This has always been the most frustrating step in my workflow. When performing this task, I am torn between my desire to not clutter my hard drive (and Lightroom Classic catalog) with photos I will never use and the decision as to which photo(s) I should retain.
Most of time I just keep all but the obvious discards… those that are out-of-focus or soft focus, poor composition, etc. I do delete these from my hard disk in Lightroom but I am still left with quite a few photos that seem to me to have no reason to be retained.
At times when I am in the field, I will work a subject. I may adjust the exposure compensation, aperture, ISO and/or shutter speed going for the optimum exposure. I may try the shot with and without filters. I may vary the composition slightly striving for the optimal composition. When I take photos of volleyball, I will often set the camera on high speed and in the case of my Canon 1Dx that means 12 frames every second.
This results in a group of similar photos. This complicates matters for me.
Thus I am struggling for a better way to accomplish this task. The approach described below is new for me but it seems like it might offer a breakthrough. I am going to start using Star Ratings. This came about after reading a number of books and articles on the subject. I have however put my own personal stamp on this.
I had always viewed star ratings as the worst way to go. My objection was based on the question “What does each star rating represent?” The breakthrough in my thought process came when I read the book “The Digital Negative” by Jeff Schewe where he suggests the multi-pass approach where one progressively reduces the numbers of images being considered. I witnessed a version of this approach in action when I was a member of the St. Louis Camera Club and photos were being judged.
In the Library module (Loupe view mode), my workflow for this step is to use a multi-pass approach to rate my photos. At Import, all photos have a rating of 0 stars by default. As I progress through each pass, the number of photos decreases based on star ratings I assign to the photos in that pass.
At times I employ the Compare and Survey view modes to assist me in this review process.
Note:
Not every photo outing will yield 5-star photos or even 4-star photos… at least mine don’t!
Here is another perspective on this subject
How to go about culling photos after a day's shoot (generated by Bing Chat)?
Culling photos is the process of selecting the best images from a large batch of photos taken during a shoot. It can be a daunting and time-consuming task, but it is essential for delivering high-quality work to your clients or portfolio. Here are some tips on how to go about culling photos after a day's shoot:
- Start with a quick scan. Before you dive into the details, do a quick scan of all the photos and delete any obvious rejects, such as blurry, overexposed, or duplicated shots. This will help you reduce the number of photos to work with and save you some storage space.
- Use a rating system. Most photo editing software have a rating system that allows you to assign stars or colors to your photos. Use this feature to sort your photos into categories, such as keepers, maybes, and rejects. You can also use keywords or tags to label your photos by theme, location, or subject.
- Compare similar shots. Often, you will have several shots of the same scene or pose that look very similar. To choose the best one, compare them side by side and look for subtle differences in focus, composition, expression, and lighting. Pick the one that stands out the most and delete or reject the rest.
- Be ruthless. Culling photos requires a critical eye and a willingness to let go of mediocre or redundant shots. Don't get attached to your photos or keep them for sentimental reasons. Ask yourself if each photo adds value to your collection and if it meets your standards and expectations. If not, delete it or reject it.
- Take breaks. Culling photos can be mentally exhausting and tedious, especially if you have hundreds or thousands of photos to go through. To avoid fatigue and loss of concentration, take breaks every 15 minutes or so and do something else. This will help you refresh your mind and maintain your focus.
- Use a rating system. Most photo editing software have a rating system that allows you to assign stars or colors to your photos. Use this feature to sort your photos into categories, such as keepers, maybes, and rejects. You can also use keywords or tags to label your photos by theme, location, or subject.
- Compare similar shots. Often, you will have several shots of the same scene or pose that look very similar. To choose the best one, compare them side by side and look for subtle differences in focus, composition, expression, and lighting. Pick the one that stands out the most and delete or reject the rest.
- Be ruthless. Culling photos requires a critical eye and a willingness to let go of mediocre or redundant shots. Don't get attached to your photos or keep them for sentimental reasons. Ask yourself if each photo adds value to your collection and if it meets your standards and expectations. If not, delete it or reject it.
- Take breaks. Culling photos can be mentally exhausting and tedious, especially if you have hundreds or thousands of photos to go through. To avoid fatigue and loss of concentration, take breaks every 15 minutes or so and do something else. This will help you refresh your mind and maintain your focus.