A few words on my blogging process – and how I’ve automated as much as possible for quick and easy posting!
Click. Click. Click. Another breakfast captured digitally, in the highest resolution my camera allows.
I also could not blog and maintain happiness without my wonderful, wonderful HP Desktop. It has a widescreen monitor, Windows 7 and is super fast. I also have an HP Laptop – the dm4, which I also love with all my heart.
I import my photos into Adobe Lightroom through a slot on my computer.
I bought LR this winter for $180 from Buy.com. It was a wonderful purchase – saves me SO.much.time. Lightroom is made specifically for photo editing, so it makes the process very easy and automated. I think Ultimately Photoshop (the big daddy) is probably the BEST editing software, but I have never used it because I can’t afford it! [I edited with Adobe Elements for a long time and while I love the Pioneer Woman’s Actions, Lightroom saves me much more time than doing each photo by hand]
The Lightroom Presets are awesome. You can apply any kind of editing (warmer, brighten, sharpen) and SAVE the preset so the next time you need to do one – or MANY – things to a photo, you can do them in one click. These are the ones I have created and use daily, depending on the photo set I’m working with:
So then I start to apply the presets to the photos.
Real life is vibrant and alive. The camera can’t capture that 100%. I think of the editing process as adding back the vibrancy and beauty that the camera took away. I never change the composition of the photo, I just help it go from dull to vibrant.
Another amazing feature of Lightroom is the SYNC button. You can apply a setting to one photo, push SYNC and it applies the setting to ALL of the photos you choose. So.much.time.saved.
And of course you can always edit anything by hand, which I do do a lot, especially in unusual lighting or white balance conditions:
I’ve used Picasa to make some of the big collages I’ve posted in the past. But I’ve been using Lightroom recently to create smaller collages via templates.
On the PRINT tab, you can use templates to put photos together and then print as a JPG:
This new JPG goes to my IMPORT folder and then automatically appears in my photo box below so I can keep on working!
Here are templates that I have created and use frequently:
Once I am done editing (which now only takes me maybe 10-15 minutes instead of 30-45) I export the photos to a folder called BLOG UPLOAD. I probably only use about 50% of the photos I take, so BLOG UPLOAD only contains edited, resized photos that I plan to blog. The originals are all saved in a Lightroom folder that I rarely, if ever, reference. I delete the high-res photos every now and then.
As the photos are exported, they also get resized to 600 px (my blog width) and compressed to 50% quality. I’ve tried hard to balance quality and size to reduce the load on my page and this seems to be working well for the time being.
Again, everything is automated!!
At this point I open Windows Live Writer and Windows Live Gallery [both free Windows downloads!] Again, I could not blog without them!!
I quickly snap them to each side of my widescreen monitor and can see my post and all my photos at the same time:
WLG normally opens right to my BLOG UPLOAD folder:
In Windows Live, you can simply copy and past photos into the page and write your text in between.
Two fun features are the fact that you can change all kinds of fonts right there and format just like a Microsoft Word doc.
And Auto Linking! I set up so many things [like coconut butter or Angela or Barney Butter] on autolink so I never have to look them up.
Once my post is done, I push publish and it magically sends everything to KERF!
I use WP Site Care for all my tech support – Ryan is a genius!
Check out this post for a list of servers and their ratings!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
March 23, 2011 at 9:36 amYou’ve convinced me to buy LIghtroom! I’ve heard amazing things about it. I typically edit in regular Photoshop, but this is a worthy investment. Can’t wait to try it!
My Eye-Fi card still makes me paranoid, though. After I lost a whole set of Christmas photos 2 Christmases ago, I haven’t wanted to use it. But I might give it a try again. They contacted me right away and offered to restore my images, which was very nice. 🙂
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing says
March 23, 2011 at 9:37 amI love how you use your widescreen to write and view/anticipate/incorporate your photos at the same time. That is indeed the one challenge of a macbook for me — nice and compact, but some sacrifice involved with that 😉 Though I’m not complaining! Thanks for an informative post; it was fun to see your method!
Julie @ Lettuce Choose Healthy says
March 23, 2011 at 9:40 amthis is so interesting ..!!! I really need to work on imporving my photos
megan @ whatmegansmaking says
March 23, 2011 at 9:41 amThank you so much for this, it’s so helpful! I use picasa for all my editing, but I really want to buy photoshop elements. Now you’ve got me thinking about lightroom instead! And I’ve just started using live writer. Seriously, I’m so behind on all this stuff.
