Introduction
The Book Format
The Fast Track for New Lightroom Users
Workflow Order
Index
Appendices
Keyboard Shortcuts
Links
Multiple Formats
Windows or Mac?
Talk to Us!
Before You Start
What is a Lightroom catalog?
Why does understanding the catalog matter?
What do I need to remember?
Designing Your Workflow
Basic Lightroom Workflow
A Typical Workflow
Shooting Raw, sRAW or JPEG
Should I shoot raw or JPEG?
Why doesn’t the photo look the same as it did on the camera?
I shot in B&W—why is Lightroom changing the photos back to color?
Can I emulate the camera’s own color?
Why are my photos so dark?
Are there any other camera settings that Lightroom understands?
If I shoot sRAW format, can Lightroom apply all the usual adjustments?
Installing Lightroom
Minimum System Requirements
Installing Lightroom
Opening Lightroom
Splash Screen
Setting the Language
Activation
Desktop App Usage Information
Creating Your First Catalog
Keeping Lightroom Updated
How do I check which version I’m currently running?
How do I update to the latest version?
How do I find out what’s changed in an update?
How do I roll back to an earlier version?
How do I uninstall Lightroom?
What happens to Lightroom if my subscription expires?
Upgrading Your Catalog
How do I upgrade my catalog?
What happens if I try to open the earlier version of my catalog again, after it’s been upgraded?
Once I’ve upgraded the catalog, can I go back to an earlier Lightroom version?
Calibrating Your Monitor
Why should I calibrate my monitor?
How do I calibrate my monitor?
Help Shortcuts
Importing Photos & Videos
Where are my photos?
Where should I store my photos?
How do I import my photos?
Import in Detail
How do I automatically open the Import dialog?
Source panel
Why do the folders keep jumping around when I click on them?
How do I import from multiple folders or memory cards in one go?
Can I use the operating system dialog to navigate to a folder instead of using Lightroom’s Source panel?
Previewing and Selecting Individual Photos
How do I select only certain photos to import?
Why are some photos unavailable or dimmed in the Import dialog?
How do I change the preview size?
Can I change the sort order?
Can I filter the photos?
How do I select specific file types?
Can I see a larger preview before importing?
Import Method
Why can’t I select Move or Add?
File Handling panel
Why do I have to create previews? Why can’t I just look at the photos?
What size previews should I build?
Import Preview Decision Tree
What does Don’t Import Suspected Duplicates do?
What does the Make a Second Copy option do?
How do I add imported photos to a collection while importing?
File Renaming panel
How will you name your photos?
Which characters can I use in my filenames?
How do I rename the files while importing?
How do I build a filename template?
How do I add additional padding zeros to sequence numbers?
What’s the difference between Import#, Image#, Sequence# and Total#?
Where do I enter custom text and start numbers?
Apply During Import panel
What Develop settings should I apply in the Import dialog?
How do I add copyright metadata to my photos?
Should I apply keywords in the Import dialog?
Can I remove existing metadata?
Destination panel
What’s the best way to organize my photos into folders?
Why not organize the photos by topic?
Why use a date-based folder structure?
Can I adapt a dated folder structure to suit me?
How do I select a Destination folder?
How do I create a new folder?
I’ve chosen Copy or Move—how do I organize the photos into a folder structure that suits me?
How do I pick a date structure?
Why are some of the Destination folders in italic?
How do I avoid incorrectly nesting dated folders?
How do I create a manual shoot-based folder structure?
Can Lightroom manage my photos, like iTunes moves my music files?
Saving & Reusing Import Settings
How do I create Import presets, and what do they include?
The Compact Import Dialog
After Pressing Import
Troubleshooting Import
How do I stop the Import dialog hanging?
Why can’t I see my photos in the Import dialog?
How does Lightroom handle Raw+JPEG pairs?
What does this error message mean?
Tethered Shooting & Watched Folders
Which cameras are supported by the built-in Tethered Capture?
How do I set Lightroom up to use Tethered Capture?
How do I capture photos using Tethered Capture?
How do I set Lightroom up to use a watched folder?
Import Shortcuts
Backup
Back Up Your Catalog
How do I back up Lightroom’s catalog?
Where are the backups stored?
Should I turn on Test integrity and Optimize catalog each time I back up?
How often should I back up the catalog?
I haven’t got time to back up now—can I postpone the backup?
How do I run an extra backup on demand?
Can I delete the oldest backups?
Why does Lightroom say it’s unable to backup?
Should I also write the metadata to the files as an extra backup?
Back Up Your Photos
How do I back up my photos?
I back up photos using the Import dialog—isn’t that enough?
Back up the Extras
Restoring From Backups
How do I restore a backup of my catalog?
How do I restore part of my backup catalog?
How do I restore a backup of photos?
Test it!
Backup Checklist
The Lightroom Workspace
The Top Bar
Module Picker
The Lightroom Interface Overview
Identity Plate
Activity Center
Title Bar & Full Screen Modes
Panels & Panel Groups
Solo Mode
Develop Module Panel Order
Panel Preferences
The Filmstrip
Breadcrumb Bar
Preview Area
Filter Bar
Toolbar
Workspace Shortcuts
Viewing Your Photos
Viewing Your Photos in Grid View
Thumbnail Options
Selections
Why aren't my actions applying to all of the selected photos?
Can I see a list view?
Viewing Your Photos in Loupe View
Zooming In on Photos
Info Overlay
Status Overlay
Using Embedded Previews to Avoid the Loading Overlay
Distraction Free Viewing—Lights Out and Full Screen Preview
Loupe Overlay
Playing Videos in Loupe View
Viewing Your Photos in Survey View
Viewing Your Photos in Compare View
Secondary Display
How do I choose which screen displays the primary and secondary windows?
Why do shortcuts and menu commands only apply to a single photo even though I have multiple photos selected on the Secondary Display Grid?
Viewing Photos Shortcuts
Selecting the Best Photos
Rating your Photos
How do I rank my photos?
Which photos are worth keeping?
Rating Workflow
More Rating Workflows
What does Refine Photos do?
How do I use color labels?
