Photo workflow III

I have been working on a photo workflow system which works for me and it's now time to give the series a conclusion. You can read the first two posts here and here. This final post in the series looks into how I plan to implement the system to my (rather enormous!) backlog!

As with most mammoth projects, the key is to create several bite size tasks until you complete said mammoth tasks. I’ve done that for archiving and got somewhere. Now let’s deal with the backlog.

Step 1: Back up all my photos, twice.

I am relatively good with photo backup. I have two external drives and have saved all my photos to both of them.

My 2013 new system folder is already there, looking good and making me proud (and making me feel somewhat reassured nothing will happen to  my photos in a way only backups can!).

What to do with the backlog? Keep the backups. Really! It makes me feel safer to know that if I have a change of heart regarding my current ruthless approach to photos, I can still go back – safety net, I believe it’s called. Having this backup also makes me more able to be ruthless when I get to the *delete* part, as ultimately I can retrieve any images I want. Score!

I also created a backup folder just for the new system. Bit obsessed with backups, I know. And now onto the thing itself…!

Step 2: Implement the new system.

Or go for a nice walk in the park. Or a holiday. Or watch clothes dry. Anything is better than opening your backlog of files and feeling overwhelmed. And nostalgic.

Come back to earth and accept you have to do it. Go, Joey, go!

There really is no point in stressing myself with the size of the backlog or deadlines. I choose to ignore the former and not impose on myself any of the latter. So how will I do it? Chronologically, of course.

Every so often, when I have a bit of time or while I watch a film or a series on TV, I open a folder and go through it. I started with December 2012 and I’m working my way up from there. The process is something like this:

:: open folder in Picasa
:: delete ALL rubbish images i.e. too dark, (not artistic) out of focus, what-was-I-thinking-here, etc.
:: congratulate myself on no-mercy-for-boo-photos approach (ignoring the fact I did it because I have a backup)
:: go through all the selected images and edit + rename + label as appropriate
:: add folder to new system backup

The four steps above may or may not happen all in one sitting, depending on the size of the folder and the editing I think the photos need. I don’t have a problem with that though, this is not a race, it’s a gentle jog.

My goal is to only keep photos I *love* or *really really like* in each folder. The more I go through the archives, the more I want to keep going. Not only because it’s rewarding to see everything coming together nicely, but also because I become better at knowing what to keep and what to bin so the whole process is much quicker now.

Once I’m done with a particular year, I may even consider doing a photobook or two!

Hope you find this short series on my photo workflow system useful. I’ve certainly enjoyed reading about your ways of sorting and storing your images! The world is definitely a better place when photos are neatly organised!

Photo workflow II

I wrote about the two problems I had with my photo workflow system (or lack of) in this post. Finding a solution which was both feasible and made me happy took a little while, but I think I’m there.

Let’s start with archiving. Archiving can (and should!) be divided in two things: Folders and Photos.

Folders.

In creating a photo workflow system which worked for me, I had a good look at how I *think* and how I like to organise things. I think in dates. Since I can remember, I have always dated my work, from texts and poems, to drawings and school art work. This obsession with dating things comes from my Dad, no doubt. He would encourage us to put a date on every little paper we ever gave him. I like this. Thank you, Dad!

So it is no surprise the new system needed to have dates.

To begin with, I like dividing things up yearly. The Year folder stays.

                 2013

As for sub-folders, talking to a friend I realised I think about a year in events (with a date, of course!) and stuff. Events are easy, people’s birthdays, a holiday, done. For stuff, I looked at my Flickr.

A while ago I went through my sets on Flickr and divided it up in a meaningful-to-me way. The backbone of how I see my photography is there; brilliant! Things are looking better now. This year so far looks like this:

2013     201301 Dad’s birthday in PT
            201302 Mum’s birthday in PT
            201304 Aunties in Oxford
            2013 Morning walks
            2013 East Oxford wanders
            2013 Door to the world
            2013 Feet on the ground
            2013 Window to my soul
            2013 Belly time
            2013 Fairytale Oxfordshire
            2013 Home is
            2013 Little snippets of life
            2013 Knits
            2013 Sewing
            2013 England
            2013 London town

Ah, this feels great – an archiving system I like which reflects how I see photo archiving. Cool!