Angela (Oh She Glows) says
March 23, 2011 at 9:47 amLove this post!! I’ve been using Lightroom since last summer and it has made me SO excited about photography now. I was always so disappointed when looking at my dull RAW images, but when I started using Lightroom everything changed. It is such a user-friendly program and I could not live without it. Also, when you shoot in raw, the vibrance is taken away, so you really do need to add ‘life’ back into the raw images using photo editing software.
I had no idea about that Print function, but it looks like I will be trying it out soon! I have always done photo collages in Photoshop, but I had no idea you could do it in Lightroom too. 🙂 Fun stuff.
Please tell me you use the cropping function too? That is one of my fav parts 🙂 twisting and turning and cropping…you can zoom in and have an entirely different photo by just a couple clicks.
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 10:03 amI do crop occasionally, but I don’t know how to do the twists and turns!! You’ll have to do a tutorial on that soon 🙂
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
March 23, 2011 at 9:49 amThank you for this info Kath — I’m still working out a ton of kinks, but I feel like once I’m in a routine it won’t take me forever to write/publish a post!
I downloaded WLW last night and I can’t wait to try it out!
Alaina says
March 23, 2011 at 9:51 amI love love LOVE using Live Writer!! Such a time saver. Lightroom looks like a great program too. When (or if) I get a nicer camera, I may have to splurge on that. 🙂
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
March 23, 2011 at 9:59 amThis is an incredible post Kath! Thank you so much for sharing these tips. I had no idea all that goes into the photo process… definitely a work of art! 🙂
Gretchen @ Honey, I Shrunk the Gretchen! says
March 23, 2011 at 10:04 amThis is fantastic, Kath! I use Lightroom as well, but never have taken advantage of any of the pre-sets or automatic functions, like brightening upon import. I will definitely have to spend some time playing around with that now! This also makes me painfully aware of how awesome Windows Live Writer is, but until I retired my beautiful Macbook child, I fear I won’t be able to jump on that train.
Thanks for the glimpse behind the curtain at KERF! 🙂
Lisa Rainer @ Healthful Sense says
March 23, 2011 at 10:07 amVery informative. U are super organized! 🙂
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
March 23, 2011 at 10:08 amThanks for sharing with us the process. You have really streamlined your blogging process, so cool to see what I can look forward to in the future if I ever invest in that editing tool or other photo tools.
Thanks Kath.
Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me says
March 23, 2011 at 10:08 amThis software looks pretty awesome! You must be pretty quick with it now. I don’t care for Picasa that much. It slows my computer down so much. I use it only when I really have to.
Eliza says
March 23, 2011 at 10:10 amI love Lightroom, too, but I’d recommend being careful of too many adjustments with the photos. It’s easy to make them look too blown out. A good white balance corrector on your camera can help make those adjustments before you even take a snap!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
March 23, 2011 at 10:11 amI loved this post Kath! It’s so interesting to see the processes that other bloggers use. I’m bookmarking this for sure! I haven’t used LiveWriter before (or I guess Ecto in my case because I’ve got a Mac) but I’m considering making some changes to my blog over the coming months so I appreciate learning about what you use!
Amy says
March 23, 2011 at 10:13 amThis post has convinced me I could never be a blogger (any more than as a hobby) – I do not have the patience for photography + technology! I do love how much brighter your photos look in the “after” section, though. What a big difference!
Ashley (The Vegetable Life) says
March 23, 2011 at 10:14 amWow such an awesome insight into KERF! Love it!
Kerry says
March 23, 2011 at 10:14 amWow! Now I know why your pictures always look so FANTASTIC and vibrant – camera’s really do take that away normally! Thanks for all the tips ! I’ve just started a blog so I’m muddling through at the moment – as always you’re the paragon of organisation!
Anne @ Baking Me says
March 23, 2011 at 10:16 amThis is such great information! Thanks for sharing. I will definitely be using these tips to help streamline my photos 🙂
Erin says
March 23, 2011 at 10:17 amWow, this makes my head hurt! Haha. I’m just starting with my blog, so I’m nowhere near this kind of stuff, but it’s a great thing to see regardless. I’m impressed 🙂
Anastasia says
March 23, 2011 at 10:18 amWhat an awesome post! I’ve never heard of a wi-fi memory card, but I’m definitely going to get one! That’s just so neat.
Canadian Colleen says
March 23, 2011 at 10:25 amThanks Kath
I really enjoyed learning all this stuff, I have considered my own blog but concerned of time involved. You’ve shown me that software is available to help with time restraints.
laurie says
March 23, 2011 at 10:28 amI’ve read your blog since Day 1 and your creativity and passion never cease to amaze me! For someone who is still in the dinosaur ear when it comes to technology, I really appreciate all of the hard work and effort you put into your blog. KERF rules!!!!
laurie says
March 23, 2011 at 10:29 amI meant “era”!
Erin (Travel Eat Repeat) says
March 23, 2011 at 10:38 amI wish there was a free program like Windows Live Writer for Macs — looks like such a time-saver as opposed to manually putting everything into WordPress!
Molly says
March 23, 2011 at 10:39 amGreat post, Kath! I want to be as neat and organized as you are when I grow up 🙂
Carlee says
March 23, 2011 at 10:43 amA wifi memory card? How did I not know about this…I work in IT for heaven’s sake. I just started blogging back in September and the biggest hassel for me is plugging in to upload my photos. I will be heading to Best Buy ASAP to pick up one of these wifi memory cards for sure.
I have been using Adobe Elements and so far it is working for me but I may have to investigate Lightroom now too.
Great post Kath!
Heather I. says
March 23, 2011 at 10:43 amThis post is now at the top of my bookmarks and will stay that way! My husband loves lightroom, but I never knew of all its magnificence. Thank you for enlightening me! Awesome.
Stacey says
March 23, 2011 at 10:48 amGreatly informative post! How do you know the width of your blog becasue I have trouble with that sometimes. The photos will be horizontal in windows live but when I upload them, they become vertical becasue it was too wide!!!!!
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 10:54 amBecause I designed the layout !? 🙂 Look in your theme for the content width and you can find the number
Stacey says
March 23, 2011 at 11:00 amOh duh. Thanks I will be looking for that today.
Flourchild says
March 23, 2011 at 10:52 amOh my gosh..I have so much to learn…thank you so much for the information!!
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather says
March 23, 2011 at 10:55 amWow I so need to work on my automation! Spending some time looking into these things this weekend for sure!
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe says
March 23, 2011 at 11:06 amTons of great information here! I’m on a Mac, so no LiveWriter for me. 🙁 I’ve been doing ok at using the standard WordPress editor quickly but I know LR would be so much better. Right now all of my photos get uploaded and edited in iPhoto, which is an ok program if you’re just managing personal photos, but I think you’ve just convinced me that for blogging I definitely need to pick up Lightroom at some point!
Natalia - a side of simple says
March 23, 2011 at 11:07 amThe wonderful magic behind KERF 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing the details! It’s really inspired me in terms of blogging and, of course, office setup 😉
Marci says
March 23, 2011 at 11:11 amSuper informative even though I don’t use LR. I love to see behind the scenes stuff.
Kristi @ Hiding in Honduras says
March 23, 2011 at 11:11 amThanks for talking about Lightroom…I’ve been curious. I love the Sync and Presets!
rebecca lustig says
March 23, 2011 at 11:14 amlove the HP/windows 7 shoutout! I love my hp laptop, just bought it a year ago and have had no problems since purchasing
Have a great day,
Rebecca
http://fromheretothereinpurple.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/rlustig
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
March 23, 2011 at 11:21 amHoly high tech system Kath! Your method seems so easy and fool proof. I def need some software that makes ‘light editing’ easy. Sometimes my best shot is dark or whites aren’t balanced and I can’t use them bc I have no editing abilities. Great post. Love how your pics automatically upload. This prob makes like SO much easier for you. WAY less time to make super cool/ pretty posts!
Katie says
March 23, 2011 at 11:21 amSuch a great post! I am so glad you did this post, I really am intrigued by the light room! I have never heard of that! Your pics always look amazing as ever! Thanks for a great post!!
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
March 23, 2011 at 11:33 amThat blog exporter is so cool! No wonder you can post 3 times a day and still live life, haha 🙂
Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan) says
March 23, 2011 at 11:37 amI’m loving all of the presets! Sounds like it saves so much time 🙂
I downloaded Windows Live Writer a few months ago and am SO GLAD that I did. I had been blogging the ancient way (through WordPress!). Each post would take forever, now it only takes about 15-20 minutes 🙂
Yippee!!!
Heather says
March 23, 2011 at 11:39 amEasy side by side windows is easily the greatest feature of windows 7 EVER:)
Lisa says
March 23, 2011 at 11:43 amWhat a cool program! I recently started using a lightbox (which I love) but even with that some photos still need to be fixed. Thanks for the info!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
March 23, 2011 at 11:49 amthis makes me want a PC!!!