Quick Develop
Grouping Similar Photos using Stacks
Can I automatically stack sets of photos?
Collections
How do I create a collection?
How do I add photos to an existing collection?
How do I remove photos from a collection?
How do I delete photos from the hard drive while viewing a collection?
How do I rename, duplicate or delete a collection or collection set?
How do I see which collections a photo belongs to?
How do I organize my collections into sets?
How do I search for a specific collection?
How I use color labels with collections?
Can I convert folders into collections?
What are the Quick Collection and Target Collection?
Selecting Photos Shortcuts
Managing Your Photos
Managing Folders in Lightroom and on the Hard Drive
How do I set up a folder hierarchy?
How do I hide parent folders?
How do I switch between a composite folder view and a single folder view?
Can I change the way the folders are displayed?
What are disclosure triangles?
How do I search for a specific folder?
How do I use color labels with folders?
How do I mark folders as favorites for easy access?
Changing the Folder Structure
How do I create a new folder or subfolder?
How do I move folders into other folders or drives?
How do I rename folders?
How do I delete folders?
I’ve added new photos to one of Lightroom’s folders—why don’t they show in my catalog?
How does the Synchronize Folder command work?
Managing the Individual Photos
How do I delete fuzzy photos?
How do I rename one or more photos?
Why are some of the tokens missing?
How do I rename photos back to their original filename?
Can I search and replace in filenames?
How do I find out where a photo is stored on my hard drive?
How do I move or copy photos between folders?
How do I reorganize photos into dated folders?
Managing Photos & Folders Shortcuts
Adding Metadata to Your Photos
What is metadata?
Adding Metadata using the Metadata Panel
Where’s the rest of my metadata?
How do I enter metadata for my photos?
How do I add or change metadata for multiple photos at once?
Can I prepend text before or append text after the existing metadata?
How does Auto Sync break all the usual rules?
Why would I use the Edit Only view? I can’t see the existing metadata!
How do I sync metadata to multiple photos?
How do I replace or even remove metadata?
Which photos are updated if I select…?
When would I use each Metadata mode for best performance?
How do I create and edit a Metadata preset?
How do I correct the information Lightroom’s trying to autofill?
How do I change the date format and units of measurement?
What are the symbols at the ends of the fields?
Can I add notes to my photos?
Editing the Capture Time
How do I fix the capture time?
Which Edit Capture Time option should I use?
How do I sync the times on two or more cameras?
How do I change timestamps on scanned photos?
Keywords
What kind of keywords should I assign to my photos?
Should I use a flat or hierarchical keyword list?
How do I add my first keywords?
What’s the difference between the Keywording panel and the Keyword List panel?
How do I apply keywords to photos?
How do I use the Painter tool to add metadata such as keywords?
How do I edit a keyword?
How do I delete a keyword from a single photo or all photos?
How do I merge keywords?
Why aren’t all of my keywords showing in the Keyword List?
How do I create or change the keyword hierarchy?
How do I clean up existing keywords?
Which options should I select when creating or editing a keyword?
How do I see which keywords are applied to my photo?
What do the symbols in the Keyword List panels mean?
How can I keep certain keywords at the top of the list?
Can I create my keyword list using a text editor?
Is there a quick way of finding a particular keyword in my long list?
Is it possible to display all the photos in a catalog that aren’t already keyworded?
Faces
How do I face tag people?
How do I index my whole catalog?
How do I stop indexing?
How do I re-index a folder or collection?
How should I organize my people keywords?
Can I convert existing keywords to People keywords?
How do I navigate the People view?
Why are the thumbnails unavailable or too dark?
How do I change the sort order?
How do I add a name to a face?
I made a spelling mistake—how do I fix it?
Does rejecting a name suggestion take another guess?
What do I do with people I don’t recognize?
How do I access the photos of a single person?
Why didn’t the indexing find all of the faces?
How do I draw missing faces on the photo?
Should I draw round the backs of people’s heads?
How do I name people in Loupe view?
Can I add additional information about people, such as their birthday?
How do I delete face regions?
How do I keep my people keywords private?
Map Locations
How do I add my photos to the map?
Why is the map offline?
What do the different icons mean?
How do I view the photos attached to each location marker?
How do I avoid accidentally moving a marker?
How do I select the map style?
How do I search for a specific location?
How do I show or hide the overlays?
How do I use the Map Filter bar?
Why use saved locations?
How do I create a saved location?
How do I mark photos on the map?
How do I find photos I haven’t tagged yet?
How do I move a photo or group of photos to a different location?
How do I delete location information?
How do I create a tracklog?
Which tracklog formats can Lightroom understand?
How do I import my tracklog and match it with the photos?
How do I apply a timezone offset?
Why won’t my tracklog import?
My camera time doesn’t quite match the tracklog—how do I fix it?
What is Address Lookup?
Should I turn on address lookup in Catalog Settings?
Will address lookup overwrite my existing location data?
Why are the Location fields dimmed or italic?
How do I make the lookup data permanent?
Why is address lookup not working?
Can I view the location in my web browser?
Can I use more advanced geocoding facilities?
Metadata Shortcuts
Finding & Filtering Your Photos
Sort Order
How do I change the sort order?
How do I drag and drop into a custom sort order?
Why can’t I select User Order?
Filtering Your Photos
How do I filter my photos to show photos fitting certain criteria?
How do I use Attribute filters?
How do I use the Metadata filters?
How do I view only the photos with the parent keyword directly applied, without seeing the child keywords?
Can I select multiple options from a single column, creating an OR filter?
How do I select multiple options within the Metadata filter columns, creating an AND filter?
How do I add additional columns?
How do I use Text filters?
How can I use the Text filters to do AND or OR filters?
How do I search for a specific filename?
Can I combine Text filters, Attribute filters, and Metadata filters?
How do I lock filters, so they don’t disappear when I switch to another folder?
Can I save the filters I use regularly as presets?
Using Smart Collections
How do I create complex smart collections?
How do I duplicate a smart collection?
How do I transfer smart collection criteria between catalogs?
Filtering Shortcuts
Develop Introduction to Editing
Why analyze photos before starting to edit them?
