Lightroom Guy

Expert Support for Digital Photography

Using the Lightroom Radial Filter for Portraits

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I love using the Lightroom Radial Filter. It’s my most used of the Lightroom CC local adjustment tools. One of our clients even calls it the “instant spotlight” tool.

The Radial Filter Tool

This is the Lightroom Radial Filter icon

With the Lightroom Radial Filter, it’s possible to add that light back into the subject’s face by simply drawing a circle and opening up the shadow detail. In portrait photography, it’s not unusual for a professional photographer to use something called a “fill card” to reflect light back into the subject’s face. But the Lightroom Radial Filter can add a spot-of-light anywhere you want it  (you won’t need to learn how to use a fill card!) and a portrait is the perfect way to demonstrate exactly how I make use of the Lightroom Radial Filter.

The Radial Filter is also great for landscapes. And, when used in combination with the Gradient Filter, you can add amazing depth and contrast to specific areas of your photos. If you would like another video tutorial for using the Radial Filter, watch the “Lightroom Layering Techniques with the Radial and Gradient Filter.” In the tutorial, I develop an ordinary capture into beautiful tableaux using one of our students’ photos from Namibia, Africa.

For further reading on the radial filter, check out the online help from Adobe: Lightroom CC Manual on Using the Radial Filter.

Lightroom Videos from the Lightroom Guys

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After years of teaching and training hundreds of clients, we are pleased to announce Lightroom videos from the Lightroom Guys.

For a while now, we have been looking at options to get our content online in the form of educational Lightroom videos. Not content to work with just any online content provider, we feel fortunate to have had the folks at Pluralsight ask us to join them as authors. Pluralsight’s commitment to quality is a match for what we are all about: learning Lightroom to become better photographers. We also believe strongly in their editorial process of content review and learning paths to build a highly personalized platform for a custom learning experience.

Our first Pluralsight course is on the Map & Web modules in Lightroom CC. These are two frequently overlooked modules that have many exciting and useful features. Our next course will be an in-depth instructional video on the Print module. In coming months, we will be creating more custom and advanced Lightroom content so stay tuned!

Lightroom Videos for learning web and map

Latest Version of Lightroom CC 2015.12 Available for Download Now

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Lightroom CC 2015.12/6.12 Available for DownloadAdobe Lightroom CC logo

So, as a quick aside – What happened to Lightroom CC version 2015.11?

Lightroom CC and Camera Raw both share the same Camera Raw engine (Photoshop also uses Camera Raw). So Adobe decided to skip the Camera Raw update name of 9.11 (with respect to the events of 9/11) and rename it to 9.12 and while they were at it, renamed Lightroom to version 12 as well. This also kept the product version naming consistent.

Also, we know that Adobe now has on the front burner, a number of performance improvements coming in the very near future. Speed improvements are at the very top of that list! So, we can’t wait to see what that looks like…

But for now, here’s the list of customer reported issues that are resolved in this version:

  • Restriction on exporting a catalog with dots in the filename – Resolved
  • HSL Target Adjustment Tool erratic behavior – Resolved
  • Target Adjustment Tool erratic behavior – Resolved
  • Issue adding more than one line of text using identity plate in Print module – Resolved
  • Navigator preview pane shows wrong photo – Resolved
  • The inability to use larger sample sizes with the White Balance eyedropper tool – Resolved
  • Image “blinks” when toggling between “Before Only” and “After only” views in Develop module – Resolved
  • SDK LrDevelopController no longer works with ToneCurve PV 2012 Settings – Resolved
  • Export from DNG to JPG for Flickr results in an error GPS data from iPhone video not captured – Resolved
  • iPhone video capture time is shifted upon import – Resolved
  • Moving files causing erratic deletion of files – Resolved
  • Filmstrip covers/overlaps filter and breadcrumb bar – Resolved
  • Map module flashing “map offline” – Resolved

And, for you PC users:

  • When creating a text Identity Plate, pressing Control and Enter on Windows will move the cursor down one line for additional text. The Identity Plate is available in the Slideshow module, the Page panel of the Print module and the top left of your Lightroom interface (Control Click for access to the interface Identity Plate). Mac users already had this feature, it’s the same: Press Control and the Enter or Return key to create a second line of text.