Emily @ One Sweet Vegan says
March 23, 2011 at 11:55 amThanks for telling us how you make blogging less time consuming. I wondered how you managed 3 times a day! 🙂
Nancy~The Wife of a Dairyman says
March 23, 2011 at 11:56 amGreat tips Kath! I’m bookmarking this post for future reference. We can only get sattelite internet service out on our farm…which is only a step up from dial-up and wish we can have high speed internet….my photos take FOREVER to download. Have a great day:)
Laura @Foodsnobstl says
March 23, 2011 at 11:57 amWhat a great post. Thank you for sharing!!
Gina says
March 23, 2011 at 12:00 pmPhotoshop is more of a “hands-on” editing software, although their are a few automated things you can do to edit your photo. If you are ever interested in trying it, you could always download a 30 day trial from Adobe.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
March 23, 2011 at 12:01 pmAgree with you about Lightroom, it makes blogging so much more easier and fun 🙂
Amber from Girl with the Red Hair says
March 23, 2011 at 12:02 pmLove this tutorial. I might have to get Lightroom now. I use photoshop to edit blog photos right now – but you’re right, it can take up to 30 – 45 minutes to edit all my photos and create my post. So time consuming sometimes!!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
March 23, 2011 at 12:03 pmI now officially want Lightroom. That is so cool how it has all the presets!
Lee @ RealLeeRunning says
March 23, 2011 at 12:05 pmAmazing post. Thank you so much! You have no idea how helpful this is!!
Dimple Snatcher says
March 23, 2011 at 12:07 pmABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY appreciate this post, Kath. Thank you!!
Kathy @ newlywedindc says
March 23, 2011 at 12:11 pmThis is a fascinating post; thank you for doing it! Your photos are always so amazing and I just thought you had a great camera and lighting. 🙂 I’m impressed by how much you have automated.
Could you do a follow-up post on how you blog when you’re on the road? That always seems really difficult to me.
Also, I never heard of dressing a salad with honey and olive oil until I started reading your blog. I tried it today (atop spinach, orange segments, broccoli, and wild salmon) and it was excellent! Must get lavender salt next. Thanks for the idea!
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 12:46 pmIt’s exactly the same when I’m on the road except the Eye-fi isn’t set up. But I use the other 3 programs on my laptop. I’m slower (and so is my computer) but it’s still pretty seamless
Donna says
March 23, 2011 at 12:13 pmLove Love Love this post
Thank you for all the tips
My BF uses LightRoom and i’ve always just used iPhoto on my macbook but thats going to change soon!
My blog wants to be just like yours when it grows up 🙂
Parita @ myinnershakti says
March 23, 2011 at 12:18 pmI like how you wrote this post up – very easy to follow and understand. Thank you! I really need to download Windows Live Writer. It’s on my to do list. 🙂
Janice Smith says
March 23, 2011 at 12:21 pmAs a blogger, this post was AMAZING. Helps give me some incite on how to be more efficient with my time.
Only thought was… how much of this can be done on a Mac? Any thoughts/suggestions from Mac bloggers out there on suggested (preferably cheap/free) programs?
Gracias!!!
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 12:46 pmSorry I’m not a Mac fan at all!
Emily says
January 10, 2017 at 4:39 pmI’m a professional designer, so I am a Mac fan — they are actually much, much, much more powerful than Windows machines when it comes to graphics and editing photos, but there’s a big difference between what the amateur/blogger requires and what the graphics/photography professionals require (that’s why you’ll find most of us professionals using Macs exclusively.) I don’t think there are many “cheap, easy” photo programs for Macs, because Macs are geared more towards higher-level users, but if you’re reading this now, Adobe offers Photoshop on a subscription-based basis and cloud-based software can be accessed anywhere. If you’re serious about digital photography and photo editing, Photoshop far, far, far exceeds lightroom — it is the go-to tool for the professional photo editor, and it is well worth the investment.
KathEats says
January 10, 2017 at 4:42 pmI am all Mac now in 2017!
Emily says
January 10, 2017 at 4:44 pmBut, lightroom is the same deal these days — Adobe also offers lightroom as a subscription based service via the cloud. Lightroom offers all the basics that hobbyists need without the high-powered professional level tools that come with photoshop. If you’re not creating material for professional publication or high-level photo manipulation, Photoshop is probably overkill.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
March 24, 2011 at 12:01 amIf you figure it out, I’d love to know! Macs rock, but can make figuring certain things out overwhelming to me.
