09 Session folder structure
Back in the Library panel, you can see how the Session folders have been organised:
1) The Session Favorites section will display the name of the Session you created, and you can click this to see all the images you imported into the Session, except for those you’ve moved some to the Trash or Selects folders.
2) The Trash Folder stores any images you’ve deleted, which is handy if you change your mind or want to double-check what you’ve thrown out. Note that Capture One places them here, and not in your computer’s trash.
3) The Output Folder is where Capture One stores all the converted images you create with the Output and Batch tools.
4) The Selects Folder can be used for your absolute favourite images. It’s a handy way to separate the best shots from run-of-the-mill images you still want to keep, but you don’t have to use it.
10 External folder structure
The important thing to note about these Session folders is that they’re real folders on your computer, not ‘virtual’ folders that exist only within Capture One. I can switch to my Mac’s Finder and locate them on my hard disk – which is particularly useful if I want direct access to my TIFF or JPEG conversions.
The imported images are stored in the Session folder itself (1), but within that are subfolder for Trash (2), Output (3) and Selects (4).
11 So are Sessions useful?
Sessions are designed for tethered photography and for ‘first-pass’ image selections and adjustments. Most of us would probably import our RAW files straight into a catalog instead – and Capture One Pro 7 can now do this too – but I think this ‘first-pass’ editing process still has some value. It helps you weed out dud photos at an early stage, while the shoot and your intentions are still fresh in your mind.
In my experience, the longer you keep substandard photos, the harder it becomes to throw them out – you end up keeping them ‘just in case’, but the reality is they clog up your image library and make your really good shots harder to find.
This Session approach could be especially useful if you prefer to use Capture One solely as a RAW converter and Lightroom or Aperture as your main cataloguing tool. You can edit your image selection and produce your best RAW conversion before importing the results into your image library.
