Select the photos and/or videos you want to export, and choose File > Export.
By default, Lightroom Classic exports photos to the hard disk, as indicated in the Export To pop-up menu at the top of the dialog box.
Last updated on
12 Jan 2024
- Lightroom Classic User Guide
- Introduction to Lightroom Classic
- Workspace
- Import photos
- Organize photos in Lightroom Classic
- Process and develop photos
- Develop module basics
- Create panoramas and HDR panoramas
- Flat-Field Correction
- Correct distorted perspective in photos using Upright
- Improve image quality using Enhance
- Work with image tone and color
- Masking
- Apply local adjustments
- HDR photo merge
- Develop module options
- Retouch photos
- Cure red eye and pet eye effects
- Use the Radial Filter tool
- Adjustments with Lens Blur
- Edit and Export in HDR
- Remove Tool
- Viewing photos
- Export photos
- Work with external editors
- Manage catalogs and files
- Maps
- Photo books
- Slideshows
- Print photos
- Web galleries
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Content Authenticity
- Lightroom and Adobe services
- Troubleshooting
- Technical Support
- Performance Guidelines
- Technical issues
- GPU Issues
- Startup Issues
- Rendering Issues
- Stability Issues
- Miscellaneous Issues
- Workflow Issues
To export photos to hard disk, CD, or DVD, follow these steps. The settings listed in step 3 are discussed on this page.
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To export photos or videos to a disc, choose Export To > CD/DVD.
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Specify options in the Settings panels of the Export dialog box: Export Location, File Naming, Video, File Settings, Image Sizing, Output Sharpening, Metadata, Watermarking, and Post-Processing.
Export location
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Choose a destination from the Export To pop-up menu.
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(Optional) Select Put In Subfolder if you want the photos exported to a subfolder within the destination folder. Type a name for the subfolder.
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(Optional) Check Add To This Catalog to automatically add the exported photos to the current Lightroom Classic catalog. If you're exporting to the same folder as the original, check Add To Stack to stack the re-imported photo with the original. If you're exporting while viewing a collection, the stack is created in the containing folder and only visible when that folder or All Photographs is selected as a source.
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Specify what to do if a file with the same name exists at the destination:
Ask What To Do
Displays an alert that lets you resolve the naming conflict by choosing a new name, overwriting the existing file, or not exporting the file.
Choose A New Name For The Exported File
Assigns a different name for the exported file by adding a hyphen and a numeric suffix.
Overwrite WITHOUT WARNING
Replaces the existing file with the file that you are exporting and does not warn you of the conflict.
Skip
Does not export the photo.
File naming
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Choose an option from the Rename To pop-up menu.
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If you chose an option that uses custom text, enter the custom name in the Custom Text box.
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If you use a numeric sequence and you don't want it to start with "1," enter a different value in the Start Number text box.
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For more options, choose Rename To > Edit.
For more information about custom names, see Naming options.
Video
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Select Include Video Files.
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Choose a Video Format and Quality settings:
H.264
H.264 is a highly compressed video format commonly used for playback on mobile devices. Choose Quality > Low for videos to be played on mobile devices; choose Quality > Medium for playback in a web browser.
DPX
Digital Picture Exchange (DPX) is a standard that is derived from the Kodak Cineon format and is common for visual effects work. DPX files are exported at 1920-x-1080 but you can specify a Quality setting of 24p, 25p, or 30p.
Original
Exports the video in the same format, and at the same speed, as the original clip.
Note:The Source information displays the resolution and frame rate of the video file in Lightroom Classic. Use the Target information to see the resolution, frame rate, and estimated file size of the exported video in the chosen Video Format and Quality. If you have more than one video selected, the Source information appears for the most-selected file.
Click the Image Format pop-up menu and choose JPEG, JPEG XL, AVIF, PSD, TIFF, PNG, DNG, or Original. Tick the HDR Output checkbox to export the image in HDR quality. Then, specify the appropriate options for that format. HDR output is enabled for all non-raw formats except JPEG. When you export JPEG with HDR output enabled, Lightroom Classic writes a Gain Map while saving the image, allowing the file to adapt to the display used and deliver a consistent viewing experience across different displays. The HDR Output option only applies to the images that have HDR Edit mode enabled.
The Digital Negative (DNG) format saves your camera raw files in an archival form.
Caution:
AVIF and JPEG XL are new formats and therefore, support across apps and platforms is limited.
Note:
If you choose Original, Lightroom Classic exports the image data in the same format that the original was captured in, and no File Settings options are available. When exporting original raw files, metadata changes are exported in an accompanying sidecar file.
Quality
(JPEG, JPEG XL, AVIF) Specifies the amount of compression. JPEG uses lossy compression, discarding data to make a file smaller. Drag the Quality slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 in the Quality box.
Lossless Quality
(JPEG XL) Allows exporting without any loss in quality.
Color Space
(JPEG, PSD, TIFF, PNG, AVIF, JPEG XL) Converts the photos to sRGB, HDR color space, AdobeRGB, or ProPhoto RGB color space and tags the photos with the color profile. Choose Other to select a custom color profile.
Limit File Size To
(JPEG) Specifies a maximum file size for the exported file.
