Do you want to be more efficient while editing photos? Here are 3 photo editing tips for Lightroom that will save you a ton of time.
This blog post is all about photo editing tips for Lightroom that will help you to be more efficient while editing photos.
If you are just starting and are looking for Lightroom tips for beginners, I suggest you read the 5 basics of photo editing. This will give you all the answers you are seeking to understand how to use Lightroom to edit photos.
ORGANIZE YOUR LIGHTROOM LIBRARY
You already know how to use Lightroom to edit photos, but you feel that the process is taking you way too much time? I understand. I used to have the same problem when I first started editing photos with Lightroom.
The best photo editing tip I can give you to be more efficient is TO BE ORGANIZED!
“Duh, it’s logical!” you might say.
However, learning how to organize and use my Lightroom library has changed my editing game forever.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR LIGHTROOM LIBRARY
First, where is your library in Lightroom?
Nothing easier, the library section should be the first one on the tab located at the top of your screen.
Underneath, you will find a small gray bar called “Library filter”. This section is the one that will help you find the photo you are looking for in just a second.
Once you’ve opened your library, you will see on the left-hand side of your screen another menu.
The first item called “Catalog” is where you can see all your imported photos.
The second one, “Folders” is the replicate of the folders on your computer. This way, you can look for the photo you want to import directly from Lightroom.
The third one, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT, is “Collections”. This is where you are going to organize your imported photos into different collections so you can easily find them afterward.
On the right-hand side of your screen, you will see another tab. This tab gives you information on the selected photo. Name of the file, settings you used when you took the photo, etc… Honestly, I rarely use it.
At the bottom of your screen you should see another tab, Lightroom calls it “Toolbar”. This toolbar lets you choose how your photos look like in the Library tab. It can be useful if you want to select various photos at the same time.
CREATE A NEW COLLECTION IN LIGHTROOM
Now that you understand how your Library module works, it is time to create a new collection in Lightroom to organize your photos.
Honestly, nothing is easier.
Import the photos you want to edit in your Lightroom library, then click on the “+” located on the right of the “Collection” item.
Create your new collection and name it.
Select the photos from your Library you want to move this collection and make them slide into the folder.
And THAT’S IT! Your photos are organized in the new collection you’ve just created.
COPY AND PASTE ADJUSTMENTS IN LIGHTROOM
You took an insane number of photos with the exact same settings, at the same place, and you want to edit them all because you want to have options?
It happened to all of us, we’ve all been there. But it feels repetitive and annoying to edit the same photo over and over again… Don’t waste your time anymore! This is one of the best editing tips and tricks for Lightroom!
I wish I had known that sooner. Honestly, it would have saved me hours, if not days.
You can copy and paste the adjustment you made on one photo to the others. And for that, THANK YOU, LIGHTROOM!
All you have to do is select the edited photo in the lower tab of your screen while it is open in the Develop tab on your Lightroom desktop.
Then, while pressing the “Shift” or “Ctrl” on your keyboard, select the other photos you want to apply the adjustments to.
After that, click on Sync, on the right lower corner of your screen. And that’s it! In just a few seconds, all the adjustments you made to your first photo will be pasted to the ones you have selected.
You’re welcome. You’ve just done hours of work in less than a minute.
Now let’s get onto our third photo editing tip for Lightroom that will also save you a ton of time!
USE AND MAKE PRESETS IN LIGHTROOM
Have you heard of the Lightroom Presets before? They are huge game-changers and time-savers.
If you haven’t, let me explain what it is quickly.
Presets are like filters you can apply to your photo directly and then modify as you want to obtain the look you were looking for. They can be really useful when you are looking for a certain style that you are struggling to achieve. For example, a Vintage or a Black and White look.
Good news, Lightroom gives you free presets with your subscription. You can also get free presets from the internet or your favorite influencers. Some won’t be free though, but they are not expensive.
Once you get better at editing photos in Lightroom, you can make your own presets and apply them to your photos. It will save you hours and your photos will have a more homogeneous look!
HOW TO INSTALL PRESETS IN LIGHTROOM
Nothing easier than installing presets in Lightroom!
Download your preset files on your computer, then go to your menu bar in Lightroom. Click File > Import Develop Profiles & Presets, then select your presets and download them. And that’s it!
I told you it was easy!
HOW TO APPLY PRESETS IN LIGHTROOM
First, you need to select the photo you want to apply the preset to in your library, then open it in the Develop module.
On the left-hand side of your screen, you will see a Presets tab. Click on it to see all your installed presets.
Go through your presets and take a quick look at how it looks on the photo you want to edit.
Once you’ve found the one you like, apply it to the photo by clicking on it.
Fine-tune the settings from the editing toolbar (on the right-hand side of your screen) to achieve the perfect edit you are looking for.
Then finally, if you want to apply the editing style to other photos, sync the photos like I showed you in the previous section.