Photos.

Once I had the folders in place, I needed to look into photo naming and cataloguing.

I like to keep the original file name. Once I edit an image, I like to add a snappy title (it also means I’ve gone through that particular image). If said photo appears on the blog or Flickr, that goes on the name too, so I know immediately which photos have and haven’t been used.

DSC8367 – Joey being silly BLOG.jpg

I use Picasa for photo organising and find it quite good. Picasa has a *labels* function which lets you tag your photos for an easy search. Honestly, I think the system above lets me find any photo I want pretty quickly, but… For the sake of 5 minutes to label images, I will not test myself and be proved wrong.

Labels I use: Year (haha!), Month (it’s cool), Event (eg Dad’s birthday) or stuff (eg Sewing), and location (Oxford); if I’m feeling inspired that day, I add quirks (eg morning, red, coffee).

And voila’, my archiving problem is no longer. I need a break before writing the final post – how to implement the system to photos I’m taking now AND how to deal with the backlog. Gulp…!

Does this workflow make sense to you?

Photo workflow I

How does one tackle one’s photographic archive, which one has not kept on top of? One pretends it’s all done and never really finds a method that suits one. One also goes off on one, speaking in the third person so as to detach oneself from one’s photographic chaos. Or... one gives oneself a goal!

One of my goals for June is to create a photo workflow which makes me happy. A good start to this seemingly overwhelming task is to look at what I already have and see what works and what doesn't. 

Looking at my photo chaos, I can clearly identify two problems:

Archiving.
I have been wanting to create a photo archiving system which works for me pretty much since the minute I started taking digital photos. My original system, which largely still stands, was to create a year folder with several sub-folders, numbered in chronological appearance. At the end of the year, I end up with a year folder which has over a hundred sub-folders with a brief description of what’s there. In 2011 I was really into “morning walks” and “wandering around”. Clearly not the most practical photo keeping method when one wants some sense of cohesion to one’s archive (ie all my morning walks in 2011).

Backlog.

This year, I am doing Project Life weekly. This means ALL my photos get looked at fairly quickly which is the BEST way to do it. Previous years are a different story. I have folders and folders of chronologically organised events filled with photos that I have not even looked at. Fear! Not only is there a lack of archiving system, but there are also loads of photos to sort through.

Now that the problems have been identified and clearly labelled, I can have a cup of chamomile tea and a slice of warm bread while I think on how to solve them. I will be writing about my solution later in the week. 

Do you also have this problem? Or have you been blessed with an eureka moment at the right time and now have the perfect system AND are on top of your photos? If you already have a system you’re happy with, please share in the comments, I’d love to know what other people do and what works for them.

wandering around East Oxford

Oxfordshire mornings ♥

February goals

At the beginning of the year I shared my word for 2013, change. I also said I had set new year resolutions, divided into measurable and manageable goals which I would work on monthly, to keep things realistic and interesting (let’s not forget interesting!).

For January, I wanted to embrace change and see the difference in my daily life. I wanted to change little things that would make a big difference to me. And so I did.

In February I want to create change and see what comes of it. As before, I went through my resolutions (or dreams, one could call it realistic dreams!) and the goals wrote themselves.

:: run at least three times a week.

:: speak to my Parents at least once a week.

:: make at least one different type of bread.

:: write at least three times a week.

:: organise my creative space.

What I’m looking for in some of the above, other than the obvious, is that they become a habit. A good habit. Ideally, it will also become a habit for me to blog about my progress. Well, maybe not the conversations with the Parents, I’ll keep that one to myself!

::inspiring Mondays::

I'm back to running. I put my shoes on and off I went. I was so excited about it that I woke up at 6:30 on a Sunday! Without the alarm. Oh yeah! I was never a runner and then I started running and while I'm still not a runner, I'm a person who loves it! 