Jack O'Brien says
March 25, 2011 at 11:19 amI have a Mac and I use Aperture for my photo editing (does everything that lightroom does and it’s about the same price as well). It’s super easy to use and pretty intuitive.
I’m not sure if Mac has a program like windows live writer…ill have to snoop around my computer today to see if there is one. I feel like it’d be in the iPage suite that came with our computers but that’s just me talking about of my butt.
The eye-fi feature should work exactly the same though once you set it up on your computer. Random n00b question, does it upload to your computer once you’re in ANY sort of wifi-accessible zone or do you have to be on YOUR home network for it to work? Because if it uploads to your home computer/netbook no matter what wifi network you’re on i’m going to buy this shiz RIGHT now.
Kelly says
March 25, 2011 at 11:49 amI’m sure most of this can be done on a mac or at the very least, you can definitely get adobe lightroom for a mac, in fact most of the time the Adobe suite is run on macs since they tend to be widely used by the creative community. (I work in an advertising agency and all of our creatives and designers are exclusively on macs.) I wouldn’t be surprised if there are other blogging programs for mac as well, you may have to look around.
The one thing I will say is that while I think photoshop is good for making signficant changes to the photo (i.e. removing the background completely, combining two photos together), for more basic changes like color correction, lighting, shadows, etc. I think lightroom is better and more intuitive. Unless someone has spent a lot of time playing around in photoshop or taken a class I think it’s unlikely they’ll use enough of the features to make the cost worth it. If anything, elements is a great choice.
Lindsay says
March 23, 2011 at 12:23 pmThank you for the Buy.com tip! I am looking to buy Lightroom and couldn’t find any deals, but its marked down on that website. Thanks!!
Kelly says
March 25, 2011 at 11:52 amAdobe software is one of those things that is hard to find on sale. That said, you can find some really good educational deals if you are a teacher or a student. At the time I bought mine I was and it reduced the price significantly. There is a verification process so you do have to have proof in order to qualify, but if you can it is a MUCH better deal.
Lauren @Hungry Dancer says
March 23, 2011 at 12:25 pmThank you for this post!! As a new blogger it’s priceless to see behind the scenes of some of the most successful blogs!! Very helpful and informative :)!!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
March 23, 2011 at 12:26 pmI TOLD YOU that you’d love LightRoom 🙂 It’s been, by far, my favorite blog tool besides my new stove and my camera 🙂
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 12:47 pmYou told me so!!!!
Katy @ A Healthy Shot says
March 23, 2011 at 12:27 pmAwesome post! The wireless camera card would be a lifesaver! Have you ever blogged on a Mac? I’ve never use Live Writer, but none of the Mac software seems to compare to the rave reviews that Live Writer receives.
Stephanie @ LiveCookLove says
March 23, 2011 at 12:34 pmI really need to get that memory card!! That alone would save me so much time!!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
March 23, 2011 at 12:36 pmI need to star this post and read it over.. and over.. and over again.
Amber says
March 23, 2011 at 12:37 pmI swear I saw you & Matt biking on an NBC 29 story this morning about Charlottesville’s plans to install “sharrows” (share the lane arrows) in an effort to make C’ville even more bike friendly. They have the text of the story up online, but no video to confirm my suspicions!
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 12:47 pmOmg!!! I bet it was us 🙂 Wish I could see it!
Baking 'n' Books says
March 23, 2011 at 12:41 pmHow interesting. I’ve never even knew half of this existed 😉
Uploading photos takes forever for me 🙁
What is Windows Live Writer though? Does it connect to your Hotmail? When I looked at it before that’s what it seemed like and I couldn’t figure it out…
Kate @ NaturaStride says
March 23, 2011 at 12:43 pmThank you so much for this post! It was very informative – especially to a new blogger (like me!)
I was planning on shopping around for some photo editing software this weekend too, ironically.
PS – Made my first ever overnight oats last night – so good. Thanks for the inspiration!
Emily Malone says
March 23, 2011 at 12:45 pmSuperstaaaaaaaaar! 🙂
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
March 23, 2011 at 12:45 pmThank you for sharing! I LOVE windows live writer, couldn’t blog without it!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
March 23, 2011 at 12:48 pmI loooooove Lightroom. Just wish I could use Live Writer on my mac.
