Using actions with Lightroom

[akimartymar]

I just purchased Lightroom to mass process pics that all need the same color temp etc. However, I can't figure out how to run Photoshop actions on those images when I am creating jpegs. I have an action that I run on every image I process to add some pop and it was simple to run with Bridge, I just can't figure out how to run any actions using Lightroom. Is this possible?

[tjones0214]

Not really possible that I know of. You'll have to export your photos to PS to run an Action. Not really a concept of an Action in Lr. Lr has what are called Develop Presets that can "act" like actions. All Lr is doing is adding "metadata" to the XMP file generated by the RAW image from your camera. You can run JPEGs through Lr with zero issues, but your options, especially color temp/white balance are greatly reduced. My suggestion is that if you're shooting RAW, you manage your RAW files in Lr, export them as JPEG and then use Bridge to run your Action. Best of luck.

[JohnT]

In addition to what Travis said, you can add pop to one image (sat, contr, whatever) and save those settings as a LR preset (I have one for high-detail sharpening). Then you can click on that preset for every image you want to apply that preset to (can be done to multiple images at once).

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by JohnT

In addition to what Travis said, you can add pop to one image (sat, contr, whatever) and save those settings as a LR preset (I have one for high-detail sharpening). Then you can click on that preset for every image you want to apply that preset to (can be done to multiple images at once).

I guess I'll have to try something like that for now. I'm used to using Bridge to process all my images and run actions while creating jpegs but I've noticed that CS3 bridge doesn't apply the corrected color temps and exposure values to all the selected images like it should. So far not being able to run a PS action is the only drawback I've noticed in LR.

[tjones0214]

Good luck. Just ping us back if you have any questions. You may also try:

http://www.lightroomkillertips.com

They have a whole section dedicated to just preset and some good tutorials as well.

[kenluallen]

Running actions with Lightroom is possible.

http://www.lightroomqueen.com/lrqdroplets.php

With this method you must remember that droplets are generally limited to small batches, 30-40 images max. If your export exceeds the droplet max it won't run once the export is finished.

Yes this is less than ideal.

Yes let's hope Lightroom 2.0 incorporates a way around this.

[picman]

Bunch of presets here:
http://www.prophotoshow.net/blog/200...troom-presets/
the Jack Davis’s WOW Lightroom Preset Collection has some video tutorials to get you started

[venchka]

Or...

Once you have the first file (image) corrected to your liking, you can right click > Copy Settings > pick the settings you wish to copy. Select a large batch of images > right click > Paste Settings. I also think that Syncing images is similar. I haven't used that yet but using the Sync feature was mentioned in another Lightroom thread. You can also set up a Preset for exporting a large batch of files. I think this is run after any corrections are made.

Pop comes in cans.

[Dokk]

Originally Posted by venchka

Or...

Once you have the first file (image) corrected to your liking, you can right click > Copy Settings > pick the settings you wish to copy. Select a large batch of images > right click > Paste Settings. I also think that Syncing images is similar. I haven't used that yet but using the Sync feature was mentioned in another Lightroom thread. You can also set up a Preset for exporting a large batch of files. I think this is run after any corrections are made.

Pop comes in cans.

This is just where I was going to go with this. I prefer to "sync" like photos. In Lightroom, Adjust your first frame to where you want it in the Develop module. On the filmstrip ppane at the bottom, select the frames you want to apply these settings too. At the bottom of the adjustments pane, click the Sync buttom and you'll see a dialog that allows you to choose which settings you want to apply to the other frames you've selected. Click ok and watch them all change one by one.

[venchka]

Same stuff. Different clicks. It's all good.

[barP]

with lightroom, actions are a thing of the past!

i mean...there may be some actions that require layers and other more complex things you can't do, but you wouldn't process an image like that in lr anyhow.

adding a watermark may be the exception...

wp.

[akimartymar]

Originally Posted by barP

with lightroom, actions are a thing of the past!

i mean...there may be some actions that require layers and other more complex things you can't do, but you wouldn't process an image like that in lr anyhow.

adding a watermark may be the exception...

wp.

Well, I have one action that I normally run with every image in Bridge when I batch process. However, after using LR I have found that just setting my images to "punch" is about the same plus LR seems to do a better job of removing noise as compared to batch processing in Bridge. I'm really liking this software.

[rwwright]

you can do about the same thing in lightroom. you set up a preset (which is kinda like an action), then you select a bunch of photos (raw or jpg or whatever) do FILE - EXPORT WITH PRESETS, in the box that comes up choose that preset etc and you are done.

[skygod]

One of things I like about lightroom is that if you don't like the effect on some of images you applied a preset to you can easily just hit the reset button to go back to where you started from without changing any of the raw data.

[KdLaneJr]

Originally Posted by skygod

One of things I like about lightroom is that if you don't like the effect on some of images you applied a preset to you can easily just hit the reset button to go back to where you started from without changing any of the raw data.

If you like that then you should like using "Virtual copies". Check it out.