In this podcast episode, I’m addressing a common challenge many photographers face – deciding which photos to keep and which ones to delete. This question came up during a recent live Q&A session in our student community, and I’ve realized just how many photographers struggle with the overwhelming task of managing their digital photo collection. If you find yourself constantly drowning in photos, unsure of which ones to preserve, this episode will provide you with practical steps to approach the task of culling with intention and purpose.
The struggle to sort through hundreds or even thousands of photos is real, especially when each image has its own special memory or significance. But holding onto every shot can lead to cluttered hard drives and a lack of clarity in your photo library. Whether you’re photographing landscapes, wildlife, portraits, or personal moments, the process of determining what to keep and what to let go of can be a daunting task. But with a little organization and the right mindset, you can make decisions with confidence and clarity.
This episode will dive into my personal approach to culling photos – a method that I have refined over the years to help me make better, faster decisions, while also improving my overall photography workflow. Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Shoot with Purpose – A Comprehensive Guide to Intentional Photography
Photography is an art that requires not only technical expertise but also a keen sense of purpose. The first step in my photographic journey is shooting with intention. Instead of simply relying on the practice of “shoot first, decide later,” I prioritize the power of purposeful photography. This approach ensures that each shot I take is deliberate, serving a specific function in the greater context of my work. Whether I’m documenting a moment, telling a story, or simply capturing beauty, having a clear purpose from the outset is crucial.
The Power of Intention in Photography
When setting out to photograph a subject, the first question I ask myself is: why am I photographing this moment? This simple question acts as a compass that guides every shot, ensuring that I am not just clicking for the sake of capturing a picture. By establishing a clear purpose, I can hone in on what exactly I want to communicate through the image. This step is key to producing high-quality, meaningful work.
For example, if I am photographing a person in a city, I will think about what I want the photo to convey. Am I focusing on capturing the person’s personality, a specific emotion, or the energy of the surrounding environment? By answering these questions, I can tailor the composition, lighting, and perspective to reflect the story I want to tell. When I photograph a scene with clear intent, every element in the frame contributes to the overall message I aim to communicate, whether it's the way the light falls, the interaction between subjects, or the details that add context to the moment.
Minimizing Redundancy: A Focused Approach
Shooting with purpose significantly reduces the temptation to over-shoot. It's easy to fall into the habit of taking multiple versions of the same shot, hoping one will turn out better than the others. However, this approach often leads to unnecessary images, requiring hours of culling later. By planning my shots before I press the shutter, I limit the number of photographs I take, focusing only on what’s necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
This streamlined approach not only saves time in the editing phase but also ensures that the final collection of images is focused and cohesive. Fewer photographs mean less time spent sorting through duplicates or near-identical images, allowing me to spend more time refining the photos that truly stand out. Each shot becomes more meaningful, rather than simply a random attempt at capturing something that might work.
Enhancing the Editing Process
Having fewer images to sift through makes the editing process far more efficient and enjoyable. When I shoot with intention, I know exactly what I’m looking for in each photograph, which allows me to work quickly and decisively in post-production. I no longer have to waste time comparing similar images, deciding which one is the best. Instead, I can focus on fine-tuning the ones that align with my original vision.
Moreover, intentional shooting encourages me to think critically about the composition and elements that will make the editing process smoother. For instance, if I am photographing a landscape, I might compose the shot in such a way that minimal adjustments will be needed later. I’ll be mindful of the lighting, composition, and focal points, ensuring that the image is as close to the final version as possible when I capture it. This forethought can greatly reduce the need for heavy editing later.
Planning Ahead: Crafting the Story You Want to Tell
A key aspect of shooting with purpose is planning ahead. If you’re shooting for a specific project, it’s important to know how your photos will fit into the overall narrative. This foresight helps me capture images that not only stand out individually but also complement one another when combined. Whether I’m creating a photo album, a portfolio, or preparing for a gallery exhibition, each shot is a deliberate piece of a larger story.
