4196. Thematic portfolios using Lightroom Collections by Wiliam Neil

 5 Aug 2022

Outdoor Photographer Dec 2021

CURATING INSPIRATION IN YOUR PHOTO COLLECTIONS

Using Lightroom Collections to build thematic portfolios can help strengthen your unique POV and prompt new creativity.

1. Specific projects like editing for a new book or exhibit - use themes.

2. Developing Collections. His course of 8 weeks online - Portfolio Development. Results in improvement of student portfolios. Edit tightly, express their passion for subject matter more clearly. Collection module in LR ---> Collections and Smart Colections (ratings, keywords, chronologically by day, month or year. Before he clicks IMPORT, he adds keywords for searching later. As he edits, he rates them on both technical and aesthetics. Both keywording and rating help in future editing.

3. The Art of Curation. Currently...his new Yosemite book. Selecting the finest photo that communicate his decades-long love affair with Yosemite.  Factors such as season, scale, lighting and subject matter are considered. Images most expressive and unique will receive highest priority. 

Also consider other criteria for the project e.g. quantity of photos, compostional variety (intimate landscapes v wide scenes), older work v. new photos.

He uses Lightroom Survey function to get a clearer sense of what he has in his libary for Yosemite winter photos. E.g query on too many "snow on branches" 

4. Inspiration From Curation.
Developed themes give ideas for new projects or new themes. Take your passion for a place or subject and build a portfolio around that passion. To reach your next level of photography, think about what you want to say. Put it all in a portfolio to make a powerful statement beyond what a singular image can convey.

LIGHTROOM 'S COLLECTIONS AND SURVEY function help focus your curation process, allowing you to examine relationships, similarities and differences between images in a group.