Editing in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements: Basic workflow

You can edit photos using Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, or another application from within the Library or Develop module in Lightroom. Lightroom automatically uses Photoshop or Photoshop Elements as an external editor if you have either application installed on your computer. You can designate other applications to function as external editors, as well as set file format and other options, in the External Editing preferences. See Specify external editing preferences.

Lightroom provides several ways to edit photos in Photoshop CS4. You can simply edit them in their current format, or open them as a Smart Object. You can also merge a series of shots into a panorama, merge to HDR, or open two or more photos as one layered image in Photoshop. When you save edits to a photo in Photoshop, Lightroom automatically imports the new photo into the catalog. See Open photos in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements and Edit photos in Photoshop.

To edit your photo using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements from within Lightroom, you must have one of those applications installed on your computer. Then, follow these steps:

1. Select a photo to edit.

In the Lightroom Library or Develop module, select the photo you want to edit. Then, choose Photo > Edit In > Edit In Adobe Photoshop or Edit In Adobe Photoshop Elements. If you’re opening a camera raw file in Photoshop CS4, Photoshop opens the photo directly. If you’re opening a TIFF, JPEG, or PSD file, choose to open a copy of the photo with Lightroom adjustments applied, or open a copy of the original photo.

2. Edit in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

Perform your desired edits in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, and when you’re ready to commit to them, choose File > Save.

3. Return to Lightroom.

Switch back to Lightroom. In the Library Grid view, a new version of your photo appears next to the original. The new photo contains the edits you made in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. The original photo is untouched.

Important: When saving from Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, be sure to turn on the Maximize Compatibility option so that Lightroom can read the images. Photoshop CS3 and later automatically save PSD files from Lightroom with maximum compatibility.

For a video about editing photos in Lightroom and Photoshop CS3, see www.adobe.com/go/lrvid2211_lrm.

For a video about editing photos in Lightroom and Photoshop CS4, see www.adobe.com/go/lrvid4121_ps.