Timely! Getting back into photography, I just set up a new workflow to process my RAW photos. And trying to be better about not keeping my everyday snaps unless they are worth keeping.
All about intentionality!
I’ve also just dusted off my DSLR. What software are you using to process your RAW photos?
I decided to go with Lightroom. Seemed like it scratched the itch well and worked on multiple platforms. I do most of my editing on the Mac, but it’s nice to have the same software on the iPad when I’m traveling.
My workflow isn’t completely locked yet, but it’s basically:
- Import RAW files into Lightroom
- Cull images immediately
- Edit remaining, kind of splitting into “art” or “daily” type pictures
- Pictures get exported into JPEG to a folder on my desktop
- Drag images from folder into Photos for storage
- Add in rough (or specific if it’s obvious) location data into meta data manually.
- Permanently delete “daily” type picture RAW files from Lightroom (remember, their JPEGs are in Photos)
- File “art” RAW files into albums in Lightroom
My goal is to not have RAW files in Photos…I’m not looking to balloon my Photos library. Instead, I only keep more “artistic” RAW files in Lightroom cloud, but I’m very picky what I keep. I am trying to be ruthless with my culling overall.
That process may sound complicated, but it actually moves pretty quick!
Good episode. Here’s some additional info for those that want to backup their Photos Library to Google Photos.
If you have a lot of photos Apple will send a copy of your library to Google Photos.
I don’t take a lot of photos so I have Google Photos installed on my iPhone and just open the app, when it is convenient, after taking new photos. But you can install Google Drive for Desktop on your Mac and it will automatically sync new images that are added to your Photos Library.
And FYI, You can share photos, videos, albums, and highlight videos with any number of your contacts from Google Photos. Instructions for Mac and iPhone are included in the following link.
Its not a cloud based backup, but I think Immich should get a shoutout here!
A really nice tool for selfhosting your own photo library. The UI is very similar to Google Photos and it has some nice features with search and faces similar to whats mentioned in the episode.
Thanks for the info. I would potentially use as an individual. Theres 25 pricing and 100 pricing. Can you explain the differences between the two options for an individual?
Immich is actually free to use.
The paid options are only contributions you can make to support the project and future development!
Ah, I didn’t realize that. Okay, I’ll definitely explore Immich more!
No sure Stephen is exactly correct on using BackBlaze to back up the Photos library. My Photos library was recently corrupted and I recovered it from BackBlaze with no issue. In fact, it had been a while since I needed to recover anything from BackBlaze and was amazed at how fast I was able to download it. Was back up and running in short order (I have nearly 100K photos so it did require a couple days for iCloud to verify everything). My Photos library is on an external drive, but it still syncs with iCloud so at least in my case syncing with iCloud is not a deal breaker for BackBlaze backup.
Wanted to introduce you all to my On This Day Rewind photos app.
It surfaces photos taken on this date in past years.
To me this also became a great way to cleanup the photo library a bit every day 
App Store Link:
https://apps.apple.com/de/app/on-this-day-rewind/id6754617354?l=en-GB
App Landing page: FlohGro - On This Day
Sometimes Pixelmator for using with thumbnails, other times just dragging into the Photos app, and rarely I’ll bring something into Lightroom.
Good call, will mention!
We haveeven more follow-up on backblaze coming in the next feedback episode. They’ve apparently back-pedaled on some things so will get back soon.
I look forward to hearing more how this progresses. Although it won’t make me go back to them as a customer with how they handled all of this.
I think people are too quick to blame Apple. I’ve heard it on MPU and many other Relay podcasts that the fault lies with Apple and how they changed the file provider/cloud APIs. Apple definitely has a hand in this, but it’s on Backblaze to communicate with their customers. Also, forgive me for not being quick to believe Backblaze when Arq seems to do this just fine (as does iDrive I believe)…
Hi all, Mr. Robles mentioned that he uses a photo style created by Austin Mann so that photos are a bit warmer in their look. I cruised around Austin Mann’s website but I didn’t find anything. Anyone happen to know what these settings are?
Hello power users,
I wanted to share a service I have been using related to photo storage after hearing episode 849. The name of the company is called “Forever” and is hosted at forever.com. They are in the business of memory keeping as they like to put it.
Their primary product is digital storage. It is essentially a cloud hosted photo album system similar to the Amazon, Google, and Apple’s systems. The dollars you spend to store your memories go towards permanently owning that space. Think of it as an asset like a real estate–you own it which eliminates privacy concerns that arise from free services. Not only that, Forever guarantees that your files will be available for future generations–100 years and beyond. Some of those dollars go into a fund and are invested similar to a University endowment. That is the mechanism to ensure their guarantee.
Some other services they provide are:
- A robust digitization service that scans physical photos and scrapbooks and also converts VHS, film, audio cassettes, etc.
- A print service to make physical photo books, cards, calendars, mugs, and more for gifting and sharing
Full disclosure. I am one of their “Ambassadors”. It’s their word-of-mouth consultants that earn a referral commission as a way to grow their business. I am not much of a salesman and mostly use the status for the discounts afforded to Ambassadors. So, no referral links here. I just wanted to give you another photo storage and organization service option.
Cheers!
Power User Ryan