How to use "Lightroom"? Instruction for beginners

The program "Lightroom" allows you to edit photos in a few clicks. Despite this, the application is quite difficult to master. How to use "Lightroom"? This question is asked by many novice users.

It is impossible to create a clear instruction, because every photographer needs certain options. This article describes the main features of the application and how to work with the tools.

Program "Lightroom": how to use the newbie

First you need to start the utility. Then you need to import the images for processing. To do this, click on the "file" button on the top panel. After that, you need to open the "Import photo and video" section. In the left part of the window that appears, select the source.

In the center, the pictures in the specified folder are displayed. Then you need to select the pictures for editing. The developers of the program did not set limits on the number of downloaded files. The user can add even 1,000 pictures. Switching the display modes of the image is done using the button on the toolbar.

The top area of the window contains additional options such as copying, moving and adding files normally. The settings are on the right sidebar. If desired, you can immediately apply presets to the images you are loading. This will simplify the work with the application. The user will only have to export the edited file.

Module "library"

In this section, you can view the uploaded images, compare them with each other, make notes and perform simple adjustments. There are several modes for displaying photos: "grid", "magnifier", "comparison", "overview". To view details, you can zoom in and move the picture. The configuration of all the elements on the toolbar is carried out separately. The user has options for setting an estimate, turning a picture, applying a grid, marking people on a photo, and so on.

If necessary, you can use the function of comparing two images. Both images move synchronously. The magnification of the images is carried out to the same extent. This makes it easier to find defects. Here, the user can also evaluate images and make notes.

If you compare three or more pictures, only the image preview will be available. How to use "Lightroom", if the settings of the program are too complicated for a beginner photographer? In the "Library" section, you can perform simple cropping, as well as adjusting the white balance and color tone. There are no usual sliders here, so you should not expect accurate correction.

For an aspiring photographer, options are available for adding descriptions, specifying keywords, changing the shooting date and other metadata.

"Correction" module

How to use "Lightroom", if you want to explore the features of the program in detail? To do this, go to the "correction" section. Here is an advanced image editing system. Photos should have the right proportions and composition. When editing an image, the user can use the "crop" tool.

Using the slider, the horizon in the picture is aligned. When framing, a grid is displayed to simplify the layout of the composition. How to use "Lightroom" if you want to erase unwanted objects from a photo? To do this, select the "stain removal" tool. Then you need to select an object that you do not want.

If the user is not satisfied with the patch selected by the program, then he can specify the desired area in the picture. In the right toolbar, there are sliders of size, feathering and opacity.

Other settings

How to use "Light" if you want to remove the red-eye effect? Remove the defect by using a special tool. For the beginning it is necessary to allocate an eye. Then you need to set the size of the pupil, as well as the degree of dimming. In order to perform a bitmap correction, you need to select the masking method.

How to use a brush in Lightroom? First you need to set up the tool. To increase the brush, press the Ctrl key and scroll the mouse wheel. Then you need to adjust the pressure, feathering and density. The user needs to select a site for editing.

If necessary, you can remove noise and add sharpness to the picture. To switch to the eraser, hold down the Alt key. With the entire image, you can adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation, exposure, sharpness, shadows and light. It is recommended to experiment with the parameters.

How to use presets in Lightroom

All installed plug-ins are displayed in the left toolbar. To apply the settings, you need to double-click on the name of the preset. To create your own plug-in, you need to set the parameters, and then hold down the Ctrl + Shift + N buttons. A window opens in which you can specify the name of the preset. Then click on the "create" button.

Module "map"

With this section, you can select images from the same location. The numbers on the map indicate the number of photos taken in this area. Clicking on them, you can view pictures and metadata. If you click on the picture twice, the "correction" section will open.

Other Modules

The program allows you to make albums with digital photos. To perform this task, go to the "book" module. All pictures from the current library will be added automatically. The user is given the opportunity to change the format of the future book, the size, the type of cover, the quality of the images, the resolution when printing. To the photos that require description, the text is added.

Here you can also customize the font, writing style, size, opacity, color and alignment. You can add any picture as a background. The finished book is exported in the format selected by the user. If you want, you can turn on the slideshow mode. In the "print" section, select the printer, image resolution and paper type.

You can notice that it's not so difficult to use Photoshop, Lightroom and other graphic editors. The main problem is the development of libraries. Beginners do not understand where to look for pictures downloaded at different times. The rest of the application is friendly enough to the user.