Workspace overview

Lightroom is a complete toolbox for professional photographers, organized into five modules. Each module focuses on a specific portion of the photographic workflow: the Library module is for importing, organizing, comparing, and selecting photos; the Develop module is for adjusting color and tone, or creatively processing photos; and the Slideshow, Print, and Web modules are for presenting your photos.

Each of the five modules in the Lightroom workspace include several panels that contain options and controls for working on your photos.

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The Lightroom workspace in the Grid view

A.

Library Filter bar

B.

Image display area

C.

Identity plate

D.

Panels for working with source photos

E.

Filmstrip

F.

Module Picker

G.

Panels for working with metadata, keywords, and adjusting images

H.

Toolbar

The Filmstrip, located at the bottom of the workspace in every module, displays thumbnails of the contents of the folder, collection, keyword set, or metadata criteria that is currently selected in the Library module. Each module uses the contents of the Filmstrip as the source for the tasks performed in it. To change the selection in the Filmstrip, go to the Library module and select different photos. See Viewing photos in the Filmstrip.

To work in Lightroom, first select the images you want to work with in the Library module. Then click a module name in the Module Picker (upper-right in the Lightroom window) to begin editing, printing, or preparing your photos for presentation in an on-screen slide show or web gallery.

Hold down Ctrl+Alt/Command+Option and press a number from 1 through 5 to switch to any of the five modules.