I used to have red shoes which made my heart sing a happy song every time I looked down; unfortunately when the time came to replace them, no red ones were available. With running, I am a believer that function HAS to come ahead of pretty, so... My heart may not sing with the colour of the new shoes, but it sure sings happy tunes from knowing my feet and my whole body are so well supported.

:: running ♥
:: this space. how it warms my heart to write here!
:: february bringing longer days and Mum's birthday.
:: knitting.
:: stamps. I have a new found love for stamps!
:: working on my Project Life album and having such great fun.
:: brunch with good friends.
:: embracing my photography!

How was your Monday? Hopefully sunny and happy! Have a great week.

Porto by the sea

Home is blue skies in January.

Home is the Atlantic kissing our land.

Home is the sea reflecting the light as a magic promise of all its treasures.

change :: January update

My one little (big) word for 2013 is change. I wrote about it earlier in the month, mentioning how change came to be my word and the joys of actually having a word. I didn't go into the specifics of what the word meant to me, nor did I reveal what my resolutions are. This arrangement worked for me but it may change as I become reacquainted with my writing and blogging from the heart.

January is ending and I look at my one little word and feel happy I chose it. I feel I have an ultimate goal for the year, so no matter how clueless I feel on a dark cold Thursday night, I still know where I'm meant to be heading. Thirty days have passed and I feel I've achieved so much more than if I had not chosen a word. Quite amazing!

change :: my approach to this blog and I love it.

change :: the way I book myself and my calendar is now a friend.

change :: how I look at small setbacks by having perspective.

change :: my view on my own plans to ensure I do what works for me.

change :: ensure I always fit in the things that need doing and are good for me, like making my own bread.

I've started with the little things that mean a lot on a daily basis. Things that ultimately improve my happiness without me realising it; it just works that way. I am looking forward to what change and I will be up to in February!

saturday in the house

Sewing curtains... ah, how I did not miss this. A full day on the floor, measuring, folding, ironing, pinning, hand sewing, more ironing, always the floor. Several BBC News, Poirots and Miss Marples later, we're almost there. As I sew along I say never ever again ever ever... but then the finished thing stares back at me, so pretty and calm and made by me and I know one day, one day, I'll fall in this trap once more... 

Positives: PJ day, yay! And coffee ice cream guilt-free as a small treat to myself, another yay!

change :: my word for 2013

Change.

The one word that makes the most sense for my 2013.

Change little things and change big things.

2013 is going to be my year of change. I don't know what will change nor how nor when, but all of the sudden change became this little big word I couldn't let go of.

When I first read Elise's post about choosing her word for 2012, I had a hard time getting it. I loved and was touched by her story, but I didn't understand the concept nor how it could last for a whole year. I put the post to the back of my mind as yet another one of those cool things you read online but that have no relevance to you. And then on my flight from home it hit me! Change!

The first thing that has changed is that I set new year resolutions for myself, measurable goals for this year. As with most things, breaking your goals into small steps really helps making them more manageable, less daunting and ultimately more achievable. I will be working on those stepping stones each month, hopefully keeping my goals in full view. 

Isn't it nice to have a plan? 

(I guess my need for plans, even if vague ones, will remain largely unchanged!)

heading to 2013

I'm looking forward to 2013. This year, I have new year resolutions, a list of intentions that doesn't include eating less or working out until I drop... I like to keep it real and achievable, as well as happy! The list is making me smile, as is knowing the 1 January 2013 is just a day that follows another day that is followed by another day. There's the promise of the new with the certainty of the same all same all; just perfect!

I would like to wish you all a fabulous 2013!

Life is good!

life and us

How does one go back to one’s ‘normal’ life when one has tasted how much sweeter ‘normal’ life can be?

Michael (for that is his name) has left this morning. I did not cry. I was holding a cup of coffee with one hand and my heart with the other, for he was taking it with him (worry not, I have a spare one for bodily functions). I waved goodbye and shrank inside myself as the bus pulled away and I was left there, just me, not alone, but just me. When I go back home this evening, the house will be empty of him and our silliness. I do silly well, but there’s nothing quite like doing silly with the ones you love.

