How to Save Photos in Lightroom | Lightroom Tutorials #12

Introduction

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to save and export photos from Adobe Lightroom effectively. Understanding the export process is crucial since it allows you to maintain the quality and adjust the settings of your images for various uses, such as printing or sharing online. This guide will help you navigate the export options and avoid common pitfalls that can affect image quality.

Step 1: Access the Export Function

• Open Lightroom and navigate to the Library module.
• Select the image or multiple images you want to export.
• To open the export dialog:
  • Click the export button located on the left panel.
  • Alternatively, use the shortcut Ctrl/Command + Shift + E.

Step 2: Choose Export Location

• Decide where you want to save your exported images.
• In the export dialog, select the destination folder on your computer.

Step 3: Configure File Naming

• Determine how you want your files to be named:
  • Choose a naming convention if exporting multiple images.
  • Options may include adding a sequence number, date, or custom text.

Step 4: Set Image Quality

• Adjust the quality settings according to your needs:
  • For web use, consider lower quality (around 70-80).
  • For print, higher quality (90-100) is advisable to preserve detail.

Step 5: Resize Images (if necessary)

• If you need to resize your images:
  • Check the box to resize to a specific dimension (e.g., width, height).
  • Choose appropriate units (pixels, inches, etc.).

Step 6: Apply Sharpening

• Decide if you want to apply sharpening:
  • Select the sharpening option and choose the amount based on the intended use (e.g., standard for web, high for print).

Step 7: Manage Metadata

• Choose how to handle metadata:
  • Decide whether to include all metadata, only copyright information, or remove it completely.

Step 8: Post-Export Actions

• Determine what happens after the export:
  • Options include doing nothing or opening the images directly in Photoshop.

Step 9: Add Watermark (optional)

• If you want to watermark your images:
  • Define your watermark (text or logo).
  • Adjust the size and positioning to ensure it looks good across different image sizes.

Step 10: Export the Images

• Once all settings are configured:
  • Click the export button to start exporting your images.
  • Lightroom will process and save your images in the background.

Step 11: Use Previous Export Settings

• For quick exports with the same settings:
  • Select the new images.
  • Navigate to File > Export with Previous to use the same settings as your last export.

Conclusion

Exporting images in Lightroom is a straightforward process when you understand the available settings. By following these steps, you can ensure your exported images are tailored for their intended use while maintaining quality. Consider experimenting with different settings based on the purpose of your images, whether for print, web, or social media. Happy exporting!