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Lightroom Classic

Lightroom Classic

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  1. Lightroom Classic User Guide
  2. Introduction to Lightroom Classic
    1. What's new in Lightroom Classic
    2. Lightroom Classic system requirements
    3. Lightroom Classic | Common Questions
    4. Lightroom Classic Key Concepts
    5. Lightroom Classic tutorials
    6. Set Preferences for working in Lightroom Classic
    7. Reset Preferences for working in Lightroom Classic
  3. Workspace
    1. Workspace basics
    2. Display the Library on a second monitor
    3. Personalize identity plates and module buttons
    4. Watermark your photos in Lightroom Classic
    5. Color management
  4. Import photos
    1. Specify import options
    2. Set import preferences
    3. Import photos from a camera or card reader
    4. Import photos from a folder on a hard drive
    5. Import photos automatically
    6. Import photos from Photoshop Elements
    7. Import photos from a tethered camera
    8. The Filename Template Editor and Text Template Editor
  5. Organize photos in Lightroom Classic
    1. Face recognition
    2. Work with photo collections
    3. Group photos into stacks
    4. Flag, label, and rate photos
    5. Use keywords
    6. Metadata basics and actions
    7. Find photos in the catalog
    8. Work with video in Lightroom Classic
    9. Advanced metadata actions
    10. Use the Quick Develop panel
  6. Process and develop photos
    1. Develop module basics
    2. Create panoramas and HDR panoramas
    3. Flat-Field Correction
    4. Correct distorted perspective in photos using Upright
    5. Improve image quality using Enhance
    6. Work with image tone and color
    7. Masking
    8. Apply local adjustments
    9. HDR photo merge
    10. Develop module options
    11. Retouch photos
    12. Cure red eye and pet eye effects
    13. Use the Radial Filter tool
    14. Adjustments with Lens Blur
    15. Edit and Export in HDR
    16. Remove Tool
  7. Viewing photos
    1. View photos
    2. Browse and compare photos
    3. Set Library view options
    4. Share photos for comments and feedback
    5. Smart Previews
  8. Export photos
    1. Export files to disk or CD
    2. Export photos from Lightroom Classic
    3. Publish photos online
    4. Export to hard drive using publish services
    5. Presets for export, and other settings
  9. Work with external editors
    1. External Editing preferences
    2. Open and edit Lightroom Classic photos in Photoshop
  10. Manage catalogs and files
    1. How Lightroom Classic catalogs work
    2. Create and manage catalogs
    3. Back up a catalog
    4. Locate missing photos
    5. Create and manage folders
    6. Manage photos within folders
  11. Maps
    1. Work with the Map module
  12. Photo books
    1. Create photo books
  13. Slideshows
    1. Create slideshows
    2. Slideshow module panels and tools
    3. Specify the slide layout
    4. Add overlays to slides
    5. Play and export slideshows
  14. Print photos
    1. Print module basics
    2. Print module layouts and templates
    3. Work with print job options and settings
  15. Web galleries
    1. Create web galleries
    2. Use the Web module panels and tools
    3. Work with web gallery layouts
    4. Work with web gallery templates and settings
    5. Preview, export, and upload web photo galleries
  16. Keyboard shortcuts
    1. Keyboard shortcuts
  17. Content Authenticity 
    1. Content Authenticity in Lightroom Classic
  18. Lightroom and Adobe services
    1. Creative Cloud Libraries
    2. Using Adobe Stock in Creative Cloud apps
  19. Troubleshooting 
    1. Fixed Issues
    2. Known Issues
  20. Technical Support
    1. Performance Guidelines
      1. Basic troubleshooting steps to fix issues in Lightroom Classic
      2. Optimize performance
      3. Keep Lightroom up to date
      4. Preference file and other file locations | Lightroom Classic
      5. Allow Permissions to Lightroom Classic on macOS
    2.  Technical issues
      1. GPU Issues
        1. Troubleshoot graphics processor (GPU) and graphics driver issues | Lightroom Classic
        2. Lightroom Classic GPU FAQ
      2. Startup Issues
        1. Windows | Lightroom doesn't start
        2. Error: Lightroom catalog cannot be opened
        3. Error: 'Unexpected error opening catalog' occurs in Lightroom after Windows 10 upgrade
        4. "Assertion failed" update error | Windows
        5. Error MSVCR110.dll opening apps in Windows 10
      3. Rendering Issues
        1. Troubleshoot issues with Develop module
      4. Stability Issues
        1. Troubleshoot crash or freeze in Lightroom Classic
      5. Miscellaneous Issues
        1. FAQ | Color in Lightroom Classic
        2. Lightroom desktop and mobile apps unavailable to Education memberships | Kivuto
    3. Workflow Issues
      1. Catalog Issues
        1. Error : Lightroom catalog cannot be opened
        2. Troubleshoot corrupt catalog
        3. Locate missing photos
        4. Recover catalog and images after resetting preferences
        5. Lightroom Classic catalog FAQ
      2. Sync Issues
        1. Lightroom Classic sync FAQ

