applications Case Study

Culler

Local-first image triage workflow for rapidly reviewing, selecting, and preparing photos for editing.

Status Active System (v1 Live) Runtime Local-first desktop workflow for image triage and pre-edit review. Role Builder / Workflow Designer
Culler cover image

Overview

Culler is a local-first photo triage tool built to speed up the most repetitive part of the photography workflow: reviewing large batches of RAW images, selecting keepers, and preparing the strongest shots for editing.

Problem

The first pass through a large photo set is repetitive and time-consuming. I wanted a faster workflow for reviewing images, making keep/reject decisions, and narrowing a shoot down to the strongest selects before editing.

Architecture

  • Input Layer
    • camera imports
    • RAW files
    • local folders
  • Review Layer
    • image preview
    • keyboard controls
    • selection state
  • Workflow Layer
    • keep / reject decisions
    • triage flow
    • shortlist creation
  • Output Layer
    • selected images
    • delete candidates
    • edit handoff
RAW files / local folders │ ▼ Culler interface image preview • keyboard review • fast navigation │ ▼ Selection workflow keep • reject • maybe • shortlist │ ▼ Review outcomes selects • delete candidates • edit queue

Public-safe workflow view for local-first photo triage and selection.

Technology Stack

Technologies

Python local filesystem workflow UI photography tooling

Capabilities

  • Fast RAW review workflow
  • Keyboard-driven keep / reject flow
  • Selection state tracking
  • Local-first file handling
  • Pre-edit shortlist generation

Implementation

Culler is implemented as a local-first workflow focused on fast image review, keyboard-driven triage, and reducing the time between import and edit.

Outcome

Culler reduces the friction of first-pass photo review by making it easier to sort shoots quickly and move stronger selects into the editing workflow.

What's Next

  • Metadata overlays
  • Faster batch navigation
  • Side-by-side compare mode
  • Export and deletion handoff improvements