How to Export Photos From Lightroom

How to Export Your Photos From Lightroom

You've successfully imported and edited your images in Lightroom.  Great job!  Now, it's time to export those cherished files for printing, sharing on a thumb drive, or uploading to Facebook to attract potential clients.

Exporting is a vital step where all your edits from the Develop module are applied to create a new version of your image (because Lightroom is non-destructive and won't overwrite your original file).

Exporting images can sometimes get confusing.  Let’s face it; there are many different settings and endless combinations of numbers to input.  So today, I will break it all down in an easy step-by-step format and let you know precisely what you need to do to export your photos.

Note: If you are trying to export from Lightroom Mobile, check out our separate tutorial here.

Step 1. Open the Export Dialog Box

You can open the Export Dialog Box in 3 different ways:

1. The first option is to highlight/select any photo from your filmstrip and right-click on the image.  From the menu that pops up, choose Export>Export.  
2. The second option is to click on File from the main menu select and then select Export from the drop-down menu.  
3. The third way is to use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Command/Ctrl+E

It doesn’t matter how you get there.  Any of these options will work, so choose the easiest one to remember.

It's crucial to take your time when exporting and carefully check each section.  Now, let's walk through each section step by step:

Step 2. Export Location

First, you need to decide where you want the exported image to be stored on your hard drive.  Lightroom cannot guess your preferred location, so it's essential to specify this.

1. Choose a Folder:  In the Export Location section, click the "Choose" button to select the folder where your exported images will be saved.
2. Create Organized Folders:  Consider creating specific folders for different purposes.  For example, when exporting images for the web, create a "Web" folder inside the original folder.  For print exports, create a "Print" folder and save the images there.
3. Subfolders:  You can also create subfolders within your chosen folder by checking the "Put in Subfolder" option and naming it accordingly.

Step 3. File Naming

Renaming your files during export can help you stay organized and quickly identify your images later.

1. Customize File Names:  In the File Naming section, you can rename your files to reflect the shoot or event name.  This makes it easier to recognize the context of the images at a glance.
2. Add Identifiers:  Consider adding specific identifiers to the file names.  For instance, you can append "_web" for images intended for web use or "_print" for those meant for printing.  This will help you quickly distinguish between different versions.
3. Use Templates:  Lightroom offers file naming templates.  You can create a custom template that suits your workflow, incorporating elements like date, sequence numbers, or client names.

By thoughtfully naming your files, you will streamline your workflow and make future file retrieval more efficient.

Step 4. File Settings

Properly configuring your file settings is essential to ensure your images look their best, whether for print or digital use.

1. File Format: Choose between TIFF, JPG, PSD, or the original file type. If you shot in RAW, you should select a different format since RAW files are not suitable for final use.  I always recommend using JPG for most purposes due to its broad compatibility and smaller file size.

2. Color Space:  For online or lab printing, set the color space to sRGB.  This is the standard color space for most labs, ensuring your prints look as expected.  For home printing, check your printer's manual to determine the appropriate color space and set it accordingly.

3. Quality:  Always set the quality to 100.  This ensures the highest possible image quality.  Lowering the quality may save space, but it can significantly degrade your images.  From experience, it's easy to forget to change this setting back after lowering it for web use, potentially resulting in poor-quality prints and wasted money.

By carefully setting these options, you can ensure your images are optimized for their intended use, whether for print or digital display.

Step 5. Image Sizing

The Image Sizing panel allows you to adjust the size of your image during export. You can leave the dimensions as they are, maintaining the original aspect ratio (typically 9x12 inches), or you can set specific dimensions based on pixels or inches.  There are many combinations, so here are the essentials for different purposes:

Exporting for Print:

• Resolution:  Set the resolution to either 240 or 300 DPI (dots per inch) for high-quality prints.
• Size: It's best not to alter the size here. Instead, use the crop tool in the Develop module to ensure the dimensions are correct.

Exporting for Web:

• Resolution:  Reduce the resolution to 72 DPI, which is standard for web use.
• Dimensions:  Adjust the width and height to fit specific parameters.  For example, if your blog allows images up to 900 pixels wide, set the long edge to 900 pixels.

Exporting for Facebook:

• Dimensions:  The maximum size for Facebook is 2048 pixels on the longest side.  If your images exceed this, Facebook will compress them, which can reduce quality.  To avoid this, set the longest side to 2048 pixels or less.

Adjusting these settings ensures that your images are optimized for their intended platform, whether for print, web, or social media.

Step 6. Output Sharpening

Output sharpening allows you to enhance the sharpness of your images as they are exported from Lightroom. This can be tailored for either print or web use.

1. Sharpening for Web:  The Screen setting can be pretty strong, so setting it to "Low" is usually sufficient to ensure your images look crisp without being over-sharpened.  You can also choose to uncheck this and have no sharpening settings when exporting images for use on the web.

2. Sharpening for Print:  For print, you can choose between two different paper types: Matte or Glossy.  I recommend selecting "Matte" and setting the sharpening to "Standard" for a balanced level of sharpening that enhances your prints without making them appear overly sharp.

Step 7. Watermarking

Watermarking is an important step when sharing images on the Internet.  It helps protect your work from being stolen and promotes your studio or blog to viewers.

1. When to Use a Watermark:

   • Use a watermark when sharing images online to prevent unauthorized use and to ensure your brand or name is visible to potential clients.
   • If you're exporting images for print, it's generally best to turn off the watermark to avoid distracting from the final print.

2. Creating and Adding a Watermark:

   • If you don’t already have a watermark, Lightroom provides tools to create and add one.  Follow this tutorial on watermarks for detailed instructions.

By using the watermarking feature appropriately, you can protect your images and enhance your brand visibility when sharing your work online.

Step 8. Post Processing

The Post-Processing panel lets you decide what happens immediately after your image is exported.

1. Show in Finder/Explorer:

   • Selecting "Show in Finder" (Mac) or "Show in Explorer" (Windows) will open the folder where your exported image is saved.  This is a convenient way to quickly locate your exported files.

2. Further Editing in Photoshop or PSE:

   • If you want to continue editing your image in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements (PSE), you can set Lightroom to open the image directly in that program after export. This is especially useful for creating collages or albums.
   • For advanced edits, like adding textures or actions, it's better to send the image from the Develop module directly to Photoshop or PSE.  For instructions on how to do this, refer to this moving images from Lightroom to Photoshop.

By configuring the post-processing settings, you can streamline your workflow and easily transition to further editing or locating your exported images.

Step 9. Click Export

Once you’ve configured all the necessary settings, press the "Export" button.  Your selected photo(s) will be exported to the specified location using your chosen settings.

Below are screenshots of my export panel configurations for web and print use:

Helpful Exporting Tips and Tricks

Tip 1. Develop a File Naming System:

• Creating a consistent file naming system can take some trial and error.  Experiment until you find a method that works for you.
• Once you have a system, save it as a preset.  This will save you time and ensure consistency with each export.  You can find the preset options in the lower-left corner of the Export dialog box.

Tip 2. Stay Persistent:

• Exporting may seem overwhelming at first due to the many options available.  However, it becomes easier with practice.  Stick with it, and soon it will become second nature.

Tip 3. Use Multi-Batch Export:

• Starting in Lightroom 9.0, the multi-batch export feature allows you to export images for multiple purposes simultaneously (e.g., for print and web).  This is a huge time-saver.
• Learn more about how to use Lightroom's multi-batch export feature here.

Free Lightroom Export Cheat Sheet

Please feel free to download this Cheat Sheet to help you remember all the essential Lightroom Export Settings!

Do you have any questions or comments about How to Export from 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)!