Organization Question

I'm new to Aperture also and am beginning to migrate all of my photos into it.

What I have finally settled on is a folder structure for projects which I keyword at import. I then create a folder called "Cities" and create a Smart Album called "London", "Paris" etc ... within that folder. Any photo with London in the keyword is automatically sent to the "London" Smart Album from the project because that is what instruction I gave the Smart Album. I set my Smart Albums up by asking it to look for specific keywords.

Off Topic: Another nice feature was the ability to change the time zone on import because I accidently left my camera set to EST while shooting in other time zones.

I'm still a beginner and getting organized in Aperture but I hope I've helped some.

Kathleen gave great advice regarding keywords and smart folders.

The "tree" folder structure is a throwback to the old days of film where we had to organize around a single film original stored in a single hard location. Work to forget what I call folder-think and look at Aperture as an images database to enjoy the huge benefits of Aperture's modern professional images database workflow.

For most photogs there are major benefits to having all photos (referenced or managed; I recommend referenced) in a single library: keywording, sorting, ranking, etc. E.g. to compile all Venice pix just keyword pix from Venice with the "Venice" keyword during batch import. Twenty years later in a few seconds a keyword search brings up all Venice pix ever taken - or any other applied keywords like "canal," "gondola," "wedding," etc. Or to build a portfolio, search brings up all 5 star images in seconds. Pointers to image files found can then be placed into albums or whatever.

I recommend that we advance beyond the concept of folder-think, which was necessary for film but is totally debilitating to the potential of digital capture. Try using keywords extensively.

The tutorial CD Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 (Apple Pro Training Series) by Ben Long, Richard Harrington, and Orlando Luna provides a good tutorial. Note that the value is in the tutorial, not in using the book as a manual.

HTH

-Allen Wicks

I know I should get away from "folder think" but everything is organized that way in Finder and imported into Aper. that way. I'm not sure I know any other way. I can add key words etc. in Aper. but how would you go about re-organizing 20K worth of photos if they are already organized in the folders in Finder?

Sue

Dear Wm,
Excellent question. One of the very powerful aspects of Aperture is that it can readily adapt to the way you work. I found, prior to Aperture, I was forced to live within the more limited structure of programs. I use Projects for just that -- a specific shoot or outing. I do make lively use of ratings and keywords to find things other ways. I also use Albums to help with subsets of a projects. Smart Albums are way cool -- I even make smart albums by lens type, which helps with my journey to improve my composition. Each of the mechanisms may be basic, but they way you pull it all together is not. I thought hard about my first approach to Aperture organization, but I've found over the time I've used it (2 years now?) that I've evolved my thinking as I've used it and picked up tips here and there. Best of luck -- you'll be able to find your photographs now! -fjglynn

I still prefer to have a chronological hierarchy for my "projects". Other prefer a subject based approach.

I create a Year Folder from the + sign with the drop down arrow.

I then click the import arrow.

All of my files are stored by date created anyway so I don't see the need to change my file structure. It's the way my mind works so I'll stay with that for my organizational purposes.


In the import panel:
I keep my original master file name
I adjust the time zone if needed
I add my caption
byline
copyright notice
city
state
country
general keywords that will go with every image in that project
click import all.

I label the project YYYYMMDD-Broad yet Brief Title so they maintain the file structure.

I make sure the import arrow is pointing to my year folder so the project will reside in there so I can twirl it closed and my list doesn't get too long for the screen size. I can twirl them open as needed.

I go in and keyword the names of people and objects etc ... my command clicking down the images for that project.

I then click on the + w/ drop down arrow again in my projects panel and select new smart album. I think you have to be in the libraries all photos for this to work for all photos. (not positive about that)

I have already nested keywords in the keywords HUD that I use in folders so I can twirl open as needed and they aren't a scattered mess.

I created a blue folder called smart albums
within that folder I have blue folders that I've titled for images most important to me
people>

family
friends
relatives

places
one album for each city

I select the keyword I want for that smart album

In some cases it's a city and in some cases it's a person.

I made a smart album for my daughter so every single image I have of her will be in one location.

I beginning to think of aperture as "the google" for my image library,

Once it's all set up it will be as simple as doing a google search to find anything I want to find provided I keyword on import and again for individual images.

I signed up for the Safari Books Online and am reading the book recommended on this thread. Apple Pro Training Series for Aperture 2.

It's showing me that I need to rethink the order I'm doing things and may add culling earlier in my workflow. Why keyword single images that may wind up in the trash bin?

I recommend that along with the podcasts etc ...

It's a seemingly simple application but I think that the input is going to determine it's ease of use going forward.

Training is necessary for this application. The user manual is good but yawn ... The book is a much more interesting way to learn this application and absorb what it can do for you.

I had always felt like a slave to my image management software and now I'm finally beginning to feel like a master.

Good Luck and Have a Great Time!

Make sure your metadata view in the import dialog contains the 'keywords' field. Then type the keywords in the box, and they will be applied to all imported photos.