To batch edit photos in Lightroom, edit one representative image, select the others, and apply the same adjustments with Sync Settings, Copy and Paste, or Auto Settings. This approach saves hours on large shoots, as long as the photos were taken in similar light.
Prepare the Batch
Batch editing works best on photos that share lighting, white balance and exposure. Group images from the same scene or time of day. Sort first, remove clear rejects and pick one frame that looks typical of the group. Menu names can differ slightly between versions of the software, so look for the matching option if yours is worded differently.
Method One: Sync Settings
- Open the representative photo in the Develop module and make your adjustments, such as exposure, white balance, contrast and color.
- Return to the filmstrip. Click the edited photo, then hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click the other images you want to change.
- Click Sync at the bottom of the right panel.
- In the dialog, tick the adjustments to copy. Leave off items that should differ per photo, such as crop, spot removal and local masks.
- Confirm, and check a few results.
Method Two: Copy and Paste
Select the edited photo and use the Copy command to choose which settings to copy. Then select the target photos and use Paste. This is handy when you want to copy the same look to a new set later, since the copied settings stay available until replaced.
Method Three: Auto Settings
Auto Settings lets the software analyze each image and set exposure and tone based on its own content. Select the group and choose Auto Settings from the Settings menu or press the Auto button in the panel. Because each frame is analyzed separately, it handles exposure differences better than a plain sync. Use it as a first pass, then refine.
- Auto works well when exposure varies from frame to frame.
- Sync works well when you want a consistent look across matching frames.
- Many editors combine them: Auto first, then sync a color style on top.
Fix the Outliers
Batch edits are a first pass. Scroll through the set in grid view and look for images that need a small change. Exposure and white balance differences are the most common. If you prefer, use the Match Total Exposures command on a selection, which adjusts the exposure of other photos to match the primary one.
Save Time Next Time
- Create a preset from your favorite settings so you can apply the look on import.
- Use the same camera profile and white balance across a session.
- Name your presets clearly, for example by scene or style.
- Work in smaller groups rather than the whole shoot at once.
FAQ
Will syncing change my original files?
No. The software stores edits separately from the original file, so you can reset any image to its original state.
Why do synced photos still look different?
Brightness or color in the original frames probably differs. Use Auto Settings, or tweak exposure and white balance on the outliers.
The Short Version
Edit one photo well, then spread the edit with Sync, Copy and Paste, or Auto Settings. Skip crop and local adjustments, and check the grid for outliers before you export.
