This Sounds Crazy, But It'll Make You A Way Better Photographer

Photography is an evolving journey, and with new tools and techniques, it’s easy to find yourself needing to adapt. For me, moving to Florida two and a half years ago shifted my focus from landscapes to bird photography. This genre demands fast and efficient workflows, especially with the high-performance cameras we have today. In this article and video, I’ll walk you through my streamlined photo culling process in Lightroom—a workflow designed to help you select your best images without drowning in unnecessary files.

The Challenge of Modern Cameras

Upgrading to the Sony A1 Mark II has been a game-changer for capturing fast-moving subjects. Features like pre-capture, expanded burst mode (up to 30fps of compressed RAW files), and advanced AI autofocus are incredible but come with a caveat: you’ll end up with hundreds, if not thousands, of images from a single shoot. Managing these files effectively is crucial, especially if you use Lightroom’s cloud-based library.

I’ve embraced the philosophy of reducing digital clutter. It’s not about having space; it’s about simplifying my library and focusing on quality over quantity. By developing an efficient culling workflow, I ensure that only my best shots make it to the cloud, saving both storage and time.

Why Culling Matters

Efficient culling allows you to:

• Save storage space on your local drives and in the cloud.

• Focus your editing efforts on the best photos.

• Simplify your library for easier navigation.

This process isn’t specific to bird photography; it applies to portraits, landscapes, events, and more. Let’s dive into the workflow.

Step 1: Importing Images

1. Transfer Files: After a shoot, connect your camera to your computer or use a card reader. I use CFexpress Type A cards for their speed, but any media works.

2. Organize Locally: Copy your files to a dedicated folder on your external or internal drive. I use this local folder as a temporary staging ground to review and cull the entirety of photos from the shoot. Ultimately, the keepers (aka Selects) will be synced to the cloud.

Step 2: Using Lightroom’s Local Tab

Lightroom’s Local tab is excellent for browsing and culling images before syncing them to the cloud. Here’s why:

• It’s lightweight and doesn’t require immediate cloud syncing.

• You can quickly flag, reject, or even make quick edits.

Step 3: Culling in Bursts

Modern cameras capture bursts of images, often leaving you with several near-identical shots. Here’s how I handle them:

1. Review Burst-by-Burst: Select a burst of images and review them sequentially. This prevents overwhelming your workflow with unnecessary photos.

2. Pick Flags: Use the Pick flag (keyboard shortcut: Z) to mark your favorite shots. I avoid using the Reject flag unless I’m certain I want to delete an image immediately.

3. Focus on Quality: Look for standout shots with good composition, lighting, and subject engagement. Delete the rest.

Step 4: Syncing to the Cloud

Once you’ve selected your best photos:

1. Filter by Flags: Use Lightroom’s filter options to display unflagged images, then delete them.

2. Upload Picks: Select your flagged images and sync them to the cloud. This ensures that only your top picks are accessible across devices.

Step 5: Organize and Delete

1. Create Albums: Organize your synced photos into albums. For instance, I created an album named 20250104 - Green Cay Preserve/

2. Delete Local Copies: Once photos are safely in the cloud, delete the local files to free up space.

Why This Workflow Works

This process is efficient, intuitive, and scalable. By focusing on your best shots, you save time and resources while maintaining a clean and organized library. Plus, Lightroom’s Local tab renders images quickly, making third-party apps unnecessary.

Wrapping It Up

Culling is about more than reducing clutter. It’s about curating your photographic journey and ensuring your library reflects your best work. While my workflow may evolve, its core principles remain the same: simplicity, efficiency, and quality.

If you’re interested in mastering all that Lightroom has to offer, consider exploring my comprehensive courses, like Lightroom Everywhere. With over 10 hours of in-depth video lessons, you’ll learn how to unlock the full potential of Lightroom for your editing workflow.