By Amanda Padgett on | No Comments
You have successfully imported images into Lightroom and edited them. Awesome! Now you need to get those precious little files OUT of Lightroom and off to the printer, or onto a thumb drive for your client or uploaded to Facebook to show potential clients.
This vital step is called EXPORTING. During the export all the edits and changes you made in the Develop module will be applied and the new version of your image is created (because Lightroom is non destructive and does not overwrite the original file).
Note: If you are trying to export from Lightroom Mobile, we have a separate tutorial with mobile instructions here.
Let's go through the export screen one step at a time.
Important! Take your time when exporting and check each section.
When exporting, you MUST choose where you want the exported image to be stored. This means deciding in which folder on your hard drive you want the edited image to be stored. Lightroom cannot read minds.
For example, when I export for web, I create a "Web" folder inside the original. When I export for print, I create a "Print" folder and send it there. See the area in the lime green boxes in the screen print below.
You can rename the file to a shoot or event name, etc. Or, you can give the file name a special ending to help you recognize it later, like “web”.
In this panel, you can alter the size of the image as it exports. You can leave it alone, and the original aspect ratio (usually 9 in x 12 in) will be exported. Or, you can alter it to be no longer than a certain pixel or inch width and more. There are too many combinations here to go through them all.
You can set it to add a bit of sharpening as the file leaves Lightroom. The sharpening can be for print or for the web.
This panel is one to use when you are sharing your images on the internet and want to either protect them from being stolen, or you want to share your studio or blog name with those who may see the image.
If you want to edit your image some more in Photoshop or PSE, you can have it open up right into that program after export. This is particularly useful if you plan to use the image(s) in a collage or album.
Below is a screen print of an export for web.
Do you have any questions or comments about exporting in Lightroom? Leave us a comment below - we would love to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE our tutorial using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!
Hi! I'm Amanda, a homeschooling mom of four, from South Carolina. I am passionate about photography, photo editing, and helping others learn to love their camera and editing programs.
Comments