Originals missing for some images

[patbcam]

Lightroom Version Number

14.1

Operating System

1. Windows 11

Received this notice upon attempting to export images. Images are in the Lightroom Classic Catalog and original images are on a connected portable hard drive. Export operation was an attempt to save edited images to a new folder on the portable hard drive. So the edited images have no actual location at this point other than Lightroom, correct? So how can I help Lightroom find them?

 

[Paul McFarlane]

What's the message (perhaps a screenshot)?

 

[clee01l]

So the edited images have no actual location at this point other than Lightroom, correct? So how can I help Lightroom find them?

Until you export, there are no 'edited images" since Lightroom keeps the edit steps in the catalog and applies them for you to see to the preview. Your issue, as I see it, is twofold. First, some of the original image files are no longer in the location where they were when Lightroom imported them. This is either because you moved, renamed or deleted the files using File Explorer. Second, Lightroom needs the original files to apply the edits stored in the catalog to create a derivative file.

Before you can export, you need to find the missing images and update the location in the Lightroom Catalog.

1. In Lightroom Library module menu click on {Library}{Find all Missing Photos}.
2. this will create a special collection in the Catalog Panel top left.
3. Each of the images in this collection will have a [!] icon in the upper right of the thumbnail image.
4. If you click on the [!] a dialog message box will open showing the path as stored in the catalog to the last known location for the image
   
   
5. When You Click on the {Locate} button, a File Explorer dialog will open to that last know location.
6. Navigate in File Explorer to the correct location of the missing file. and select it.
7. Repeat for every 'missing' file in the "Missing Photographs Special Collection.

Alternately, if whole folders have been moved or renamed, these will show up in the Folder panel with a {?} folder icon

You can the right click on the "missing" folder(s) to open the context menu and choose {Find Missing Folder}. instead of the 7 steps above.

Only after you have located all of the missing images will you be able to export properly.

In lightroom there is really no need to export everything. You only need to export images that have a target not on the computer Such as, for example to social media or a slide show on your TV. You can always reexport if you need a new copy