Utilizing Lightroom keyboard shortcuts permits us to hurry up our picture modifying workflow. Not solely do the shortcuts save us time, however additionally they make the whole modifying course of extra fluid by eliminating pointless interruptions.
On the similar time, I discover that utilizing Lightroom keyboard shortcuts is tougher in comparison with different functions like Adobe Photoshop.
Attributable to Lightroom’s modular construction, the identical shortcut can carry completely different capabilities in numerous areas of this system. For instance, utilizing the shortcut “O” within the Library Module prompts the Folks Mode; nonetheless, it does nothing within the Growth Module and, within the Adjustment Brush Device, 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 modifying workflow. I ignore the remainder.
Beneath is an inventory of Lightroom keyboard shortcuts which might be most dear for my workflow and mirror how I take advantage of Lightroom. Totally different photographers use Lightroom in another way, so shortcuts will usually differ from individual to individual.
My Prime 5 Most Used Lightroom Keyboard Shortcuts
- F – Full-Display 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) – Earlier than & After – This shortcut permits us to match 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 Device – This shortcut is most helpful when beginning in Library Mode. By hitting “R,” you first open the Develop Module after which activate the Crop Device.
- Shift + Tab – Cover All Panels – I take advantage of this essentially the most with the Crop Device as a result of it permits me to maximise using the interface.
- O – Present/Cover Masks Overlay – This shortcut reveals the realm affected by the modifying instruments (Gradient Masks, Adjustment Brush, Radial Filter). It’s a very helpful characteristic when retouching portraits.
Normal Shortcuts and Navigation
- D – Develop Module
- E – Library Module (single view)
- G – Library Module (grid view)
- I – Information Overlays (Single Picture View in each Library and Develop Modules)
- S – Activate Smooth Proofing. Be sure you are within the Develop Module.
Solo Mode
When working within the Develop Module, the primary modifying instruments are distributed throughout 9 panels situated on the proper facet of the module. It’s straightforward to get misplaced when you’ve gotten all 9 panels prolonged, to not point out that it takes quite a lot of scrolling to navigate between them. Happily, Lightroom has Solo Mode, which permits us to maintain just one panel open at a time.
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To toggle the Solo Mode on/off, use Alt + and click on on any panel header. Alternately, you’ll be able to right-click anyplace on the proper panel to entry the choice menu.
Rotate Picture
Zoom In/Zoom Out
- Spacebar Down – Zooms in on the chosen picture. Releasing the spacebar brings the picture again to default magnification.
I take advantage of 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.
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Ranking Keyboard Shortcuts
- P – Flag Picture
- X – Reject Picture
- U – Take away Flag
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Set Picture Ranking
- B – Add to Fast Assortment
- Fast Assortment is sort of a short-term holding container the place you gather photographs from completely different areas for additional use. For instance, once I want to pick photographs for my new tutorial, I’m going by means of numerous Collections and Folders marking potential pictures to think about using the “B” shortcut and they’re saved to the Fast Assortment.
Auto Advance
Shift + any score shortcuts (P, X, U, 1-5, B). This advances to the subsequent picture after making use of any of the rankings, relatively than staying on the identical picture.
Once I cull photographs after the preliminary import, I all the time use the Auto Advance shortcut together with the “P” and “X” shortcuts to mark “keepers” and “rejects.”
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Alternately, you’ll be able to completely allow the Auto Advance characteristic within the PHOTO menu, however I desire to all the time have a alternative between the Auto Advance and default performance.
Most Helpful Creating and Modifying Lightroom Shortcuts
Copy/Paste Growth Settings
Although I typically use the SYNC and SYNC SETTINGS buttons to apply the event settings to a number of photographs, I discover the devoted shortcut to be extraordinarily helpful.
- Ctrl (Cmd)+ Shift + C – Activate the Copy Settings selectors.
- Ctrl (Cmd) + Shift + V – Paste chosen Growth Settings to the chosen pictures.
- Ctrl (Cmd) + Shift + V – Paste Settings From Earlier.If you don’t use Ctr + Shift + C to repeat to the selective parameter, Lightroom will copy all the event settings from the beforehand chosen picture.
Crop Device
The Crop Overlay Device is one in all my most used instruments in Lightroom and is the start line for each single picture I edit. When I’m executed modifying, I additionally create completely different crop variations for Instagram and Pinterest.
- R – Activate Crop Device from any module
- When I’m within the Library Module culling newly imported pictures, I typically wish to see whether it is potential to enhance the composition by cropping it in another way. By utilizing the “R” shortcut, it concurrently takes me to the Develop Module and prompts the Crop Overlay Device.
- X – Rotate Crop
- Lightroom doesn’t make it straightforward to alter the crop orientation from panorama to portrait. This shortcut is a lifesaver when utilizing the Crop Device.
- Ctrl (Cmd) – Activate Straighten Device.
- A – Lock/Unlock side ratio.
Adjustment Brush Device
When Lightroom was first launched, it had very restricted selective modifying capabilities. A lot of the instruments had been designed to have an effect on the whole picture and, in an effort to have an effect on a selected space of the picture, you needed to leap to Photoshop. However with each new replace, selective modifying grew to become extra highly effective and complex. Now, with the Adjustment Brush Device, you’ll be able to create refined masks that have an effect on solely particular areas of the picture.
- Ok – Activate the Adjustment Brush software.
- Alt – Switches from Brush to Eraser
- That is an especially helpful shortcut when fine-tuning the choice.
- O – Present/Cover Masks Overlay
- This reveals the realm affected by the modifying software.
- ] 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.