Lightroom CC version 2015.12/6.12

also has Camera Raw 9.12 updates:

New ColorMatching Lightroom CC Camera Profiles

NIKON

  • Nikon 1 V3: 5 Color Profiles + Monochrome + Green, Orange, Red, Yellow Monochrome filter effects
  • D3400, D5, D500, D5600, D7200, D750, D810 and D810A: Green, Orange, Red, Yellow Monochrome filter effects
  • D610 and Df: Monochrome + Green, Orange, Red, Yellow Monochrome filter effects

PANASONIC LUMIX

  • DC-FZ80, DC-GF9, DMC-G7, DMC-G8, DMC-GX8, DMC-GX85: Color and Monochrome profiles

New Camera Support in Lightroom CC

·      Canon EOS 6D Mark II

·      Canon EOS 200D (EOS Kiss X9, EOS Rebel SL2)

·      Leica TL2

·      Nikon D7500

·      Olympus Tough TG5

New Lens Profile Support in Lightroom CC

Mount                                                      Name
Canon EF Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f2.8 Zero­D
Canon EF­S Canon EF­S 18­55mm f/4­5.6 IS STM
Fujifilm X Fujifilm WCL­X100 Wide­Angle Conversion Lens
Fujifilm X Fujifilm WCL­X100II Wide­Angle Conversion Lens
Fujifilm X Fujifilm TCL­X100II Tele Conversion Lens
Nikon F Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f2.8 Zero­D
Pentax K Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f2.8 Zero­D
Pentax K Venus Optics Laowa 105mm f2 (T3.2) Smooth Trans Focus
Sony A TAMRON SP 15­30mm F/2.8 Di VC USD A012S
Sony A TAMRON SP 35mm F/1.8 Di VC USD F012S
Sony A TAMRON SP 45mm F/1.8 Di VC USD F013S
Sony A TAMRON SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD F017S
Sony FE Sony FE 12­24mm F4 G
Sony FE Sony FE 16­35mm F2.8 GM

That’s it for all the resolved issues and Camera Raw updates. To update your version of Lightroom CC, open your Creative Cloud desktop app, (login to your Adobe account required) choose the Apps tab and select the Update button to the right of any of your apps listed.

Four Ways to Adjust Lightroom Sliders

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Do you ever find yourself dreading the amount of time it takes to develop all the photos from your last trip? Well, you are not alone! Over and over again we hear from clients about how they avoid selecting and developing because of the shear number of photos they took. One of our solutions is to demonstrate how we take advantage of all the features that Lightroom has to offer. And one of them is, that there are four ways to adjust Lightroom sliders in the Develop module.

We know it sounds a little to simple but, knowing how to quickly adjust the sliders in the Develop module can really speed up your workflow.We’re going to show you four different ways to make slider adjustments, most of them without even having to use your mouse. You’ll be surprised by how much time these four little tips will save you!

And, whether it’s sliding, dragging, entering numbers or making incremental changes, each of these methods is designed to give you total control.  Try each of them the next time you develop. It may not seem like a big deal, but like all things Lightroom, these different techniques will enhance how you work when developing your photos.

Making the most of the Lightroom Slider AdjustmentHovering over the slider and tapping the up/down arrow keys is my favorite for making incremental adjustments. It gives me the most control over my adjustment settings. And, while holding down the SHIFT key while tapping the up/down arrows will make larger changes, holding down the OPTION key (ALT on the PC) will make smaller changes. It’s the most exact way to make critical adjustments when developing in Lightroom.

While you might know what all the Lightroom adjustment sliders do, play our quick 90 second LR:Shorts video below and see how fast it is to learn the four different ways to adjust them. 

Lightroom CC 2015 6.9, ACR 9.9 – Released Today

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Logo for Adobe Lightroom CCToday, Adobe has released Lightroom CC 2015 6.9 and Adobe Camera Raw 9.9 – Lots of updates!

Today, Adobe has released Lightroom CC version 2015.9 (and Lightroom 6.9) that provides additional camera raw support (that would be ACR 9.9, but no need to download, it’s built in to Lightroom CC 2015 6.9), lens profile support and addresses bugs that were introduced in previous releases of Lightroom. Also, for Photoshop Users, there’s an update to Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) to 9.9. And, yesterday Adobe announced a Lightroom Mobile update for iOS and Android introducing an HDR capture mode among other improvements.

Here are the additions and fixes to Adobe Lightroom CC 2015.9.