For example, when documenting my travels, I aim to take a variety of images that help tell the story of my journey. I don’t just capture wide-angle shots of sweeping landscapes. I make sure to include close-ups of interesting details, textures, or objects that reflect the uniqueness of the location. By thinking about how these images will flow together, I can build a cohesive and visually dynamic narrative. If the project calls for a specific theme, I adjust my shooting approach to highlight those elements, ensuring that every photo contributes meaningfully to the final collection.
The Importance of Frameworks in Photography
In my approach, I use specific frameworks to guide my shooting process. These frameworks serve as structures to help me stay focused and balanced in my work. One of the frameworks I rely on is the Storyteller Framework. This method is especially useful when documenting events or capturing moments with a clear narrative. The Storyteller Framework encourages me to look for moments that encapsulate the essence of a story, whether it’s a fleeting glance, an emotional interaction, or a defining moment.
Another valuable framework is the Focused Shot Framework. This is my go-to approach when I need to capture specific subjects in greater detail, such as flowers, portraits, or intricate textures. The Focused Shot Framework helps me narrow my attention to a single subject or element, ensuring that I emphasize what’s most important in the scene. By utilizing these frameworks, I avoid feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what to focus on, which ultimately leads to stronger, more impactful photos.
Understanding the Role of Composition in Intentional Photography
Composition is the backbone of every photograph, and when shooting with purpose, it becomes even more critical. Composition refers to how the various elements within the frame interact with each other, and it plays a significant role in conveying meaning. By composing my shots thoughtfully, I can create visually compelling images that support the story I’m trying to tell.
For instance, when capturing a portrait, I might consider the subject’s body language, their relationship to the surrounding environment, and how light interacts with their features. In landscape photography, I pay close attention to how elements such as the sky, foreground, and horizon line work together to create balance and harmony. By being intentional with my compositions, I can ensure that every photograph has a clear focal point and that every element serves a purpose within the frame.
The Long-Term Benefits of Shooting with Purpose
While shooting with purpose may initially require more thought and effort, the long-term benefits are significant. By developing the habit of intentional photography, I become a more efficient and focused photographer. I learn to see the world through a more discerning lens, understanding the deeper layers of each scene and how they contribute to the story I’m telling.
In addition to enhancing my technical skills, shooting with purpose helps me build a more cohesive portfolio. When I shoot with intention, my photos aren’t just random snapshots; they’re carefully crafted images that reflect my vision and perspective. This approach is particularly valuable when it comes to building a professional portfolio, as it showcases my ability to create meaningful, well-composed images.
Step 2: Eliminate the "Bad" Photos First – Streamlining the Editing Process
After the initial excitement of capturing photos and uploading them to my editing software, the next critical phase in the post-production process is eliminating the "bad" photos. This step is essential to ensure that I can focus my energy on the images that have the potential to become part of my final collection. The process involves going through my set of photos quickly and efficiently, removing any images that are obviously flawed or redundant.
The Importance of Removing Unnecessary Images
The act of deleting the “bad” photos is more than just a means of decluttering the editing environment. It’s an essential part of refining my workflow and setting the foundation for the final selection of images. When I first upload the photos to software like Lightroom, I begin by reviewing them all to identify the obvious mistakes or errors. This includes blurry images, those that are out of focus, shots with closed eyes, or those that simply don’t tell a compelling story. If an image doesn’t resonate with me immediately, it’s often a good idea to trust that instinct and delete it. It may be tempting to hold onto every shot, but in the long run, eliminating poor-quality images makes the entire editing process smoother and more efficient.
This elimination phase is an exercise in being selective and understanding what makes a good photograph. As a photographer, it’s essential to learn to be critical of your own work, knowing that not every shot will turn out as envisioned. This doesn't diminish the experience or effort put into taking the photos; rather, it reflects the understanding that photography, like any other art form, requires discerning choices.
Cleaning Up the Clutter
When I review my photos for deletion, I focus on those that are clearly not worth keeping. There’s no benefit in holding onto images that are blurry or out of focus, especially if the primary goal is to produce a collection of sharp, high-quality photos. I also remove images that suffer from poor lighting conditions, even if they were taken in a moment of excitement or inspiration. Photos where subjects have their eyes closed or where the composition doesn’t align with the story I’m trying to tell are prime candidates for deletion as well.
