Developing the Workflow, Teaching the Workshop

Introduction

This case study explores the development and implementation of a new photo processing workflow designed to enhance the experience of student photographers covering the Games.

Challenge

Student photographers typically rely on Lightroom, a familiar tool, but struggle with efficient file management and metadata creation. This creates challenges in achieving consistent results, organizing large volumes of images, and ensuring accurate archiving.

Solution

1. Developing a Comprehensive Guide:

A central guide was created for students, encompassing photo processing in both Lightroom and Photo Mechanic. This approach leveraged their existing knowledge of Lightroom while introducing Photo Mechanic for managing metadata. The guide addressed specific challenges faced in student assignments, including:

• File Naming: Establishing a clear system for naming photographs.
• Metadata Creation: Creating a structured system for capturing and embedding essential data within the images.

2. Sports Photography Workshop:

Isaiah, drawing on his teaching experience as an Instructional Assistant, conducted a comprehensive workshop. Students explained the guide step-by-step, solidifying their understanding and promoting peer-to-peer learning. The workshop covered:

• Metadata Input: Techniques for efficient metadata capture.
• Filename Creation: Implementing consistent and informative naming conventions.
• Truthful Storytelling: Developing guidelines to ensure photographs accurately represent the events captured.

3. Workflow Development:

Isaiah leveraged his experience from the NCAA Photos internship to design a new workflow. This workflow:

• Integrated familiar software (Lightroom) with new software (Photo Mechanic) to optimize processing speed.
• Provided tips for efficient shooting and on-the-fly processing:
  • Tagging images during events.
  • Utilizing pre-defined metadata and filename templates for accuracy.

4. Implementation and Support:

Drawing on his instructional assistant experience, Isaiah:

• Collaborated with photographers and photo cluster managers for clear communication.
• Reviewed submissions to ensure adherence to established standards.

Results

The new workflow facilitated faster image processing, improved organization, and ensured accurate archiving. This case study demonstrates the value of:

• Combining established software with new tools for optimized workflows.
• Utilizing student knowledge through peer-to-peer learning.
• Implementing a structured approach for metadata and file naming.
• Leadership in fostering a positive and collaborative team environment.