Any way to do a "quick edit" in Lightroom?

I've really grown to love Lightroom, but the one thing that repeatedly irritates me is that even when I just want to do a quick edit on a single photo, I have to import that image into my library first, then edit, export, then go back and remove the file from the library.

Is there any way to skip the importing and simply open an image in Lightroom as you would in Photoshop?

Why would you want to remove the photo from the library? The whole point is to just dump all your photos in there and leave them unless you are sure you are never going to need it again (i.e. accidentally fired a shot of your foot). If the photo is on your HD, it's not taking up much additional space in the library, so there's no point in not just leaving it there.

Gators1 wrote in post #15921671
Why would you want to remove the photo from the library? The whole point is to just dump all your photos in there and leave them unless you are sure you are never going to need it again (i.e. accidentally fired a shot of your foot). If the photo is on your HD, it's not taking up much additional space in the library, so there's no point in not just leaving it there.

I can provide a list of scenarios of why I wouldn't want an image(s) cluttering my library, but that isn't going to bring us any closer to an answer to my question.

No, that's not how Lightroom works.

What I will sometimes do is just create a second catalog and import any temporary files into the secondary catalog. It is very easy to switch between catalogs.

If the file gets orphaned, I do not care.

mannetti21 wrote in post #15921828
I can provide a list of scenarios of why I wouldn't want an image(s) cluttering my library, but that isn't going to bring us any closer to an answer to my question.

Sure it is, because you are trying to use LR in a way which was never intended. It is first a management tool, second an excellent development tool. It isn't designed to be a stand alone editor.

mannetti21 wrote in post #15921617
Is there any way to skip the importing and simply open an image in Lightroom as you would in Photoshop?

Yeah just use photoshop seriously that's what I do when I need a quick edit. Or I just shoot it in jpeg and leave it as it.

Heath wrote in post #15921930
No, that's not how Lightroom works.

What I will sometimes do is just create a second catalog and import any temporary files into the secondary catalog. It is very easy to switch between catalogs.

If the file gets orphaned, I do not care.

Never thought of a second catalog. This will solve the clutter issue. Thanks for the suggestion.

I just put the file in an empty folder and open it to do my edit. Do it all the time.

Chet wrote in post #15922006
I just put the file in an empty folder and open it to do my edit. Do it all the time.

I have a folder which I call, for lack of a better name, "Playing around". I use it when I'm trying to help a member with a problem or photo which has been posted online, or something like that. I then delete the image once it's no longer relevant.

Preeb wrote in post #15922062
I have a folder which I call, for lack of a better name, "Playing around". I use it when I'm trying to help a member with a problem or photo which has been posted online, or something like that. I then delete the image once it's no longer relevant.

I use the Desktop for that. That way I see it frequently and remember to delete it when it's no longer needed.

If I have a single shot I need to edit, I use Bridge/ACR to edit it, and finish in Ps, instead of starting in LR.

Merlin_AZ wrote in post #15922403
If I have a single shot I need to edit, I use Bridge/ACR to edit it, and finish in Ps, instead of starting in LR.

I guess I'm just so much more comfortable with the LR workflow. When I go in to PSE any more I have to think about what I want to do. LR is just automatic.