How to Copy Edits In Lightroom

While working with a large number of photos in real estate photography, I often need to give the same editing effects to all of them. Doing so allows me to achieve a homogeneous look to a batch of photos. Let me walk through how to copy edits in Lightroom to process multiple images simultaneously. 

How to Copy Edits in Lightroom Using 5 Different Methods

Editing a single photo is interesting, especially with the numerous features Lightroom has got in its Develop module. However, if you are dealing with a large number of images, putting in the same time and effort to edit each of them is just not an efficient use of your time. Therefore, speeding up the workflow while processing hundreds of photos is vital.

Another thing that I aim for while editing multiple photos is to get a homogenous look in all of them. If you edit each image separately, achieving the same look will be a tedious task. You will need to go back to the first photo again and again while trying to match the effects.

Whether you want consistent color coordination on all the photos on your Instagram grid or are editing hundreds of photos taken in a similar ambiance, Lightroom has got you covered. You can use any of the methods described below to apply similar edits to several photos within seconds. 

Method 1: Copy-Paste the Settings in Develop Module

There is a convenient way to copy edit settings from a photo to paste on a series of photographs in the Develop module of Lightroom. The Copy-Paste method allows optimum flexibility as well. You can exclude any edits from copying using this method and make further tweaks to every photo as required.

Here is how the copy-paste method works:

Import Photos

1. Begin the process by importing all the photos that you want to edit in Lightroom.
2. Select one photo by double-clicking on it and go to the Develop module.

Edit One Photo

3. Start editing your photo. 

You can see in the image below how I have made adjustments to enhance the color contrast of the image. I want to achieve a similar look in several images. Therefore, the next thing I need to do is copy the settings I have just made. 

Copy Edits

4. On the left-hand side panel, you will see the Copy button. Click on that.

5. In the popup box that opens, you will see several check boxes asking you which edits you want to copy. 
6. Click on the options you wish to replicate on all images. Local Adjustments, Crop, and Spot removal boxes should be unchecked as they will apply effects to the same areas on all photos.

7. Click on Copy.

Select Photos

8. Next, from the filmstrip below, select the image or multiple images on which you wish to apply the same edits. 
9. To select all, click on one and then use CMD+A if you are a Mac user or CTRL+A if you are a PC user.
10. Select non-consecutive images by holding CMD (on Mac) and CTRL (on Windows) and click on the images one by one. 

Paste Edits

11. Click on the Paste button located right beside the Copy button.

12. The effects will be applied to all the images that you just selected. 

Method 2: Synchronize Settings by Selecting Multiple Photos from the Filmstrip

Another easy method to copy edits to a number of images is by using the Sync option. 

1. Make edits to a photo in the Develop module.
2. Select photos from the film strip that require the same editing effects.
3. Use any of the methods mentioned in the previous section to select your photos.
4. Click on the Sync button that is placed on the bottom of the right-hand side panel.
5. From the popup that opens, carefully check all the boxes, leaving ones with spot removal or local adjustments.

6. Click on Synchronize. 

All the images you have selected will get synchronized edits. 

Method 3: Using the Previous Button in Develop Module

If you need to copy the edits from a photo to a single image, the Previous button comes in handy. Note here that the Sync button located in the bottom right corner turns into the Previous button in case of a single image selection. 

1. Import and Edit your image in the Develop module.
2. Select one image from the Filmstrip view. 

3. Click on the Previous option.
4. The effects on the previous image will be copied and now pasted to the selected image. 

Method 4: Using Auto-Sync Button in the Develop Module

This method works perfectly to copy editing effects simultaneously on multiple images when you are applying them to one photo.

1. Select the photos on which you want to copy the processing.
2. Click on the toggle switch located on the left side of the Sync button. Push that toggle and activate Auto-sync.

3. Now when you make any edits on the image opened in the Develop module, it will be applied automatically to the selected images. 

Method 5: Copy-Paste Settings in the Library Grid View

The Grid View in the Library module provides an excellent interface to carry out tasks like pasting the edits on multiple images. 

1. Select one photo and start editing it in the Develop module. 
2. After you are done making adjustments, Copy them. 
3. You can copy adjustments in the same way as instructed in the first section of Copy-Paste method. 
4. Now open the Grid View in the Library module by pressing G on the keyboard or by clicking on the grid icon located right above the filmstrip. 
5. Select other photos in the grid by holding CMD (Mac) or CTRL (Windows) and clicking on the images. 
6. De-select the processed image by pressing CMD(Mac), CTRL(Windows), and clicking on it.
7. Now right click on the selected photos and choose the Develop Settings option from the drop-down. 
8. Click on Paste Settings. 

All the selected images in the Library Grid will now have the same effects. 

Conclusion

There are many simple ways to copy edits of one processed photo and paste them on multiple photos. All the methods allow batch editing that is much faster than trying to process each image from scratch. Lightroom gives the flexibility to make further changes to all photos even after copying the edits from a photo.