One of the key advantages of this quick elimination process is that it removes a significant amount of clutter right from the start. The faster I eliminate the “bad” photos, the sooner I can focus on refining the keepers. By cutting out the distractions, I set myself up for a much smoother editing session where I can concentrate on the images that matter most. Instead of becoming bogged down by an overwhelming number of photos, I can dive straight into working on the ones that have the most potential to shine.
Deleting Duplicates and Redundant Shots
In the heat of a photoshoot, it’s easy to take multiple shots of the same scene, hoping for the perfect moment or frame. However, this often results in numerous duplicates or very similar images, which can slow down the editing process. During this phase of elimination, I focus on identifying and deleting any redundant shots. These duplicates often take up unnecessary space in my library and only add to the complexity of choosing the best shot later.
The importance of removing duplicates is that it simplifies the decision-making process. When there are multiple versions of the same image, it can be difficult to decide which one to keep, especially if they all look similar. By eliminating these duplicate images early on, I can avoid the overwhelming task of comparing nearly identical shots. The fewer images I have to sift through, the more time I have to invest in perfecting the ones that stand out.
Trusting Your Instincts and Priorities
As I go through the process of eliminating photos, I rely heavily on my instincts and the intention I set in Step 1 of my workflow. If an image doesn't align with the purpose I established for the shoot, it’s much easier to delete it without hesitation. Whether it’s a moment that doesn’t contribute to the story I’m trying to tell or a technical flaw that I know I can’t fix, my prior decisions about the shoot’s objective act as a guiding force.
For example, if I’m photographing a wedding and my goal is to document the emotional essence of the day, I’ll immediately discard any photos that don’t capture that sentiment—no matter how technically well-executed they may be. This could include shots that focus too much on decor or people who are out of frame. Instead, I focus on those images that help tell the emotional narrative of the event, aligning with the vision I had when I first picked up the camera.
The Emotional Challenge of Deleting Photos
One of the most difficult aspects of eliminating photos is the emotional attachment that often comes with them. Photographers can become attached to the moments they’ve captured, even if the images themselves aren’t of the highest quality. It’s important to remember that this attachment doesn’t diminish the value of the experience itself. Deleting these photos is simply a way to make room for the images that truly stand out and represent the vision you aimed for.
At times, I may find myself hesitating before deleting a shot that feels important but lacks technical quality. However, over time, I’ve learned that the process of eliminating these images actually helps preserve the integrity of the collection as a whole. Keeping subpar shots only dilutes the impact of the best images, and when working on a project that will ultimately be shared with others, this level of refinement becomes essential.
Efficiency in Workflow: A Key to Productivity
Another advantage of eliminating bad photos quickly is that it makes the entire editing workflow much more efficient. When I have a clear, well-curated selection of images, I can dive into the editing phase with more focus and clarity. The process of sifting through photos to select the best ones can be tedious and time-consuming if I don’t start by eliminating obvious errors.
By approaching the editing process in phases—first removing bad photos, then working on the keepers—I create a more structured workflow that allows me to work faster and with greater precision. The elimination step serves as the first line of defense against inefficiency and sets the tone for the rest of the editing process. When I don’t waste time on poor-quality shots, I can dedicate more energy to refining and enhancing the images that truly stand out.
Refining the Final Selection: The Next Step in the Process
Once I’ve eliminated the photos that don’t meet my standards, I’m left with a more refined selection of images that have the potential to become part of the final collection. From this point, I can begin the process of color correction, cropping, and applying any necessary adjustments to enhance the photos further. With fewer distractions, I’m better able to focus on perfecting the keepers, creating a cohesive and impactful final product.
As I move forward with the editing process, I continue to refine my selection by focusing on those images that best align with the narrative or purpose of the shoot. This is where my intention, set in Step 1, comes full circle. The images I’ve kept after the elimination process are the ones that best serve the story or emotion I want to convey, and I can now work on enhancing them to their full potential.
Step 3: Seek Out the "Great" Photos – Identifying the Gems in Your Collection
After the initial phase of eliminating the bad photos, the next step in the editing process is perhaps the most exciting—seeking out the "great" photos. These are the images that stand out from the crowd, the ones that make you stop, take a breath, and feel something deep. The ones that, whether they’re spontaneous, composed, or the result of perfect timing, truly capture the essence of the moment.
