Lightroom Classic CC is the most user-friendly photo editing software for achieving professional results. However, it does have a learning curve. Newcomers to both photography and Lightroom can benefit from the experience and skills of others.
I’ve put together a collection of the best Lightroom Classic tutorials out there.
Adobe Lightroom Classic CC Tutorials
Adobe has a huge collection of 95 tutorials for Lightroom Classic. Topics covered range from very basic, like organizing your photos, to more advanced editing tips.
Lightroom Queen
Lightroom Queen is has a huge trove of Lightroom Classic tutorials. Many of the tutorials are general to all recent versions of Lightroom.
These are great tutorials for beginners to Lightroom but advanced users will likely find some of them helpful too.
Photoshop Training Channel
Photoshop Training Channel offers a full video course for beginners to Lightroom. I’ve skipped to sections and watched parts of the course that interested me and it was put together nicely. Specifically, I watched the section on effects, detail, optics and geometry which are subjects I felt I could use more information on.
Here is the entire course.
Medialoot
Medialoot put together a list of 25 Lightroom Classic tutorials for beginners. All of the tutorials are videos from Adobe. You can go to the Adobe site itself for these tutorials but it’s helpful to have the most basic tutorials put together in this way.
Photography Life
Photography life has put together a basic tutorial for beginners to Adobe Lightroom Classic.
Julieanne Kost Lightroom Classic Tutorials
Julieanne Kost has put together an impressive collection of video tutorials for beginners to Lightroom Classic.
Here are a few of her videos.
Lynda.com
Lynda.com has a 1hr 47m course for beginners to Lightroom CC. You can preview the course for free but you will need to sign up for a subscription if you want to watch the entire course.
Lightroom Killer Tips
Lightroom Killer Tips has a video tutorial for the intermediate Adobe Lightroom user. Here is the tutorial.
Photoshop Cafe
Photoshop cafe has a course that will teach you Lightroom Classic CC in 15 minutes. You can either watch the video or read the course on the website.
Contrastly
Contrastly put together a collection of 35 helpful Adobe Lightroom tutorials.
How to Use Lightroom Classic CC
By following these 5 steps, you'll be able to effectively utilize Lightroom Classic CC for importing, organizing, editing, and exporting your photos.
Tools
- Computer
- Lightroom Classic CC Software
- RAW or JPEG Files
- External Hard Drive
- Calibrated Monitor
- Wacom Tablet (Optional)
Instructions
- Importing Photos: Start by importing your photos into Lightroom Classic CC. Go to the Library module, click on the "Import" button, navigate to the folder where your photos are stored, select the images you want to import and click "Import". You can also apply presets or make initial adjustments during the import process.
- Organizing and Rating Photos: After importing your photos, use Lightroom's organizational tools to manage and sort your images. Add keywords, flags, and star ratings to help categorize and filter your photos later. This step will make it easier to locate and work with specific images as your library grows.
- Editing and Enhancing Photos: Move to the Develop module to begin editing your photos. Utilize the various editing tools and panels, such as exposure, white balance, contrast, and color adjustments, to enhance your images. Experiment with cropping, straightening, and applying creative effects to achieve your desired look. You can also create and apply presets to speed up your editing workflow.
- Exporting and Saving Photos: Once you are satisfied with your edits, it's time to export and save your final images. Navigate to the Export dialog box by either right-clicking on the image or using the File menu. Specify the desired export settings, such as file format, image size, and output sharpening. Choose a destination folder and click "Export" to save your edited photos.
- Catalog Management and Backup: Regularly manage your Lightroom Classic catalog to keep it organized and optimized for performance. Consider creating regular backups of your catalog and image files to prevent data loss. You can use Lightroom's built-in backup feature or manually create backups on external storage devices or cloud services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to learn Lightroom Classic?
The best way to learn Lightroom Classic is through a combination of hands-on practice and learning resources. Start by exploring tutorials and online courses that provide step-by-step instructions, and then apply the knowledge gained by editing your own photos in Lightroom Classic, experimenting with the tools and features to gain familiarity and improve your skills.
What is the difference between Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC?
Lightroom CC and Lightroom Classic CC are two different versions of Adobe’s Lightroom software. Lightroom CC is a cloud-based application designed for a simplified and streamlined editing experience across multiple devices, while Lightroom Classic CC is a desktop-focused application that offers a comprehensive range of advanced editing features and extensive organizational capabilities for professional photographers.
Is Lightroom Classic good for beginners?
Lightroom Classic can be a good option for beginners who are serious about photography and want powerful editing and organizational capabilities. While it may have a steeper learning curve compared to more simplified editing software, Lightroom Classic provides a robust set of tools and features that can grow with your skills and help you develop a professional editing workflow.
Hello! My name is Rachael Towne and I am the creator of Presets Galore which was acquired by Imaginated.com. The presets I make reflect my love of dramatic imagery and film. Each preset is tested on many photos and finely adjusted to give gorgeous results with a wide variety of images.