Workflow

From import to restore, a process in eight steps.

Obscura Flow follows a continuous method rather than a collection of tools: each step produces what the next one needs, and the last one loops back to the first.

In short

A photographic archiving workflow chains eight steps: import, catalog, document, organize, archive, back up, preserve, restore. Each produces what the next one needs, and the loop closes when a verified restore confirms the chain holds.

  • Copy, move, or reference import with SHA-256 deduplication
  • Cataloging into projects, collections, and a browsable gallery
  • EXIF/IPTC/XMP documentation and structured indexing
  • Archiving sealed by manifest and signature
  • 3-2-1 backup to local and remote destinations
  • Preservation through fixity audits and format validation

Why the order matters

Every skipped step is paid for later, and always at a higher price than it would have cost at the time.

Archiving without documenting
Produces intact packages nobody can identify the contents of.
Backing up without archiving
Copies corrupted files as faithfully as healthy ones.
Documenting without cataloging
Scatters information across files no search connects.
Never restoring
Leaves the chain unverified until the day it has to work on the first attempt.

Step by step

The Obscura Flow workflow

Eight steps, in the order they are actually practiced.

  1. Import

    Copy, move, or reference folders, Lightroom catalogs, and existing media, with SHA-256 deduplication and resume after interruption.

  2. Catalog

    Turn scattered volumes into projects, collections, and a browsable gallery, with full-text search and saved searches.

  3. Document

    Enrich EXIF, IPTC, and XMP, apply structured indexing and a thesaurus, and let on-device AI suggest captions, objects, and faces.

  4. Organize

    Structure projects, nested collections, series, and versions, with RAW+JPEG pairing and persistent inventory numbers.

  5. Archive

    Create compressed packages documented by a SHA-256 manifest and sealed with an Ed25519 signature, with optional AES-256 encryption.

  6. Back up

    Follow the 3-2-1 rule to S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2, a NAS, or a local folder, with resumable uploads.

  7. Preserve

    Audit fixity over time, validate formats, and identify files at risk of obsolescence before they become unreadable.

  8. Restore

    Recover a reliable state for a set or a single file through verified restore, without accidental overwrites.

Questions

Can I import a Lightroom catalog?

Yes. Lightroom Classic catalog import (.lrcat) preserves originals, ratings, captions, color labels, keywords, collections, virtual copies, and stacks without changing your Lightroom catalog.

Are my original files modified?

No. The app is non-destructive: enriched metadata is written to XMP sidecars, never into the original files.

How is archive integrity verified?

Each archive includes a SHA-256 manifest and an Ed25519 signature. Scheduled fixity audits and format validation reveal drift or corruption.

Which backup destinations are supported?

Amazon S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2, any S3-compatible storage, NAS, and local folders for a 3-2-1 strategy.

How does restore work?

Verified restore extracts a local or off-site archive after signature checks, with conflict options and overwrite safeguards.

Decision

Build an archive that stays understandable.

Tell us about your context before the public opening of downloads and commercial offers.