So… how does one go back to one’s ‘normal’ life? I don’t know yet. And fortunately, I won’t have to know for a few days yet. I have our Project Life album to finish, of our time together this winter before I go home for Christmas. Then there’s Christmas and Little Brother and the parents and the cats and the rest of the family and friends and all the sunshine to absorb and pack up in my happy sunshine cells. Then there’s New Year and Second New Year and…  then there’s ‘normal’ life.

I may not know how to get back to ‘normal’ life, but I know I don’t want to go back. That’s a start. A start in the direction of change.

little snippets of life

LMrJ is in Oxford and has been for the last 14 days. He’s staying until the 18th, a date too far away for me to think about, but so soon I can already see it. For now though, I’m putting that to the back of my mind and I’m enjoying the ‘normal’ life we get to have.

Having a long distance relationship is hard. I thought about ways of writing this sentence in an LMJ way, but couldn’t. I couldn’t because I didn’t want to. As well as being silly, LMJ is honest (some would say blunt) and prefers to deal with reality rather than a well-dressed version of it. Long distance relationships are hard and mine is no different.

I am grateful for skype and my iPhone and mobile phones in general. And the post office for the special treats. I am grateful that we both live in countries where wireless internet is as common as electricity. I am grateful for the time difference we have that makes our life styles fit in to it just perfectly (all things considered!). But…

There’s nothing like a warm neck to heat up your freezing nose on in these cold winter days. Especially when you’re allowed to ‘steal’ its warmth. Nothing compares to the gentle touch of soft lips or a foot massage when you’re tired; or everyday, preferably! There’s no replacement for the chats you can have in person… or the silences. I love the peaceful shared silence as much as I love the talking. And let’s not even mention eating ice cream together; pure heaven!

So when people ask me what amazing things I have been doing with LMrJ I say “the ‘normal’ things”. Aren’t they amazing? I think people often forget how ordinary life is the most important bit of life. Treats are great, holidays are fabulous, special dates are brilliant, but I’m afraid we’re stuck with ordinary for the most of it and we don’t even realise how truly good that can be. Or should be.

For me, in a long distance relatiosnhip, the most amazing thing that happens everyday since having LMrJ around is waking up next to him. So simple and yet so wonderful. But there are other amazing things. Stealing his warmth (I’m cold all the time, like a little lizzard!). Deciding what’s for dinner. Doing the laundry. Watching a film under a blanket, with ice cream! Popping to tesco’s to get milk. Watching Big Bang Theory and hearing him laugh. Talking at breakfast. Having breakfast with him every single day, actually. Calling dibs for the shower…. and winning almost always!

My amazing things are all the simple things. And you know what? I love it!

P.S. – I may have to write a post on my take on long distance relationships when LMrJ is not around

anymore. But not now. Now I want to pretend he’s here forever.

::inspiring Mondays::

Fairy tale morning light. The kind that stays in your memory and induces a happy smile no matter how long your day has been. The kind that makes you long for the morning no matter how late you went to sleep. The kind that makes you jump out of bed at 7am on a Sunday to go to the park and see the spires give shape to the magical morning light.

I have a very heavily sore chest and throat. My eyes are on the verge of tears by no fault of my mood. And I had to talk for a great part of the day. Somedays are just like that, huh? And some of those days happen to be Mondays. The way I see it, the week can only improve, so I'm not bothered I started Monday on a small dip. It could have been worst; much worst! I could have turned green and grown a second nose, or a third arm; my hair could have turned rainbow colour overnight from out of date shampoo; my porridge could have been cold, or too hot! In fact, I should thank this Monday for its lack of evil creativity! A cold and a chesty cough, Monday? That's a bit like children's insults... good effort, but low strength!

:: morning photography with my new lens ♥ my bed may miss me from now on!

:: Little Brother's calls. just because. ♥

:: spinach soup. warms body and soul!

:: hot water. you fabulous invention!