Understanding What Makes a Photo "Great"
A great photo doesn’t just show what something looks like; it evokes a feeling, tells a story, or captures an emotion. These are the photos that you feel a connection with, the ones you want to show off, the ones that feel like a slice of magic frozen in time. When I go through my photos, the great ones are the ones that stand out from the crowd—not because they are technically perfect, but because they move me in some way.
For instance, the right lighting can transform a mundane scene into something extraordinary. Perhaps it’s the soft golden hour light that bathes a landscape in warmth, or the way harsh sunlight casts dramatic shadows across a subject’s face. Great photos often contain a moment of perfect harmony between light and shadow, revealing details that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Similarly, great photos can feature subjects with powerful expressions that tell a story in a glance or posture. Whether it’s a person’s joyful smile or the contemplative gaze of a child, these moments speak volumes. It’s not just about what’s in the frame, but the emotional resonance that it carries. A truly great photo is one that makes you feel something—whether it’s happiness, awe, sadness, or curiosity.
Searching for Emotion and Storytelling
In this stage of editing, I search for the shots that communicate a story. A great photo is often a piece of a larger narrative. It could be the middle moment of a sequence or an image that encapsulates a particular theme. For example, a shot of a couple sharing an intimate moment at sunset tells a different story than a group shot of friends at a party. Both may be technically strong, but the emotional content differs, and that difference is what will help me identify the great photos.
Photographs that tell a compelling story usually have one or more focal points that draw the viewer in. The story might not be immediately obvious, but there’s something about the composition, the elements within the frame, or the subject’s posture that sparks the imagination. For instance, a portrait that captures a person’s deep thought or quiet reflection can tell a story more powerfully than an image with a flashy background or extravagant colors. It’s the feeling in the subject’s eyes, the subtlety in the way they’re framed, that makes it special.
In addition to storytelling, emotion plays a huge role in identifying great photos. A powerful image often captures a raw, unfiltered emotion. This could be joy, love, surprise, or even sadness. Emotion isn’t something that can always be planned; sometimes it happens in an instant, and it’s up to the photographer to be ready to capture it. These emotional moments often feel genuine and personal, drawing the viewer into the subject’s world.
Evaluating Technical Aspects of the Photo
While emotion and storytelling are vital, technical excellence also plays a role in determining whether a photo is truly great. However, technical aspects like exposure, sharpness, and composition are not the end-all be-all. A technically perfect photo doesn’t automatically make it great; it’s the balance of technique and emotion that creates a masterpiece. That being said, I still evaluate the technical aspects of each image, especially when I’m trying to narrow down my selection.
For example, the sharpness of the focus in a portrait is crucial for conveying the personality and intensity of the subject. A blurry image may fail to communicate the subject’s expression effectively, no matter how emotional it is. Likewise, exposure is key to ensuring that the details in both the shadows and highlights are captured correctly. If a photo is underexposed or overexposed, it might lose some of its impact. However, sometimes the imperfections in technique can enhance the feeling of a photo. A slight blur or unusual composition might help convey motion or urgency, adding to the photo’s narrative power.
At this point, the key is not just focusing on the technical quality of the photos but also how well the technique supports the emotion or story. A technically imperfect photo can still be great if it evokes the right feeling. However, a technically strong photo that fails to engage emotionally might not make the cut.
Marking the Standouts
Once I’ve identified the images that stand out, I mark them for further attention. In Lightroom, I might rate them with a higher star rating or flag them as picks. This is where I begin to separate the truly great photos from those that are just “good” or “acceptable.” I treat this phase as a selection process, narrowing down the options to the ones that have the most potential to shine.
The marking system is subjective and intuitive. Sometimes, I’ll rate a photo highly because it captures a fleeting moment of emotion that I can’t quite explain. Other times, it’s the striking composition, the play of light and shadow, or the unique perspective that elevates the image. Either way, the goal is to identify the ones that stand out above the rest, the photos that have that special something that makes them unforgettable.