Christie {Nourishing Eats} says
March 23, 2011 at 12:48 pmOh my goodness, I have always wondered how you made those collages!!! I use picasa all the time (i created my blog headers in it!) but never thought to do those cool collages that you do.
Keelie says
March 23, 2011 at 12:50 pmAwesome! And your blog is gorgeous!
dee says
March 23, 2011 at 12:55 pmKath – I just wanted to say that you RAWK! Because seriously. You do. Thank you for this awesome series of posts. I find myself going back to them time after time. 🙂
Amy (Honey, Love and Other Things) says
March 23, 2011 at 1:01 pmGreat post! Especially for newbie bloggers like me. You’d think with the amount of things in my house that are wireless that I’d have an Eye-fi card, but now it’s totally on my list. Thanks Kath!
Hilary says
March 23, 2011 at 1:24 pmWow…so cool…and great information….very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Hope says
March 23, 2011 at 1:34 pmThis is a very informative post! Thank you for sharing all of this information. I never knew so much editing goes into the pictures. Your pictures are always so beautiful! 🙂
Maggie says
March 23, 2011 at 1:35 pmSo interesting! Thanks for sharing. I’ve always wondered how you manage it all!
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
March 23, 2011 at 1:38 pmI am new to blogging and so this information is very helpful! thanks for sharing! especially because I believe you have the best pictures out there 🙂
Jen says
March 23, 2011 at 1:54 pmYou are amazing!!!!
Is Windows Live something I can use with a WordPress blog?
I am in love with Lightroom, must purchase SOON!!!! Thanks for all of the tips 🙂
Emily @ Savory and Savage says
March 23, 2011 at 1:57 pmThanks so much for posting on the blogging process. It answered so many questions I had about how people go about it.
Great post!
Ella says
March 23, 2011 at 2:04 pmwow, the amount of work you put into the blog is truly amazing. Theoretically we know it exists, but to see you break down one part of it gives much more appreciation!
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life says
March 23, 2011 at 2:17 pmI love this post! I rarely edit my photos because it takes so much work to edit one by one in photoshop. I’ll have to look into getting lightroom now!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga) says
March 23, 2011 at 2:21 pmKath you are never going to believe this but I have a post I was working on last night that’s set to auto-publish in about 45 minutes…all about Lightroom!!!
That I got it (per your recommendation) and I wouldn’t say I am loving it…yet 🙂 Right now I am still in the “holy cow this is more computer program than my little brain knows what to do with” mode 🙂
But even after 4-5 days, I am already getting more comfortable with it.
I LOVE how you went into DETAIL about how you import the pics, where you put them, i.e. Blog Upload, what folders go where, and your discussion on the print/jpeg collage stuff, and also the presets.
The presets that you use frequently…the “boost, clarity, light, sharp” and others that you have in that screenshot…I have LOOKED and looked! in all kinds of online forums and there are SO MANY options out there (a dizzying array!) but I havent found one that’s that “concise”. Do you know where you pulled it from?
This post is a gem, Kath. Thank you for taking the time to write it! 🙂
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 10:39 pmI created the presets!! Just do some stuff and then go up to the top menu…there’s a “create new preset” and you can do it with the settings you have applied
Ashley @ Feeding Ashley says
March 23, 2011 at 2:30 pmThat was total information overload, but I loved it. I didn’t know about the automatic linking! That is so cool. I’m still wondering whether I should shed out the $ for light room or keep working with picasa and elements.
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
March 23, 2011 at 2:44 pmIsn’t it funny how everyone has they’re own little tricks and methods? I loved getting to experience your method in person back in Oct. I don’t think I’m “professional” enough to invest in a nice computer though. Maybe in a few years/decades/lifetimes.
I choose the photos I want for the blog first and then only edit those. That helps me cut down a lot of time. I also try not to edit too much because I think it can start to look too fake. I try to get the best photo while snapping.
Lightroom just arrived at my doorstep 5 min. ago. I do like the Canon Software a lot though.
Sana says
March 23, 2011 at 2:51 pmBest post everrr 🙂
Caileigh says
March 23, 2011 at 3:25 pmwow, I’ve always wondered why your porch is so bright and sunny all the time, never even considered that to be in the editing! whoops!
erica says
March 23, 2011 at 3:35 pmi think i’m gonna go and get lightroom!
wow. i’m amazed!
