Probably a basic question

Using LR (4 or 5), how do you go back to the original image without 'deleting' any adjustments you've made, without saving the adjusted image as another file? I like that I don't have to 'save' the file when I make adjustments, as LR automatically keeps the adjustments with the file. But sometimes I want to edit the original again in a different way. It seems I would have to save and reset the adjusted image, then do my second set of adjustments. Isn't there a way for LR to keep the original .cr2 file, and have the edits in different side files? I think what I'm trying to say makes sense.

I think what you are looking for is called a virtual copy. Just right click on the image you want in the filmstrip and select Create Virtual Copy.

That is what I do anyways when I want to edit the same picture in a different way.

The original .cr2 file is never really edited. Any changes you made to it are saved in a sidecar file, and then in a .jpg or other file you select when you convert. How that displays in lightroom I'm not sure. Thats the joy of a raw file is that its always there just the way you created it, ready to be reinterpreted.

Create a Virtual Copy, press the Reset button, start editing again.

If you just want to see the original version to compare with your edits, press Backslash (\).

You never really edit the RAW file. Lightroom just keeps a list of all your adjustment in a database and applies them to any image file as you export it.

Told you it was a basic question.... Thanks all!

KirkS518 wrote in post #16107869


Told you it was a basic question.... Thanks all!

How ya gonna learn if ya don't ask!

I learned something as well. I never knew about the "\" thing. Cool feature. Gonna use that a lot now that I know about it. Thanks Rimmer