:: honest conversations with my boss. a good man!

:: green cardi has buttons. pockets on their way.

:: arm warmers. the kind that have no holes and are soft and lovely and made by LMJ.

:: Strefen. when life gives you a sore throat, give it Strefen... and laugh at it!

:: a Sunday filled with knitting and warm soup and silly films and Homeland.

:: Lindt chocolate balls. so smooth and soft and yummy!

:: oven roasted sea bass. Mum, you'd be proud!

:: early bedtime. so the bed doesn't miss me too much after all!

How was your Monday? Dry, wet, or so and so? Happy? I'd hope for happy! Have a lovely week!

::inspiring Mondays::

 

A good Monday has a new lens one is too in love with for words. A good Monday has a registered brand. A good Monday has a nice hot shower to begin the day fresh and warm. A good Monday has lemon drizzle cupcakes brought to the office. A good Monday has white paint to finally finish decorating one's bedroom. A good Monday has a little bit of rain to remind us of how important water is. A good Monday has the smell of freshly made soup, almost like Mum's but not quite because my Mum's soup is the best.

All that to say today was an excellent Monday. If you see all those full stops as plus symbols, adding up all those good things could only lead to awesomeness. Eat that, grey sky, the Joey wins again! 

:: my new lens. 16-85mm of pure bliss. thank you, Little Brother, Mum and Dad! ♥♥♥
:: our registered brand! ♥
:: Bristolian weekend with my girls.
:: sunshine for our Sunday run. just perfect!
:: luck.
:: chilling. that feeling of just chilling.
:: knitting soft things.
:: Homeland on a Sunday.
:: painting things white. oh room, you look more inviting each day.
:: lemon drizzle cupcakes. yummy.
:: my housemates.

This was an edited version of an eventful Monday. As with everything, things are what we choose to make of them and I choose to make this Monday great, for all of the above. I'm off to kiss my lens goodnight. I hope your Monday has amazing!

::inspiring Mondays::

It's cold in Oxford. That cold that makes you want to have several hot showers a day, especially when you come home and you can put your PJs on afterwards and feel all snuggly for the rest of the evening.  What a feeling! And I'm feeling it right now because I'm lucky!

The week after I come back from Portugal is the hardest. I can still feel the warmth of the sunshine... but I can't!, I can still taste the food... but I can't!, I can still smell all those familiar smells that are home... but I can't!, I can still cuddle the cats... but I can't! Chasing after the memory of it all, the taste and life of the memory, is the hardest, and something the Portuguese people do oh so well. We're a nostalgic people, home to saudade and fado! When I realised I was happier and more cheerful than my  natural nostalgia would like me to, I told it to shut it and go sit quietly in the corner; but occasionally I miss it and let it out to keep me company for a little while... like when I come back from home and want to make the sweetness linger.

I woke up at 4am for no good reason and could not go back to sleep, but that meant I could wish LMrJ a good trip to Cuba as he boarded the plane. He'll be there for two weeks, with limited wifi access (if any!). So I guess waking up at 4am was a good thing. It's all about perspective, really!

:: the memory of home ♥

:: Little Brother phone calls. the phone rings in happiness, as do I.

:: LMrJ laughing when I'm trying to be annoyed. it's so sweet. and annoying. and sweet!

:: getting back into a running routine with Nicky. I'm lovin' it!

:: Oxford chilly autumnal clear mornings. gorgeous!

:: morning walk with porridge and my favourite podcast. bliss!

:: my hot water bottle. the snuggly feeling lasts and lasts!

:: post. what a great invention!

:: James Bond awesomeness! been there done that!

:: looking up. and smiling. it works every time.

:: central heating. what a fabulous thing!

:: wifi... we only notice it when it's gone.

:: chamomile tea. always!

In spite of the cold, this was a beautiful and dry start to the week. Isn't that amazing? Yep, it is! How was your Monday? Inspiring? Happy? I hope so :)

Pumpkin jam

My absolute favourite jam. Ever. Always. It reminds me of lazy Sundays with bread and cheese on the side and National Geographic and the golden autumnal light through the window with a cat or two on my lap.

