Editing photos one by one is a task best left for the moments when you have all the time in the world. But let’s be honest—most of us don’t. That’s why you need to learn how to batch edit in Lightroom CC and Classic. It’s a serious game-changer.
This guide will walk you through the essentials of batch editing in Lightroom CC and Classic and the different ways you can accomplish it.
- What is Batch Editing?
- Apply Changes During Import
- Copy and Paste Edits
- Batch Edit in Lightroom Classic
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Batch Editing in Lightroom?
Batch editing in Lightroom allows you to apply the same adjustments to multiple photos, ensuring consistent results across your entire collection. This feature is particularly handy when you’re looking to maintain a uniform look and feel throughout a series of images.
By mastering Lightroom batch edit techniques, you can streamline your workflow and focus more on your creative process rather than repetitive tasks.
Pro Tip: Using Lightroom presets in your batch editing workflow can further streamline the process. Presets are pre-made sets of edits that function like filters, allowing you to apply a specific look or style to multiple photos with just a click. This speeds up your editing and helps maintain a consistent aesthetic across all your images.
CC Method 1: Apply Changes to a Batch of Photos During Import
Applying changes to a group of photos as you import them into Lightroom can save significant time, especially if you’re working with large batches. This method lets you start your editing process with a uniform baseline, ensuring that all photos receive the same initial adjustments.
Step 1: Import it
To apply changes during the import process, follow these steps:
- Open Lightroom and navigate to the Library module.
- Click on the Import button located at the bottom left of the screen. This will open the import dialog box where you can select the photos you want to import.
Step 2: Choose it
Before finalizing the import, you need to specify the settings or presets you want to apply:
- In the import dialog box, locate the Apply During Import panel on the right side.
- Here, you will see an option to select a preset from a dropdown menu. Lightroom provides several built-in presets; you can choose from any custom presets you have created.
Step 3: Select it
Choose the preset that best fits your needs:
- In the Apply During Import panel, select the preset you wish to apply from the dropdown menu. This preset will be automatically applied to all the photos you import.
- Click import to bring the photos into Lightroom with the selected preset applied.
This technique is particularly useful when you have a predefined editing style or when working on a project requiring consistent processing. It saves you the time and effort of manually applying the same adjustments to each photo individually after import.
CC Method 2: Copy and Paste Edits from One Photo to Another
When you need to apply the same adjustments to multiple photos, copying and pasting edits is one of the most straightforward and effective methods in Lightroom photo editing. This process ensures that all selected photos receive the same treatment, maintaining a consistent look throughout your collection.
Step 1: Select it
First, you need to choose the photo with the edits you wish to copy. This photo will serve as your template. Here’s how to do it:
- Navigate to the Develop module.
- Select the photo that contains the edits you want to replicate.
- Press Command+C (Mac) or Ctrl+C (Windows) to copy all the edit settings from this photo.
Step 2: Customize it
If you don’t want to copy all the settings and prefer to choose specific adjustments (like only the exposure or color corrections), follow these steps:
- Use Command+Shift+C (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) to open the Copy Settings dialog box.
- In this dialog box, you can select which specific settings to copy. Categories might include Basic Tone, Color, Effects, and more.
- Once you’ve selected the desired settings, click Copy.
Step 3: Paste it
Now it’s time to apply these copied settings to other photos:
- Go back to the Library module.
- Select the photos you want to edit by holding down Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) and clicking on each photo. You can also select a range of photos by clicking the first photo, holding down Shift, and clicking the last photo in the range.
- With your photos selected, press Command+V (Mac) or Ctrl+V (Windows) to paste the copied settings onto all selected images.
By following these steps, you can efficiently execute a Lightroom batch edit and ensure your edits are consistently applied across multiple photos. This method is beneficial when you have a series of images taken under similar lighting conditions and want to maintain a uniform look.
How to Batch Edit in Lightroom Classic
Don’t worry, Lightroom Classic fans. You’ve got plenty of powerful options for batch editing in Lightroom, making applying your editing settings across multiple images and videos easy. Here, we’ll cover the three main methods.
