Batch editing in Lightroom is a game-changer if you have dozens—or hundreds—of photos needing the same look or corrections. Instead of adjusting each image one by one, you can apply your edits to an entire set, saving massive amounts of time and ensuring consistency across your project.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to batch edit photos in Adobe Lightroom (Classic and CC), plus expert tips to streamline your workflow. By the end, you’ll be able to enhance whole collections of images in minutes, perfect for events, product shoots, or travel galleries.
Let’s dive in and make Lightroom work smarter for you!
Step-by-Step Guide: Batch Editing in Lightroom
(For Lightroom Classic—steps for Lightroom CC follow below!)
- Import Your Photos
- Open Lightroom Classic.
- Click Import at the bottom left, select your images, and click Import again.
- Apply Edits to a Single Photo
- In the Library or Develop module, select one photo as your “master.”
- Adjust exposure, white balance, cropping, or apply your preferred preset.
- Select All Target Photos
- Hold Shift and click on the last photo in the row to select a batch (or hold Ctrl/Cmd to select specific images).
- Ensure your edited “master” photo is highlighted first.
- Sync Edits Using the Sync Button
- In the Develop module, click Sync… (bottom right).
- A Synchronize Settings dialog appears. Choose which adjustments to sync (e.g., exposure, crop, white balance).
- Click Synchronize to apply settings to all selected photos.
- Alternative: Use ‘Previous’ Button
- In the Develop module, after editing one photo, select the next photo and click Previous to copy settings from the previous image.
- Batch Apply a Preset During Import
- When importing, use the Apply During Import panel to select a preset. All incoming photos get the look instantly.
- Fine-Tune Individual Photos
- Review your batch for any outliers. Some images might need small tweaks, especially if lighting or colors vary a lot.
Batch Editing in Lightroom CC (Cloud Version)
- Import Photos
- Click Add Photos and bring your images into an album.
- Edit a Master Photo
- Open one image, apply your edits, and/or a preset.
- Copy and Paste Edits
- Click the three-dot menu (top right), choose Copy Edit Settings.
- Select all target photos (use Shift+Click), right-click, and select Paste Edit Settings.
- Sync Automatically with ‘Auto’ Edit
- Optionally, use the Auto button for a quick enhancement before batch copying.
Pro Tips & Workflow Improvements
- Create Custom Presets: Save your unique look as a preset for instant reuse on future batches.
- Smart Collections: Use filters or flags to group similar images for batch processing.
- Auto-Sync Mode (Classic): Toggle Auto Sync (switch near Sync button) to apply real-time edits to all selected photos simultaneously.
- Shortcuts: In Classic, use Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + S for the Synchronize Settings dialog.
- Metadata Sync: Batch apply keywords or copyright info from the Metadata panel.
Advanced Use Case: Batch Export with Multiple Settings
Want to export the same batch in several sizes or formats?
- In Lightroom Classic, select your images, click File > Export, and use the Add button in the export dialog to set up multiple export presets (e.g., web, print, social).
- Run them all at once for different needs—no repeats!
Troubleshooting & Common Mistakes
- Edits Not Syncing?
- Double-check that all target images are actually selected. Only highlighted photos receive changes.
- Crop or Spot Removal Issues
- Be careful: crops or local edits may not look right on every photo—uncheck those settings if needed in Sync dialog.
- Performance Slowdown
- Working with hundreds of high-res files? Pause background sync and close other apps for smoother editing.
- ‘Previous’ Button Not Working?
- Only works when a single photo is selected—use Sync for multi-image adjustments.
- Settings Missing After Paste
- Some tools (e.g., Heal/Clone spots) don’t copy well if the subjects move in the frame. Always check the result!
Conclusion
Batch editing in Lightroom is the secret to a fast, consistent photo workflow. With the techniques above, you can transform entire collections with just a few clicks, then fine-tune the details as needed.
Practice these steps, and soon you’ll spend less time editing and more time shooting.
Next up: Try learning how to create and apply custom presets, or explore Lightroom’s batch export tools for even more automation!