Allison @ Happy Tales says
March 23, 2011 at 3:38 pmholy wow. i LOVE this post!!!!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to explain to us how you do your thang… i myself use wordpress and couldn’t imagine NOT using it… hence why macs seem unappealing to me now 🙂
[email protected] says
March 23, 2011 at 3:40 pmSeriously? You could use this post as a book proposal to write a how-to manual for bloggers.
I’m SO impressed with how automated you’ve been able to make your blog, and if/when I decide to get more serious with mine, I am SO coming back to this post!
(I’m really serious about the book though…goldmine!)
Silvia @ skinny jeans food says
March 23, 2011 at 3:46 pmGreat post! BTW, if you are a student or teacher there are $99 options for Lightroom off the Adobe website.
Melissa says
March 23, 2011 at 3:49 pmWow. Just wow. I knew I didn’t know a lot about blogging, but I had no idea how much I didn’t know! This is eye-opening! And so helpful! Thanks, Kath! I need to try some of this stuff STAT!
emily says
March 23, 2011 at 3:52 pmRandom Windows Live Writer question – when you use it do two sets of your photos get saved on your blog. When I’ve used WLW if I check my media folder (using WordPress) I see two copies of each photo. I reeeeeeeally want to use WLW but I’m concerned about wasting blog space.
Kath or anyone???????
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 10:43 pmHmmm. I know I had a problem on KERF that was similar. I honestly don’t know if it was ever resolved. That’s beyond my tech expertise!
Fallon says
March 23, 2011 at 4:25 pmWOW Lightroom is so user friendly!! Great post. Must start Birthday/Christmas list now =P
Sharon says
March 23, 2011 at 4:29 pmWOW! Thanks for the insight into how you manage to blog so often. I definitely have some tricks to learn!
Ashley says
March 23, 2011 at 4:34 pmStellar post Kath!!! 🙂
Jess (Sweet Potato) says
March 23, 2011 at 6:17 pmThanks for this post! Its so interesting to see how you do what you do!
Lindsey says
March 23, 2011 at 6:29 pmThanks for posting this!! Super helpful! I think you’ve got me wanting a PC when I purchase my next desktop
staceyhealthylife says
March 23, 2011 at 6:45 pmGreat tips, thank you!!!!
Tracy @ Commit To Fit says
March 23, 2011 at 7:25 pmThanks so much for sharing, great post! I am hearing a lot about Windows Live Writer, I will have to check it out. I am up for anything that makes my life easier 🙂
Amykinz says
March 23, 2011 at 7:37 pmAmazing! I wonder if there are similar programs for a MacBook?
Lisa says
March 23, 2011 at 8:30 pmWith the Ed discount (students or school employees), LR3 is $79 and Photoshop CS5 is $169!
That Eye Fi card looks amazing!!
Candy (Healthy in Candy Land) says
March 23, 2011 at 9:10 pmI can’t thank you enough for this post! Being new to blogging, I have so much to learn! Posting was taking me way. too. long. the old fashioned way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Katie says
March 23, 2011 at 9:10 pmI love this post! I currently have a Mac which so far has been a pain in the butt for blogging. I am debating getting a PC, for Windows Live Writer and numerous other reasons and this post helped to further convince me 🙂
Julia says
March 23, 2011 at 9:10 pmSuper interesting post! I love seeing behind the scenes 🙂
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
March 23, 2011 at 9:15 pmWow I’ve never heard of the wireless card–definitely going to look into it. Thanks for all this awesome info. 🙂
Debbie B (DebaRooRoo) says
March 23, 2011 at 9:20 pmOk, this is so incredibly helpful. I’ve been using the free trial version of lightroom and it seems like such a great way to organize and edit pics!
katy says
March 23, 2011 at 10:42 pmI have a question for you about Windows Live Writer – I have been using it for all my blog posting recently, but my biggest complaint is that when i drag pictures in the picture border is automatically set at drop shadow, and i have to manually go in and change each picture (and resize, but it looks like you explained how to get that taken care of above). Do you know if there is a way to change a preference or something so my picture border is what I want (typically NONE!) or a way to select all pictures in a post and change them all at once??
Thank you – this post was AWESOME!
KathEats says
March 23, 2011 at 10:42 pmYou can definitely change it. It’s somewhere in default settings. Sorry I don’t have time to look it up right now!
Kelly says
March 25, 2011 at 10:26 amIn my version of WLW on the right hand side there is a drop bar for borders. Change the border to “none” and then at the bottom right click “Save settings as default” your photos should not have a shadow box anymore
KathEats says
March 25, 2011 at 11:06 amThanks for the clarification Kelly!