New Camera Raw Support in Lightroom CC 2015.9:

  • Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II
  • Casio EXZR3200
  • Fujifilm GFX 50S
  • Fujifilm X100F
  • Fujifilm XT20
  • Leica M10
  • Olympus EM1 Mark II
  • Panasonic DCFZ80 (DCFZ82, DCFZ85)
  • Panasonic DCGF9 (DCGX850, DCGX800)
  • Panasonic DCGH5
  • Phase One IQ3 100MP (“S” compression mode not supported)

 

New Lens Profile Support in Lightroom CC 2015.9:

  • Apple Moment Macro Lens for iPhone 7 (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Macro Lens for iPhone 7 Plus (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Superfish Lens for iPhone 7 (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Superfish Lens for iPhone 7 Plus (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Tele Lens for iPhone 7 (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Tele Lens for iPhone 7 Plus (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Wide Lens for iPhone 7 (DNG + JPEG)
  • Apple Moment Wide Lens for iPhone 7 Plus (DNG + JPEG)
  • Canon EF Canon EF 1635mm f/2.8L III USM
  • Canon EF Canon EF 24105mm f/4L IS II USM
  • Canon EF Canon EF 70300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM
  • Canon EF TAMRON 1024mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD B023E
  • Canon EF TAMRON SP 70200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025E
  • Canon EF TAMRON SP 70200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025E +1.4x III
  • Canon EF TAMRON SP 70200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025E +2x III
  • Canon EF-M 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM
  • Canon EF-M 28mm f/3.5 MACRO IS STM
  • DJI Mavic Pro FC220 (DNG + JPEG)
  • Nikon F TAMRON 1024mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD B023N
  • Nikon F TAMRON SP 70200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025N
  • Nikon F TAMRON SP 70200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025N x1.4
  • Nikon F TAMRON SP 70200mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 A025N x2.0
  • Nikon F Voigtlander SL II – S 58mm f/1.4 Nokton
  • Sony E Sony E PZ 18-110mm F4 G OSS
  • Sony FE Rokinon/Samyang AF 14mm F2.8 FE
  • Sony FE Voigtlander ULTRA WIDEHELIAR 12mm F5.6 III
  • Sony FE Zeiss Loxia 2.4/85

Reported Issues Resolved:

 

To install this new version of Lightroom CC, open Lightroom CC and select Help > Updates. This will open your Creative Cloud app. You’ll see Lightroom CC with an update button. If the update button doesn’t appear, be patient, sometimes it takes a day or so for the new update to get out.

 

 

The Lightroom Legacy Catalog Series-Part 2, Back Up Your Photos and Catalogs!

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Back Up Your Photos Before Creating Your Legacy Catalog!

 Recently, David Mark Erickson and I were doing an Intro to Lightroom and Bookmaking workshop and we asked our class two questions:

  1. Can you find a particular photograph in your Library on request? Reply: No one had an effective system for identifying, searching and finding photographs.
  1. Are you backed up? Reply: “No.” This wasn’t a surprise. Yet this was a group of wise, intelligent men and women. No one was thinking about the great personal loss that would be, if a hard drive failed or a computer was stolen. Hard drives don’t live forever and neither do we.
Computer losing digital data

“There are two kinds of computer users: those who have lost data, and those who will.” ©2017 D.A.Wagner

In my Lightroom Legacy Catalog Series Part 1, I wrote about the three things needed to create a legacy catalog that can be shared with and/or handed down to family and friends: organization, searchability and accessibility.

The first two ensure that specific photos in the library are organized in a logical fashion and easily located using keywords and captions. This is important because someone other than you should also able to determine how to find your photos. The last is accessibility, and this is tricky. Your digital library is organized and searchable, but not completely accessible, because computers and hard drives can fail. And, technology changes.

That’s why having an off-site backup (the cloud) and creating books are critical for accessibility. Keeping an off-site backup is like a belt and suspenders. One backup is good. Two backups? Well, it would be really hard to lose both. And, because no matter how much technology changes, printed books remain unaffected. This means to have a legacy catalog, you will need address all three requirements because a shoebox of photos in the digital age is becoming rare. But before we even start a legacy project, we must have a backup strategy.

Keep your photos in a shoebox Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee of recovering your photos off a failed hard drive – at any price. A data loss without a backup usually means going deeper into a rabbit hole.

keeping track of your photosBacking up is life insurance for hard drives and your legacy photos. Should you lose or accidentally discard anything while organizing, you can return to your backup and restore the photo(s) or catalog in question. And, please don’t plan to back up after you’re organized. Do it before you start! You’ll want to keep your old catalog and photos intact until you know everything is in order.

Everyone’s set up is different and it’s impossible for me to give each and every one of my readers a backup strategy and, it is different for Macs and PCs. So here are links to get you started with either platform.

