Every New Year’s, one of my goals is to start with an organized Lightroom catalog, last year’s photos keyword, all my images backed up and my gear ready to go. This year was better than some: I just finished burning the last back-up for 2014 and keyworded a few images that were lingering on my phone. Here is a checklist for photographers and bloggers to do to start the new year right.
- Download all your image files: Bonus points if you get them catalogued, keyworded and backed-up, but start the year with empty memory cards. Don’t forget the images on your phone!
- Change your in-camera programmable dates: My camera records a copyright message that I have programmed for the current year. Yes, I can edit that metadata entry in Lightroom later, but let’s get it right in camera. Now’s a good time to check that your camera’s clock is set correctly as well.
- Update your blog or website copyright date: Nothing screams “untended web content” like an out-of-date copyright notice. A few days won’t matter, but it only takes seconds. If your blog theme doesn’t automatically update it for the current year, get in there and fix it. You only have to change one digit this year, how hard can it be?
- Update your watermark: if you use a custom watermark with a copyright date in Lightroom or Photoshop to save images for the web, remember to update that too. Update any Lightroom presets that use the watermark while you are at it.
That’s it! Four things already checked off your to-do list for the new year. You can get back to those important parades, football games or holiday naps.