart Collections that might be overkill.

The main advantage of Collections is that Collections show up in the Print module so all you need to do to print a specific size/crop is go to that Collection. I use this feature for all my print shows. Keeps my originals original and the VC's tweaked for the prints.
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john beardsworth

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2009, 03:25:35 am »

Quote from: pdm
I can probably agree with that statement, however I don't see a better way to do it with LR's current feature set and you haven't offered one.
It was me who gave you the solution in my earlier post.

Jeff's mention of collections being visible in other workspaces is a good point. Name the copy, and use smart collections.

I'll give an example of why it's a bad idea to pollute keywords with non-descriptive metadata such as crop information. The other day I was adding a feature to someone's export plug-in and noticed that it included keywords marked in LR as not being for export. So anyone using it has been exporting private keywords which could obviously be messy or embarrassing. Sooner or later, if you're too clever with keywords, something catches you out.

John
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pegelli

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #9 on: July 13, 2009, 04:40:36 am »

Quote from: johnbeardy
Someone put this very well in a post on an other forum - Snapshots are an editing tool, not a management/output tool.

John

  , I think you're right, I am using the handle of a screwdriver to drive in a nail. But for my infrequent use it does the job.

Btw, I like Jeff Schewe's suggestion a lot. If I start needing something like that for more frequent use I'll probably adopt that workflow. I think storing VC's in separate collections will be a cure for me forgetting about their existence.
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pieter, aka pegelli

pdm

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Managing image crop versions
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2009, 12:12:32 am »

Quote from: johnbeardy
It was me who gave you the solution in my earlier post.

Jeff's mention of collections being visible in other workspaces is a good point. Name the copy, and use smart collections.

I clearly mis-read snapshot for virtual copy some how.  Sorry, I really do appreciate your suggestions. I think I have something that can work for me now. Really appreciate everyone's input.
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