How do you not lose your work, convert your raw files into easy-to-view files, and then print them? Our tips will help you get there step by step.
Lightroom is software that allows you to post-process raw (raw) files from your photo shoots. Here we present some important features of this tool.
1- Save a modified image
To save your work with Lightroom, it’s very easy! The advantage of the Raw format (the raw format of photo files) is that it is non-destructive. That is, whatever changes you make to your raw files in Lightroom, nothing will be lost. Indeed, all the modifications will be saved on another file in * .xmp but not on the raw file in * .CR2. In other words, if you wish, you can revert to the file as it was at the start or make other modifications without any change being ever final or irreversible.
The backup of your work is done automatically in real time, there is no need to make any particular recording. When you open the software again, you will find the last settings you made on your Raw files, the notes on the images, etc. You are then free to make new modifications or not.
2- Export a file in JPG, PNG or other
How to export your images with Lightroom? As we have seen, the work on Lightroom is done on the Raw file. Once you have finished working on the raw file, it will be time to export your image, for example in JPG to be able to view it more easily. Again it is not very complicated. At the bottom left corner is an export button (you may need to click the drop-down menu on the left to display this menu and the button). By clicking on export a window will open allowing you to configure your export.
This window will allow you to choose several options such as the folder where the file will be exported. You can also choose the format of course: * .jpg, * .tiff, *., * .PNG, etc. several choices are possible. You can also choose whether or not to add your signature. You can still decide what name you will give to your image or group of images, etc. The advantage of Lightroom over Photoshop is that the software allows you to process groups of images instead of just one image at a time.
The software will keep your export preferences to save you time. Also note that if necessary you can save other choices.
3- Print without border or frame
Lightroom includes a module to choose your print settings. This module, again, allows you to make several choices. To print without border or frame, you will be able to activate the option “zoom to fill” which is in the menu on the right. Note that there will always be a safe zone. Also remember to deactivate the “frame outline” option.
Also in the lower right menu you can choose the quality of your printing. You will be able to define the desired quality level in DPI, the level of sharpness, etc.
4- Add or save the presets
Presets or presets in English are a major asset of Lightroom. With them, you will be able to import predefined settings to process your raw files more quickly.
On the internet, you can find many presets freely shared by other photographers, also users of the software. Of course, you can also create them yourself if you have certain preferences in the settings of your images. This will save you a lot of time and be efficient by processing your images in groups. Once again, this is the advantage of this software over Photoshop, which only allows you to work on one image at a time.
To add a preset, go to the top menu and choose the “development” tab, then, in the right menu, choose “defined parameters”. Right click to select “import”, a window will open for you to search for the preset file. Select it and it will be added to this menu.
To save or create your own preset, go to the “development” menu at the top. Then, go again to the menu on the right “Presets”. Then click on the little “+” to add / save your preset. A window then opens allowing you to choose a name for the preset and especially the settings you want to keep for it. Then click on “create”. And there you have it, it’s saved. Now you can apply these settings to your other raw files if you wish. Note that to find your way more easily among all these presets you can group them and organize them in different groups.
To go further, discover all of the Adobe solutions dedicated to photography.