In this tutorial I demo and explain SMART PREVIEWS in Lightroom. I explain what they are, why it may be beneficial for you to use them and finally, I explain how to create them, use them, and delete them. Image in the video captured with: **As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases: Sony A7Riv: amzn.to/3amo9JJ Battery Grip VG-C4EM for Sony A7Riv: amzn.to/3g3Wvnm Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens: amzn.to/3iKdbBQ Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II Card 64GB: amzn.to/2PUJHoD Spider Pro Hand Strap ver 2: amzn.to/3aC3p1Z Anthony Morganti’s MUST HAVE applications: At least one Non-Destructive RAW Editor: Lightroom - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW Capture One - captureone.38d4qb.net/y1Djy Luminar - bit.ly/2JUJxKw (Save with the Promo Code AM16) On1 Photo RAW - bit.ly/2zJmA9I (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM17) Exposure X6 - bit.ly/2U8UxrK (Save 10% with Promo Code: AnthonyMorganti) PhotoLab 4: tidd.ly/2HhiN9X (Save 15% off with Promo Code: Anthony15 - Valid until 2/2/2021 - May not work when product is on sale) At least one FULL Editing App: Photoshop - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW Affinity Photo - affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/ My MUST HAVE Plugins: Topaz Denoise AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Topaz Gigapixel AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J Topaz Sharpen AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J *Save 15% on all Topaz Labs apps - use the Promo Code: AMDISC15 Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 - tidd.ly/3dc4gYm Save 15% off the Nik Collection with Promo Code: Anthony15 - Valid until 2/2/2021 My MUST HAVE Mac Utility: CleanMyMac X - Info: bit.ly/3jtVpU3 To save 10% on your purchase of CleanMyMac X: 1. Visit the CleanMyMac X store: bit.ly/3bEMuMx 2. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and click on "Enter it now" under "Already have a coupon code?" 3. Paste the promo code TONY10 and hit "Verify" 4. The prices will be reduced and you’ll be able to select the license and proceed with the payment ** Note that all of the promo codes listed above may not work on sale product. *** I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Please follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/anthonymorganti/ View my recommended gear list: www.amazon.com/shop/anthonymorganti As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases I use this software to record my screen and make parts of my screen enlarge and zoom out so you can see it: Screenflow: telestream.pxf.io/DMrW2 Unsure of how to price your photography? Check the 2019 Guide to Pricing Your Photography: amzn.to/2S1CiU7 I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement here: onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/ Thank you!
I use Smart Previews but for a slightly different scenario: I have my original images on my desktop, running LR Classic. Sometimes, I want to work on images on my laptop when I am traveling. In that case, I will export a catalog of my images to be edited, including smart previews, (but not original "negatives") and import that into my laptop. When I return home, I do the revse and my desktop catalog gets updated with my latest edits.
There's a third reason to consider them. Even without plugging in your external drive you can export proof quality images up to 1920x1080 for clients on the fly. But the big limitation is you cannot use external editors without the original disk and images present. This in the end was to restrictive for me.
This is soooo helpful! I do all my editing from my MacBook Pro and store my images on a 12TB external drive. I thought I was stuck editing in while connected. Thanks Anthony!
I was not aware of this Lightroom feature, which is why I watch your videos, Anthony. Even though I don't have a need for Smart Previews, I'm impressed that Lightroom contains sophisticated features like this. Thanks for another informative video.
Hi Anthony, great video but just to point out a little tip : you don't have to be in the Develop module to generate a smart preview by clicking on 'Original photo'. You can do exactly that from the Library module. Saves a step ! ;)
... Anthony, at 3;24 you talk about not storing pics on a hard drive, but in Dropbox and doing your workflow through them ... any prior clips explains how you make this happen? Thx Chris
Super helpful! I was actually really interested in getting deeper into the catalog on Dropbox comment you made. I use GSuite and always wondered whether I can successfully run my libraries off of that. Would that work in place of always needing to carry around an SSD (like I do now)? Would love to know your experiences with using cloud-based libraries. Thanks a ton!
Another video that got me wondering. With this one it got wondering if I could backup my catalog on both iMac and a separate hard drive that way should have everything covered ?
Thank you! Great video! When you mentioned exclamation mark I remembered something. When I go to sharpen an 8mage an exclamation mark comes up. Why is that?
If a new person was starting with Lightroom and had a powerful pc with lots of storage, they could simplify by not having preview just a simple catalog with all photos as originals so what option is that? 1:1?
Another reason to use smart previews is that they don’t count against your storage limits in Adobe’s cloud. So if you’re syncing collections to the cloud from Lightroom Classic (to share with clients or edit in Lightroom on an iPad like I do) you essentially have unlimited storage because Adobe syncs the smart previews to the cloud, not the originals. This way, I have hundreds of shoots synced to the cloud, without it counting towards my Adobe cloud storage limits.
