Landscape Photography: Is this the most powerful & underused feature of Adobe Lightroom?

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One of the most powerful landscape photography processing tools is Adobe Lightroom. In this video I share what I consider to be the most powerful, and underused features of this amazing software. The SnapShot Facility.
Video edited by Ann Kristin Lindaas
Images ©Alister Benn
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[@ianmearsphoto]

Couple of other useful things with snapshots. If you haven't used them before you can create them on an already edited image by right clicking at any point in the history panel and selecting create snapshot from the context menu that appears. You can also edit a snapshot and update it with the current settings by right clicking the snapshot name and selecting update from the context. menu. To make it easier to compare two different snapshots you can use the compare view in the develop module (the two boxes with YY in them next to the soft proof option in the toolbar above filmstrip). By default the 'before' option is the original import settings but if you right click on a snapshot and select 'copy snapshot settings to before' the before image will now have the settings from the snapshot. Makes it easier to compare instead of flip flopping between snapshots.

[@Alister_Benn]

That’s some excellent tips you’ve shared there, I’m not much of a tech guy, so you’ve helped me out here

[@krimke881]

brilliant intel.

[@husrona]

I usually don’t like to comment videos that I watch but I just watched three different videos by Alister and I learned a lot in those 40 minutes.

[@alancoligado8540]

As much as I enjoy your philosophical discourse on photography, there is just as much value in demonstrating the practical side, as you have done so effectively here.

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, really happy to hear that, and we're trying to mix up the content to make it more diverse... I can only be serious for so long before I get a headache.. :-)

[@marktaylor9579]

I wish I'd seen this 4 months ago when I started to use Lightroom, it would have saved me numerous headaches and versions of images. Thank you Alister.

[@Alister_Benn]

Well, better late than never as they say 🙏 thanks for the comment

[@kathylinford1]

This is such a game changer! I have never used the snapshot feature in LR and this will be really helpful for me when I am playing with different additions to the edit. Thank you!

[@howardrankin7119]

Such fine advice and well demonstrated with a powerful image

[@912shamik]

I watch a lot of photography channels, but never seen anyone mentioning this feature. Thanks for highlighting this feature I was unaware of. I think this will really help in making creative choices.

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to help and I really appreciate your support and feedback

[@danielverrua2601]

This is the first video I see from you and a part the good explanation I do like the passion you have and transmit. Welcome in the list of channel I follow.

[@tempusfugit4545]

Useful reminder which I often overlook in my absorption in my processing and on occasion have regretted not having taken those snapshots. Ian Mears comments are useful as well. Many thanks ✨

[@boatman222345]

Great video! Interestingly enough I just began using the snapshot feature again 3 days ago after several years of having forgotten about its power. I totally agree with you that it frees up the creativity that sometimes gets blocked by the fear of making irreversible changes to images that are "almost" perfect, as well as encouraging more radical editing changes.

[@davidknight6981]

I have never thought of finding the purpose of the snapshot. Thanking you for this video; good stuff.

[@warrenlloyd7532]

Great video Alister. I've never used this tool but after watching this, I can see it's something I'll be using all the time!

[@KimberlyGJones]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful tool! I've used Lightroom for only the past couple of years, and rather embarrassingly I'd never noticed "snapshot" along the side. I'll be definitely utilizing this instead of creating multiple copies of an image on which to make slight adjustments, and getting myself terribly confused in the process! I really enjoy this channel and learn so much from you here - thank you.

[@zenellis]

Thanks for sharing this gem!

[@Clearvision21]

Thankyou for this tip Alister, perfect 👌 enjoying the channel 👍

[@jwhclark]

I was aware of the snapshot tool, but until your video didn’t know how to properly use it and how powerful it is. Thanks so much!

[@aricaiwdjts]

what a BRILLIANT explanation -Thank you - i have not used this before but will do

[@TimChilders]

So many options in Lightroom I have simply overlooked because I am one of those photographers who have my “set list” of editing starting places. This entire video was extremely helpful!

[@Alister_Benn]

Yip, that's a problem right there... I prefer to teach a more fluid relationship based style of processing, where we rarely start with the same adjustment.

[@jerrymartinez4490]

Great video...thanks for the tip!

[@dmac5x1]

Of all the videos I have watched regarding LR, yours is the first to mention this. What a fantastic tool; it will save me hours of unnecessary saving of multiple copies to achieve the same results. Thank you very much ! Slainte !

[@Alister_Benn]

That's awesome, I am delighted it has been helpful.