Classic Method 1: Apply Presets During Import
Applying presets during the import process is a great way to start editing with a consistent baseline. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Open it
Launch Lightroom Classic and navigate to the Library module. Click the Import button at the bottom left to open the import dialog box.
Step 2: Choose it
In the import dialog box, locate the Apply During Import panel on the right side.
Step 3: Select it
Select the preset you want to apply to all imported photos from the Develop Settings dropdown menu. Click import to bring the photos into Lightroom Classic with the selected preset applied.
This method ensures that all imported images start with the same adjustments, streamlining your workflow from the very beginning.
Classic Method 2: Apply Presets in the Library Module
Using the Library module’s grid view mode, you can quickly apply a preset to multiple photos at once.
Step 1: Select it
Switch to the Library module and use the grid view mode. Click on the photos you want to edit while holding down Command (Mac) or Control (Windows). You can also use the Shift key to select a range of photos.
Step 2: Change it
In the Quick Develop panel on the right, choose the preset you want to apply from the dropdown menu. Lightroom will apply the selected preset to all the photos you have highlighted.
This technique is perfect for quickly applying a consistent look to a batch of photos after being imported.
Classic Method 3: Apply Custom Edits from One Photo to a Batch
Fine-tuning a single image and then synchronizing those settings across multiple images can save a lot of time and ensure uniformity.
- Edit it: In the Develop module, make your desired adjustments to a single photo.
- Select it: Select the edited photo, then hold down Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) and click on the other photos you want to apply the same settings to.
- Click it: Click the Sync button at the bottom right of the Develop module, or use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+S (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows).
- Set it: In the Synchronize Settings dialog box, select which settings you want to synchronize across all selected photos.
- Sync it: Click Synchronize to apply the adjustments to all selected photos.
By mastering these Lightroom batch edit techniques in Lightroom Classic, you can significantly speed up your editing process while maintaining a consistent look across your entire photo series.
Frequently Asked Questions: Lightroom Photo Editing
If you’d like to learn more about Lightroom photo editing, check out the answers to our most commonly asked questions below.
Can I batch edit in lightroom mobile?
Yes, you can batch edit in Lightroom Mobile. To do this, select the photo with the desired edits, then tap the three-dot menu and choose Copy Settings. Next, go to your photo library, select multiple images, tap the three-dot menu again, and choose Paste Settings. This will apply the copied adjustments to all selected photos.
What happens if I apply a preset during import but want to change it later?
If you apply a preset during import and later decide to change it, you can still make adjustments. Simply select the photos, choose a new preset, or manually adjust settings in the Develop module. Lightroom is non-destructive, so original data remains intact.
How do I ensure that specific adjustments, like cropping, are not included in my batch edits?
When copying settings, you can specify which adjustments to include or exclude. Use Command+Shift+C (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows) to bring up the Copy Settings dialog box, where you can deselect cropping or any other adjustments you do not want to include in your batch edit.
Master Batch Editing With ON1 Presets, Plug-Ins, and Photo RAW 2024
Mastering batch editing in Lightroom can significantly streamline your photo editing workflow, ensuring you achieve consistent and professional results with minimal effort. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned professional, utilizing the right presets and tools can transform your editing process.
For those looking to enhance their Lightroom photo editing experience, our selection of Adobe Lightroom plug-ins and presets offers a variety of styles and adjustments tailored to meet your creative needs. Additionally, exploring ON1 Photo RAW provides powerful, versatile editing solutions that integrate seamlessly into your workflow, offering advanced features like AI-driven enhancements and noise reduction.
Discover how these tools can improve your editing efficiency and quality. Explore our range of presets and consider adding ON1 Photo RAW to your toolkit today!
Use Brilliance AI for Batch Processing and Jumpstart Your Workflow
Manually applying adjustments to a set of photos used to be tedious. However, with the new Brilliance AI in ON1 Photo RAW 2024, the software intelligently analyzes each photo in your set and makes adjustments based on the unique characteristics of each scene!