What is the point of storing previews if you can’t really do anything with them, like print or send out a gallery of full resolution images? I’m a beginner and trying to understand all this. I’ve been saving my images to Lightroom and cloud thinking they were the full raw images! I thought the whole point of the storage was to store your full res images. 😩 is that possible?
Because as Anthony says, late in this video, you don't have the full resolution of the original image file even in a Smart Preview, and because Topaz Denoise does the best job it can do with the maximum resolution the original file has--for example, Anthony always recommends Editing a LR image with the Topaz Denoise plug-in *first*, before cropping the image, for just this reason--what you're suggesting would not be advisable if it's even possible. (In another comment below, Paul Cooper says external editors cannot be used with Smart Previews, period.) The way to see if it's possible for yourself is to build a Smart Preview with your catalog on your main internal drive, disconnect an external drive the original image file is on, then highlight the Smart Preview and then in LR click Photo > Edit in > Topaz Denoise. If that option is not greyed out, it's possible to do, but it's still not the best way to proceed. Always use the best resolution image file you have for Topaz Denoise, not a Smart Preview.
When you reattached your HDD the edits made to the Smart Preview #1 did not sync with the original (#2) image. Do you have LR setup to monitor connected drives and sync edits automatically ?
I did not notice if the edits were updated after the drive was reconnected. If the edit made was much more severe, for demo purpose (eg major exposure change to near black) just so the edits are more obvious, it would have been easier to see if the new edits were synced up or not.
the preview of the original image didn't sync with the edited one. imo the images were different enough to notice a change but the smart preview edits were not applied.
In this tutorial I demo and explain SMART PREVIEWS in Lightroom. I explain what they are, why it may be beneficial for you to use them and finally, I explain how to create them, use them, and delete them.
Image in the video captured with:
**As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
Sony A7Riv: amzn.to/3amo9JJ
Battery Grip VG-C4EM for Sony A7Riv: amzn.to/3g3Wvnm
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art Lens: amzn.to/3iKdbBQ
Sony TOUGH-G series SDXC UHS-II Card 64GB: amzn.to/2PUJHoD
Spider Pro Hand Strap ver 2: amzn.to/3aC3p1Z
Anthony Morganti’s MUST HAVE applications:
At least one Non-Destructive RAW Editor:
Lightroom - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW
Capture One - captureone.38d4qb.net/y1Djy
Luminar - bit.ly/2JUJxKw (Save with the Promo Code AM16)
On1 Photo RAW - bit.ly/2zJmA9I (Save 20% with Promo Code: AM17)
Exposure X6 - bit.ly/2U8UxrK (Save 10% with Promo Code: AnthonyMorganti)
PhotoLab 4: tidd.ly/2HhiN9X (Save 15% off with Promo Code: Anthony15 - Valid until 2/2/2021 - May not work when product is on sale)
At least one FULL Editing App:
Photoshop - bit.ly/2zwQ0nW
Affinity Photo - affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
My MUST HAVE Plugins:
Topaz Denoise AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J
Topaz Gigapixel AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J
Topaz Sharpen AI - bit.ly/3cDqa5J
*Save 15% on all Topaz Labs apps - use the Promo Code: AMDISC15
Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 - tidd.ly/3dc4gYm
Save 15% off the Nik Collection with Promo Code: Anthony15 - Valid until 2/2/2021
My MUST HAVE Mac Utility:
CleanMyMac X - Info: bit.ly/3jtVpU3
To save 10% on your purchase of CleanMyMac X:
1. Visit the CleanMyMac X store: bit.ly/3bEMuMx
2. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and click on "Enter it now" under "Already have a coupon code?"
3. Paste the promo code TONY10 and hit "Verify"
4. The prices will be reduced and you’ll be able to select the license and proceed with the payment
** Note that all of the promo codes listed above may not work on sale product.
*** I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement:
onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/
Please follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/anthonymorganti/
View my recommended gear list: www.amazon.com/shop/anthonymorganti
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
I use this software to record my screen and make parts of my screen enlarge and zoom out so you can see it:
Screenflow: telestream.pxf.io/DMrW2
Unsure of how to price your photography? Check the 2019 Guide to Pricing Your Photography:
amzn.to/2S1CiU7
I am an affiliate for all of the companies listed EXCEPT Affinity Photo. Please read my Code of Ethics Statement here:
onlinephotographytraining.com/code-of-ethics/
Thank you!
Just gotta say, those beach pictures are spectacular! 😎👍
I use Smart Previews but for a slightly different scenario: I have my original images on my desktop, running LR Classic. Sometimes, I want to work on images on my laptop when I am traveling. In that case, I will export a catalog of my images to be edited, including smart previews, (but not original "negatives") and import that into my laptop. When I return home, I do the revse and my desktop catalog gets updated with my latest edits.
