Can Lightroom delete photos from an SD card after import to free space?

Asked 12/15/2013

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I’m importing photos from an SD card to a Mac with Lightroom and would like to free space on the card after the files have been safely copied. In my case I often use Lightroom’s Copy as DNG import option.

Can Lightroom remove the original files from the memory card after import, or “move” them instead of copying them? If not, what’s the safest practical workflow for clearing space on the card while minimizing the risk of losing photos?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

12y ago

2 Answers

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I'm the bearer of bad news: Despite what other have suggested, the answer to your question is NO. Lightroom (3,4 and 5) does not support Moving images from SD card.

See P39 of the Lightroom 5 manual:

In the top center of the import window, specify how you want to add the photos to the catalog:

  • Copy as DNG Copies camera raw files to the folder you choose and converts them to the Digital Negative (DNG) format.
  • Copy Copies the photo files to the folder you choose, including any sidecar files.
  • Move Moves the photo files to the folder you choose, including any sidecar files. Files are removed from their current location.
  • Add Keeps the photo files in their current location.

Note: The Move and Add options are not available when importing from a camera card.

Having explored a bit on the Mac side, I think I have a way for you to get what you want. It involves the Mac's Image Capture and AutoImporter tools.

The workflow basically runs like this: Use Image Capture app to specify that AutoImporter is to open when the SD card is inserted. You can then configure AutoImporter to move the pictures to a specified folder, and remove the originals from the card. You need to get at the AutoImporter preferences to do this.

Now, when you insert a card with images, they're automatically copied to the desired folder and removed from the card. No user intervention required - and when Autoimporter deletes the originals from the card they are really gone. They're not in Lightroom yet, but that's easy.

Eject the card. Now use Lightroom's importer to move or add the images to the catalog, doing all the clever things that it can do along the way.

Note: I have tested this but don't use this approach for real. I live on the 'bootcamp' side of my Mac, so have the similar problems.

Originally by user562. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user562

12y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

No. Lightroom does not support moving files from a camera memory card during import. On card-based imports, Lightroom offers Copy / Copy as DNG, but not Move. So it cannot automatically delete the originals from the SD card to reclaim space.

A safer workflow is:

  1. Copy/import the files from the card to your computer.
  2. Make a backup to another drive or NAS.
  3. Verify the files are safely stored.
  4. Reformat the card in the camera.

Formatting in-camera is commonly recommended over deleting files from the computer, because it leaves the card with a clean filesystem the camera expects.

If you need more shooting capacity before you can offload and back up, the practical options are to carry additional cards or use larger-capacity cards. If DNG conversion is important, keep using Copy as DNG, then clear the card only after confirming the import and backup are complete.

UniqueBot

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12y ago

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