Test your skills… do you know the 5 things that every Lightroom Classic user should know?
While answering a bunch of emails lately, I’ve noticed some common questions about features that even seasoned Lightroom users didn’t know. Some of these are tips, and some are workflow concepts.
Think of it as a way to test your knowledge to see if you already knew these things, or maybe missed one. Or it could be that you’re brand new to Lightroom, in which case these tools/tips are a must have in your workflow.
PS: Two years ago I switched from Lightroom Classic to Lightroom Desktop. Whenever I do a video like this I often get questions about whether I switched back. I didn’t. But I still use Lightroom Classic every day for work and teach it mostly since that’s what most people use. And the only important part (to me at least) is editing and they are identical. However, if you’d like to learn more about my switch to Lightroom Desktop you can find out more here.
RE: Lightroom System Updates
If you’ve purchased my Lightroom System Course, please click here to find out about the FREE course update. If you haven’t purchased it, now is a great time as it has been totally updated and is on sale.
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I love teaching and photography... In that order. I feel that enjoying photography, and photo editing can get WAY too complicated. So my personal mission (and favorite thing to do), is to create education that simplifies the process of taking great photos, and how to edit them to get the results you’ve always wanted.
Great tips. You answered a question I did not know I had.
Good “stuff”, Matt. I consider myself somewhat comfortable in LR Classic, but I’ve been “tripped up” on several of these.
Terrific video, insofar it is the “secret handshakes”…. like accidentally hitting T and five minutes later realizing that the menu below a photo has disappeared,…and taking 1/2 hour to find on an internet search how to get it back!….which can drive a user like me (using LRC for >10 yrs and now teaching it to my adult children) crazy.
All of your videos are terrific….I watch them all. Addressing items that can screw up a workflow inadvertently are super useful…even if I learn only one tip per video. So THANK YOU!!! And keep doing what you are doing!
Hi Matt, Very interested in your lightroom classic program. I do subscribe to lrc. I have taken 2 lrc classes & still have issues with it so I’m hoping your program will help. One of my biggest issues is I have thousands of images on sd dives and older type drives. Will your program help me organize all of that? I need help. Thanx so much.
Dick Pfaff
Hi Dick. It will show you my organization methods. But I don’t want to set your expectations too high. There is no magic pill to get it done. The only way to organize a mess of photos, is work. I can show you what to do… but you’ll have to put in the time/work to do it. Thanks.
I’m with Susanne—never knew about the Previous button! But, if you’ve used masks in the previous photo, will they be carried over identically? Or will LR automatically re-AI for the new photograph?
Thanks!
Hi Matt. AI masks will recompute on the new photo, regular masks will not. Maybe give it a try and you’ll be able to see exactly what it does and it’ll make more sense.
Wow – thanks for the “previous” button tip! I don’t think I ever noticed that it was even there, let alone what it was used for.
Thank you for another informative video. I appreciate the time you put into them! Here is something that trips me up, even though I am now aware of it. When the mask panel is open, the toolbar below the viewing window changes to the masking toolbar. Here I am, trying to rate the image I just edited, looking for the stars, and they’re not there. Lol. Then, remembering I have to close the masking window.
One thing this video taught me is the Previous button. So simple. I always copy and sync, but then again, it isn’t always the next picture. But I will start using it now that I am aware of it.
Concerning workflow, I created about 20 presets that I usually go through first to get a starting point, then I proceed to masking.
Hi Anthony. Not sure what you mean. I don’t see any rating stars appear or disappear when the masking panel is opened or closed. But as long as you have it figured out for your workflow, that’s all that counts. Thanks.
Thank you for the tips on masking!! I am new to using them, and I found this very helpful. I haven’t had the time to watch lately, but love each video!!!
Hi Matt – Thanks for this video. It offered some good reminders of a couple of things I had forgotten about but I particularly liked your last tip on using Masking for most edits. That was excellent reminder!
Why do I need to login to YouTube now every time I want to watch a video sent in your email?
It’s a problem with the browser you’re using and YouTube. It’s not something I can help unfortunately other than suggestion you try another browser. Thanks.
I have been using Lightroom since before it was Lightroom (Raw Shooter – Pixmantec) but I always pick up a tip or two from these videos, Thanks!