Analyzing the Image—Technical Faults
How’s the exposure?
What can I learn from the histogram?
How’s the dynamic range?
Are the highlights and/or shadows clipping?
How’s the color?
How sharp are the details?
Is there noise?
Is there moiré patterning?
Are there any optical distortions?
Is there chromatic aberration or other fringing?
Is the horizon straight?
Are the lines straight?
Are there any sensor dust spots?
Output
Does the photo need to fit a specific aspect ratio, for example, a frame?
Does it need to match the color of another photo?
How big is the photo going to be?
Analyzing the Image—Artistic Intent
The Purpose
The Story
The Mood/Emotion
Simplifying the Scene
Drawing the Eye Using Visual Mass
Learning to Edit
Why should I learn to edit using sliders?
When might I use profiles and presets?
How fast will I perfect my editing?
Why are you editing your photos?
Which photos should you edit?
How do you use Lightroom to edit your photos?
What should I avoid when editing my photos?
Developing Your Own Style
Why is having my own style important?
How do I start to develop my own style?
Light & Contrast
Color
Detail
Optical Distortion
Geometric Distortion
Sensor Dust
Output
Photo Analysis Checklist – Technical
Purpose
Story
Mood/Emotion
Simplify
Draw the Eye
Photo Analysis Checklist – Artistic Intent
Photo Analysis Worksheet Example
Develop Basic Editing
Adjust from the Top… Mostly
Work Top Down… Sort Of
Fix the Biggest Problem First
Auto
Basic Panel Workflow
Simple Editing Examples
Thatched Cottage
Beach Huts
Seagulls at Sunset
Further tweaks
Profiles
How do I select a profile?
What’s the difference between the Adobe Raw profiles?
How I do emulate the camera settings using the Camera Matching profiles?
What are Creative profiles?
Where are my custom DNG profiles?
Why are profiles available for some photos but missing on others?
How do I mark my favorite profiles?
How do I filter my profiles?
How do I hide or delete profiles?
How do I install downloaded profiles?
How do I create my own profiles?
What’s the difference between profiles in the Profile Browser and presets in the Presets panel?
White Balance
How do I set the white balance?
How do I adjust for mood?
How do I keep the White Balance eyedropper turned on?
Can I change the eyedropper averaging?
How do I handle mixed lighting?
Baseline Photos for Comparison
How do I adjust white balance for infrared photos?
Tone & Presence
Exposure
How do I set the Exposure slider?
Exposure Slider
Global Vs. Local Contrast
How do I increase contrast?
How do I decrease contrast?
Highlights and Shadows
Increasing Contrast or Clarity Sliders
Contrast vs. Clarity Sliders
Decreasing Contrast or Clarity Sliders
How do I set Highlights and Shadows?
Highlights Slider
Shadows Slider
Whites and Blacks
Whites Slider
Blacks Slider
How do I set Whites and Blacks?
Texture Vs. Clarity
How do I set Texture?
How do I set Clarity?
Dehaze
How do I set Dehaze?
Vibrance vs. Saturation
How do I set the saturation?
Process Versions
How do I know which process version I’m using?
Which process version should I use?
How do I update the process version?
How do I update my presets to the new process version?
What do the other Calibration panel sliders do?
Editing Videos
How do I trim videos?
Can I join videos together?
What do Capture Frame and Set Poster Frame do?
Can I view video metadata such as Frame Rate?
Can I edit the color and exposure of my videos in the Develop module?
Can I open my video into specialist video editing software?
Typical Develop Workflow
Develop Basic Shortcuts
Develop Selective Editing
Cropping & Straightening
How do I straighten or rotate a photo?
How do I resize the crop?
How do I draw a freeform crop?
How do I crop a vertical portion from a horizontal photo?
What is Aspect Ratio?
How do I change the crop ratio?
What’s the difference between As Shot and Original?
How do I set a custom crop aspect ratio?
How do I lock my crop ratio?
Can I set a default crop ratio?
Why do I need to select the right ratio for prints?
How do I change the Crop Overlay?
Is there a way to see what the new pixel dimensions will be without interpolation?
Should I check Constrain to Image?
How do I flip photos?
How do I reset the crop?
How do I zoom in while cropping?
Healing Tool
Which healing mode should I use?
How do I select the right brush characteristics for each heal mode?
How do I choose the source of the replacement pixels?
What’s the difference between clicking and dragging?
How do I draw a straight line?
How do I use Visualize Spots to quickly find dust spots?
How do I ensure I don’t miss a spot?
How do I edit an existing repair?
How do I move or resize a repair?
How do I delete an existing repair?
What are the limitations of the Lightroom’s Healing tools?
How do I retouch faces?
How do I handle larger distractions?
Red Eye & Pet Eye Correction Tools
Lightroom’s Red Eye Correction tool can’t lock on to the red eye—is there anything I can do to help it?
Develop Selective Editing Shortcuts
Develop Masking
Why would I use the Masking tools rather than editing a photo in Photoshop?
How do I get started with the Masking tools?
Organizing Masks
How do I create new masks?
When I try to create a new mask, why are some of the tools unavailable?
How do I edit an existing mask?
Is it worth renaming my masks?
How do I delete masks?
Can I temporarily turn off masks without deleting them?
Why might I duplicate a mask?
How do I move a mask?
Does the order of the masks matter?
Can I move the Masks panel out of the way?
Masking Tools
How do I show the mask overlay?
Why does the overlay show up when I’m creating a new mask, even though Show Overlay was disabled?
When are the different mask overlays useful?
How do I change the color of the Color Overlay?
What’s the difference between the pin icons?
How do I show or hide the pins?
AI-Based Selections
What kind of AI-based masks can I create?
How do I create a Subject, Sky or Background selection?
How do I create an Object mask?
How do I create a People selection?
How do I invert an AI-based selection?
Can I refine an AI-based selection to reduce a halo or to add bits it missed?
How do I update multiple AI masks after pasting settings?
How do I update AI masks after using the Healing tool?
Brush
How do I create a new brush mask?
How do I erase brush strokes?
How do I choose the size and softness of my brush?