As usual excellent explantion., your speaking pace and pronunciation are perfect for a no native English people. Thank you from Europe
The best and most complete explanation on this topic that I have ever seen. Thanks for that!
There's a third reason to consider them. Even without plugging in your external drive you can export proof quality images up to 1920x1080 for clients on the fly. But the big limitation is you cannot use external editors without the original disk and images present. This in the end was to restrictive for me.
This is soooo helpful! I do all my editing from my MacBook Pro and store my images on a 12TB external drive. I thought I was stuck editing in while connected. Thanks Anthony!
I was not aware of this Lightroom feature, which is why I watch your videos, Anthony. Even though I don't have a need for Smart Previews, I'm impressed that Lightroom contains sophisticated features like this. Thanks for another informative video.
Hi Anthony, great video but just to point out a little tip : you don't have to be in the Develop module to generate a smart preview by clicking on 'Original photo'. You can do exactly that from the Library module. Saves a step ! ;)
Now I know when and why to use Smart Preview, Thanks...
If I always edit with my lightroom drive connected, what's the best type of preview to select?
... Anthony, at 3;24 you talk about not storing pics on a hard drive, but in Dropbox and doing your workflow through them ... any prior clips explains how you make this happen? Thx Chris
Excellent topic AM. This was interesting and very insightful.
Super helpful! I was actually really interested in getting deeper into the catalog on Dropbox comment you made. I use GSuite and always wondered whether I can successfully run my libraries off of that. Would that work in place of always needing to carry around an SSD (like I do now)? Would love to know your experiences with using cloud-based libraries. Thanks a ton!
I was wondering the same thing
Greatly appreciated. Always looking forward to your videos.
If I build smart previews. I don't need 1:1 previews. Right?
same question
Very helpful and well presented as always.
Another video that got me wondering. With this one it got wondering if I could backup my catalog on both iMac and a separate hard drive that way should have everything covered ?
If one is done processing an image and discards the smart previews does it revert to the minimal preview?
Thank you! Great video! When you mentioned exclamation mark I remembered something. When I go to sharpen an 8mage an exclamation mark comes up. Why is that?
If a new person was starting with Lightroom and had a powerful pc with lots of storage, they could simplify by not having preview just a simple catalog with all photos as originals so what option is that? 1:1?
What if I dont eject my Hard drive ever... then is it beneficial to build smart preview?
Another reason to use smart previews is that they don’t count against your storage limits in Adobe’s cloud.
So if you’re syncing collections to the cloud from Lightroom Classic (to share with clients or edit in Lightroom on an iPad like I do) you essentially have unlimited storage because Adobe syncs the smart previews to the cloud, not the originals. This way, I have hundreds of shoots synced to the cloud, without it counting towards my Adobe cloud storage limits.
What is the point of storing previews if you can’t really do anything with them, like print or send out a gallery of full resolution images? I’m a beginner and trying to understand all this. I’ve been saving my images to Lightroom and cloud thinking they were the full raw images! I thought the whole point of the storage was to store your full res images. 😩 is that possible?
Can you edit with a plug-in like topaz denoise with a smart preview?
I have a MacBook Pro
Because as Anthony says, late in this video, you don't have the full resolution of the original image file even in a Smart Preview, and because Topaz Denoise does the best job it can do with the maximum resolution the original file has--for example, Anthony always recommends Editing a LR image with the Topaz Denoise plug-in *first*, before cropping the image, for just this reason--what you're suggesting would not be advisable if it's even possible. (In another comment below, Paul Cooper says external editors cannot be used with Smart Previews, period.) The way to see if it's possible for yourself is to build a Smart Preview with your catalog on your main internal drive, disconnect an external drive the original image file is on, then highlight the Smart Preview and then in LR click Photo > Edit in > Topaz Denoise. If that option is not greyed out, it's possible to do, but it's still not the best way to proceed. Always use the best resolution image file you have for Topaz Denoise, not a Smart Preview.
When you reattached your HDD the edits made to the Smart Preview #1 did not sync with the original (#2) image. Do you have LR setup to monitor connected drives and sync edits automatically ?
I did not notice if the edits were updated after the drive was reconnected. If the edit made was much more severe, for demo purpose (eg major exposure change to near black) just so the edits are more obvious, it would have been easier to see if the new edits were synced up or not.
the preview of the original image didn't sync with the edited one. imo the images were different enough to notice a change but the smart preview edits were not applied.
just to clarify an important issue please - do you keep your catalog (including smart previews) and your backups on an external drive or in dropbox ?
Wondering the same thing
Are Smart Previews ever deleted automatically or do you need to delete them deliberately?
Subscribed
Too boring and not of general interest