Publishers of technology books, eBooks, and videos for creative people

Home > Articles > Digital Photography > Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Organizing and Reviewing Images in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

The Library module is what gives Lightroom an edge over its more well-known cousin, Photoshop, and it's where you'll do most of your organizing and reviewing of images. Nolan Hester shows you how to use it.
This chapter is from the book

You’ll do most of your organizing and reviewing of images in the Library module. Along with the catalog database discussed in Chapter 2, the Library module is what gives Lightroom an edge over its more well-known cousin, Photoshop. Both give you vast photographic powers, but Lightroom’s Library module offers the most efficient way to pick, label, rate, and otherwise identify individual photos amid the incoming digital flood.

It’s tempting to jump ahead to the Develop module and immediately start fixing and tweaking the exposures of your photos. After all, it can be a bit of a slog combing through your images, comparing one against another, and making the judgments about which ones to keep and which to reject. But the time spent offers a hidden bonus: deleting poor images (explained on page 79) will leave you with far fewer—and much better—images once you finally turn to adjusting their exposures.

Adjusting Your Review Setup

Before diving into reviewing your photos, you may want to know about two very helpful Lightroom options: dimming the lights and stacking photos. Together they can make a big difference in helping you concentrate on your photos—and their sometimes subtle differences.

The “lights out” feature lets you dim or hide every part of the Lightroom interface except the photos. The stacking feature lets you gather a bunch of similar images and “stack” them, much as you might bunch up slides on an old light table to concentrate on the remaining photos. You can even automatically stack photos, which is particularly useful for tidying up contiguous, same-subject photos such as bursts of motor-drive shots, panorama sequences, or bracketed HDR (High Dynamic Range) exposures.

To dim or turn off the lights:

  1. Select the photos on which you want to concentrate (Figure 4.1). In any module:

    • In the Menu bar, choose Window > Lights Out and Lights Dim or Lights Off.

    or

    • Press the L on your keyboard once (to dim) or twice (to turn lights off).
    Figure 4.1

    Figure 4.1 Select the photos you want to focus on once the lights are dimmed.

  2. Depending on your choice, the surrounding Lightroom interface dims by 80 percent or darkens completely (Figures 4.2, 4.3).

    Figure 4.2

    Figure 4.2 By default, the lights dimmed choice darkens the Lightroom interface by 80 percent. You can adjust the amount of dimming.

    Figure 4.3

    Figure 4.3 The lights-out choice hides every bit of Lightroom except the selected photos.

To cycle through the lights settings:

  • In any module, press the L on your keyboard up to three times to go from lights on to lights dimmed to lights off, and back to lights on.

To change the lights setting:

  1. In any module, press Ctrl-, /Cmd-, (comma) and click the Interface tab in the Preferences dialog box.
  2. In the Lights Out panel, use the Dim Level drop-down menu to set the dimming effect between 50 and 90 percent (the default is 80 percent) (Figure 4.4).

    Figure 4.4

    Figure 4.4 Use the Dim Level drop-down menu to adjust the dimming effect by 50 to 90 percent. Screen Color choices range from pure black to pure white.

  3. In the same panel, the Screen Color drop-down menu lets you choose among several colors other than black if you find that default not to your liking (including white, simulating photos on a blank page).
  4. To apply the settings and close the dialog box, click OK.

To stack/unstack images:

  1. In the Filmstrip or Grid view, select the photos you want to stack (Figure 4.5).

    Figure 4.5

    Figure 4.5 Select the photos you want to stack.

  2. Right-click (Control-click on a Mac) one of the selected images and in the pop-up menu, choose Stacking > Group into Stack (Figure 4.6). The selected photos are rearranged as one photo with a small number showing how many photos the stack contains (Figure 4.7).

    Figure 4.6

    Figure 4.6 Right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the selected images and choose Stacking > Group into Stack.

    Figure 4.7

    Figure 4.7 The photos are stacked as one photo with a number indicating how many photos the stack contains.

  3. To unstack a group of photos, right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the number atop the stack and choose Unstack in the pop-up menu (Figure 4.8). The stack disappears, replaced by all the photos previously in the stack.

    Figure 4.8

    Figure 4.8 To unstack a group, right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the number atop the stack and choose Unstack.

To expand/collapse a stack:

  1. In the Grid view, a stack is marked not only by a small number in the upper-left corner but also by vertical bars down each side of the top photo (Figure 4.9). Press the S on your keyboard or click the bar on either side of the photo. The stack expands, with each photo in the stack showing a slightly darker background than other photos in the grid.

