Using Lightroom keyboard shortcuts permits us to hurry up our picture enhancing workflow. Not solely do the shortcuts save us time, however in addition they make the whole enhancing course of extra fluid by eliminating pointless interruptions.
At the identical time, I discover that utilizing Lightroom keyboard shortcuts is more difficult in comparison with different purposes like Adobe Photoshop.
Due to Lightroom’s modular construction, the identical shortcut can carry completely different features in numerous areas of this system. For instance, utilizing the shortcut “O” within the Library Module prompts the People Mode; nonetheless, it does nothing within the Development Module and, within the Adjustment Brush Tool, it displaces the masks overlay.
As I stated, it may be complicated.
My method to utilizing Lightroom shortcuts is to solely memorize what is important – the shortcuts that may assist me streamline and simplify my enhancing workflow. I ignore the remainder.
Below is a listing of Lightroom keyboard shortcuts which can be most dear for my workflow and mirror how I exploit Lightroom. Different photographers use Lightroom otherwise, so shortcuts will usually differ from individual to individual.
My Top 5 Most Used Lightroom Keyboard Shortcuts
- F – Full-Screen Mode –This takes the picture into full-screen mode and permits us to preview the picture with out the distractions of Lightroom’s interface.
- (Backslash) – Before & After – This shortcut permits us to check the picture earlier than and after. By hitting as soon as, it reveals the unedited model of the picture and, by hitting it once more, it returns it to its present state. (This solely works within the Develop Module.)
- R – Crop Tool – This shortcut is most helpful when beginning in Library Mode. By hitting “R,” you first open the Develop Module after which activate the Crop Tool.
- Shift + Tab – Hide All Panels – I exploit this essentially the most with the Crop Tool as a result of it permits me to maximise the usage of the interface.
- O – Show/Hide Mask Overlay – This shortcut reveals the realm affected by the enhancing instruments (Gradient Mask, Adjustment Brush, Radial Filter). It is a really helpful characteristic when retouching portraits.
General Shortcuts and Navigation
- D – Develop Module
- E – Library Module (single view)
- G – Library Module (grid view)
- I – Info Overlays (Single Image View in each Library and Develop Modules)
- S – Activate Soft Proofing. Make certain you might be within the Develop Module.
Solo Mode
When working within the Develop Module, the principle enhancing instruments are distributed throughout 9 panels situated on the fitting facet of the module. It is simple to get misplaced when you’ve got all 9 panels prolonged, to not point out that it takes numerous scrolling to navigate between them. Fortunately, Lightroom has Solo Mode, which permits us to maintain just one panel open at a time.
Related: 6 Ways to Undo in Lightroom
To toggle the Solo Mode on/off, use Alt + and click on on any panel header. Alternately, you possibly can right-click wherever on the fitting panel to entry the choice menu.
Rotate Photo
Zoom In/Zoom Out
- Spacebar Down – Zooms in on the chosen picture. Releasing the spacebar brings the picture again to default magnification.
I exploit this shortcut when evaluating a photograph for correct focusing, sharpness, or noise. I maintain the spacebar down whereas panning across the picture with the assistance of the mouse.
Related: How to Zoom In Lightroom With Purpose and Style
Rating Keyboard Shortcuts
- P – Flag Image
- X – Reject Image
- U – Remove Flag
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Set Image Rating
- B – Add to Quick Collection
- Quick Collection is sort of a non permanent holding container the place you gather images from completely different areas for additional use. For instance, after I want to pick images for my new tutorial, I am going by numerous Collections and Folders marking potential pictures to think about using the “B” shortcut and they’re saved to the Quick Collection.
Auto Advance
Shift + any ranking shortcuts (P, X, U, 1-5, B). This advances to the subsequent picture after making use of any of the scores, moderately than staying on the identical picture.
When I cull images after the preliminary import, I at all times use the Auto Advance shortcut together with the “P” and “X” shortcuts to mark “keepers” and “rejects.”
Related: Adobe Lightroom Workflow Tips and Tricks
Alternately, you possibly can completely allow the Auto Advance characteristic within the PHOTO menu, however I favor to at all times have a alternative between the Auto Advance and default performance.
Most Useful Developing and Editing Lightroom Shortcuts
Copy/Paste Development Settings
Even although I usually use the SYNC and SYNC SETTINGS buttons to apply the event settings to a number of images, I discover the devoted shortcut to be extraordinarily helpful.
- Ctrl (Cmd)+ Shift + C – Activate the Copy Settings selectors.
- Ctrl (Cmd) + Shift + V – Paste chosen Development Settings to the chosen pictures.
- Ctrl (Cmd) + Shift + V – Paste Settings From Previous. If you don’t use Ctrl + Shift + C to repeat to the selective parameter, Lightroom will copy all the event settings from the beforehand chosen picture.
Crop Tool
The Crop Overlay Tool is considered one of my most used instruments in Lightroom and is the start line for each single picture I edit. When I’m completed enhancing, I additionally create completely different crop variations for Instagram and Pinterest.
- R – Activate Crop Tool from any module
- When I’m within the Library Module culling newly imported pictures, I usually need to see whether it is attainable to enhance the composition by cropping it otherwise. By utilizing the “R” shortcut, it concurrently takes me to the Develop Module and prompts the Crop Overlay Tool.
- X – Rotate Crop
- Lightroom doesn’t make it straightforward to vary the crop orientation from panorama to portrait. This shortcut is a lifesaver when utilizing the Crop Tool.
- Ctrl (Cmd) – Activate Straighten Tool.
- A – Lock/Unlock facet ratio.
Adjustment Brush Tool
When Lightroom was first launched, it had very restricted selective enhancing capabilities. Most of the instruments have been designed to have an effect on the whole picture and, so as to have an effect on a particular space of the picture, you needed to soar to Photoshop. But with each new replace, selective enhancing turned extra highly effective and complicated. Now, with the Adjustment Brush Tool, you possibly can create subtle masks that have an effect on solely particular areas of the picture.
- Ok – Activate the Adjustment Brush instrument.
- Alt – Switches from Brush to Eraser
- This is a particularly helpful shortcut when fine-tuning the choice.
- O – Show/Hide Mask Overlay
- This reveals the realm affected by the enhancing instrument.
- ] and [ – Increase/decrease the brush size
Spot Removal Tool
I use the Spot Removal Tool quite a lot. It rarely matters if I am editing a landscape, cityscape or portrait, there is always a need for this tool in my workflow.
Although there is a dedicated shortcut (Q) to activate the Spot Removal Tool, I hardly use it. I find it easier to activate it by clicking the icon.
However, the next shortcut is extremely valuable to me.
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When you start stumping with the Spot Removal Tool, Lightroom automatically chooses the sample area. In most cases, it does an exceptional job but, when it fails, the next shortcut comes into play.
- “/” – This shortcut forces Lightroom to use a different area for sampling
- H – Hides all Spot Removal Pins for an unobstructed view.
- ] and [ – Increase/Decrease the brush size
Here is my Spot Removal workflow
After activating the tool, I immediately use the “H” shortcut to make sure all the pins are hidden. Next, I use the Shift + Tab shortcut to hide all the panels and get the biggest possible image view. I start stamping areas I want to clean and, if/when I am not happy with the result, I use the “/” shortcut to force Lightroom to use a different area for sampling.
Display All Shortcuts
And finally, there is the mother of all shortcuts. By using it, you can display all available shortcuts.
Ctrl (Cmd) + / – Displays the complete list of shortcuts for the module you are currently working in.
Your Turn
Please share with us your favorite and most used Lightroom keyboard shortcuts.