What’s the difference between Flow & Density?
How do I move brush strokes?
Can I invert a brush mask?
What does Auto Mask do?
Why are there small dots or speckles on my photo?
Why is nothing happening when I brush over the photo?
Linear Gradient
How do I create a new Linear Gradient?
How do I edit an existing Linear Gradient?
There used to be a brush and eraser tool in the Linear and Radial Gradients? Where’s it gone?
Radial Gradient
How do I create a new Radial Gradient mask?
How do I edit an existing Radial Gradient?
Range Masks
How do I create a Color Range selection?
How do I create a Luminance Range selection?
How do I create a Depth Range selection?
I’m trying to edit an old photo but Lightroom wants me to update an existing Luminance or Depth mask. Do I have to?
In older Lightroom versions, I used to add a gradient or brush mask before adjusting the range mask settings. How do I restrict the range mask to a specific area of the photo?
Combining Mask Types
Why might I add to an existing mask?
Why would I subtract from an existing mask?
What’s the difference between the brush eraser and a subtract brush selection?
What does intersect mean?
I have a mask that’s made up of multiple selections. How do I invert the whole mask?
Does the order of the masks or selections matter? Can I rearrange them?
Can I move or copy selections to other masks?
Copying Masks to Other Photos
Can I save masks as presets?
Can I copy masks to other photos?
Setting Sliders
How do I set default slider settings?
How do I fade the effect of an existing mask?
How do I use the Local Adjustment presets?
How do I save sets of slider settings as a Local Adjustment preset?
How do I install Local Adjustment presets?
How do I dodge and burn?
How do I add local contrast?
How do I adjust the white balance?
How do I make localized HSL adjustments?
How do I apply a color tint?
Can I adjust Vibrance instead of Saturation?
How do I sharpen selectively?
Can I add a lens blur effect?
How do I reduce noise in a smaller area, or only in the shadows?
How do I remove local color fringing?
How do I reduce Moiré?
How do I enhance a portrait?
Develop Masking Shortcuts
Develop Advanced Editing
Tone Curves
How do I read a tone curve?
Why use curves?
How are Tone Curves different to the Basic panel?
What’s the difference between the parametric curve and the point curve?
How do I adjust the standard parametric tone curve?
What are the triangles at the bottom of the parametric tone curve?
How do I use the Targeted Adjustment Tool?
How do I use the point curve?
How do I invert a negative photo?
Black & White
How do I decide which photos to convert to B&W?
Why should I correct the color first?
How do I convert photos to B&W?
How do I convert to B&W using profiles?
How do I change the B&W Mix?
How do I know which color channels to lighten or darken?
How I do use the Targeted Adjustment Tool to adjust the B&W Mix?
How do I create a B&W photo with some areas in color?
How do I create an infrared effect?
How do I finish off the B&W photo?
Color Grading
How do I use the Color Grading panel?
What’s the difference between Blending and Balance?
What happened to Split Toning?
What color combinations work well for B&W photos?
What color combinations work well for color photos?
What is Cinematic Color Grading?
How do I enhance colors using Color Grading?
Be Subtle
HSL & Color
What are the HSL and Color panels used for?
When would I use HSL and Color?
How do I use the HSL/Color TAT tool?
Detail—Sharpening & Noise Reduction
How do I fix noisy or soft photos?
What is multiple pass sharpening?
How do the sharpening sliders interact?
Why are my photos softer and noisier in Lightroom than in other software?
How do the noise reduction sliders interact?
Can I apply or remove sharpening or noise reduction selectively?
Lens & Perspective (Transform) Corrections
How do I select the correct profile for my lens?
Why is the lens profile not selected automatically?
How do I set a default lens profile?
In the Setup pop-up menu, what’s the difference between Default, Auto & Custom?
How do I apply lens corrections to new photos by default?
How do the Amount sliders interact with the profile?
Why is the lens profile available for some photos and not others, using the same lens?
How do I know whether my lens profile’s built in?
What are my options if my lens profile isn’t available?
What’s the difference between the Distortion/Vignetting sliders on the Profile tab and the Manual tab?
How do I fix Chromatic Aberration or colored fringes?
How do I remove localized fringing?
How do I fix the perspective?
What do the different Upright buttons do? Which one should I use?
How do I use Guided Upright?
When do I need to press Update?
How do I reduce the effect of the Upright correction?
What do each of the Transform Lens Corrections sliders do?
How do I hide the grid?
What’s the difference between syncing Upright Mode vs. Transforms?
Effects—Post-Crop Vignette & Grain
What’s the difference between Highlight Priority, Color Priority and Paint Overlay?
How do the Post-Crop Vignette sliders interact?
How do I decide on the best vignette settings?
How do I move the vignette off-center?
How do the Grain sliders interact?
Enhance Details
When would I use Enhance Raw Details?
How do I use Super Resolution to increase the resolution of my photos?
How do I apply the Enhance tool to my photos?
Photo Merge
How do I stitch a panorama?
How do I create an HDR file?
How do I merge multiple sets of photos at once?
Why use Lightroom for merging instead of Photoshop or other software?
What type of files do I need for merging?
What format are the merged files?
Should I edit the photos before I merge them?
What’s the difference between the Panorama projection options?
How do I fill in the white areas around the edges?
Where are the HDR editing options?
How many photos should I select for an HDR file?
Should I check Auto Align and enable Deghost?
How do I edit the HDR file after merging?
Develop Advanced Shortcuts
Develop Editing Tools
Copying Settings to Similar Photos
Sync
Copy and Paste
Previous
Auto Sync
Why won’t my white balance sync?
Can I make relative adjustments, for example, brighten all selected photos by 1 stop?
What does Match Total Exposures in the Settings menu do?
Presets—Saving Settings to Apply to Other Photos
How do I preview and apply a preset?
Why is the Amount slider disabled?
How do I create my own preset?
Why can’t I check the Support Amount Slider checkbox?
How do I create an ISO adaptive preset?
How do I install downloaded Develop presets?
What’s the difference between *.lrtemplate presets and *.xmp presets?
Why are some presets in italic? Or why are some presets missing on some photos?
