If you’re new to the desktop version of Adobe Lightroom, I’m excited to share some helpful tips with you.
I personally use both Lightroom and Lightroom Classic for different purposes. My extensive photo collection—over 10TB—is stored in Lightroom Classic catalogs linked to my local hard drives. Syncing it to the cloud would be a nightmare.
When I record tutorials for Instagram and YouTube, I prefer Lightroom. Its streamlined interface and sleek design set it apart from Lightroom Classic.
Now, let me show you 10 features that are hidden in plain sight.
Feature 1 : Group into Stacks
When you’ve taken multiple similar shots of the same scene, you can group them into stacks. This feature helps declutter your filmstrip, making it more organized and freeing up space.
How to: Select multiple photos in the filmstrip, then right-click to group them into stacks. Expand stack when necessary.
Feature 2 : Named Versions
I use this feature frequently. Unlike Lightroom Classic, which tracks editing history step by step, Lightroom allows you to create distinct versions of your edits. For instance, you can easily create “Before” and “After” versions.
How to: Click on the Versions tab on the right.
Export Named Versions
Once you’ve created named versions, exporting them can be incredibly useful. For example, I often create versions from step 1 to 8 for my color grading tutorials. You can export all versions or select them individually.
How to: Click on the three dots at the top.
Feature 3 : Compare
I frequently use this feature. By displaying two photos side by side, I can clearly see how to make adjustments.
It’s also helpful for bringing in a color reference to compare with your current edit.
How to: Click on the comparison icon at the bottom.
Feature 4 : Duplicate
In Lightroom Classic, this feature is called a virtual copy. This is how I display two identical photos with different edits side by side .
How to: Right click > Duplicate photo
Feature 5 : Copy Edit Settings
You can copy and paste the settings from one photo to another / a batch.
How to: Click on the cogwheel icon, a window will pop up allowing you to customize which settings to copy. Then hit “Paste Settings”
Feature 6 : Copy Curve Settings
Many find the tone curve challenging to use. However, this feature allows you to easily copy settings from one channel (like the blue channel) and paste them to another (like the green channel). Then you can make tweaks from there.
How to: Right-click on the panel
Feature 7 : Target Adjustment
In the color mixer, you can directly drag left or right on the photo to adjust hue, saturation, and luminance. This allows simultaneous changes to multiple colors. The same functionality exists in the tone curve.
How to: Click on the target icon in the panel
Feature 8 : Search Tool
There’s a search bar at the top where you can search by ratings (such as 5-star photos) or by focal length. This feature displays all photos that match your search criteria.
Feature 9 : Add Keywords
By including keywords like “Flowers” or “Birds,” your photos become easily searchable, even if they weren’t taken on the same day.
Feature 10 : Show Same Day Photos
If you’re like me, just drag and drop to import random photos into Lightroom for quick edits, this function can help you locate photos taken on the same day.
How to: Right-click on the photo
Additionally, you can use the sidebar, where Lightroom organizes your photos chronologically by year, month, and date.
I hope you find these tips helpful, as they can ultimately make your editing process more efficient and keep your library better organized.
The art of color grading