Backing up a Mac: Time Machine (Options)

Information on Macintosh Time Machine is here – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250 and here you can find how to set up time machine from MacWorld UK – http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/mac-software/complete-guide-time-machine-mac-backup-3626572/.

Backing up a PC: File History (Windows 8 and up):

Information on Windows File History is here – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17128/windows-8-file-history and here – http://lifehacker.com/how-to-back-up-your-computer-automatically-with-windows-1762867473 – is modestly well written step-by-step tutorial from PC World.

Backing up to the Cloud (Mac/PC): Backblaze

Recently, David Mark Erickson tested a number off-site (cloud) backup services for our Lightroom Guy clients. And the service/software we now recommend for cloud storage and backup is Backblaze. David found that it’s a great “set it and forget it” backup platform that’s reasonable priced and robust enough to meet most user’s needs while being dead simple to use. And, we like simple. Compare it to other platforms and you’ll see why we recommend Backblaze. They also have lots of great information on their blog, including longevity and reliability statistics of hard drives based on their own experience with different manufacturers and models. Super useful when considering an internal hard drive purchase.

–

As far as choosing a backup hard drive, you can read more about my hard drive recommendations for backing up in a previous blog post – https://lightroomguy.com//is-your-computer-backed-up/. There’s also Time Capsule for Mac, which is a wireless hard drive, very convenient, but currently only has a maximum of 3T backup storage.

Organization

©2017 D.A.Wagner

So, back up, back up, back up. I can’t say it enough.

In Part 3, we’ll explore getting your photos and folders organized, it’s the first step in creating a Lightroom Legacy Catalog.

Creating a Lightroom Copyright Preset for 2017

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It’s another year and time once again for updating or creating your Lightroom copyright preset for 2017.

 

Here’s our simplified, step-by-step breakdown: Part 1

1. Start in the Library Module and go to the Metadata Panel on the right side. Choose “Edit Presets” from Preset pulldown menu (Note: if the Metadata panel is blank, simply select a photograph for the Metadata sections to appear)

Creating a 2017 Copyright Preset in Lightroom

1. Choose Edit Presets

2. The Edit Metadata Presets dialog pops up. It will look daunting, but don’t worry. Show only the sections you will be using by clicking on the left disclosure triangle for each section, leaving only the “IPTC Copyright” and “IPTC Creator” sections open. There’s no need to fill in  the Basic Info fields, you can close that section also. Now, change the Copyright Status pulldown menu from “Unknown” to “Copyrighted.”

copyright pulldown menu for Lightroom copyright Preset 2017

3. In the Copyright field, add the copyright symbol followed by the year and then your name. The © copyright symbol keystroke for Mac is Option G. For PC, hold down the ALT key while typing this sequence of numbers: 0169.

4. In the Rights Usage Terms field add the following, exactly as worded: “No reproduction rights are granted without the express written permission of (your name). No other usage is expressed or implied.” You won’t be able to see all the text, part of it will become hidden as you type. But, when you’re finished creating your preset, it will appear in its entirety in the IPTC Rights Usage Terms field when you apply the preset to a photo.

5. Fill in the rest of the fields with your contact information (you can fill in as much, or as little info as you wish) and when you’re finished, choose “Save Current Settings as New Preset…” Type in your Preset Name and choose Create.

Saving a 2017 copyright preset in Lightroom

3. Fill in the ITPC Copyright field 4. Fill in the Rights Usage Terms field 5. Fill in the other fields

Save as a Lightroom Copyright Preset 2017

No save here, you “Create” the preset

You’ve now created your Lightroom Copyright Preset for 2017.

Apply your Copyright Preset to a Photograph: Part 2

For this part only have one image selected. Don’t select a group. I’ll address that in a minute.

1. In order to view all the Copyright fields we just filled out, change the Metadata settings menu from Default to IPTC.

Selecting the Copyright preset in Lightroom

1. Change Default to IPTC

2. Now, set the 2017 Copyright, as your preset pulldown most likely will say “None.” Your saved copyright presets are located in the Preset pulldown menu in the Metadata Panel in the Library. When an image is selected, choosing the copyright metadata preset embeds the copyright info into your photo. Regrettably, Lightroom does not show a “badge” on the bottom of the image preview indicating copyright metadata, like when you add keywords.screen-shot-2017-01-02-at-11-32-40-am Maybe in the future Adobe will put a small © badge on copyrighted photos. But for now, you’ll have to look to see that the preset pulldown menu shows your copyright and not None.