Can I apply multiple presets to the same photo, layering the effects?
How do I organize my presets into folders or groups?
How do I update, rename or delete Develop Presets?
How do I hide presets I don’t use very often?
How do I mark some presets as favorites?
Why won’t Lightroom let me rename, move or update a preset?
How do I share my presets?
Defaults
Why would I change the default settings instead of using a preset?
How do I set custom defaults?
What’s the difference between Adobe Default, Camera Settings and Preset?
How do I apply different defaults settings to each ISO?
What happens if my preset only applies certain settings?
History & Reset
How long do the adjustments stay in the History panel?
How do I reset Develop settings?
Before / After Preview
How do I change the preview options?
How do I select a different history state for the Before view?
Can I turn off the effect of a whole panel’s settings, to see the preview with and without these settings?
Comparing Photos in Reference View
How do I display a photo in Reference view?
Why does the Reference photo keep disappearing?
Versions—Snapshots & Virtual Copies
How do I choose whether to use a virtual copy or a snapshot?
Can I rename virtual copies?
Can I convert snapshots to virtual copies and vice versa?
Can I promote virtual copies and delete the master?
What do Sync Copies and Sync Snapshots do?
Histogram and RGB Values
Can I view the RGB values?
Can I view the RGB values using a 0-255 scale?
Can I display L*a*b* values instead of RGB?
Color Management & Soft Proofing
Which color space should I use?
What is soft proofing?
How do I enable soft proofing?
Why is my profile not available for selection?
Should I select Perceptual or Relative Colorimetric?
Should I check Simulate Paper & Ink when viewing my soft proof?
Can I change the background color surrounding the photo while soft proofing?
What’s the difference between the Monitor Gamut and Destination Gamut warnings?
What should I do if some colors are out of gamut?
How should I adjust the photo while viewing the soft proof?
How do I compare my proof adjusted photo with the original?
How do I save my photo after adjusting it for a specific profile?
How can I tell which profile I used for a particular photo?
Develop Tool Shortcuts
Further Editing in Other Programs
Integration with Photoshop
Integration with Photoshop Elements
Opening Photos in Other Editors
Why might I use an external editor?
When in my workflow should I use Edit in Photoshop or other External Editors?
Setting External Editor Preferences
Which file format should I use?
Which color space should I select?
Why use a big color space when nothing can print that wide a range?
Should I choose 8-bit or 16-bit?
Which resolution should I select?
How do I change the file name and location?
Can I create different filenames for different editors?
Can I automatically stack the files?
Why does Lightroom keep putting the photos at the end of the current folder/collection?
Editing in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements
Why isn’t Lightroom opening my photo as a TIFF or PSD file according to my preferences?
What’s the difference between Edit Original, Edit a Copy, or Edit a Copy with Lightroom Adjustments?
What do the other options in the Edit In menu do?
Should I still use Merge to HDR Pro or Merge to Panorama in Photoshop?
Why do my photos look different in Photoshop?
Lightroom can’t find Photoshop to use Edit in Photoshop—how do I fix it?
Adobe Camera Raw Compatibility for Photoshop
What happens if I’m still using an older version of Camera Raw?
Edit In Photoshop Logic Tree
What’s the difference between Render Using Lightroom and Open Anyway in the Camera Raw mismatch dialog?
Setting Up Additional External Editors
How do I create my own external editor preset?
How do I edit an external editor preset?
Where have my external editors gone?
Can I open the raw file into another raw processor?
Installing Plug-ins
How do I install a plug-in?
How do I uninstall a plug-in?
How do I use a plug-in?
Saving Metadata to the Files
Should I write to XMP?
Which of Lightroom’s data isn’t stored in XMP?
How do I write settings to XMP?
Should I allow Lightroom to update the capture time in raw files rather than XMP sidecar files?
Should I check or uncheck Include Develop settings in metadata inside JPEG, TIFF, PNG and PSD files?
How do I read the metadata from the files?
Edit in… Shortcuts
When resolving metadata conflicts, is there a way to preview what will happen?
How do I avoid metadata conflicts?
Export, Email & Publish Services
‘Save As’ a copy on the Hard Drive using Export
Export To
Export Location & File Naming
Can Lightroom automatically re-import the exported files?
How do I handle existing photos with the same names?
Can I overwrite the original photos?
How do I change the filename while exporting?
Video & File Settings
Should I apply compression to the photos?
Can I export to a specific file size?
Which bit depth should I select?
What is Save Transparency?
Which color space should I select?
How do I export or save my edited videos?
Image Sizing & Resolution
How big can I print my photo without visible pixelation?
How do I calculate the number of pixels I need for a specific print size?
What’s the difference between Width & Height, Dimensions, Longest Edge, Shortest Edge, Megapixels & Percentage?
What’s the difference between DPI, PPI, pixels per inch and pixels per cm?
What does the Don’t Enlarge checkbox do?
Is it better to upsize in Lightroom or in Photoshop?
Output Sharpening
Which Export Sharpening setting applies more sharpening—screen, matte or glossy?
Metadata & Watermarking
How do I select which metadata to include in my files?
How do I add a watermark to my photos?
How do I create a text watermark?
How do I create a graphical watermark?
How do I set the size and placement on the photo?
Can I place the watermark in a different place on each photo?
How do I save my watermarks?
Can I add metadata to my watermark?
Post-Processing
What are Post-Process Actions?
Other Export Questions
Can I save my Export settings as a preset?
What’s the difference between a highlighted preset and a checked preset?
Can I export using multiple presets at once?
Why are my adjustments not being applied to my exported file?
It gives an error message—Some export operations were not performed. The file could not be written. or The file could not be found. What went wrong?
Emailing your Photos
Which mail clients are supported?
How do I set up email if my email client is supported?
How do I set up email if I use webmail or an unsupported email client?
Can I have multiple email accounts?
How do I set the size of the photos I want to email?
Can I save a custom email preset including extra settings, such as a watermark or a different file format?
How do I use Lightroom’s address book?
How do I keep a copy of my sent email?
Publish Services
How do I set up a Publish Services account?
Does it automatically publish changes I make to my photos?
