Exporting Photos: Free Lightroom Tutorial
Master Lightroom Photo Export and Preset Management
What You'll Master Today
Photo Export Process
Learn the complete workflow for exporting edited photos from Lightroom's Library module. Master file format selection and quality settings for optimal results.
Export Preset Creation
Discover how to save custom export settings as reusable presets. Streamline your workflow by creating templates for different output purposes.
Color Space Selection
Understand the critical differences between sRGB and Adobe RGB color spaces. Learn when to use each for web publishing versus print output.
Exercise Preview
Ensure you have photos edited in the Develop module ready for export. This tutorial assumes you've completed basic photo editing and are ready to output your work.
Export Workflow Overview
Prepare Photos
Navigate to Library module and select all edited photos from the Develop folder using keyboard shortcuts
Configure Export Settings
Access File Export dialog and set destination, file format, quality, and output sharpening parameters
Save as Preset
Create a reusable export preset to streamline future exports with identical settings
Execute Export
Run the export process and monitor progress until all photos are successfully exported
Exporting Photos
Navigate to the Library module to access your complete photo collection and organizational tools.
In the Folders panel on the left sidebar, locate and click on the Develop folder to display your edited images.
Select your entire batch of edited photos by pressing Cmd–A (Mac) or CTRL−A (Windows). This bulk selection approach saves significant time when processing multiple images with identical export settings.
Access the export dialog by navigating to File > Export, which opens Lightroom's comprehensive export control panel.
At the dialog's top section, ensure the first Export To dropdown menu displays Hard Drive. This setting directs your exports to local storage rather than cloud services or third-party platforms.
Keep this dialog open—we'll configure multiple settings before executing the export. Under the Export Location section, select Specific folder from the Export To menu to maintain precise control over your file destinations.
Click the Choose button to browse your system's folder structure.
Navigate to your Desktop for easy access to your exported files. The Desktop location ensures your processed images remain immediately visible and accessible.
Create a new destination by clicking the New Folder button.
Name your new folder YourName Pictures, replacing "YourName" with your actual name or project identifier. Confirm the folder remains selected after creation.
Finalize your destination selection by clicking Choose (Mac) or Select Folder (Windows).
Enable the Put in Subfolder option to create additional organizational structure within your main export directory.
In the subfolder text field, enter Developed Photos. This naming convention clearly distinguishes processed images from original files.
Configure your file output parameters under File Settings (scroll down if necessary). These settings determine your final image quality and compatibility:
Image Format: Select JPEG from the dropdown menu for maximum compatibility across devices and platforms. Quality: Set to 100 to preserve maximum image fidelity and detail. Color Space: Choose sRGB for optimal web display and general-purpose viewing. Under Output Sharpening, activate the Sharpen For checkbox to apply appropriate sharpening algorithms. Configure these critical sharpening parameters:
Sharpen For: Select Screen from the dropdown to optimize for digital display viewing. Amount: Choose Standard for balanced sharpening that enhances detail without creating artifacts. In the Metadata section, select All Metadata from the Include dropdown menu. This preserves your complete EXIF data, copyright information, and keywords for future reference.
Verify that all additional metadata options in this section remain unchecked to prevent unwanted data modifications.
Under Watermarking, confirm that the Watermark option remains unchecked unless you specifically require branded output.
In the Post-Processing section, set After Export to Do nothing. This prevents automatic launching of external applications that might slow your workflow.
Before proceeding to create your export preset, carefully review all settings against this reference image. These configurations will become your template for future exports:
Export Configuration Checklist
Creates organized file structure for easy access
Maintains project organization and prevents file mixing
Ensures maximum image quality for final output
Optimizes images for web display and device compatibility
Compensates for quality loss during file compression
Preserves image information while maintaining file efficiency
Do not close the Export dialog after configuring settings. You'll need it open to create the export preset in the next section.
Color Space Selection Guide
| Feature | sRGB | Adobe RGB (1998) |
|---|---|---|
| Gamut Size | Smaller | Larger |
| Best Use Case | Web Publishing | Print Output |
| Device Compatibility | Universal | Professional Displays |
| Color Accuracy | Standard | Enhanced |
Output Sharpening by Medium
Screen Display
Use Standard sharpening amount for web galleries, social media, and digital presentations. Compensates for screen pixel structure.
Matte Paper
Select Matte paper option for fine art prints and textured paper surfaces. Accounts for ink absorption characteristics.
Glossy Paper
Choose Glossy option for high-contrast prints on smooth surfaces. Maximizes detail retention on reflective papers.
Key Takeaways