Selecting the Copyright preset in Lightroom

2. Choose your 2017 copyright preset

Once you’ve done this, feel free to scroll down the Metadata panel and view your copyright preset fields. Keep in mind, that even if you don’t select the IPTC setting, as long as you have your copyright preset selected, your copyright information will be embedded in your image.Viewing the Lightroom Copyright Preset in IPTC

Apply your Copyright Preset to a Group of Photographs: Part 3

So, now, let’s place your Lightroom copyright preset into more than one image.

1. Select a group of images you wish to embed your copyright.

2. Go to your Metadata preset menu and choose your copyright preset (see Part 2,Step 2)

3. The Apply Metadata Preset dialog will pop up. Choose “All Selected.” This will apply your copyright preset to all your selected photos. Note: Don’t click the “Don’t show again” box. It’s useful as a safety and you’ll always have the option to cancel if you’ve made a mistake. Otherwise, the Apply Metadata Preset dialog will never appear and your copyright preset will be applied without an option to cancel.screen-shot-2017-01-02-at-11-23-34-am

You will also be able to add the Lightroom copyright preset to your imported photos using the Apply During Import, Metadata pulldown menu in the Import Dialog.screen-shot-2017-01-02-at-2-16-30-pm

NOTE: The reference I use for the copyright notice and terms wording is from Nancy E. Wolff’s, The Professional Photographer’s Legal Handbook. It’s a little bit history, a little bit law and quite useful.The Professional Photographer's Legal Handbook

David Mark Erickson and I wish you all the best for a very happy and healthy 2017!

 

Adobe Lightroom CC 6.8 Released

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Lightroom CC 6.8 was released just this morning. Below are all the new additions and fixes. But first, here is an outstanding new feature in this version of Lightroom:

Lightroom CC 6.8 Reference View

Reference View is a new view mode available in the Develop Module that allows you to compare 2 different images in order to make them visually consistent. This is helpful when making a group of images from a single event look similar or setting the white balance appropriately in mixed lighting conditions.

Lightroom CC reference view

To get started,

1. Go to the Develop Module

2. Click on Reference View. Its on the Toolbar, and you may need to show the Toolbar if hidden

3. Drag and Drop your Reference Photo onto the left pane. You can change your Reference Photo by either dragging a different image onto the left pane or using the

“Set as Reference Photo” context menu in the Library Module.

4. Edit the active photo. Use the Reference Photo to guide your editing decisions.

Click here for more information on Reference View.

In addition to the new Reference View here are additional notes on 6.8:

Performance Improvements

Lightroom CC (2015.8)/6.8 includes ‘under-the-hood’ changes designed to improve the responsiveness of your Lightroom experience. You should notice improvements in image editing responsiveness when background tasks (such as Preview Generation) are running, moving files between folders and running catalog backups.

Fit/Fill Improvements

You can now zoom to fit and zoom to fill. Particularly when using ultra high-resolution

4K and 5K monitors. Prior versions of Lightroom would not completely fill the Loupe window.

Additional Features

  • Ability to filter or create a Smart Collection for images that have Snapshots associated with them.
  • Export a Collection Set as a new catalog

New Camera Support in Lightroom CC2015 6.8

  • Canon EOS M5
  • Fujifilm XA3
  • Google Pixel
  • Google Pixel XL
  • Hasselblad X1D
  • Leica TL
  • Nikon D5600
  • Olympus EM1
  • Mark II (preliminary support)
  • Olympus PEN EPL8
  • Panasonic LUMIX DMCFZ2500 (DMCFZ2000 and DMCFZH1)
  • Pentax K70
  • Samsung Galaxy S7
  • Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
  • Sony Alpha a6500 (ILCE 6500)
  • Sony Alpha a99 II (ILCA99M2)
  • Sony DSCRX100 Mark V

New Tethered Shooting Support in Lightroom CC2015 6.8

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

Customer Reported Issues Resolved

Additional Lens Profile Support

 lightroom cc 6.8 lens support

Upcoming Lightroom Workshop For November 5th, 2016

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I’m pleased to announce our upcoming Lightroom workshop for November 5th at the Saugatuck Digital Arts Workshop in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Lightroom Workshop at Saugatuck Digital Arts Workshop, Fairfield, CT

Lightroom Workshop for November 5th:

Morning, Session One: Getting Started with Lightroom CC

Take total control of your Lightroom library and learn to turn your snapshots into compelling and beautiful photographs with this introductory class. Learn the fundamental basics needed to get started in Lightroom with clear and easy instruction from the Lightroom Guys: D.A. and David. The session runs from 9am – 12:30pm. Learn more about our morning Intro to Lightroom workshop. Introduction to Lightroom Workshop

Afternoon, Session Two: Introduction to Bookmaking with Lightroom CC

Lightroom Workshop, Blurb Book ExampleDon’t let your your digital photos go unseen. Take control and tell your story! Bookmaking is easy when you have the Lightroom Guys to show you how. Learn to make your first book, design the cover and inside pages with Lightroom’s built-in templates. Printing your family and travel photos in a book takes them out of your computer and into the world to be shared with family and friends. The session runs from 1pm – 4:30pm. Learn more about our afternoon Bookmaking Lightroom workshop. Lightroom Workshop, Blurb Book ExampleLightroom Workshop, Blurb Book Example

   If you’ve been thinking about taking a Lightroom workshop, this is time to do it. The Saugatauk Digital Arts Workshops is run by former ad agency guy, Mike Stuttman, and is easy to get to via Metro North in the heart of Fairfield, Connecticut. They’ve got all brand new iMacs and both David Erickson and I will be teaching.

The Lightroom Legacy Catalog Series-Part 1

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The Lightroom Legacy Catalog

The Lightroom Legacy Catalog Part 1

Many of us remember finding shoeboxes at home, full of photos, tagged with a label and a lid that didn’t quite close, revealing the contents within. They sat on the top shelves of closets begging to be discovered. As kids we’d leaf through overfilled scrapbooks of photos that sat on a bookshelf. The shoebox was where all the other stuff went: forgotten but not gone.

This is the beginning of an ongoing series. We will be taking a deeper look at the Lightroom catalog and library strategies that I’ve developed over the past 7 years of working with hundreds of private clients. The end result is what I call, “The Lightroom Legacy Catalog” and you can take total control of your library of images with this approach. There are three very good reasons why you should make one.

Dated lightroom Folders with titles

Example of an organized Lightroom Library folder structure

Reason #1: Organization

I’ve searched and relinked, reordered and refined so many libraries because the client didn’t start with a strategy. Over time, large numbers of folders become unmanageable. Images get moved around and become hard to find. Things get really messy after a few years of working this way. So, the very first reason for creating a Lightroom Legacy Catalog, is organization. And this isn’t only for you. Consider that others may have to make sense of it someday too.

Reason #2: Searchability

Even with hundreds of organized folders, you need to have a way to find that one image of Uncle Fritz when you saw him last. Whenever that was. The larger the library, the greater the challenge. The amount of time spent identifying the location of one image in a library of tens of thousands of images can really add up, if you can find the image at all. Keywords and captions can resolve this, but only if you do it. And there’s a way to take the pain out that I’ll describe later in another Lightroom Legacy Catalog series post.

The Blurb Book Module in LightroomReason #3: Your Legacy

Unlike the shoebox waiting to be discovered, digital photos can be easily lost if you’re not at the helm, so to speak. Out of sight, out of mind. But our photographs can live on if we create accessible digital photo libraries that family members can decipher. And, since every generation is more computer literate than the last, anyone who is modestly computer literate will be able to make sense of your legacy catalog. You’ll find there’s nothing better or more satisfying than working with a digital catalog that is comprehensible. Creating books will also really help to make your photos accessible. So, not to sound morbid, but we don’t live forever and I know I want my family to make sense of my archive of photos when I’m gone. Don’t you?

The Bad News/Good News

The bad news is technology gets old fast. But don’t let this deter you. The good news is that the digital file formats of JPG, PNG, TIFF and PSD have all been around for decades now. The oldest being TIFF which celebrates its 30th birthday this year and I hope there will be very many more. So there’s a good chance for our digital archive’s survival.

What’s Ahead in This Series?

In the weeks ahead, I will lay out simple strategies for creating your own Lightroom Legacy Catalog. These nuts and bolts of planning, and starting and staying organized will help you to:

  • Plan Ahead
  • Import
  • Organize
  • Add Keywords and Captions
  • Edit for the Best of the Best
  • Sequence Images for Storytelling
  • Create Books

And, if for any reason, you’re not sure about how Lightroom Catalogs work, here’s a link to George Jardine’s (one of the original Lightroom team) video. Even though the video is old, the underpinnings of the Lightroom Catalog haven’t changed.