How do I publish multiple collections at once?
How do I update my service with the changes I’ve made to my photos?
How do I mark photos as already published, so they don’t upload again?
I didn’t mean to remove a photo from a collection—how do I restore it?
I accidentally revoked the authorization on the website—how do I fix it?
Can I have the same account connected to multiple catalogs?
How do I view people’s comments?
What other third party plug-ins are available?
What can I use the Hard Drive option for?
Is Lightroom Sync a Publish Service?
Export Shortcuts
Output Modules
Book Module
Slideshow Module
Print Module
How do I create a 4” x 6” borderless print?
How do I print it?
How do I create a contact sheet?
How do I create a picture package?
How do I create a custom package?
Web Module
Multiple Computers or Catalogs
Managing Catalogs
How do I find my catalog on the hard drive?
What do the catalog files contain?
How much space does Lightroom’s catalog take up on my hard drive?
How do I rename my catalog?
Do I need to do any regular maintenance?
Moving Lightroom
How do I move only my catalog to another hard drive, leaving the photos where they are?
How do I move only my photos to another hard drive, leaving the catalog where it is?
How do I archive photos to offline hard drives?
How do I move my complete catalog & photos to another hard drive on the same computer?
How do I move my catalog, photos and other Lightroom files to a new computer?
Working with Multiple Machines
Can I use Lightroom over a network?
If I can’t use Lightroom over a network, how can I use it on multiple computers?
1. Lightroom Cloud Sync
Sample “Lightroom Cloud Sync” Workflow
2. Self-Contained Catalog
3. Semi-Portable Catalog
Sample “Self-Contained Catalog” Workflow
Sample “Semi-Portable Catalog” or “Copy/Sync” Workflow
4. Copy/Sync (e.g. Dropbox)
Sample “Import from a Temporary Catalog” Workflow
5. Import from a Temporary Catalog
6. Split and Merge
Sample “Split & Merge” Workflow
Can multiple users use a Lightroom catalog?
How does Export as Catalog work?
What are the limitations of offline files, with standard or smart previews?
How do I check which photos have previews or smart previews?
How do I build or discard smart previews?
How does Import from Catalog work?
Are there any limitations when importing and exporting catalogs?
Can I share my catalog with multiple users on the same machine?
Should I check ‘Store presets with this catalog’?
How do I synchronize my presets using Dropbox?
Single or Multiple Catalogs
Should I use one big catalog, or multiple smaller catalogs?
Is there a maximum number of photos a catalog can hold?
How do I create a new catalog and open catalogs?
How do I set or change my default catalog?
How do I set default Catalog Settings to use for all new catalogs?
How do I delete a spare catalog?
How do I merge multiple catalogs into one larger catalog?
How do I split a catalog into multiple catalogs?
How do I transfer photos between catalogs?
Catalog Shortcuts
Troubleshooting
Missing Files
How do I know that Lightroom can’t find my photos?
What else can cause photos to disappear?
STOP!
Lightroom thinks my photos are missing—how do I fix it?
How do I prevent missing files?
How do I change drive letters on Windows?
It says The selected folder or one of its subfolders is already in Lightroom. Do you want to combine these folders? Do I say yes or no?
It says The file is associated with another photo in the catalog. How do I fix it?
How do I check my catalog for missing files?
I accidentally deleted my photos from my hard drive and I don’t have backups! Can I recover them using Lightroom’s previews or smart previews?
The Cat Walked Over the Keyboard
My Toolbar’s disappeared—where’s it gone?
Where's the Done button gone?
Where have my panels gone?
How do I show missing dialogs?
Catalog Corruption
Why can’t I open my catalog?
How do catalogs become corrupted?
Lightroom says that my catalog is corrupted—can I fix it?
How do I prevent catalog corruption?
Image & Preview Problems
Why do I just get gray boxes instead of previews?
Everything in Lightroom is a funny color, but the original photos look perfect in other programs, and the exported photos don’t look like they do in Lightroom either. What could be wrong?
How do I remove my monitor profile to check whether it’s corrupted?
Why is Lightroom changing the colors of my photos?
Why doesn't the Library module preview match the Develop module preview?
Lightroom says my preview cache is corrupted—how do I fix it?
Lightroom appears to be corrupting my photos—how do I stop it?
Standard Troubleshooting
1. The Magic Reboot
2. Optimize the Catalog
3. Check for Updates
4. Check the GPU
5. Reset Preferences
6. Try a new catalog
7. Rule out corrupted presets
8. Rule out corrupted fonts
9. Try a clean user account
10. Check for hardware and operating system problems
Default File & Menu Locations
The default location of the Lightroom catalog is…
The default location of the Preferences is…
How do I reset Lightroom's Preferences?
What’s stored in Preferences?
How do I show hidden files to find my preferences and presets?
Develop Presets and Default Settings are shared with Camera Raw, so they're stored at…
Most of Lightroom's Presets and Templates are stored at…
The default location of the Camera Raw Cache is…
Your custom Camera & Lens Profiles should be installed to the User folders…
Troubleshooting Shortcuts
Preferences & Settings Menu Locations
Improving Performance
Non-Destructive Editing
Why is Lightroom slower at some tasks than Photoshop?
What are Lightroom's strengths and weaknesses?
Debunking Myths
Myth #1: GPU—Everyone should turn it off (or on)
Myth #2: Render 1:1 previews to speed up Develop
Myth #3: Make the Camera Raw Cache huge
Myth #4: Use loads of little catalogs
Myth #5: Delete all of your previews
Previews in the Library Module
What are Embedded Previews?
What are Standard Rendered Previews?
Preview Loading Logic in the Library module
What are 1:1 Rendered Previews?
Where are Library module's rendered previews stored?
How do I build standard or 1:1 previews?
How do I delete previews?
Previews & Caches in the Develop module
Preview Loading Logic in the Develop Module
What is the Camera Raw Cache?
What are Smart Previews?
How do I decide whether I'd be better to use the Camera Raw Cache or Smart Previews?
How do I solve Develop loading bottlenecks?