Updated in Lightroom Classic 12.4 (June 2023 release)

Process versions

The process version is the Camera Raw technology that Lightroom Classic uses to adjust and render photos in the Develop module. Depending on which process version you use, different options and settings are available to you in the Develop module.

Note:

If you’re not sure which process version your image uses, do one of the following:

  • Click Settings > Process. A check symbol appears next to the process version used.
  • Open the Camera Calibration panel and look at the Process menu.

Process Version 6

Process version 6 reduces banding when using the Color Mixer and B&W Mixer adjustments.

Process Version 5

Process version 5 offers improved negative dehaze and improvements to image quality for high-quality ISO raw files. You'll see less noise when you move the Dehaze slider to the left of zero (negative dehaze ), and less of a purple/magenta color cast in your low-light shots with improved shadow details.

Process Version 2012

Images edited for the first time in Lightroom 4 and later use process version 2012. PV2012 offers new tone controls and new tone-mapping algorithms for high-contrast images. With PV2012, you can adjust Highlights, Shadows, Whites, Blacks, Exposure, and Contrast in the Basic panel. You can also apply local corrections for white balance (Temp and Tint), Highlights, Shadows, Noise, and Moiré.

Process Version 2010

Images edited in Lightroom 3 used PV2010 by default. PV2010 offers improved sharpening and noise-reduction from the previous process version, PV2003.

Process Version 2003

The original processing engine, used by Lightroom 1 and 2.

  1. To update a photo to PV2012, do any of the following in the Develop module:

    • Click the Update To Current Process 2012 button in the lower-right corner of the histogram (Ctrl/Cmd + 0).
    • Click the Update To Current Process 2012 button  in the lower-right corner of the photo.

    • Choose Settings > Process > 2012 (Current).

    • In the Camera Calibration panel, choose Process > 2012 (Current).

  2. If the Update Process Version dialog box appears, select any of the following

    Review Changes Via Before/After

    Opens the updated photo in a Before/After view so you can inspect the changes. See View Before and After photos.

    Update

    Updates the one selected photo.

    Update All Selected Photos

    Updates all photos currently selected in the Filmstrip, not just the active photo.

    Update All Filmstrip Photos

    Updates all photos in the Filmstrip, not just the one that is selected.

    Note:

    Updating to Process Version 2012 may incur significant visual changes to your photos. It’s a good idea to update images one at a time until you are familiar with the new processing technology.

Soft-proof images

Soft-proofing is the capability to preview in how onscreen photos appear when printed, and optimize them for a particular output device. Soft-proofing in the Lightroom Classic lets you evaluate how images appear when printed, and adjust them so that you can reduce surprising tone and color shifts.

  1. With an image open in the Develop module, select the Soft Proofing box in the toolbar.

    The preview background turns white, a Proof Preview label appears in the upper-right corner of the preview area, and the Soft Proofing panel opens.

    Soft-proofing options in Develop module in Lightroom Classic CC
    Soft-proofing options in the Develop module

  2. Use the options in the Soft Proofing panel to see if your colors are in gamut, or range, for your display or output device.

    Show/Hide Monitor Gamut Warning 

    Colors that are outside your display’s color capabilities appear blue in the image preview area.

    Show/Hide Destination Gamut Warning 

    Colors that are outside your printer’s rendering capabilities appear red in the image preview area.

    Note:

    Colors that are outside the gamut of both the monitor and destination device appear pink in the image preview area.

    Profile

    A profile is a mathematical description of a device’s color space. By default, the Lightroom Classic Develop module displays images using your monitor profile. You can simulate a different output color space by choosing it from the Profile menu.

    Intent

    The rendering intent determines how colors are converted from one color space to another.

    Perceptual aims to preserve the visual relationship between colors so they are perceived as natural to the human eye, even though the color values may change. Perceptual is suitable for images with lots of saturated, out-of-gamut colors.

