Important settings in Lightroom Classic CC for a better workflow

If you want to start with image editing in Lightroom Classic CC, there are some basic settings that you should adjust before importing your first images. In this tutorial, I will guide you through the most important preferences that can make your work easier and optimize your workflow. Let's customize the user interface together and select the optimal settings.

Main Insights

• Customize the user interface
• Use the graphics processor for better performance
• Adjust import dialogs and file names
• Manage RAW and JPEG files
• Settings for external editing

Customize the user interface

At the beginning, you should customize the user interface. If you don't like the standard interface, you can change the background fill color. To do this, press Command (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) and go to the preferences.

Here you can choose the color that is most comfortable for you. Personally, I prefer a dark grey as it highlights the focus on the photos. However, you can choose the color according to your preference. If nothing else appeals to you, everything remains at the default settings.

Optimize performance

Another important point is performance. Go to settings and check if the graphics processor is being used. If your device has a supported graphics processor, tick the box to enhance performance in Lightroom. This setting can significantly accelerate photo editing and previews.

Import dialog

Some users find the import dialog annoying when the memory card is detected. You can disable this function by unchecking the box "Show import dialog when memory card is detected" in the preferences. I usually do this to have a clearer workflow.

If you want to disable the function, you can adjust it here. There are moments when you are doing multiple things at once, and a sudden import dialog can be disruptive.

File name overrides

An important standout feature is folder naming. I recommend ignoring the folder names generated by the camera, especially if you work with different cameras. This avoids confusion caused by manufacturer-specific labels that are not helpful when working with Lightroom.

If you shoot with RAW and JPEG, you should also enable the option to treat JPEG files separately. This option makes sense to handle duplicate images differently.

Manage external editing

If you work with external programs like Photoshop, it is important to review the settings for external editing. By default, the image editing in Photoshop could be set to TIF, which can lead to large file sizes. Ensure that the files are loaded in the correct color depth and color space to avoid issues.

If you work with Photoshop and Lightroom, carefully consider how you want to set the files to avoid color shifts.

Synchronize with Lightroom Mobile

If you use Lightroom Mobile, you should add your account in the preferences. This will automatically synchronize the collections. You can see in the settings which images have already been uploaded or downloaded.

Summary

In this guide, we covered the basic settings in Lightroom Classic CC that help you optimize your workflow. You now know how to customize the user interface, boost performance, adjust the import dialog, and manage external editing. Experiment with the settings to find out what works best for you before starting to import your images.