How to Batch Edit in Lightroom (Classic & CC) in 2024

Are you a professional photographer with a lot of photo and video editing work but are worried about time management to deliver orders on time? Don’t worry! We’re here to give you a time-saving and straightforward method to apply the exact settings to a whole roster of images for providing them an engaging look. Guess how? I’m talking about the batch editing feature of Lightroom. It’s compulsory to know how to batch edit in Lightroom Classic & CC to complete a task in the blink of an eye instead of watching the clock for hours.

What is Batch Editing?

The word batch means a gang, pack, or bunch, so batch editing refers to editing photos and videos in bulk, which may be in dozens or hundreds. Through batch editing, Lightroom users can apply the exact settings of color, contrast, exposure, etc., across multiple photographs within a few clicks. It’s like striking gold for those who have a lot of photos of their client and want to edit them within a very short time.

Suppose you’ve joined an event and have captured hundreds of images, and after coming back to your home, you’ve observed that the color of your images is not giving a better impression. Now, it’s a very time-consuming and complex task to change the colors of all photos, and of course, you’ll seek a method to change the color of all images at the same time. The batch editing process will be like a breath of fresh air because it’ll allow you to apply the same adjustment and style on a large bunch of images.

As we know, there are two types of Lightroom, including Classic & CC, as discussed in Lightroom Classic vs Lightroom CC. So it’s compulsory to know the batch editing procedure for both versions whether you’re using it on mobile or desktop.

How to batch edit in Lightroom Classic?

Lightroom Classic is the desktop-based version, introduced a long time ago, and doesn’t offer cloud-based storage space. Due to its user-friendly interface it’s the trust of many professional as well as casual photographers. So, it’s compulsory to discuss different methods for knowing how to batch edit in Lightroom Classic. Let’s explain each technique in detail:

Applying Presets During Import

In this method, images are imported in the Import Module, and then the same preset is applied to all selected images.Let’s explain it step-by-step:

Open Lightroom Classic on your Mac, Desktop, or Laptop, and then click the “Import” button in the bottom left corner.
At the left side of the Import button, you’ll see different photo folders stored in the local storage of your device, so select your desired folder.
You’ll get all the imported images in the main panel of the import module, similar to thumbnails.
All the images will already be selected, so you need to apply a custom preset.
Navigate to “Apply During Import” on the right side of the import module and select any preset from “Develop Setting.”
Hit “Import,” and every selected image will be edited.
Save images with a few clicks and conserve your precious time.

Applying Presets in the Library Module

In this method, images are imported into the general library instead of the Import Panel, and the following steps are applied:

Go to the library module and click on the “Import” button to import photos from the local storage of your device.
After importing, click on the first image in the library, hold down the control button, and select all images.
From the Quick Develop panel, select any preset and apply it to all selected images of the library in Lightroom.
Apply custom edits to all selected images in the Library Module.

Copy and Paste Settings

You’ll use two types of keys in this streamlined batch editing process. Ctrl C and Ctrl V are used if you’re a window user, while Mac users will handle Lightroom batch editing through Command+C and Command+V. You need to follow the following steps for copy and paste setting:

Select the desired photo from the Library module and then press “Develop Module.”
The next step is to edit the selected photo by adjusting exposure, contrast, color, or brightness.
You need to use Command+C on Mac or Ctrl+C on Windows for opening the copy settings dialog and choose the settings you wish to duplicate.
After making selections, navigate to the thumbnail area.
To choose the photos you want to apply settings to, hold down the Command key on Mac or the control key on Windows while selecting them. You can also hold down the Shift key to select the first and last photos from a series of images.
Then, hit Command+V (Mac) or Ctrl+V (Windows) to paste the settings to the opted photos.

Batch-Edit Using Synchronize

Synchronization enables you to perform batch editing very fast as compared to the copy-and-paste process. You can apply this method by following the below-mentioned steps:

Please select any one photo or video from the Import or Library module and edit it by adjusting color, contrast, lighting, or white balance by using the Develop module.
Select the photo you’ve edited, as well as any other images you wish to edit.
Press the “Sync” button available in the Develop Module, then a new window will appear.
Choose the settings of the image that you want to synchronize with other selected pictures and videos.
When all is done, Lightroom will apply the exact settings to all other selected photos and videos.

Batch-Edit Using Auto Synchronise

This is more flexible than the above-discussed method because it lets us apply settings made on one selected photo. On the other hand, auto synchronize allows us to select numerous edited images and apply adjustments of anyone to all other images. Let’s discuss all the steps involved in this method:

Open the develop module> press shift, and select the first and last photos from a batch of images you want to edit.
After completing your edits, you’ll notice a small switch next to the “Sync” button located at the bottom.You need to flip it and then turn on “Auto Sync”.
After that, you can edit anyone from picked images for auto synchronization to other images.

How to Batch Edit in Lightroom Mobile?

Lightroom CC is used on all devices, including Android, iPhone, Windows, or Mac, and can be synchronized across various devices. If you’re using it on PC you can follow the above methods of how to batch edit in Lightroom Classic. On the other hand, you need to follow the following steps to know how to batch edit in Lightroom mobile:

Step 1: Open the Lightroom mobile app and import images from your mobile library or cloud storage.
Step 2: Edit any one photo to your satisfaction by applying presets or by manually adjusting the color, contrast, brightness, or background.
Step 3: Save the edited photo, and it’ll also be added to the photo library.
Step 4: Then navigate to three dots at the upper right corner, click on them and hit the “Select” option from drop-down menus.
Step 5: Tap on the image whose adjustments you want to copy.
Step 6: Click on “Copy” from various options at the bottom and then press “Done“.
Step 7: Next, proceed to select the other images to which you wish to apply specific settings. You can do this by following step 4.

Step 8: Click the “Paste” option from the bottom navigation, tap on “Done,” and be happy because everything is done.

If you’re wondering how to batch edit in Lightroom for iPhone or iPad, the solution is already given because you’ve to follow the same steps as discussed for mobile.

Pros & Cons of Batch Edit in Lightroom

Pors

Helps to edit numerous photos and videos effortlessly.
It saves our precious time.
Minimize boredom of doing the same editing work again and again.
It enables us to deliver the editing projects of clients on time.

Cons

Sometimes, we’ve to face errors in copying the settings or customization of any edited image.
Make us lazy.
Reduce our intellectual level.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the top 10 best Lightroom alternatives, then this blog is as right as rain for you as we’ve provided the basic features, pros, and cons of each application in detail. Moreover, you can also know the price and compatible devices of each software and can easily compare them and select the best one. However, Lightroom is the best one of all the above because it’s compatible with all devices and two different versions, including Lightroom Classic & CC, and it’s available in various pricing plans.

How to Batch Edit in Lightroom (Classic & CC) in 2024

What is Batch Editing?