It’s not always easy to pinpoint what makes a photo stand out. Sometimes, I’ll come across an image that’s not immediately striking, but something about it will grab my attention when I take a second or third look. This is when I trust my instincts and let my emotional response guide the decision. If a photo resonates with me, even in a subtle way, I know it has potential.
Handling the Middle-of-the-Road Shots
The challenge arises when I come across photos that fall into a middle ground. These shots are neither bad nor great; they’re somewhere in between. These middle-of-the-road images are often the hardest to evaluate because they don’t immediately stand out, yet they don’t deserve to be discarded either. This is where Step 4 comes into play—using the context of the intention and the frameworks established earlier in the process.
In cases where a photo doesn’t have an obvious emotional or technical strength, I lean on the initial purpose and framework that guided my photography in the first place. If the intention behind the shoot was to capture raw moments of emotion, and the photo in question doesn’t meet that standard, I’ll be more likely to let it go. However, if the photo still aligns with the larger story or goal of the project, I may keep it for further refinement.
The key is to make decisions based on the bigger picture. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of individual images, but the overall narrative and purpose of the shoot should guide your choices. This ensures that every photo that makes it through the selection process contributes to the broader story you’re trying to tell.
Trusting Your Intuition and Vision
As I work through the process of identifying great photos, one of the most important tools at my disposal is my intuition. Sometimes, a photo speaks to me in ways that can’t be explained through logic or technical evaluation alone. I might not be able to pinpoint exactly why I love a particular shot, but I can feel its power. This is the magic of photography—the ability to capture a fleeting moment, an expression, or a feeling that can’t be recreated.
At this stage, I trust my instincts and my vision for the project. Whether I’m documenting an event, telling a personal story, or capturing a beautiful landscape, the great photos will be those that align with the emotion and message I want to communicate. Trusting my intuition allows me to stay true to my creative vision, ensuring that the final selection of photos is authentic and meaningful.
Step 4: Reflect on Your Original Intentions – Making Final Selections
After carefully eliminating the bad photos and identifying the great ones, the next crucial step is to reflect on your original intentions and revisit the frameworks that guided your initial photographic process. This reflection is essential, especially when deciding what to do with the middle-of-the-road shots that fall into a grey area—those images that aren’t terrible but don’t immediately stand out either.
Revisiting the Purpose of Your Shoot
Reflecting on your original intentions gives you a clearer understanding of why you took the photos in the first place. Whether your goal was to document a special event, create a narrative, or simply capture the beauty of a scene, reconnecting with that purpose helps inform your decisions. It allows you to evaluate each shot through the lens of your overarching goal, providing a framework to help you make more focused and informed choices.
For instance, let’s consider a situation where I’ve captured a family event. After eliminating the blurry or poorly composed images and marking the great ones, I find myself left with a few photos that don’t quite fit into either of the two categories. These middle-of-the-road photos aren’t bad by any means, but they don’t seem to carry the same impact as the great shots. This is where revisiting my original goal—creating a photo album that tells a cohesive and emotional story of the family gathering—becomes essential in making the final decision.
In this case, I need to reflect on the core purpose behind my shoot. Do these middle-of-the-road photos contribute to the narrative of the event in a meaningful way? Are they important to completing the story I want to tell? By asking myself these questions, I can determine if these images align with my goals and ultimately deserve to be included in the final collection.
The Role of Narrative in Choosing Photos
If your photography project involves telling a story, such as documenting a family event, then the importance of narrative becomes even more apparent when selecting between middle-of-the-road shots. A strong narrative in photography is built on coherence, flow, and emotional resonance. Some images might seem technically good, but they could disrupt the flow of the story you’re trying to tell.
When reflecting on your original goals, think about how each image fits into the narrative. Does it add to the atmosphere you’ve set? Does it provide a new perspective or enhance the emotion of the moment? If an image doesn’t serve the story in a meaningful way, it might be best to let it go, even if it’s not inherently bad.
For example, if I’ve already captured several close-up shots of people interacting, a middle-of-the-road shot of an empty room might not contribute significantly to the story, even though it might be a technically decent image. On the other hand, if I have a photo that captures the room in a meaningful way—perhaps with family members arriving or leaving—it could offer valuable context to the overall narrative.