Preferences & Catalog Settings
Lightroom Updates
Use Graphics Processor
Camera Raw Cache Settings
Video Cache Settings
Enable Hover Preview of Presets in Loupe
Use Smart Previews Instead of Originals For Image Editing
Optimize the Catalog
Standard Preview Size & Quality
Auto-write XMP checkbox
View Options Loading Overlay
Workflow Tweaks
Use embedded previews
Build previews overnight
Apply presets before building previews
Reduce the Window size
Pause background tasks
Use optimum slider order
Clear history
Use a pixel editor for intensive local edits
Close extra panels
Leave exports & merges for when you're not using the computer
Hardware Choices
CPU
Memory (RAM)
Hard drives
GPU
Monitor & Calibration
Desktop vs. Laptop
Interaction & Budget
Upgrading Existing Computers
General System Maintenance
Operating System Updates
Driver Updates
Care of Hard Drives
Power Saving Settings
Other system tasks and software
Reboot occasionally
What's Slow?
Opening Lightroom
Importing Photos
Building Previews
Viewing In Library
Applying Metadata
Moving/deleting photos
Loading in Develop
Editing in Develop
Exporting
Syncing to Lightroom Cloud
Performance Checklist
System Maintenance
Lightroom Settings
Previews & Caches
Workflow
Upgrade the Computer
Performance Shortcuts
Cloud Sync
What's the difference between Lightroom Classic and the Lightroom cloud ecosystem?
I use Lightroom Classic, so why might I want to use the Lightroom cloud ecosystem too?
Lightroom Mobile Basics
How do I import photos on mobile?
How do I use Lightroom's camera?
How do I add photos captured using other camera apps?
How do I import photos from my camera?
How do my photos sync up to the cloud from the mobile app?
How do I check sync status on mobile?
How do I pause sync on mobile?
What happens if I fill up my 20GB cloud space?
How much organizing can I do using the Lightroom Mobile apps?
How much editing can I do using the Lightroom Mobile apps?
Can I share photos from the mobile apps?
Syncing Lightroom Classic
How do I enable sync?
How do I choose which photos to sync to the cloud?
How do I sync collections?
Can I sync folders?
How do I check the sync status?
How do I pause sync?
Where does Lightroom Classic put the photos I added to the Lightroom cloud?
How do I change the default download location?
Where do I find my albums/collections created using the Lightroom cloud apps?
How do I share collections as web galleries?
How do I see my friends comments?
How do I stop syncing a collection?
How do I remove photos from the cloud?
How do I remove videos from the cloud?
Sync Limitations
What are the limitations of syncing Lightroom Classic with the cloud?
Can I upload originals from Lightroom Classic?
Troubleshooting Sync
Why doesn't the All Synced Photographs count match the count in the Lightroom ecosystem apps?
How do I solve sync errors?
How do I reset Lightroom Classic's local sync cache?
How do I get help from Adobe?
How do I completely disable sync and remove everything from the cloud?
What happens if the same photo changes on the desktop and mobile device while they’re offline, creating a conflict?
What happens if I want to sync a different catalog or I need to restore a backup catalog?
Advanced Workflows
What is the Single Source of Truth?
How do I decide which Lightroom version should be my single source of truth?
Register your book for additional benefits
The benefits include:
To register your book, we need:
Send us the details using either:
What happens next?
Index
Book Module
Book Basics
Working with Pages & Templates
How do I select a page template and add new pages?
How do I select a page?
How do I change the template for an existing page?
How do I rearrange the page order or insert a page?
How do I delete pages?
How do I start again?
How do I mark a template as a favorite?
Can I build my own templates?
Can I duplicate a page? Or can I copy the layout from a previous page?
Auto Layout
How do I use Auto Layout?
How do I create my own Auto Layout preset?
Why does it say there are no favorites?
What does Match Long Edges do?
How do I control which metadata is used for Photo Captions when using Auto Layout?
Why isn’t Auto Layout doing anything?
Working with Photos
How do I add or rearrange photo on a page?
How do I zoom into a photo?
What is Page Bleed?
Can I set it to automatically fit the photos to the cells without cropping, rather than filling the cell?
What does the exclamation point on the photo mean?
How do I remove a photo?
How can I tell which photos I’ve used so far?
Can I filter to see which photos are not currently used in my book?
When I’ve finished designing the book, can I still edit the photos in Develop?
Page Styles
How do I change the background color of my pages?
How do I add a graphic or photo as a page background?
How do I add a border around a photo?
How do I change the cover or spine color?
Adding Text to Your Book
How do I add text to a page?
What’s the difference between Page Text, Photo Text and text cells on page templates?
What is Custom Text?
How do I automatically enter text based on metadata?
I’ve changed the metadata—how do I update the text in the book to match?
What’s the red square marker with a cross in the middle?
How do I position the text on the page?
What is the Text Safe Area?
How do I add automatic page numbers?
How do I add text to the cover and spine of the book?
Text Formatting
Can I run a spell check?
How do I change the font, size and color?
Why isn’t the font changing?
What are Tracking, Baseline, Leading and Kerning?
How do I use the Text Targeted Adjustment Tool?
How do I adjust the horizontal and vertical alignment?
How to do I split text into columns and adjust the spacing?
How do I change the text style on multiple text cells?
Can I save my text style to apply to other cells?
Saving Books
What’s an unsaved book?
How do I save my book?
How do I edit or add extra photos to my saved book?
How do I create a snapshot of my book, in case I make changes and want to go back to a previous version?
How do I save my book layout as a template for use on other photos?
Exporting & Printing Books
Who are Blurb and why are other vendors not available for printing books?
Can I view a soft proof of my Blurb book?
Which cover style and paper should I select?
How do I select quality, color profile, resolution and sharpening for a Blurb book?
What is the Logo Page?
How much will my Blurb book cost?
How do I send my book to Blurb?
How do I save my book as a PDF or JPEGs?
What’s the difference between Save to PDF and a Blurb PDF?
Book Module Shortcuts
Slideshow Module
Slideshow Basics
Slide Layout & Design
How do I adjust the size of the photo?
How do I set the aspect ratio of the slides?
Why doesn’t the photo fill the photo cell?
