One of the advantages to a digital camera is that you can take many, many photos. This is great so you can capture special moments, but how do you deal with hundreds of photos in your camera? Here is a workflow system that I have found helpful in working with digital photos in my camera. First and foremost burn a “Digital Negative CD” from your downloaded photos (very important)! In your file browser/viewer quickly view all of your new photos. Don’t fall in love with some of your first photos and then spend time working on them, but view all of them first. Otherwise, what can happen (has happened to me too many times) is that you spend a lot of time on one of your first viewed photos, thinking it was good, only to find that there are even better photos in your group of photos. So view all of your recent photos. This also gives you an idea of what different subjects you might have captured on one memory card. Make descriptive file names from the photos you viewed (i.e. Aunt Sues Birthday, Christmas 2004, etc.). With hundreds of photos taken and possibly on different days it is hard to decide on a file name(s), and maybe you need many new descriptive named files (i.e. birthdays, sunsets, relatives, animals, etc.)! Now that you know what is on your Digital Neg CD it is time to start picking the best shots or the shots that matter the most to you. Most Browser Programs (i.e. Photoshop Elements 3, Camedia, Canon File Viewer, Nikon Viewer, etc.) allow you to click on a photo in the browser and copy it to another location (your new descriptive named file). I usually open and work from my Digital Neg CD, that way I know I can’t destroy my original photos and the computer is sure to make a copy not just relocate the file. Once all your photos have been picked through and the best ones put in their own descriptive file, you can then start working with them (adjust size, color, etc.)! At first this might seem difficult and/or too time consuming, but when you get into the habit you will find it very rewarding and have more peace of mind knowing the photo you just destroyed can be resurrected from the Digital Neg CD. For more information on the digital photo process go to web link: www.duanebrovan.com/digitaltips or go to www.GoShingletown.com and click on the Free Digital Tips Icon. Join Duane’s Digital Tips Newsletter. Duane Brovan is available for digital photo consultations and tutoring: Call 474-4041 Email: Duane@DuaneBrovan.com
