Exposure makes it easy to share and edit photos collaboratively with another person. The catalog-free workflow enables you to flexibly work on the same images from multiple computers. We made this video to demonstrate how.
Photo: Alejandro Gutierrez
Transcript
Exposure uses a catalog-free workflow. This means you simply point Exposure to a folder on your computer with images and immediately begin working. There’s no need to import images into a catalog in order to edit them. The Folders panel uses the same structure as your computer hard drive, so there’s no learning curve to find photos like when working with a catalog.
Cloud Location
Synchronizing data using a cloud service is a convenient way to seamlessly transfer resources from one computer to another. Dropbox is an example of a tool that uses the cloud to coordinate files automatically. With Dropbox installed on your computer, simply bookmark your Dropbox folder for quick access.
In the Folder panel, create a new folder within the Dropbox share from the r-click menu. Images and edits placed in this folder will automatically synchronize. All of the photos, flags, labels, stars, and edits will be available from each computer with that folder.
Network Location
You can use a folder on a network to store and edit photos with others on a team. It’s the same no-import process.
Quickly access folder locations on your computer is by setting bookmarks. Add a new bookmark to directly access image folders in a single click. Press the plus button on the Folders panel to add a new bookmark, or click Add a Folder/Drive then navigate to the folder of images you wish to edit. For quick access, use the keyboard shortcut ⌘+B on the Mac, and Ctrl+B on Windows.
The edits in Exposure are contained in small sidecar files within each folder of images, which simplifies data transfers and backups. When working on shared file locations with others, the speed of the connection will impact the responsiveness of reading files. Whenever possible, use a wired connection for extra speed.
Removable Drive
Removable drives can also be used for collaboration. The same workflow applies for archiving photos.
Exposure will not automatically add drives to the Folders panel unless they have been bookmarked previously. When a new removable drive like a USB thumb drive is attached to your computer, click Add a Folder/Drive and select the drive to access its contents. You can browse all the images on the drive using the view subfolder option.
To move images and edits to or from the folder, simply drag and drop the folder of images to make a copy. Or right-click and use copy and then paste. Once the copy process is initiated, you can begin working on files. There’s no need to wait until it’s complete to organize or edit images. That’s one of the major benefits of Exposure’s catalog-free workflow.