How do I change the background of the slides?
How do I set the background color?
How do I add a border around the photo?
How do I add a drop shadow?
How do I add or remove a gradient or color wash on the background of the slide?
How do I add a background image to my slides?
Text Captions & Other Overlays
How do I add branding to my slideshow?
How do I use Anchor Points?
How do I add a watermark to my photos?
How do I add a text caption?
How do I reselect or delete a text field?
What is Custom Text?
How do I make the caption different for each photo?
How do I create my own metadata-based preset?
Why does the text field say <empty>?
How do I change the font for my captions?
How do I add shadows behind my overlays?
How do I display my star ratings?
Can I rate the photos while the slideshow’s running?
Playback Settings
How do I add blank slides at the beginning and end of the slideshow?
How do I add a music track to my slideshow?
Where can I download royalty-free music?
Can I add multiple music tracks?
How do I remove a music track?
Why is there an exclamation point next to the track name?
How do I fade the music track when I’m playing a video?
How do I set the timings for the slideshow?
Can I set different timings for different slides?
Can I change the style of transitions?
Can I advance the slideshow manually?
How do I set the order of the slides?
How do I select which monitor to use?
How do I play the slideshow?
How do I play a subset of my slideshow without creating a new one?
Saving Slideshows & Templates
How do I save my slideshow to edit or play again later?
How do I open my saved slideshow again later?
How do I edit or delete my saved slideshow?
How do I add extra photos to my slideshow?
How do I save my slideshow settings to reuse on another set of photos?
Exporting Slideshows for Use Outside of Lightroom
Which format should I use?
How do I export my slideshow as a video?
How do I export my slideshow as a PDF?
How do I export my slideshow as a folder of JPEGs?
Why are my photos missing?
Slideshow Module Shortcuts
Print Module
Export for standard lab prints
Print Basics
How do I create a 4” x 6” borderless print?
How do I print it?
How do I create a contact sheet?
How do I create a picture package?
How do I create a custom package?
Print Layout
How do I change the page size and paper orientation?
How do I set the page margins? Why won’t they go to 0?
How do I change the units of measurement?
How do I change the guides displayed on the page?
How do I adjust the contact sheet layout?
How do I change the order of the photos?
Why won’t my photo print without adding white borders along two edges or cutting off some of the photo?
How do I lay out a Picture or Custom Package or collage?
Be Inventive!
Print Design & Overlays
How do I set the background color?
How do I add a border?
How do I add my logo or Identity Plate to the page?
How do I add a watermark to my photos?
How do I add text to my page?
How do I display page numbers or crop marks?
Printing & Exporting
How do I print my layout?
What is Draft Mode Printing?
How high should I set the resolution?
When should I turn on 16-bit printing?
Which Print Sharpening option do I choose?
How do I set up my printer to match the preview I see on screen?
Why doesn’t my printer driver dialog look like that?
How do I install custom printer profiles?
Why do Page Setup, Print Settings and Printer buttons show the same dialog?
Why do Lightroom’s prints not match the preview on screen?
How do I create a JPEG of my print layout?
Can I print to PDF?
Saving Prints & Templates
How do I save my design to edit or print later?
How do I edit or delete my saved print?
How do I save my print layout to reuse on another set of photos?
Print Keyboard Shortcuts
Web Module
Purchasing Web Hosting
Web Gallery Basics
Web Gallery Layout & Design
How do I select the layout?
How do I personalize my gallery?
How do I change the gallery colors?
How do I change the thumbnail page layout?
How do I choose which metadata to display on the main image page?
How do I select the quality of the main photos?
Speed Tip
Saving Web Galleries & Templates
How do I save my settings as a web gallery?
How do I edit or delete my saved web gallery?
How do I add extra photos to my web gallery?
How do I save my web gallery settings to reuse on another set of photos?
FTP Settings, Templates & Galleries
Export for Web
File naming for the Web
Should I let Lightroom upload the gallery or use dedicated FTP software?
How do I set up Lightroom’s built-in FTP client?
I changed an existing gallery—why hasn’t it changed on the website?
How do I export to the hard drive to upload using FTP software?
Can I have multiple galleries on my website?
Web Module Shortcuts
The Geeky Bits
Proprietary Raw vs. DNG
Should I convert to DNG?
Do I lose quality when converting to DNG?
Should I convert to Lossy DNG?
Why do sRAW/mRAW files get bigger when converting to DNG?
If I convert to DNG, can I convert back to the proprietary raw file format again?
Which preferences should I choose when converting to DNG?
DNG Defaults
How do I convert to DNG?
How do I update DNG files to take advantage of newer specifications?
Can I replace my full size proprietary raw or DNG files with smaller ones?
Should I convert other formats like JPEG or TIFF to DNG?
How do I update my embedded preview?
How do I find more information about the type of DNG file?
I embedded the proprietary raw file—how do I extract it?
How do I use the DNG Validation?
How do I recover missing pixels using DNG Recover Edges?
Flat Field Correction
When would I use Flat Field Correction?
What kind of calibration photo do I need?
How do I apply the correction?
DNG Profile Editor
Why is the DNG Profile Editor better than the Calibration sliders?
Why not create ICC Profiles?
Can I use the profiles on proprietary raw files, not just DNG?
How do I use the DNG Profile Editor? It looks complicated!
ColorChecker Passport plug-in
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts, Translated Strings and Other Text Hacks
How do I change keyboard shortcuts?
How do I edit the Translated Strings file?
Can I create a different dated folder structure automatically?
Jeffrey’s Configuration Manager
Can I have more than 5 digit sequence numbers when renaming?
Photoshop Actions via Droplets
The droplet runs, but it doesn’t save—what have I done wrong?
The droplet runs, but it keeps asking which JPEG compression to use—what have I done wrong?
The droplet doesn’t run at all—why not?
The droplet only works on some of the photos and then stops—what’s wrong?
In my droplet I used a Save for Web instead of a standard Save As—why won’t it overwrite the original file?
Importing From Other Programs
Import from the Apple Photos App
Import from iPhoto/Aperture
Import from Photoshop Elements
Changes
