1. import all files with 1:1 previews
2. first pass rough edit deleting all blurry, out of focus, and otherwise obvious bad images (including duplicates that really are identical , but I do keep images that are only similar if they are technically good)
3. 2nd pass edit with detailed assessment of duplicates and marginal images to see if they can be saved and/or if they are worth keeping
4. my nightly backup will copy all the keepers into my extensive backup system (eventually there will at least 4 copies of everything)
5. on future days any additional edits or deletions will also propogate through that backup system

It works for me, but I would like to be able to have at least 2 copies before doing any edits. I haven’t been able to find an automated way to do that so far as any software that I have tried will get confused when there are copies of images on the backup drive that aren’t on the main drive. I’m sure I could get around it (maybe with something more like time machine).

I was also curious if you were deleting the rejects from your working library but still maintained a backup of the entire shoot – just in case you were ever to revisit what you once thought was bad.

In summary. Reject photos are deleted forever.

So you make two (or three) copies of all of the files before doing any editing, then you delete all the obviously bad ones. Do you then go back in and sync all the deletes on the backup drives??

I’ve heard of many photogs using the automatic backup on import to Lightroom, but I’ve never been able to figure out how to easily sync the deletes. I generally make my backup copies only after my first edit. I like to shoot lots of images, and so there are usually lots to delete right away as well. How do you make this work?

Now, do you have a workflow for 6,425 concert photos?

Pogo only prints from JPG or RAW+JPG, but it needs the JPG. I just set my C1 custom function to JPG, P-mode, quick an’dirty shot so I don’t have to fiddle with it all.