    Relative compares the extreme highlight of the source color space to that of the destination color space and shifts all colors accordingly. Out-of-gamut colors shift to the closest reproducible colors in the destination space. Relative preserves more of the original colors in an image than Perceptual.

    Simulate Paper & Ink

    Simulates the dingy white of real paper and the dark gray of real black ink. Not available for all profiles.

  3. To edit your photo to bring it within a desired color space, click Create Proof Copy. Lightroom Classic creates a virtual copy that you can adjust to print as you desire. Then, make your adjustments.

    Note:

    If you start adjusting photos and forget to click Create Proof Copy, Lightroom Classic asks if you want to create a virtual copy for soft proofing. Click Create Proof Copy to preserve your original image and work on a copy. Click Make This A Proof to edit the original image. Remember that all editing in Lightroom Classic is non-destructive. If you choose to edit the original image, you can still change your mind or undo your changes later.

Apply Develop adjustments to other photos

As you make adjustments to a photo in the Develop module or in the Quick Develop panel of the Library module, Lightroom Classic keeps a record of the settings. You can copy these settings and apply them to different versions of the photo and to other photos selected in the Filmstrip.

Copy and paste Develop settings

You can copy and paste individual Develop settings from the current photo to another photo in Library and Develop modules. 

  1. To copy the current photo’s Develop settings, do one of the following:

    • In the Develop module, click the Copy button to the left of the toolbar, choose Edit > Copy, or choose Settings > Copy Settings. Select the settings you want and click Copy.

    • In the Library module, choose Photo > Develop Settings > Copy Settings. Select the settings you want and click Copy.

    Note:

    (Mac OS) The Edit > Copy command in the Library module copies text and metadata. The Edit > Copy command in the Develop module copies selected text in a panel or copies the Develop settings of a selected photo.

  2. To paste the copied Develop settings to one other photo, select that photo in the Filmstrip in the Library or Develop module and do one of the following:

    • In the Develop module, click the Paste button, choose Edit > Paste, or choose Settings > Paste Settings.

    • In the Library module, choose Photo > Develop Settings > Paste Settings.

    Note:

    (Mac OS) The Edit > Paste command in the Library module pastes copied text and metadata.

  3. To paste settings on multiple photos:

    • In the Develop module, select the photos in the Filmstrip and choose Photo > Develop Settings > Paste Settings.
    • In the Library module, select the photos in the Grid view or the Filmstrip and choose Photo > Develop Settings > Paste Settings.
    Note:

    (Mac OS) The Edit > Paste command in the Library module pastes copied text and metadata.

To copy and paste edits on a batch of photos, select all the photos on the filmstrip to which you wish to apply the settings and toggle the Sync switch to activate the Auto Sync button. Select Paste to apply edit settings.

Copy paste setting for HDR

Note:

Edit settings are pasted on a single image when Sync is active. Auto Sync applies settings to multiple images together.

Apply Develop presets using the Painter tool

  1. In the Grid view of the Library module, select the Painter tool in the toolbar, and then choose Settings from the Paint menu in the toolbar.
    Note:

    If the Painter tool does not appear in the toolbar, choose Painter from the toolbar menu.

  2. Choose a Develop preset, such as Creative - Aged Photo, from the pop-up menu in the toolbar, and then click or drag across photos to apply the setting.
  3. To disable the Painter, click the circular well in the toolbar. When disabled, the Painter icon is visible in the toolbar.

Make exposure values consistent in a photo series

The Match Total Exposures command in the Library and Develop modules allows you to easily make a series of photos with varying exposure values appear more consistently exposed. This command automatically adjusts and matches the overall exposure of a selection of photos to that of your Active photo - as computed from the combined aperture, shutter speed, and ISO camera settings.

  1. Ensure that you've applied the necessary adjustments to your Active photo and it is properly exposed.

  2. Hold the Cmd (Mac)/Ctrl (Win) key and select all the photos from the Grid or the Filmstrip whose exposures you want to match.

  3. Do any of the following:

    • In the Develop module, choose Settings > Match Total Exposures.
    • In the Library module, choose Photo > Develop Settings > Match Total Exposures.

Synchronize settings across multiple photos

The Synchronize command in the Library and Develop modules allows you to apply selected Develop settings of the current photo to other photos in the Filmstrip. (The current photo is indicated by a brighter white border in the Filmstrip thumbnail.)

Note:

When only one photo is selected in the Filmstrip, the Sync Settings command is not available. In the Develop module, the Sync button becomes the Previous button; in the Library module, the Sync Settings button is inactive.