The “Previous” tip is awesome. Always wondered what that did.
Well done. Even when known/used previosly a reminder is often needed as things change; things are forgotten; esp. as we use other applications that operate their own way.
Thanks
Hi Matt. Question regarding the updated Lightroom course: For those of us who have already purchased the course, will we have access to the updated course? It’s a terrific course and even after owning if for years, I find myself referring back to it for specific things that I need at help with at the time. Thanks!
Hi Doug. Please read the “RE: Lightroom System Updates” section higher up on this page. Thanks.
Oops. Got it. Thanks, Matt. “When in doubt, read the instructions.” Lol
Thanks Matt. There is always something to learn. I sometimes get confident and lazy with my Lightroom skills. Your videos always point out room for improvement in my editing.
Thanks Matt. I always learn something new every time I watch one of your videos. I appreciate you.
Thank you for an informative presentation. As far as the triangles go, I wish they would tint them slightly to make them stand out more.
My biggest irritation is adding photos to Lightroom where I added to my PC stored file…eg. I have a Critters/Birds folder I add to , and I have the same on Lightroom. But where it is easy to add photos to my pc folder, I struggle adding to Lightroom’s!
Hi Gail. I think you’re having trouble because you may not realize that LR and the folders on your computer are one in the same. They are exactly the same location, not separate folders. Hopefully that helps. Or ditch LRC all together and use LR Desktop (I do)… so much easier 🙂
Your workflow tip about using masking asap in my workflow reminded me of my analog B&W image editing using burning/dodging after making an initial exposure/print. It was the primary way of bring out the best in a B&W print.
Matt,
All great reminders; one of which I’d forgotten.
Maybe next time, you might want to refer to “Auto” in the
develop module as a good first step before starting “tweaking”
adjustments and masking. As you’ve mentioned before. it’s a
timesaver in the workflow.
Heading for the bears Saturday. Thanks for all the info you shared.
Charlie
Does previous work in both directions? I know I can test it myself but others may appreciate the answer.
Hi Bob. I’m not sure what both directions means. When you click the Previous button, it will apply the settings from the previously looked at photo. Thanks.
Always something new to discover . Thanks Matt you are a fantastic teacher!
Chris
Lots of useful information in this video. Thanks Matt.
15 Years into Lightroom and I finally find out how the ‘sync settings’ works. Thanks Matt
Thanks Matt, I thought I knew all the best bits of LC…but you’ve just demonstrated how wrong I was and I’ve learned a lot more today, thanks again, Chris.
I’m an experienced user but didn’t know about the Previous function in the Develop module, so thanks for that.
Thank you Matt
I always get something new from you. You are the best.
I have some of your presents over the years.
Thanks Matt, I always learn something from your videos.
And many thanks for updating your LR System course. There are a lot of modules, and even though many haven’t changed it is a major effort to keep them all up-to-date.
I use lightroom 3, can I make the same changes with my primitive editing software?
Hi. Best you can do is test them out. Thanks.
A couple of things new to me. I had never paid attention to “Previous”, and I can see where, with images that I work with, this can be a huge benefit. Thanks,
I did already know most of that. However, I never understood that ‘previous’ button, and I thank you for explaining that one! (I thought it was an undo of the current edit, and I always used ‘sync’ to bring forward the edit from the prior image before this)
Matt,
Is there a way to select all the images that have that circle next to the mask icon, so that I can go back and take care of redoing the masking?
Thanks Matt, I was just about to call Adobe support regarding Item # 1. Could not understand why the masking overlay was not disappearing when making adjustments.
Do you have a video on cloning in Lightroom?
Hi Brian. The clone tool does not work very well in Lightroom. My best suggestion would be to not use it. But my Lightroom System course does go over it, if you own that course. Thanks.
Matt, does the previous button also mean that the masks on the previous photo are copied to the current one?
Hi Marcia. Not sure and not at a computer right now. Give it a try and let us know what you find out. Thanks!
I’m a sort of advanced user but never paid attention to that previous button. I always figured it would just take me back to the previous image I viewed. From now on I’ll use that instead of “paste settings from previous” which appear to be the same thing. Thank you.
How different is this from his earlier course. Is this an upgrade? I have that course
Hi Joe. It is the same course re-recorded in the latest version of Lightroom Classic. Thanks.