[@sandykreit1752]

I've never seen the Snapshot function used, I think I agree with you and will start to use it. Thank you!

[@gavincallender475]

Brilliant- never used this before 👏

[@dfreitas853]

oops!! watched another one of your videos and learned something new again!!!! still can't figure out why you don't have 200k subscribers. thanks so much for being there.

[@Alister_Benn]

Haha, that's great, many thanks. Yeah, gaining subscribers is a slow process, but I think we are moving in the right direction.

[@emilyanoakes7543]

Great video Alister, I never knew about the Snapshot or how to resize in Lightroom, I had always done that in Photoshop.

[@lindamellor8755]

Outstanding video, Alister. I've never used snapshot and can now see how amazingly valuable it can be. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@chuckmoorehead875]

I knew of this tool but never thought of using because I didn't see the point but now that you explained it the way you use it I think that I will start using it more. Thanks for the tip!

[@Alister_Benn]

You're very welcome!

[@lesladbrook4508]

Snapshot is very useful Alister, thank you.

[@canuckdon]

Wow, Alister, I've been viewing most of the good photography channels for about six years, but have never seen this Lightroom feature taught. Great stuff, mate!

[@Alister_Benn]

Wow, thanks! I am happy to bring something new...

[@zezus3]

Thank you so much, Alister. I'm still learning how to use Lightroom properly and this tip changes all that i've learned so far!

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to help! - Thanks so much

[@carolinezaramati9193]

Thanks Alister for this very useful tip. Up till now I only used the virtual copies. With the snapshot it really make the work of comparing adjustments much easier.

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks, I am very pleased how positively people have responded to this content. I am really delighted to help.

[@claudehamel9228]

Very well laid out!

[@BenJohnston21]

Great video!

[@vettrix]

Holy cow, I am going to start using this beautiful tool. Thank you!

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, glad it was helpful

[@Mr1970msa]

Never used snapshot never seen anyone talk about it but will be using it from now on Thanks

[@dh7139]

Great tip!! I will use this from now on, thank you

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JanicevD]

I've totally ignored this function and now can't wait to try it. thanks!

[@Alister_Benn]

That’s awesome, happy to hear that

[@rockme395]

Brilliant! thank you!

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jasonlacey5979]

Thank you, most informative..

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, pleased to hear that

[@andrewherbert9938]

Great video Alister , I had seen this used but never used it myself , I can now see how useful this can be

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad it was helpful! It is such a powerful tool.

[@bruce-le-smith]

great video thank you. i've been using the history panel and just erasing the steps above a certain point when i go down an unproductive path, but i could also imagine taking a snaphot from time to time

[@petermcilroy5742]

Brilliant - I have used virtual copies up till now, but snapshots looks to be much more functional as I can stay within the same image develop screen instead of hopping between different virtual copy images.

[@sandyweir9692]

Thanks, Alister, for another great video. I've used the Snapshots function in Lightroom Classic for some time, so it's a great feeling to be ahead of the learning curve for once, lol. Cheers.

[@Alister_Benn]

Haha, top of the class Sandy 😂❤️

[@Philhellene1]

In addition to this being an excellent video, I have learnt a lot and got stuff to think about. Also I love the lighting you are using in your video.

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, thank you!

[@pietermoolman8087]

Thanks Alister this is realy very usefull and a function that I saw taught for the first time.

[@Alister_Benn]

You're very welcome!

[@rj934]

Good information, I was not aware that the snapshots remained with the photo.

[@dusty4918]

Thanks for the tips!

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to help!

[@marcstaples9930]

Another great video. I was not aware of the strength of using the snapshot function.

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad it was helpful! Many thanks,

[@garymc8956]

New to me and very useful. Thanks.

[@Alister_Benn]

Excellent, thanks

[@Raynorczerwinski]

Thanks Alister, appreciate your insights! :-)

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the great feedback

[@KGE1004]

Thank you..! wasn't aware of the benefits

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to hear that

[@wizsnapsalot2]

thanks for the tips!

[@Alister_Benn]

Most welcome, thanks for your support

[@artemsapegin]

I always taught about snapshots as a kind of backup and never used them. Comparing different levels of editing is a great use case I haven’t thought of! I was always using virtual copies for that (could be still good for vastly different variations like color and black and white for example).

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for the reply, I believe this is a really simper and effective way to experiment and compare adjustments without stacking, or losing versions.

