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 various kinds of presets that deal with totally different areas of digital asset administration (DAM). The presets can be utilized in several modules of this system such because the
In certainly one of my earlier tutorials, I dug deep and specified how every of the 9 sorts of Lightroom presets matches into the large image of digital asset administration and photograph enhancing.
In as we speak’s tutorial, I’ll deal with the right way to create and use the Import Presets to simplify and velocity up the method of importing new pictures 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.
When you open Lightroom, you can’t merely navigate to a folder in your laptop, choose a picture, and begin enhancing it as you’ll in just about each different RAW editor. Before you can begin enhancing pictures, it’s essential to first import them into the Lightroom Catalog. When you choose the Import Photos possibility, you might be offered with a complicated interface that includes a gazillion totally different choices (or so it appears).
This at all times causes confusion for photographers who’re simply beginning to be taught this system. It can be the fundamental stumbling block for Lightroom adoption.
This 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 grasp what import choices are important in your specific workflow after which save them as preset(s). From that second, you need to use the import course of on autopilot.
Let me present you what import settings I exploit in my images, why I exploit them, and the right way to save them as an Import Preset.
Creating Lightroom Import Presets
First, activate the Lightroom Import Module by going to the highest fundamental menu and choosing
File > Import Photos and Video…
Optionally, you need to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl (Option on Mac) + Shift + I.
Once the Import Module is lively, you’ll find the Source Panel on the left facet. This is the place you choose the placement of the pictures that you just intend to import into Lightroom. You can not 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 pictures from a reminiscence card, an exterior laborious drive, or a neighborhood folder.
File Format and Import Options
The first possibility you must specify is the way you need Lightroom to deal with pictures throughout the import course of.
Do you wish to convey the photographs within the unique proprietary RAW format, or do you wish to convert them to an open supply digital damaging format (DNG)?
In my case, I don’t trouble with the conversion and maintain all my RAW pictures within the unique format. I don’t see too many benefits for the additional step.
See additionally: How to Organize Lightroom Presets
Next, it’s essential to specify if you wish to Copy, Move, or Add the photographs to Lightroom.
The Copy possibility signifies that all the chosen pictures will likely be copied to the specified vacation spot in your laptop with the originals intact on a reminiscence card.
The Move possibility signifies that the unique pictures will likely be deleted from the reminiscence card throughout import.
I by no means use the Move possibility to make sure that I’ve a backup of the unique information within the occasion of file corruption throughout the switch.
The Add possibility is used when you have already got pictures in your laptop in the best location and also you merely wish to add them to the catalog.
For instance, should you manually copied information from a reminiscence card to a pc, you’ll merely use the Add possibility.
Next, we transfer to the best panel the place a lot of the import choices are situated.
File Handling
These are the choices I exploit within the File Handling panel in 99% of instances.
For sooner efficiency, I wish to guarantee that full measurement (1:1) previews are generated. I additionally choose the “Build Smart Previews” possibility. If you aren’t positive what Smart Previews are, check out my in-depth article right here: Lightroom Smart Previews – When, Why and How to Use Them
I choose the “Don’t Import Suspected Duplicates” possibility to make sure that I don’t import the identical photograph a number of instances.
You have the choice of Making a Second Copy of the imported pictures on one other location like an exterior backup laborious drive. I don’t use this selection as a result of I’ve an automatic backup system that backs up my desktop laptop each night time.
The “Add to Collection” checkbox makes the imported pictures a part of the gathering of your alternative. I don’t use this operate.
To generate full-size previews and Smart Previews for each imported photograph takes numerous processing energy and is time-consuming. When I import 5,000 RAW pictures after certainly 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. When I get up within the morning, the import course of is full, and I’m prepared to begin processing my new pictures.
If I’m on the street with my laptop computer and can’t afford to empty the laptop computer battery to generate full-size previews, I exploit the minimalistic possibility—Embedded & Sidecar. In this case, Lightroom makes use of smaller previews which can be generated by the digital camera and embedded into the RAW information. This permits me to begin analyzing and culling my pictures in seconds with out taxing my laptop computer battery.
File Renaming
Lightroom provides you the choice to rename all of the information that you just import into the catalog. This is an non-obligatory characteristic. It is completely regular to maintain the unique file names generated by the digital camera.
I want to rename my pictures by including the date the photograph was taken and the placement to the unique file title. To ensure that my naming conference is constant, I exploit the File Renaming Presets.
To discover ways to create and use File Renaming Presets, take a look at my devoted article right here: How to Create and Use Lightroom File Renaming Presets
Apply During Import
Here you may apply the Develop Preset of your option to all of the imported pictures. For a very long time, I hardly used this performance. I solely not too long ago began to understand it due to the advances in machine studying.
In the Basic Panel of the Develop Module, there may be 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 varied edits. This characteristic turns into more practical and helpful with each Lightroom replace. I created a Develop Preset (Auto Adjust AI) that solely does one factor—triggers the Auto operate. When I apply this preset to all my imported pictures, it provides me a extra sensible model to begin organizing and culling my newly imported pictures within the Library Module.
Next, there’s a very helpful possibility to use a Copyright Preset to all of your pictures throughout the import course of. I exploit this selection with any photograph I convey into Lightroom.
You can discover ways to create your personal Copyright Presets right here: How to Create and Use Lightroom Copyright Presets
You can go away the Keywords part empty. Keyword choice varies for each import so you’ll enter these manually.
Destination
You specify the place you need the brand new pictures to be saved within the Destination Panel.
This is the setup I exploit for the Destination Panel.
I specify the title of the folder I wish to create and retailer all of the imported pictures there. Optionally, you may arrange the pictures 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 might be pleased with the Import settings, click on the black panel on the backside of the Import Module and the “Save the Current Settings as a New Preset…” possibility will likely be out there.
Name the brand new preset and click on the Save button.
You are performed.
Applying the Import Presets
The subsequent time you import new pictures into Lightroom you’ll not must undergo all of the choices of the Import Module. You may even decrease the complete Import interface by clicking the Minimize button on the underside left nook.
From the underside of the panel, choose the Import Preset you created within the earlier step. Next, specify the key phrases you wish to add to the complete import. Then, you might be able to hit the Import button.