Two more questions regarding synching:
1). I’ve found that synching “transform” across multiple images typically does not work well. Does LRC analyze subsequent images other than the most selected and transform based on that, or does it simply apply whatever transform adjustments it made to the source image?
2): Can you explain the difference between “merge” and “replace” with regard to syncing masks? When synching images with masks, sometimes I’ll get a message about merging or replacing masks. e.g., white background studio portraits where I’ve already selected the background on all images and desaturated the background to remove color casts – and then subsequently make other adjustments to a reference image (shadows, clarity, etc.) and want to sync those additional adjustments across the rest of the images.
Thanks again!
I’ve learned a ton from all my Matt K courses! I was delighted to have you remind me why my Tool panel keeps disappearing! Thanks!
OMG MATT! The previous button?! Thank you!
Matt, Great info -as usual- two comments
Previous button – some problems with masks. If i masked a subjectalong with other changes and subject had moved a bit in 2nd image the previous mask place remains so can be in funny spot – not over subject.
Shortcut T and others
at times my home screen changes and I lose top tool bar, – so don’t have the “X” to close.Don’t know why.Using the top arrows doesn’t get it back.
Did discover “control-alt f”= return to normal screen mode. Rarely needed but a great help
Hi Sonny.
Previous button – if it’s not an AI mask it will appear in the same spot, which may not work for the next photo. That is normal behavior and you couldn’t really expect any different. If it’s an AI based mask, it will recompute for the next photo.
Thanks!
good to know about AI mask vs normal mask – Thanks
If you are using Windows, try hitting “F11”, it will work in either direction e.g., Hide or Reveal.
Capt. Jim
Great video Matt, I learned some new things and will check out the workflow one next.
Previous button and sync settings info invaluable. Long term user. Always a treat to listen to you.
Matt,
As always, there is a nugget in your presentations for long term Lightroom users. For me, it was a reminder about syncing.
Thanks, Chris Bates
Thank you Matt for telling us about the Previous Button! Oh My Gosh, this will help me so so much, I wish I had known about this when I was editing the 400 photo Birthday party I did this last weekend. I love your videos, I also learn so much and since I keep all of my courses online rather than downloading them I decided maybe I would watch the Lightroom series again because I know I will learn so much! Thanks!
You are so right. I’m a LrC veteran from Version 1.0 and PS I rate myself as “expert” thanks to the years and years I have been watching your videos and I still trip up on the little arrows and most define screw up on adjust global panel when I’m in masking!!!! Seems I’m a little dyslexic here.
I really enjoy your short , instructive videos, in addition to your ‘retail’ videos. One question: in plain, ol’ Lightroom, how can I change the order in the Edit area? For example, I want to move OPTICS to the top from the bottom.
Hi Donna. This is not possible in Lightroom. Thanks.
I disagree…if you right click on Lens Corrections or any other main tab you can move all of them in a different order.
Hi. You’re referring to Lightroom Classic, not Lightroom (which is what they were asking about).
Terrific stuff, Matt. You consistently provide quality content. Love the “previous” button!
I have used Lightroom for years, but I always learn something from your videos. This time it was the “Previous” Button. I’ve never used it or knew what it did. Also the Sync button. Thank you. This may speed up my work flow.
This newest video of 5 overlooked tips is very helpful. But I’m a little confused as to the order of editing. As you said, awhile ago, you would spend a lot of time on the global edits but now we should minimize that time and instead focus more of our editing time on masking. I understand that, BUT where in the workflow process do the ‘presets’ come in? I thought those are ways to minimize the time on editing overall? So I’m confused. Thank you for your response.
Hi Gloria. Typically people use presets early on. But there are no rules. Try one whenever you’d like in your workflow. First… last… it just doesn’t matter – how the photo looks after you apply it is all that counts. Thanks!
Love this, Matt!
My Lightroom students have the same issue as your first item- scrolling PAST the masking tools into the basic panel.
I use Solo mode in the non-masking panels to minimize clutter and reduce scrolling. Is there an equivalent that would hide or at least collapse the global adjustments (i.e. basic panel on down) when in an active masking mode?
Thanks for your always awesome content!
Hi Jon. There is not.