Amelia (Eating Made Easy) says
March 23, 2011 at 11:53 pmI am so incredibly grateful that you took the time to post this! I have been wondering how to streamline my blogging process, which I know is terribly inefficient. This info is extremely helpful, thank you! I’m buying Lightroom tomorrow!
Do you know if there’s a Windows Live Writer for Mac?
Erin says
March 24, 2011 at 7:04 amThis is one of the coolest posts I have ever read! Thanks so much for giving these great details on how you do what you do.
Emily says
March 24, 2011 at 7:44 amThanks for the great post, Kath! I’m new to the blogging world and still figuring out how to streamline the process so that I can post more often!
Laura says
March 24, 2011 at 8:29 amThanks for this explanation! Your photos always seem so vibrant, so I wondered how you got the job done!
kaila @ healthy helper! says
March 24, 2011 at 9:45 pmCan you use window live writer even if you have a wordpress.com blog as opposed to a wordpress.org blog like yours?
KathEats says
March 25, 2011 at 6:39 amYup
Amy says
March 25, 2011 at 3:26 amKath,
What web host do you use? How did you choose?
KathEats says
March 25, 2011 at 6:39 amDreamhost, and I randomly chose after Blue Host screwed me over with unfair downtiems
Kelly says
March 25, 2011 at 10:24 amWow thanks for this post Kath! I just commented this on Katy Widrick’s blog (that’s how I found your post) and told her that I always think your photos are SO colorful and beautiful. They just POP! You have inspired me to start doing some photo editing before hitting publish on my posts. And as always I love your blog. 🙂
Jack O'Brien says
March 25, 2011 at 11:14 amLightroom looks EXACTLY like Aperture for Mac. They’re about the same price (Aperture goes for 199 on the apple website, but I’m sure you can shop…errpiratecough around to find it for cheaper). It’s so nice being able to save a preset to one of your photos and then be able to “stamp” it onto all of your other ones since they’re generally taken in the same lighting conditions.
Do you know of any programs like Windows Live Writer that are for a Mac?
Erin @ WholesomeRD says
March 25, 2011 at 6:50 pmAnyone have tips if you have a mac? Windows Live Writer obviously doen’t work on a mac and I’m not sure if there is a Lightroom version? TIA
Great post Kath!!
Skinny Elle says
March 30, 2011 at 5:27 pmStopped blogging because of all the photo prep time, now you have given me newfound inspiration and tools to go buy to get re-energized to start blogging again! Thank you! Heading off the BestBuy today! Love you and your posts Kathy! 🙂
Miriam @ Sometimes I Veg says
September 30, 2011 at 4:16 pmWhen I first started following you I was in AWE of how many posts you are able to throw together. Now I see your cards. Nice magic trick. I wish I had bought lightroom when it was on sale on Amazon for $150. I will definitely be incorporating some of the tricks you mention. Thanks for taking some of the drudgery out of blogging.
sarah @ sarah learns says
December 29, 2011 at 6:55 pmhey kath, just wanted to say thanks! i just got lightroom 3 for christmas and this post has been so helpful with setting things up!
Robyn @ Blueberries and Oats says
March 1, 2012 at 1:03 amHey Kath, just wanted you to know that I really appreciate this post! I just got Lightroom after using Picasa for forever and had no idea how to use it! I still am very amateur but at least now I know what it can do! So thanks for the great post =)
J @ ... semplicemente ... j says
March 27, 2012 at 9:44 pmGreat post … I have not made the investment but am thinking of Lightroom and Photoshop Elements … right now I am just trying to get back to taking pics!
Meg says
January 28, 2013 at 2:08 amOh wow this is awesome! I have used photoshop for years and now almost exclusively use lightroom as it has most of the everyday work sorted so quickly. Anyway I never knew about the print to jpg thing. That’s fantastic thanks!
Lisa says
August 21, 2014 at 2:45 pmOMG this post is SO helpful thank you SO much for sharing all you do for your amazing pics! I just got lightroom and was a bit overwhelmed with the features but your summary makes things way easier right away! Thank you!
Jane @janerunswild says
November 11, 2015 at 3:42 pmThanks so much for these blog tips! I just launched a blog, and although its more focused on running/marathon training (and not food, so pictures are already more blurry naturally! :)), I appreciate any advice you have. I am a huge fan of your blog and have been reading for years, so thanks for these great posts!
Erica says
July 12, 2016 at 2:58 pmThese are really good blogging tips! I just begun blogging, so far this one is great!