  • Shift-click or Ctrl-click (Windows) or Command-click (Mac OS) to select other photos in the Filmstrip to synchronize with the current photo, and then do one of the following:

    • In the Develop module, click the Sync button or choose Settings > Sync Settings. Select the settings to copy and click Synchronize.

    • In the Develop module, click the Enable Auto Sync switch on the left side of the Sync button to enable Auto Sync mode. Then, drag sliders or make adjustments, and the adjustments are applied to all selected photos.

    • In the Library module, click the Sync Settings button or choose Photo > Develop Settings > Sync Settings. Select the settings to copy and click Synchronize.

Note:

Any settings that you may have previously selected or deselected in the Copy Settings dialog box are also set by default in the Synchronize Settings dialog box.

Apply develop adjustments across multiple photos in Reference View

While working in Reference View in the Develop module, you can apply selected Develop settings of the current Active photo to other photos in the Filmstrip.

  1. In Reference View, choose a Reference photo. For details, see Reference View.

  2. Select all the photos in the Filmstrip on which you want to apply the develop adjustments.

    Note:

    Lightroom Classic automatically sets the most selected photo from your Filmstrip selection as the Active photo.

  3. At the lower-right corner of the screen, click the Enable Auto Sync switch on the left side of the Sync button to enable Auto Sync mode. For details, see Synchronize settings across multiple photos.

  4. Now make adjustments in the Active photo to visually match the characteristics of the Reference photo. The adjustments are applied to all selected photos.

Apply settings of a previously selected photo

You can copy all the settings of the photo you last selected in the Filmstrip (even if you didn’t make any adjustments to it) and apply them to the currently selected photo. Do one of the following:

  • In the Develop module, click the Previous button to the right of the toolbar, or choose Settings > Paste Settings From Previous.
  • In the Library module, choose Photo > Develop Settings > Paste Settings From Previous.
Note:

When multiple photos are selected in the Filmstrip, the Previous button in the Develop module turns into the Sync button.

Manage image history and snapshots

Create snapshots

During the editing process, you can name and save any state of a photo as a snapshot. Each snapshot you create is listed alphabetically in the Snapshots panel.

Note:

Roll the pointer over the list of snapshots to preview each one in the Navigator.

Add a snapshot

  1. In the Develop module, select an earlier state or the current state of your photo in the History panel.
  2. Click the Create Snapshot (+) button in the Snapshots panel header (or choose Develop > New Snapshot).

    All the settings for the selected history state are recorded in the snapshot.

  3. Type a new name, and press Return.

Delete a snapshot

  1. In the Snapshots panel of the Develop module, select the snapshot and click the Delete Selected Snapshot (-) button in the panel header.
Note:

Do not press the Delete key on your keyboard; this will delete the currently selected photo.

Track image adjustments in the History panel

The History panel keeps a record of the date and time that a photo was imported into Lightroom Classic, including any preset that was applied at the time. Afterward, whenever you make an adjustment to the photo, Lightroom Classic saves that adjustment as a state and lists it with all the other states chronologically in the History panel. You can change the names of the states, but you cannot change the order in which they are listed.

  • Preview each state of the photo by rolling the pointer over the list in the History panel and viewing the effects in the Navigator panel.
  • Select a state in the History panel to reapply it to the photo or to save it as a snapshot.
  • Double-click a state to select its name, type a new name, and press Enter or Return.
  • Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) a state and choose Copy History Step Settings To Before to copy a single adjustment.
  • Click the Clear All button (the X) on the History panel header to remove all states from the listing.
Note:

When the list of states gets too long in the History panel, create snapshots of the states you want to keep. Then, clear the panel by clicking the Clear All button. This removes the list of states without affecting the current image settings.

Edit Smart Previews instead of Originals to improve performance

To increase Lightroom's performance while editing your photos in the Develop module, Lightroom Classic provides you a preference option to edit Smart Previews of your photos even when Originals are available. Although this may display a decreased quality of your photo while editing, however, the final output remains full size/quality.  

To set this preference:

  1. Choose Edit > Preferences.

  2. In the Preferences dialog, select the Performance tab.

  3. In the Develop section, select Use Smart Previews Instead Of Originals For Image Editing.

  4. Click OK and then restart Lightroom Classic.  

Note:

When you zoom to 100% (1:1 mode) in the Develop module, Lightroom Classic switches to Originals even if the Use Smart Previews Instead Of Originals For Image Editing preference is enabled.

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