Using Frameworks to Evaluate the Middle-of-the-Road Shots
In addition to narrative considerations, frameworks that you use for shooting—such as the Storyteller Framework or the Focused Shot Framework—can also guide your decision-making process during this stage. These frameworks help you evaluate each image through a set of established criteria, making it easier to identify whether a middle-of-the-road shot is worth keeping or whether it should be removed.
For example, if I was photographing a flower with the intention of creating a fine art print, I would apply the Focused Shot Framework to evaluate my images. This framework focuses on essential elements like composition, lighting, sharpness, and overall quality. When working toward a high-quality print, I would carefully assess each photo for these characteristics. If a middle-of-the-road shot doesn’t meet the high standards for print quality—perhaps due to poor lighting, lack of sharpness, or awkward composition—then it doesn’t serve the original intention, and I would eliminate it.
By using frameworks as evaluative tools, I create a more objective approach to making these final selections, ensuring that my decisions are aligned with the intended purpose of the shoot. Whether the goal is creating a compelling narrative or producing high-quality art prints, the framework helps maintain consistency and purpose in the final edit.
Balancing Between Technical Perfection and Emotional Impact
In this phase of the editing process, it’s important to strike a balance between technical perfection and emotional impact. While technical excellence is crucial, emotion is often what makes a photo truly stand out. Middle-of-the-road shots might have solid technical attributes—sharp focus, good exposure, and proper lighting—but if they don’t evoke an emotional response, they might not make the final cut.
This is where your original intentions come into play. If your purpose was to capture an emotional moment, a technically perfect shot that lacks emotional depth may not resonate with you in the same way. In contrast, a slightly imperfect photo with raw emotion, a candid moment, or an unexpected expression might better align with your vision, even if it doesn’t meet every technical standard.
For example, a photo of a couple laughing together might be slightly out of focus, but the joy and connection between them are undeniable. This image, despite its technical flaws, might better support the emotional tone of the project than a perfectly composed but sterile shot. Reflecting on the emotional objectives of your shoot helps in evaluating the importance of such moments.
Making Tough Decisions: Letting Go of "Good Enough"
One of the hardest aspects of the editing process is letting go of images that are "good enough" but don’t quite reach the level of greatness you’re aiming for. These middle-of-the-road shots might evoke some level of satisfaction but ultimately don’t contribute to the overall goal of the project. It’s easy to become attached to photos that are technically sound or that capture a fleeting moment, but in the end, every image must serve the larger purpose.
This is where the clarity that comes from reflecting on your original intention can be incredibly helpful. If an image doesn’t align with your vision for the project, it’s okay to delete it. Even though it may not feel bad enough to throw away, keeping it can dilute the overall impact of your collection. Trusting your instincts and sticking to your initial goals helps you make these tough decisions.
Strengthening the Cohesion of Your Collection
As you make your final selections, it’s important to ensure that all the images work together to form a cohesive body of work. Whether you’re creating a portfolio, a photo album, or a fine art series, the final collection should feel unified in both tone and theme. By reflecting on your original intentions and using your frameworks, you can create a harmonious selection of photos that align with the story you want to tell or the emotion you want to convey.
For example, in a family album, the images you select should complement each other and build on one another. If the majority of your photos capture intimate, emotional moments, a shot that is overly posed or distant might disrupt the flow of the album. However, a photo that shows a broader context—like the family gathering for a group shot—might add balance and perspective to the story without overshadowing the more intimate moments.
Trusting Your Vision for the Project
At the end of the day, the most important aspect of this step is trusting your vision for the project. You’ve already gone through several stages of selection, eliminating the bad shots and highlighting the great ones. Now, by revisiting your original intentions, you can confidently make final decisions about the middle-of-the-road shots. These decisions are about aligning each photo with your vision, knowing that every image you select will contribute to the broader story or theme you’ve set out to capture.
This step involves more than just selecting technically strong images—it’s about creating a narrative, emotion, and overall experience for your audience. By reflecting on your original intentions, you ensure that your final collection is not just a series of individual photographs, but a cohesive, compelling body of work that accurately represents your artistic vision.