    Figure 4.9

    Figure 4.9 To expand a stack, click the bar on either side of the top photo.

  2. After you’re done looking at the individual photos, press the S on your keyboard or click the vertical bar to the left of the stack’s first image or to the right of the stack’s last photo to collapse the stack (Figure 4.10). The stack collapses down to a single photo.

    Figure 4.10

    Figure 4.10 To collapse a stack, click the bar on the left side of the first photo.

To add a photo to a stack:

  1. In the Grid view, click on the photo you want to add to the stack (Figure 4.11). Drag and drop it on the stack and a thick, black border appears (Figure 4.12). Release the cursor and the photo is added to the stack, reflected by the updated small number in the stack’s upper-left corner (Figure 4.13).

    Figure 4.11

    Figure 4.11 In the Grid view, click on the photo you want to add to the stack.

    Figure 4.12

    Figure 4.12 Drag and drop the photo on the stack and a thick, black border appears.

    Figure 4.13

    Figure 4.13 Release the cursor and the photo is added to the stack, updating the small number in the stack’s upper-left corner.

To remove a photo from a stack:

  • In the Grid view, expand the stack and find the photo you no longer want included in the stack. Right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the small number in the photo’s upper left and in the pop-up menu, choose Remove from Stack (Figure 4.14). The photo is no longer included in the stack of related images.

    Figure 4.14

    Figure 4.14 Right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the upper-left number of the photo and choose Remove from Stack.

To change a stack’s top photo:

  • By default, a collapsed stack displays the first photo in the sequence. To use another photo in the stack, expand the stack, right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the small number in the photo’s upper left, and in the pop-up menu, choose Move to Top of Stack (Figure 4.15). That photo becomes the stack’s cover photo.

    Figure 4.15

    Figure 4.15 Right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the upper-left number of the photo and choose Move to Top of Stack.

To auto-stack photos by capture time:

  1. Select the photos you want to stack. It can be an entire folder, a single photo session, or the results of a photo search (Figure 4.16).

    Figure 4.16

    Figure 4.16 Select the photos you want to auto stack. If you want, you can select entire folders using the Folders panel.

  2. From the Menu bar, choose Photo > Stacking > Auto-Stack by Capture Time (Figure 4.17).

    Figure 4.17

    Figure 4.17 Choose Photo > Stacking > Auto-Stack by Capture Time.

  3. Set the Time Between Stacks slider anywhere between 0 seconds (the far right) and 1 hour (the far left) (Figure 4.18). The number of stacks (and unstacked photos) based on the setting appears in the lower left of the dialog box. Adjust if necessary, and click Stack.

    Figure 4.18

    Figure 4.18 Set the Time Between Stacks slider anywhere between 0 seconds and 1 hour. Adjust the time based on the stack count in the lower left and click Stack.

  4. In the Grid view, all the photos remain expanded (unstacked), but their borders have changed to indicate whether they belong to a stack (Figure 4.19). Light-bordered photos are not part of any stack; dark-bordered ones are part of a stack. The beginning of each stack shows a small number for how many photos belong to that stack. Roll the cursor over any dark-bordered photo and you’ll see a number for its position in the stack sequence (Figure 4.20).

    Figure 4.19

    Figure 4.19 The photos remain unstacked, but those with dark borders now belong to a stack.

    Figure 4.20

    Figure 4.20 Roll the cursor over any dark-bordered photo to see its position number within the stack.

  5. To collapse a particular stack, double-click the small number of the first photo in the stack (Figure 4.21). The stack collapses (Figure 4.22). To re-expand it, double-click the first photo again.

    Figure 4.21

    Figure 4.21 To collapse a particular stack, double-click the small number of the first photo in the stack.

    Figure 4.22

    Figure 4.22 To re-expand a stack, double-click the first photo again.

    or

    To collapse all the stacks, right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the small number in the upper left of any photo and choose Collapse All Stacks in the pop-up menu (Figure 4.23). All the selected photos collapse into their respective stacks (Figure 4.24). To re-expand all the stacks, right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the upper left of any stacked photo and choose Expand All Stacks in the pop-up menu.

    Figure 4.23

    Figure 4.23 To collapse all the stacks, right-click (Control-click on a Mac) the number in the upper left of any photo and choose Collapse All Stacks.

    Figure 4.24

    Figure 4.24 With all stacks collapsed, the numbers tell how many photos each stack contains.

Peachpit Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Peachpit and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Peachpit products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email ask@peachpit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Adobe Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.peachpit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020