Google Search Guideline
I turned to Google for advice. They suggested to make your filename a good description of the subject matter of the image. This descriptive filename can give Google clues about the subject matter of the image. For example, Valley-of-Fire-0806.jpg is a lot more informative than DSC0806.JPG. This solution gave me the best of both worlds. By giving my images a descriptive name, I could find them outside of Lightroom on my local computer plus find them on the net.
Keeping the four numbering sequence
I’ve heard photographers suggest to always start the numbering sequence at zero when importing your images into Lightroom. Example: Valley-of-Fire-0001.NEF. This option could create duplicate filenames if you photograph a person or the same location on a regular basis. I prefer to keep my cameras default numbering sequence. I have about 197,000 photos in my Lightroom Catalog and have yet to have a duplicate name.
Exporting images
Now that I have my naming structure set, I keep the same structure when I export my images. The only difference is the file extension. Example: Jaci Schreckengost-6117.NEF becomes Jaci Schreckengost-6117.jpg when exported. If I make multiple edits to an image, I add a version number after the sequence number plus added information if I need it. Example: Jaci Schreckengost-6117-2-BW.jpg. This tells me I edited the original file Jaci Schreckengost-6117.NEF twice plus I made this copy Black and White.
Suggestions
Portraits: Full Name-sequence number
Delaney Goff-3497.NEF
Events: Year_Month_Day-sequence number_Team name_vs_Team name
2014_05_03-1005_Syracuse_vs_Colgate.NEF
Location: Year_City_State-sequence number
2015_Saint Augustine_FL-1030.NEF
Artwork: Name of the art piece-original sequence number
The Aviator-0806.jpg
Wildlife: Name-sequence number
Baby_Limpkin-0116.NEF
Vanelli
Currently he is teaching workshops, writing for Photofocus and creating tutorials for various plug-in companies and for the Vanelli and Friends series.
You can find out more about Vanelli at www.VanelliandFriends.com
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You said:
Events: Year_Month_Day-sequence number_Team name_vs_Team name
2014_05_03-1005_Syracuse_vs_Colgate.NEF
Can you make the difference between the event in May 2014 and the one March 2014?
What about:
Team name-vs-Team name-YYYYMMDD-NNNN.nef
1. Google prefers dashes to underlines
2. You will be able to quickly identify the files of Team name and when…
3. Everybody else will be able to quickly identify the files of Team name and when…
4. If these teams meet on regular basis, you will be able to find the photos consecutively, then select them…
Thanks for the update on using a dash. I tried the name of the team first but it didn’t work in my work flow because the teams all played each other so the order would be off. The date helps me keep the shoots in order and keywords helps me filter the teams.
I don’t rename my images when being imported into Lightroom. I don’t think it really matters in the catalog. I rename my images when I export to something descriptive and your post has some good suggestions on naming conventions.
Thanks! If your system works for you, don’t change it. Borrow ideas from others that work in your work flow. For me, Keeping the original file number helps me if a client asks for an image they have seen on my site or I’ve given them. Facebook renames your images and I find it hard to go back a year later and find it.
I use a similar system: Location – date – filenumber from Bridge
Kleifarvatn-10012016_0D8A2558.tif
As a Web developer, proper naming of photos and art have always been a big point in regards to getting ranked and found on search engines. As a photographer, I love that ON1’s Photo 10 has meta tags that I can assign to each photo for a complete description that may include colors, settings and much more detail (and a bit less clunky than renaming each photo to boot).
Yes very good suggestions! I had not considered different categories having different naming conventions. I like it.
These guidelines are very useful!