Lightroom Tips

As a photographer you need Lightroom, or perhaps Aperture if you are so inclined.  And Lightroom 3.0 is out, leading me to give you a couple of quick tips.

  • In the develop module, ^C (control-C or on a Mac command-C) copies selected settings (you can indicate which ones) from a photo and then ^V pastes them to another photo. This is often the way I synchronise settings between a few photos. Quick and simple, and unlike some of the other settings, not confusing.
  • Always type “G” to go back to grid view, “E” to go back to loupe view; and type “D” to go back to the develop module. Using the mouse all the time for this takes too much time.
  • “L” dims, or turns off, the lights. (Keep pressing and it toggles).
  • “F” goes full and even fuller screen. (Keep pressing and it toggles).
  • “Z” toggles the zoom view (a useful shortcut to know).
  • Use “Solo mode” on the panels on the left and right (right-click to select this). That way you avoid everything opening at once.
  • The new develop presets are really good – try them!

Also, remember to set the metadata and develop presets. These are well hidden – I regularly take forever to find them. But while the User Interface here is infuriatingly confusing, you only have to learn it.

  • Create a metadata preset that you can then use when you like and even automatically apply when importing. Do this as follows: Library – Metadata – Edit Metadata Presets – (make your changes, e.g. enter copyright data) – Save current settings as new preset. Call it something like “Joe Metadata Standard”.
  • Create a develop preset that you can then use when you like and even automatically apply when importing: select a photo, go to the develop module, make any changes you need (eg set camera calibration to CAMERA Standard, not ADOBE Standard) – and then use menu functions DEVELOP – NEW PRESET. Call it something like “Joe Develop Standard”. You will now see your new preset in “User Presets” in the left panels. To make changes to your preset, right click on it here and “Update with current settings” after you make the changes to the image.

Learning this application is sooo worth it.

0 thoughts on “Lightroom Tips

  1. (eg set camera calibration to CAMERA Standard, not ADOBE Standard)

    Michael explain?
    why not Adobe, because in photoshop, the standard work profile is Adobe98.
    I do have my presets all with 98.

    thnx.

    • Guus,

      This is Camera standard DEVELOP setting. I.e. How a raw is shown on your display. Not the restricted JPG colour space (AdobeRGB or sRGB). That’s something else.

      To find this develop setting, go to the develop module (press “D”), then open the last pane in the right panel. Select Camer standard instead of Adobe standard, and see. Mostly, this is a very good setting.

      I’ll write about sRGB versus AdobeRGB in the next few days. Good idea, thanks!

Leave a Reply to Guus Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *