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 handle totally different areas of digital asset administration (DAM). The presets can be utilized in numerous modules of this system such because the
In one among my earlier tutorials, I dug deep and specified how every of the 9 varieties of Lightroom presets matches into the large image of digital asset administration and photograph enhancing.
In as we speak’s tutorial, I’ll handle tips on how to create and use the Import Presets to simplify and pace 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.
If you open Lightroom, you can not 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 need to first import them into the Lightroom Catalog. When you choose the Import Photographs possibility, you’re offered with a complicated interface that contains a gazillion totally different choices (or so it appears).
This all the time causes confusion for photographers who’re simply beginning to study this system. It is usually the fundamental stumbling block for Lightroom adoption.
That is the place the Import Presets can play an vital position in overcoming the confusion of the Import Module. You make investments the time to grasp what import choices are important to your explicit 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 pictures, why I exploit them, and tips on how 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 deciding on
File > Import Photographs and Video…
Optionally, you need to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl (Possibility on Mac) + Shift + I.
As soon as the Import Module is energetic, you’ll discover the Supply Panel on the left facet. That is the place you choose the situation of the images that you just intend to import into Lightroom. You can’t save the supply location as a preset as a result of the situation can fluctuate 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 you must specify is the way you need Lightroom to deal with images throughout the import course of.
Do you need to deliver the pictures within the unique proprietary RAW format, or do you need to convert them to an open supply digital damaging format (DNG)?
In my case, I don’t trouble with the conversion and hold all my RAW photos within the unique format. I don’t see too many benefits for the additional step.
See additionally: Learn how to Set up Lightroom Presets
Subsequent, you need to specify if you wish to Copy, Transfer, or Add the pictures to Lightroom.
The Copy possibility signifies that all the chosen images can be copied to the specified vacation spot in your pc with the originals intact on a reminiscence card.
The Transfer possibility signifies that the unique images can 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 information within the occasion of file corruption throughout the switch.
The Add possibility is used when you have already got photos in your pc in the precise location and also you merely need to add them to the catalog.
For instance, if you happen to manually copied information from a reminiscence card to a pc, you’ll merely use the Add possibility.
Subsequent, we transfer to the precise panel the place many of the import choices are situated.
File Dealing with
These are the choices I exploit within the File Dealing with panel in 99% of instances.
For quicker efficiency, I need to make it possible for full dimension (1:1) previews are generated. I additionally choose the “Construct Sensible Previews” possibility. In case you are undecided what Sensible Previews are, check out my in-depth article right here: Lightroom Sensible Previews – When, Why and Learn 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 occasions.
You have got 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 evening.
The “Add to Assortment” checkbox makes the imported images a part of the gathering of your alternative. I don’t use this perform.
To generate full-size previews and Sensible Previews for each imported photograph takes a whole lot of processing energy and is time-consuming. After I import 5,000 RAW images after one among my journeys, this might take hours. I developed a routine to all the time begin the import course of earlier than I am going to mattress at evening. After I get up within the morning, the import course of is full, and I’m prepared to begin 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 exploit the minimalistic possibility—Embedded & Sidecar. On this case, Lightroom makes use of smaller previews which are generated by the digicam and embedded into the RAW information. This permits me to begin analyzing and culling my images in seconds with out taxing my laptop computer battery.
File Renaming
Lightroom offers you the choice to rename all of the information that you just import into the catalog. That is an non-obligatory characteristic. It’s completely regular to maintain the unique file names generated by the digicam.
I favor to rename my photos by including the date the photograph was taken and the situation to the unique file title. To verify 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: Learn how to 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 not too long ago began to understand it due to the advances in machine studying.
Within the Primary Panel of the Develop Module, there may be an Auto Button that’s powered by AI and machine studying algorithms. When the Auto perform is activated, Lightroom analyzes the picture and tries to enhance it robotically by making use of numerous edits. This characteristic turns into more practical and helpful with each Lightroom replace. I created a Develop Preset (Auto Modify AI) that solely does one factor—triggers the Auto perform. After I apply this preset to all my imported images, it offers me a extra real looking model to begin 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 throughout the import course of. I exploit this feature with any photograph I deliver into Lightroom.
You may discover ways to create your individual Copyright Presets right here: Learn how to Create and Use Lightroom Copyright Presets
You may depart 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 exploit 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 arrange 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’re 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 can be out there.
Title the brand new preset and click on the Save button.
You’re performed.
Making use of the Import Presets
The following time you import new images into Lightroom you’ll not should undergo all of the choices of the Import Module. You may even decrease the complete Import interface by clicking the Reduce 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’re able to hit the Import button.