Pumpkin Jam is my favourite jam of all. My brother likes to ask me silly things like “if you had to pick one forever and ever, what would you choose?”. I tend not to have an answer to these questions, but I do in the case of jam – pumpkin jam forever. With or without nuts. With or without cheese on the side. Pumpkin jam rules my jam world!

Ingredients:
1kg of cubed pumpkin
500g of white sugar – I don’t like very sweet jams and this reflects it. You can increase your sugar up to 750g.
3 cinammon sticks
2 oranges
Walnuts (optional)

Preparation:
1. Peel and chop your pumpkin into small cubes to have 1 kg. Place in a tray.
2. Put the cinnamon sticks in the tray with the pumpkin.
3. Cover the pumpkin with 500g of white sugar.
4. Peel and slice the oranges and place them on top of the pumpkin and sugar.
5. Cover the tray so nothing falls in it (with a kitchen board for example) and leave to rest for 12 hours (overnight).
6. When you uncover the tray 12 hours later, you’ll have your pumpkin bits softened in a liquid, with the orange slices on top. You’re good to go!
7. When you’re ready to make the jam, start off by preparing the jars. Wash glass jars and lids (mine are metallic) in hot soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Place everything in the oven, on top of a kitchen towel, at 110C. Remove from the oven only when you’re ready to bottle the jam.
8. From the tray with the pumpkin, leave two small orange slices and remove the rest. Leave one cinnamon stick and remove the rest. Transfer everything (cubed pumpkin and liquid) to a pan.
9. Heat in medium heat stirring occasionally until surface boiling (took 20 minutes). Lower the heat and stir occasionally until you have half the liquid you began with. Remove the cinnamon stick.
10. Transfer to the prepared jars (I used three jars). Cover the jar mouth with a wax disc and close.

Note: I used mashed up walnut in one of the jars. I put walnuts in a kitchen bag and mashed them with a kitchen roll. As I filled the jar with the jam, I mixed in the walnuts and gave them a little stir for even distribution.

I hope you love it as much as me :)

The recipe is also here.

::inspiring Mondays::

Sunshine. 22ºC. More sunshine. Little brother. Parents. Cats. Cuddles. Family. Sunshine. Excellent food. More sunshine. The sea. Sunshine, of course. Can you guess where I’ve been? Home, where all batteries get recharged! Porto, Portugal!

I went home for Little Brother’s birthday. Finally, I could sing happy birthday and give him a cuddle and eat a bit (or a lot!) of the birthday cake. I love Skype, I do, and I use it every day, but nothing beats the real thing. I laughed and chatted and laughed some more. We discussed ideas and strategies and materials and the way forward. I went out photographing windows and cutesy houses with Dad. I went out photographing the sea and then the river with Little Brother. I had girly chats and pasteis de nata with Mum. I saw my little cousin’s belly button and heard about second grade and bike rides. I went out and had nice conversations well into the early hours without falling asleep. I ate amazing food and had excellent wine. And I soaked up the sun until I had a permanent smile on my face which should last for days.

:: Little Brother ♥

:: the parents.

:: birthday cake! Yummy!

:: sunshine.

:: my aunt bringing me brigadeiros to the airport because I asked her to!

:: cat love!

:: the sea. the smell of the sea.

:: Portuguese food.

:: my flight companions giving me their apple juice

:: one more hour in Portugal, courtesy of the hour change this weekend. ta mucho!

It is cold and rainy in Oxford, but I’m ignoring all of it and focusing on the little memory of sunshine I brought bottled up for special occasions. Like today, where I miss home that little bit more because I have just been… funny how that works, huh?

How's this Monday working for you? Hope you are having a lovely start to the week, wet or dry, sunny or otherwise!

going home

Little Brother sent me a beautiful photo from Porto by the river... all the email said was "quem vem e atravessa o rio...". I dare say that every Porto person feels a little tingle when they hear that... especially when one's Little Brother is calling us home. Almost there!