Bit Depth
(PSD, TIFF, PNG, AVIF, JPEG XL) Saves the image with a bit depth of 8 or 16 bits per channel. 32 bits is allowed for HDR TIFF and PSD, while AVIF is saved on 10 bits only
Compression
(TIFF) Specifies ZIP compression, LZW compression, or no compression. ZIP and LZW are lossless compression methods that reduce file size without discarding image data.
note: LZW compression is not available if Bit Depth is set to 16 bits/component.
Compatibility
(DNG) Specifies the versions of Camera Raw and Lightroom Classic that can read the file.
JPEG Preview
(DNG) Determines whether the exported JPEG preview is full sized, medium sized, or not created.
Embed Fast Load Data
(DNG) Allows images to load faster in the Develop module but increases file size slightly.
Use Lossy Compression
(DNG) Significantly reduces file size but may cause a decrease in image quality.
Embed Original Raw File
(DNG) Stores the original camera raw data in the DNG file.
Image sizing
If you choose JPEG, PSD, PNG, AVIF, JPEG XL or TIFF as your export file format, specify the image size.
Resize To Fit
Sets a maximum size for the width or height of photos, which determines how many pixels the photos have and specifies the fineness of detail in the exported images. Select an option and specify measurements in inches, centimeters, or pixels. If you check Don't Enlarge, Lightroom Classic disregards width or height settings that would enlarge the photo.
Width & Height
Resizes the photo to fit within the specified width and height, retaining the original aspect ratio. Specifying 400 x 600, for example, produces a 400 x 600 portrait photo or a 400 x 267 landscape photo.
Dimensions
Applies the higher value to the longer edge of the photo and the lower value to the shorter edge regardless of the photo's original aspect ratio. Specifying 400 x 600, for example, produces a 400 x 600 portrait photo or a 600 x 400 landscape photo.
Long Edge and Short Edge
Applies the value to the long or short edge of the photo and uses the original aspect ratio of the photo to calculate the other edge.
Note: The long edge of an exported photo cannot exceed 65,000 pixels.
Megapixels
Sets the number of megapixels and resolution (in dots per inch) of the exported photo.
Resolution
Specify a resolution (in pixels per inch or pixels per centimeter) for files intended for print output. For inkjet printing, 180 ppi to 480 ppi is suitable. For offset or lab prints, check with your service provider.
Output sharpening
You can apply an adaptive output sharpening algorithm to your JPEG, PSD, PNG, AVIF, JPEG XL or TIFF photos when you export. The amount of sharpening that Lightroom Classic applies is based on the output media and resolution you specify. Output sharpening is performed in addition to any sharpening you apply in the Develop module.
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Select the Sharpen For box in the Output Sharpening area of the Export dialog box.
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Specify whether you are exporting for Screen, Matte Paper, or Glossy Paper output.
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Change the Amount pop-up menu to Low or High to decrease or increase the amount of sharpening applied. In most cases, you can leave the Amount set to the default option, Standard.
Metadata
Tell Lightroom Classic how to handle metadata and keywords associated with exported photos.
Copyright Only
Includes only IPTC Copyright metadata in the exported photo. This option is not available for DNG files.
Copyright & Contact Info Only
Includes only IPTC Contact and Copyright metadata in the exported photo. This option is not available for DNG files.
All Except Camera Raw & Camera Info
Includes all metadata in the exported photo except EXIF camera metadata such as Exposure, Focal Length, and Date Time metadata. This option is not available for DNG files.
All
Includes all metadata in the exported photo. This option is not available for DNG files.
Remove Location Info
Removes GPS metadata from photos, even if All Except Camera Raw & Camera Info or All is chosen from the pop-up menu. This option is not available for DNG files.
Write Keywords As Lightroom Classic Hierarchy
Uses the pipe character ( | ) to indicate parent/child relationships (such as "Names|Maria") in the metadata fields.
Watermarking
For JPEG, PSD, PNG, JPEG XL, AVIF or TIFF files, select the Watermark box to include a copyright watermark on exported photos.
Simple Copyright Watermark Includes the contents of the Copyright metadata field as a watermark on the exported photo. If the Copyright field is empty, no watermark is applied.
Custom Choose a custom watermark whose name appears in the Watermark pop-up menu. To create a custom watermark, click Edit Watermark. See Using the Watermark Editor.
Note: If you experience problems with watermarks not being applied to exported photos, make sure you are using the latest update. In Lightroom Classic, choose Help > Check For Updates. For additional troubleshooting, visit the Lightroom Classic user forum.
Post-Processing
Choose any of the following from the After Export menu.
Do Nothing Exports the photos with no further action afterward.
Show In Explorer/Finder Displays the exported file(s) in an Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac OS) window.
Open In Photoshop / Photoshop Elements Opens the exported photo(s) in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. Photoshop or Photoshop Elements must be installed on your computer for this to work.
Open In [Additional External Editor] Opens the exported photo(s) in the application is specified as an additional external editor in Lightroom Classic preferences.
Open In Other Application Opens the exported photo(s) in the application you specify in the Application pop-up menu.
Go To Export Actions Folder Now Opens the Export Actions folder, where you can place any executable (application) or a shortcut or alias of an executable (application). See Create export actions.