My file-naming system

I found the recent Canon workflow post helpful and thought I'd share my system of using prefixes for the various renditions of a saved file. This does not address a system of labeling images by subject, location, time, etc., just the various versions of just one image:

osprey200.crw is the original raw file downloaded from reader
r-osprey20.psd is the file named after conversion
er-osprey20.psd is the uncropped image after work in Photoshop
cer-osprey20.psd is the desired crop of the image
300nusm-osprey20.tiff is an unsharpened 300dpi tiff for submissions
300usm-osprey2-.tiff - is for those editors that ask for USM applied
600-osprey20.jpg is a sharpened jpg for website
800-osprey20.jpg is a sharpened jpg for my digital projections
810-osprey20.tiff is a sharpened tiff for printing an 8 x 10

It's unbelievable, the versions of just one image that I must keep. Any thoughts or suggestions on this are welcome.

Boy, that's a lot of files to manage.
Just one observation, couldn't you combine some of those, for example, have a 300dpi un-USM for editors, then if you need a sharpened version, copy the file, apply USM, send it, delete it. Or do you need to keep the exact file you send out ?

Jusdt in case the editor would call with a question on the exact fiel they are looking at, I figure its best not to delete. Maybe the question might be related to USM applied. Too much, too little, etc.

My files are all numbered by N or S for slide or neg, followed by a roll and frame number.

The original scan is a TIFF file. The worked (but not sharpened) image is a PSD file. Flattened and sharpened (for printing) files are stored in a "Prints" directory, with the print size appeneded to the filename (still with PSD extension). Web files are JPG, and are stored in a directory which tells me what size it is.

So, S045B-25.TIF is a scan, S045B-25.PSD is the master file, S045B-25_8x10.PSD is flattened, resized, and sharpened for 8x10 prints, and is in a Prints directory. There will be a couple of S045B-25.JPG files, one in a 640 directory (longest side=640 px) and one in a 450 directory.

I don't keep the PSD files used to make the web JPGS--my web saving workflow is too simple to bother with wasting more disk space on keeping those.

-Paul

..

Jeff,

I find it easier to locate files if the code is after the name, but before the .crw. This way all the differnt versions of the file stay together when viewed by any file viewing program, allowing you to see all the variations of the single image.

osprey200.crw is the original raw file downloaded from reader
osprey20-r.psd is the file named after conversion
osprey20-er.psd is the uncropped image after work in Photoshop
osprey20-cer.psd is the desired crop of the image
osprey20-300nusm.tiff is an unsharpened 300dpi tiff for submissions

I use

osprey20a.psd, meaning adjusted in some way, usually only USM for 10D
osprey20a copy.jpg, small file, contains copyright info, i.e. for emailing to Naturscapes or potential buyers.
osprey20a 11x14.psd for printing, etc.

Hope it helps,

Latafat

I use the file name out of the camera for Raw or edited master files
100_1000.crw
100_1000a.tif
100_1000a.psd

Then for JPGs I give a name so I will know what it is.
Nov03_ConnorsBDCake.jpg

or for my website the naming follows a gallery name and Number

Nov0301.jpg (chronography mmmyy##.jpg allows for array of images and dynamic file calling based on button# pushed)
or Gallery
peo01.jpg (first image in people gallery)
with thumbnail thpeo01.jpg