[@carmelthomson9917]

Underused and undervalued alright!!! Ive been using Lightroom for many years now, and never heard of it!! Sounds like something I will find very handy. Thanks Alister!

[@Alister_Benn]

Right on, nice when a video delivers what it says 😂😂😂

[@mickeydeneher2301]

A great tool. I have been using it for years. Makes alternate approaches easily available for comparison at a snap

[@Alister_Benn]

Great to hear.. There are a few of you :-)

[@reiddickson]

This is nifty, thanks. I'm almost ashamed with myself for not looking for this simple version control tool before... It seems obviously useful in hindsight.

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, really happy to share this with you

[@geoffstairmand3747]

Valuable tip. I'm going to use that!

[@Alister_Benn]

Cool, I use it every time

[@gruagach1]

Rawtherapee also has snapshots as well as it gives you control of wavelets and demosaicing something lightroom does not. In many way it can do more than LR not only that it's free

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, enjoy that.

[@hkm5757]

nice! did not know that feature. thanks. btw the norh coast of spain is incredible , enjoy the food.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah, I lived there for a year and spend quite a lot of time there still. I love it.

[@duncanwallace7760]

Good tips, you could number them as well, so you could see the steps as well. Great advice.

[@Alister_Benn]

Yeah, you can number them... Great tip

[@coltharwood494]

Fantastic advice. Normally I would create copies of the image and make adjustments to them. But sometimes things go wrong and I inadvertently delete the original. Will be using Snapshots in the future. Thank you.

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, I’m delighted you’ve found this video useful

[@BarwickGreen]

So many videos that promise information about a Lightroom tool I don't know about maunder on about something I do know about, without giving me anything new. This one is different - I hadn't explored snapshots, they look useful thank you.

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to hear that. Thanks for the feedback

[@44matricks]

Alister - thank you - a great tip - now to start using it

[@Alister_Benn]

Excellent! Thanks for the comment.

[@jody1622]

Never used it. Thank you!

[@oldgrumpyjim5003]

Thanks for this Alastair I’ve been using Lightroom from day one and probably got lazy over the years not bothering about much of the new stuff that comes in with updates I learn what I need but this is something that sneaked by me.I’ll be using it from now on 👍

[@Alister_Benn]

That's great. I'm not sure when Snapshots arrived, but I'd say I've been using them for at least a decade :-)

[@oldgrumpyjim5003]

@@Alister_Benn yeh I’ve got to brush up I do mainly architectural and historical stuff and stock and snap shots might have saved a trip to PS on occasions 👍

[@stephenjones5391]

I've been using virtual copy but this looks easier, I will definitely give this a go, thanks Alister

[@Alister_Benn]

Yes, this is way easier and tidier. Thanks for your positive feedback

[@herbertgaidus9690]

Well Done Alister! I have been hugh advocate of the Snapshot function in Lightroom for years now, for exactly the reasons you expressed in this video. FWIW, my workflow is very similar, but when making the snapshot, I use the default date label it offers, and put a numerical prefix in the front. Later, when I have a dozen alternatives, I can export the best renaming them with Filename - Sequence with the Start Number = to the Snapshot Prefix. Then, with a .jpeg viewer I can easily toggle through the full screen images to cull the herd. My description of the edit goes after the date/time stamp if necessary. I have enjoyed your channel for years now, and if I didn't already have plans, would have considered joining you and Adam in Spain. Best, Herb

[@Alister_Benn]

That's an excellent addition to the tutorial, great suggestion. Yes, the trip with Adam will be great, maybe some other time?

[@GoAskDavidToo]

I've used Lightroom from it's beginning and never realized this was an option. Thank you for removing my blinders! :o

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, delighted to hear that...

[@Toddlchurch]

Thanks. I have used lightroom and photoshop for years. I used to use the snapshot function in Photoshop but haven't used it in Lightroom.

[@samrotolo7303]

Interesting I was not aware of the snapshot. I have been doing the same thing more or less. I use Create virtual copy. I'm going to check this snapshot out thanks.

[@darrenleigh201]

Didn't even know the Snapshot function existed in LR. Thanks for sharing!

