Learning new software can feel like climbing a mountain, especially Lightroom Classic with its many panels and options! ⛰️ I remember feeling totally lost when I first started. I really wished I had a simple guide to show me the ropes step by step, so I could focus on taking great photos instead of getting bogged down in the software.

That's why I've created this beginner-friendly guide to walk you through the essentials of getting started with Lightroom Classic, right from the very beginning. We'll cover:

What Lightroom Classic is
Understanding the Lightroom Catalog
Your first glimpse: What you see when you open Lightroom
Bringing your photos in: Importing from your memory card
Taking a look: Viewing your images in the Library
Making magic: Your first steps in the Develop Module
Sharing your creations: Exporting a high-quality JPEG

Ready to dive in? It might take a little while, so maybe grab a comfy seat! ☕

By the way, you get access to Lightroom Classic in whichever Photography Plan from Adobe you choose, so you can go with the $12 per month Lightroom option, or the $20 per month Lightroom + Photoshop option! Need more info? Here is the Adobe website that breaks it down.

Before we start, don't forget to grab my FREE Lightroom Unlocked Checklist! It's packed with an import guide, an editing checklist, and an export cheat sheet!! Did I mention it's FREE? Grab it here!

All set? Let's go! 🚀

📸 What Exactly Is Lightroom Classic?

Think of Lightroom Classic as your all-in-one digital darkroom and photo organizer! 🗂️ It's not just for editing; it's designed specifically for photographers to manage, organize, edit, and create – all within the same program. Unlike Photoshop, which caters to a broader creative audience, Lightroom Classic is built with the photographer's workflow in mind from start to finish.

📂 Understanding the Lightroom Catalog: Your Image Hub

Lightroom Classic uses a catalog to keep track of everything you do with your photos. This catalog isn't storing your actual image files within Lightroom itself. Instead, it holds a "reference" to where your files are saved on your computer, along with all the edits, keywords, and tags you apply. It's like a super-organized index for all your photographic work!

🖥️ First Look: Opening Lightroom Classic

When you first launch Lightroom Classic, it will prompt you to create a catalog. Think of this as setting up your main database. You can choose the default location (usually your Pictures folder) or pick a new one. Once created, you might see some basic tips, and then... a blank screen! Don't panic! It's just empty because you haven't imported any photos yet. Time to bring them in!

⬇️ Bringing Your Photos In: The Import Process

In the Library module, go to File > Import Photos and Video or click the Import button on the bottom left. This opens the import window. Remember this: left is your source, middle is what you're importing, and right is your destination.

On the left, choose where you're importing FROM (e.g., your memory card). In the middle, under "Copy," you'll see thumbnails of your images. They should all be checked for import by default, but you can uncheck any you don't want. On the right, under "Destination," choose WHERE you want Lightroom to save your photos on your computer.

While there are other options for renaming files and adding keywords, if you don't have a system in place yet (like the one I teach in my Get Organized In Lightroom Classic course), it's best to leave these for later. Once you're happy, click the Import button in the lower-right corner. Time for a coffee break! ☕

👀 Taking a Look: Navigating the Library Module

Once imported, your images will appear in the Library module! In the Folders panel on the left, you'll see your imported images. In the center, you can view either a grid of thumbnails (click the grid icon at the bottom left) or a single image (click the single square icon). The filmstrip at the very bottom also shows your thumbnails.

I like to use the single image view and then use the filmstrip (or the left/right arrow keys) to quickly review each image. To check focus, click 1:1 on the top left panel (or press Z on your keyboard) to zoom to 100%, and then click Fit or press Z again to return to the normal view.

While you'll eventually want to tag, rate, and keyword your images for better organization, it's best to hold off until you have a solid workflow in place (which I cover in my Digital Declutter in Lightroom Classic course) to avoid creating a messy system. Trust me on this! 😉

✨ Making Magic: Your First Steps in the Develop Module

Ready to start editing? Click Develop at the top right of your screen. This is where the magic happens! You'll see a single image in the main view and a series of panels on the right (Basic, Tone Curve, Color Mixer, etc.) – these are your editing tools. Above them is a toolbar with more specific options, and above that, your histogram.

For a super quick start, especially if you're shooting in RAW and want that JPEG look, scroll down to the Basic panel at the bottom right. Click on the dropdown menu will appear with options like Adobe Standard and Adobe Landscape. Clicking on one of these will apply a quick, camera-specific profile to your image. Experiment to see which one you like best!

After that, I recommend spending some time in the Basic panel. Start by setting your White Balance and adjusting the overall brightness with the Exposure slider. Then, use the Highlights, Shadows, Whites, and Blacks sliders to control contrast and the brightness of different tonal areas. Finally, add a touch of Contrast and Clarity, and a little Vibrance or Saturation to bring out the colors. This is a fantastic foundation for any image! (You'll learn so much more in my Lightroom Unlocked program!)

(Don't forget about our totally free Lightroom Unlocked Checklist to guide you through these initial steps!)

➡️ Sharing Your Creations: Exporting Your Images

Once you've finished editing, it's time to share your masterpieces! Select the images you want to export, go to File > Export, and a new dialogue box will appear. To create JPEGs for printing, under "Export To," choose Hard Drive. Under "Export Location," choose where you want to save them. For "File Settings," select JPEG, sRGB for Color Space, and Quality 100. Make sure "Limit File Size To" is unchecked. Under "Image Sizing," leave "Resize to Fit" unchecked, but set the "Resolution" to 300 pixels per inch. Then, click Export! Your edited images are now ready for printing. 🖨️

Your Lightroom Journey Begins!

Congratulations! You've just taken your first steps in importing, editing, and exporting images in Lightroom Classic. 🎉

As you've probably realized, there's a whole universe of possibilities within Lightroom. Don't feel overwhelmed if you don't know everything right away – even I struggled when I first started! The key is to take it one step at a time.

If you're looking for a structured way to learn Lightroom Classic, check out my two programs: Digital Declutter in Lightroom Classic (to build a solid foundation for managing your photos) and Lightroom Unlocked (to master a complete editing workflow).

Just want a little taste first? Don't forget to download my FREE Lightroom Unlocked Checklist for essential guides and even some free presets! Happy editing! 😊