How to use Lightroom CC + Still Export Albums in Lightroom Classic CC

I’ve been using Adobe Lightroom since 1.0, and I’ve evolved a workflow that adapts to some of the limitations in both Lightroom and local storage. I use Lightroom for active photo shoots only, meaning that being able to archive my albums is critical. My workflow looks like this (what does yours look like? post in the comments):

  1. Import photos + videos off memory card into new album
  2. Edit photos in Lightroom (first pass culling + develop remaining photos + second pass culling + final development tweaks)
  3. Export photos as 80% quality JPEGS, export videos as original quality
  4. Bulk rename JPEGs + bulk timestamp change in ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac
  5. Export album as catalog + delete album from Lightroom
  6. Put catalog onto Synology NAS (which is then backed up in multiple places)

Adobe recently shook up the photography world by releasing a brand new cloud-centric version of Lightroom called Lightroom CC, and re-naming what we knew as Lightroom to Lightroom Classic CC. They added some performance enhancements to Lightroom Classic, which are greatly appreciated, but otherwise didn’t add any new features. That’s a bit frustrating given we pay a monthly fee to Adobe that we presume goes into improving the product.

The big development effort clearly went into Lightroom CC, and though it’s obviously a 1.0 product lacking in many features we’re used to in Lightroom Classic, I see a lot of potential in it. The biggest limitation in real-world use is going to be upstream bandwidth: you need to have at least 20mbps up – if not 40+ mbps – yet the average nationwide upstream bandwidth is only 8.51 mbps. That will be a massive bottleneck for most people to push all their raw files into the cloud to then use on Lightroom mobile apps. Continue reading How to use Lightroom CC + Still Export Albums in Lightroom Classic CC

Like Trying to Photograph Lightning: Taking Pictures of Hummingbirds

I had an opportunity to take photos of feeding hummingbirds this summer when we stopped over for the night in Trail, BC. It was the single hardest photo subject I’ve ever had – hummingbirds are so small, and move so fast, it was extremely difficult to get a focus lock and take a photo. Most of the time the bird would leave the frame before my camera could get a lock. I must have shot 60 frames just to get these four. I had to learn to hear their incoming buzz – they sound like small helicopters – and guess/hope where they’d be. I didn’t have a tripod or a shutter release so I couldn’t set up a “proper” shoot, but it was still fun trying to capture just the right moment. And if there’s one argument for 50 megapixel cameras, it’s this: being forced to crop so much leaves few pixels left. The source photos after processing are only 3.5 to 3.9 megapixels in size, so no giant wall prints for these photos. ?

I had fun busting out the ol’ #Yeti for a guest spot on a podcast. More details later!

I had fun busting out the ol' #Yeti for a guest spot on a podcast. More details later!

After two years of waiting, #ThingCharger is finally a reality! Here's hoping it works…

After two years of waiting, #ThingCharger is finally a reality! Here's hoping it works...
Posted by Instagrate to WordPress

I'm excited to finally get my @zoltcharger – really impressed so far!

I'm excited to finally get my @zoltcharger - really impressed so far!
Posted by Instagrate to WordPress

Watched the highest-grossing movie of all time today, and threw down $20 on the largest lottery jackpot in history. It seemed like the appropriate thing to do (I buy lotto tickets twice a decade).

Watched the highest-grossing movie of all time today, and threw down $20 on the largest lottery jackpot in history. It seemed like the appropriate thing to do (I buy lotto tickets twice a decade).
Posted by Instagrate to WordPress

The most unique Christmas gift I received was a #Munchpak snack subscription. It’s fun to taste snacks from other cultures! Reminds me of my #HTCelevate days when I’d get global taste packs from #HTC fans…

The most unique Christmas gift I received was a #Munchpak snack subscription. It's fun to taste snacks from other cultures! Reminds me of my #HTCelevate days when I'd get global taste packs from #HTC fans...

This is what #Elvis meant by a “Blue Christmas” right? Side note: funny how more are coming in a black case.

This is what #Elvis meant by a "Blue Christmas" right? Side note: funny how more are coming in a black case.

When I first saw this package, my brain read it as LORDS OF PECAN, so that’s what I’ve been calling it all week as I’ve been eating it. That, my friends, is an epic name for #icecream. Also, a #heavymetal band that bakes pies.

When I first saw this package, my brain read it as LORDS OF PECAN, so that's what I've been calling it all week as I've been eating it. That, my friends, is an epic name for #icecream. Also, a #heavymetal band that bakes pies.

Evolution of trackpad size. On the left, a 2015 Dell XPS 13. Right, a 2007 Dell XPS M1330.

Evolution of trackpad size. On the left, a 2015 Dell XPS 13. Right, a 2007 Dell XPS M1330.