[@Alister_Benn]

Excellent, job done ❤️

[@davidpowell5437]

I've only just stumbled across the channel and I'm pretty impressed so far. I thought you made your point clearly and logically and I can understand why you think it an important function. But I wish you had taken a little time to explain the differences between snapshots and virtual copies! As a pure historical accident I tend to use virtual copies when I'm uncertain which way, or indeed if I should, go further. Subscribed anyway 🙂

[@Alister_Benn]

Happy to have a new subscriber. I actually never use virtual copies and have used snapshots for years. Appreciate your comment

[@Art-nh8wf]

I use On one photo raw 2023 software to edit my photos. That also has snapshots. I use the snapshot feature after doing some edits to get it where I think it looks good and make a snapshot. That way I can try different things trying ways to make it more creative. Sometimes I have an idea or want to try something new. If I don't like it I can easily go back to the snapshot that I liked and either use that or try something else without worrying about messing up what I liked.

[@Dardjiskien]

Game changing. Until now I always felt this pressure of not being able to go back. 🙏🏼

[@Alister_Benn]

Fantastic, delighted that has been helpful...

[@alandouglas4612]

Many thanks Alister, embarrassingly after using Lightroom for many years this is a tool that I have never used, well guess what I will be using it now (:

[@Alister_Benn]

Great to hear! I use it all the time and kind of assumed others did too, but then I started asking them!! :-)

[@paulus0109]

it's saturday, i have to make a youtube video, i am in a sad mood!!! Whoeaaaaahhhhhhh. Good vlog Allister. Thnx.

[@Alister_Benn]

Hahaha... I really enjoyed making this one. We've been away for a week or so and didn't get back as early as we had hoped, so the work had mounted up and I was a bit behind.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

If only I hadn't put a payment towards a new car with the money I didn't spend on that Yosemite workshop. I'd join you in Spain. But, I really needed that car. 🤷‍♂ I've seen the snapshot feature demonstrated before but I've never used it. I'll give it a try. I thought you were going to talk about the calibration sliders, which have massively changed my Lightroom processing over the last two years that I've started using them.

[@Alister_Benn]

LOL, you don't need the car, you need wild seascapes in the Bay of Biscay!! LOL..

[@LarryFasnacht]

I use Virtual copies for the same reasons.

[@davidcaskie6680]

I also use a variation of this in Photoshop by keeping my layers in a folder and copying the folder when I get to a point to which I want to carry on with other adjustments. Not quite as simple as the snapshot function, but it does keep you from doing something you regret.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for that. I stopped using and saving multiple layers in photoshop years ago and switched to the history Brush model in 2015. I have no desire to have a 3-4Gb file every time I want to process an image.

[@davidcaskie6680]

@@Alister_Benn yeah, that is a bit of a downfall... I just have to be picky on the direction I want to go and dump the folders I wont go back too. And the history brush works too. Love your content btw!

[@andrewmason8691]

This is the first video I’ve seen of yours and I’m impressed. I’m just try to think through the pros and cons against virtual copies. The pro of ease and efficiency of snapshot is clear. For virtual copies, I do like I can see all the versions clearly in the Library. What other pros and cons do you see?

[@Alister_Benn]

Another video coming on this exact topic - thanks for watching and the feedback

[@AR-vf7vg]

The snapshot window of the original file (not over at virtual copies) shoud propose to import as snapshots every (selected, or not) editing of every and each virtual copies found (...) of that file and name them with those name extentions or renamings there. (ESPECIALLY since virtual copies are a fragile integration) 'Of course" I do Ctrl+s to save editings into the file ("now and then ...).

[@jeffschreifels8651]

I've been hitting 'Create Virtual Copy' to make various versions but the snapshot method would make it a lot easier to organize things.

[@Alister_Benn]

Ah, yeah, this way is so much better, clean, simple and just massively convenient.

[@robbi9436]

Each image and its virtual copies uses the same snapshots. Try to combine Snapshots and virtual copies and you can e.g. easily swipe in preview through your imagevariants, can uncomplicated export them at once, can transfer properties between snapshots, if you want …

[@heathermtaylor7683]

I've just 'attended' a Lightroom Summit - Snapshots didn't come up. I've only used virtual copies before. Is it possible to 'organise' Snapshots like the keywords section? I'll do some research. I shoot with an ancient D3 set to 4:5 ratio. Thank you for this. I'm subscribing as we speak! 😊

[@skswany0419]

Excellent! I have typically used virtual copies, but they are not stored in the same way as you demonstrate here. What do you see as the key differences between these two approaches? Sandy

[@Alister_Benn]

The beauty of snapshots is their convenience, and speed to skip between versions. I always hated virtual copies for just getting lost between versions

[@neilboggin3346]

I rarely comment on YT videos - but that's an ah-ha moment. Thanks for the insight!

[@Alister_Benn]

Awesome, thanks very much for your positive feedback. I appreciate it.

