The preset performance in Lightroom is probably the most elementary characteristic of this system round which photographers design their digital workflows. In whole, Lightroom makes use of 9 several types of presets that tackle completely different areas of digital asset administration (DAM). The presets can be utilized in several modules of this system such because the
In considered one of my earlier tutorials, I dug deep and specified how every of the 9 kinds of Lightroom presets matches into the large image of digital asset administration and picture enhancing.
In at this time’s tutorial, I’ll tackle easy methods to create and use the Import Presets to simplify and velocity up the method of importing new images into Lightroom.
Import Module
My private opinion is that the Import Module is probably the most complicated and maybe even probably the most pointless a part of Lightroom.
Let me clarify.
While you open Lightroom, you can’t merely navigate to a folder in your pc, choose a picture, and begin enhancing it as you’ll in just about each different RAW editor. Earlier than you can begin enhancing images, you have to first import them into the Lightroom Catalog. When you choose the Import Photographs possibility, you might be introduced with a complicated interface that incorporates a gazillion completely different choices (or so it appears).
This at all times causes confusion for photographers who’re simply beginning to study this system. It is usually the important stumbling block for Lightroom adoption.
That is the place the Import Presets can play an essential function in overcoming the confusion of the Import Module. You make investments the time to know what import choices are important to your specific workflow after which save them as preset(s). From that second, you should use the import course of on autopilot.
Let me present you what import settings I take advantage of in my pictures, why I take advantage of them, and easy methods to save them as an Import Preset.
Creating Lightroom Import Presets
First, activate the Lightroom Import Module by going to the highest important menu and choosing
File > Import Photographs and Video…
Optionally, you should use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl (Possibility on Mac) + Shift + I.
As soon as the Import Module is energetic, you will see that the Supply Panel on the left aspect. That is the place you choose the placement of the images that you simply intend to import into Lightroom. You can’t save the supply location as a preset as a result of the placement can range from import to import relying on whether or not you import images from a reminiscence card, an exterior exhausting drive, or an area folder.
File Format and Import Choices
The primary possibility it’s important to specify is the way you need Lightroom to deal with images in the course of the import course of.
Do you need to deliver the photographs within the authentic proprietary RAW format, or do you need to convert them to an open supply digital unfavorable format (DNG)?
In my case, I don’t trouble with the conversion and hold all my RAW photographs within the authentic format. I don’t see too many benefits for the additional step.
See additionally: How you can Arrange Lightroom Presets
Subsequent, you have to specify if you wish to Copy, Transfer, or Add the photographs to Lightroom.
The Copy possibility implies that all the chosen images might be copied to the specified vacation spot in your pc with the originals intact on a reminiscence card.
The Transfer possibility implies that the unique images might be deleted from the reminiscence card throughout import.
I by no means use the Transfer possibility to make sure that I’ve a backup of the unique recordsdata within the occasion of file corruption in the course of the switch.
The Add possibility is used when you have already got photographs in your pc in the fitting location and also you merely need to add them to the catalog.
For instance, if you happen to manually copied recordsdata from a reminiscence card to a pc, you’ll merely use the Add possibility.
Subsequent, we transfer to the fitting panel the place many of the import choices are situated.
File Dealing with
These are the choices I take advantage of within the File Dealing with panel in 99% of instances.
For sooner efficiency, I need to guarantee that full measurement (1:1) previews are generated. I additionally choose the “Construct Good Previews” possibility. In case you are unsure what Good Previews are, check out my in-depth article right here: Lightroom Good Previews – When, Why and How you can Use Them
I choose the “Don’t Import Suspected Duplicates” possibility to make sure that I don’t import the identical picture a number of occasions.
You will have the choice of Making a Second Copy of the imported images on one other location like an exterior backup exhausting drive. I don’t use this feature as a result of I’ve an automatic backup system that backs up my desktop pc each night time.
The “Add to Assortment” checkbox makes the imported images a part of the gathering of your alternative. I don’t use this operate.
To generate full-size previews and Good Previews for each imported picture takes loads of processing energy and is time-consuming. Once I import 5,000 RAW images after considered one of my journeys, this might take hours. I developed a routine to at all times begin the import course of earlier than I’m going to mattress at night time. Once I get up within the morning, the import course of is full, and I’m prepared to start out processing my new images.
If I’m on the highway with my laptop computer and can’t afford to empty the laptop computer battery to generate full-size previews, I take advantage of the minimalistic possibility—Embedded & Sidecar. On this case, Lightroom makes use of smaller previews which can be generated by the digital camera and embedded into the RAW recordsdata. This permits me to start out analyzing and culling my images in seconds with out taxing my laptop computer battery.
File Renaming
Lightroom provides you the choice to rename all of the recordsdata that you simply import into the catalog. That is an non-compulsory characteristic. It’s completely regular to maintain the unique file names generated by the digital camera.
I desire to rename my photographs by including the date the picture was taken and the placement to the unique file title. To verify my naming conference is constant, I take advantage of the File Renaming Presets.
To discover ways to create and use File Renaming Presets, take a look at my devoted article right here: How you can Create and Use Lightroom File Renaming Presets
Apply Throughout Import
Right here you may apply the Develop Preset of your option to all of the imported images. For a very long time, I hardly used this performance. I solely just lately began to understand it because of the advances in machine studying.
Within the Primary Panel of the Develop Module, there’s an Auto Button that’s powered by AI and machine studying algorithms. When the Auto operate is activated, Lightroom analyzes the picture and tries to enhance it mechanically by making use of numerous edits. This characteristic turns into simpler and helpful with each Lightroom replace. I created a Develop Preset (Auto Modify AI) that solely does one factor—triggers the Auto operate. Once I apply this preset to all my imported images, it provides me a extra sensible model to start out organizing and culling my newly imported images within the Library Module.
Subsequent, there’s a very helpful possibility to use a Copyright Preset to all of your images in the course of the import course of. I take advantage of this feature with any picture I deliver into Lightroom.
You may discover ways to create your personal Copyright Presets right here: How you can Create and Use Lightroom Copyright Presets
You may go away the Key phrases part empty. Key phrase choice varies for each import so you’ll enter these manually.
Vacation spot
You specify the place you need the brand new images to be saved within the Vacation spot Panel.
That is the setup I take advantage of for the Vacation spot Panel.
I specify the title of the folder I need to create and retailer all of the imported images there. Optionally, you may manage the images By Date. For every date, Lightroom will create a devoted folder utilizing the date because the folder title.
Saving the Import Setting as a Presets
When you find yourself proud of the Import settings, click on the black panel on the backside of the Import Module and the “Save the Present Settings as a New Preset…” possibility might be obtainable.
Title the brand new preset and click on the Save button.
You might be performed.
Making use of the Import Presets
The following time you import new images into Lightroom you’ll not need to undergo all of the choices of the Import Module. You may even decrease the complete Import interface by clicking the Decrease button on the underside left nook.
From the underside of the panel, choose the Import Preset you created within the earlier step. Subsequent, specify the key phrases you need to add to the complete import. Then, you might be able to hit the Import button.