[@carolynvines2027]

I appreciate this video. I had no idea what snapshots were; and I can see how this will be a very useful tool for me. I wonder if the snapshots can be compared side by side? I intend to play with this tool, for sure.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks, I appreciate that. No, snapshots can’t be compared side by side, one would need virtual copies for that instead.

[@carolynvines2027]

@@Alister_Benn That's what I suspected. Thank you for your reply. I still believe it will be a useful tool; and likely will create less clutter than virtual copies.

[@krimke881]

What noise reducing software do you recommend using todaY?

[@ajhertel]

Great tip, I use Snapshots all the time especially for my “rough drafts”. Just an fyi, Photoshop does have Snapshots, it’s in the History tab.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, you can take snapshots with history, but they are not saved with the file. In Adobe, LR is the only one that will save snapshots indefinitely

[@toolfankrk]

I don`t know why i`ve stoped to use snapshots in LR. It is very usefull.

[@Alister_Benn]

Brilliant, it’s an awesome feature

[@bk6678]

Is there a method to enlarge the 4:5 within the 4:5 window to eliminate the top edge highlight “spot” as to keep from having to go into photoshop?

[@PhilosophyProf14]

You would just adjust the crop. But that would change the composition, which in this case I think he was trying to avoid.

[@mountainshen]

How do you export a particular snapshot version into Photoshop for further processing?

[@Alister_Benn]

Click on the snapshot version in snapshots, right click on the image and it will open the snapshot version that’s on screen.

[@danielpv1763]

Here a Galician living in Scotland. Where do the Scots go in my motherland for photo tours? Maybe I can recommend more.

[@davidskinner274]

What do you know, Alister.... hahaha ...been using LR for yonks, and not used this, ut it's a no brainer.... cheers

[@aliarenas6856]

Are those Kiesel (carvin) guitars??

[@Alister_Benn]

No, they're Mayones.

[@Bug66]

Affinity photo has snapshot ! 😊

[@Alister_Benn]

Great, I've never used it.

[@gashead2]

Can you copy a raw file, keep the original and use the copy to make adjustments on, that way you always have the original file to edit if needed?

[@Alister_Benn]

Absolutely, but a virtual copy is essentially the same. Any adjustments to the raw file in Lightroom can be undone and the raw file is essentially unchanged

[@gashead2]

@@Alister_Benn many thanks

[@adamkrauss303]

Cant you just use the History function on the left side? The difference being ease of access to jump back and forth.

[@EricMortensen27]

How are snapshots different then Versions in Lightroom. I have used version similar to how you are using Snapshots.

[@Alister_Benn]

By versions, do you mean virtual copies?

[@EricMortensen27]

@@Alister_Benn In my adobe Lightroom application (Creative Cloud version on the Windows PC) when I edit a photo, there is a versions area at the bottom of the editing menu. From there I can create a version of my edit, and seems to work exactly like the snapshot feature you described. I should note, that I tried to find the snapshot feature you described and could not, so it could be just a different name for the same feature. The following link is a link to a jpg picture of my Lightroom open and how the Version feature looks for me. I hope this helps explains my question better. drive.google.com/file/d/1c-XK3NluGojMJvWV0GTsglP-UiTH6XPH/view?usp=sharing

[@Alister_Benn]

@@EricMortensen27 I think I understand the confusion now... Adobe Creative Cloud has 2 different versions of Lightroom; the one I use is Classic, which is the stand alone version. The other one integrates with Lightroom mobile on Tablets and phones. Versions, as you know it does not exist in Lightroom Classic. Apologies for the confusion.

[@EricMortensen27]

@@Alister_Benn no problem, I figured that was the difference.

[@wolfgangtoeglhofer1710]

Excellent tutorial, maybe just one idea: condensing the content into a 5 minute video might get you more viewers

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@esanford]

Yes, very helpful... However, it is somewhat "stressful" because I wish that I had been using it earlier....😆

[@Alister_Benn]

Haha, no time like the present to change our ways..

[@esanford]

@@Alister_Benn Yeah, but given my age, it just shows me what little runway I have left.....😜😜

[@krimke881]

I feel the snapshot-option has lost it's importance, since virtual copies arrived. Snapshots are more exploratory, and vp's are more with actions on purpose. I now hardly ever use snapshots anymore. Snapshots are more hidden changes on your photos, than vp's. that you can sort in your archive in a more visual way with filtering, sorting, etc. But the power of snapshots are endless though. Expecially the latest years when also Photoshop has gone through some changes.