Pro Lightroom Cheat Codes Beginners Must Activate in 2023! (shift double click)

Go to squarespace.com/markdenney to get a free trial and 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
🌟Get My FREE 30 Minute Lightroom Essentials Course🌟
markdenneyphotography.com/fre...
In this week’s episode, we discuss the pro Lightroom cheat codes beginners must activate in 2023. I wanted to make this compilation video of all the Lightroom tips and tricks that I use daily as each time one of these are mentioned in a video, I often receive a lot of positive feedback. These 13 tips range from things that'll make you more effective with your photo editing along with with becoming more efficient as well. There are a ton of "cheat codes" if you will, tucked away inside of Lightroom, as I'm still uncovering new ones from time to time, and my hope is that this video will teach you at least one that you weren't already aware of. I hope you enjoy this week's video and as always thanks so much for watching! - Mark D.
🌟2022 & 2023 WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
🔘geni.us/markdenneyworkshops
RECOMMENDED GEAR PAGE
🔘geni.us/myfavoritegear
📸 MY CAMERAS & LENSES
🔘Big Camera: geni.us/B0sKNO
🔘Video Camera: geni.us/x-t4
🔘Point & Shoot: bhpho.to/3wWKri9
🔘Action Cam: geni.us/oRhupMT
🔘DJI Mavic 3: geni.us/nKRMkt
🔘Fujifilm 23mm: geni.us/23mmprime
🔘Fujifilm 32-64mm: geni.us/midrangelens
🔘Fujifilm 100-200mm: geni.us/longishlens
🔘Wide Lens: geni.us/fuji10-24
🔘Super Long Lens: geni.us/longtelephoto
🧰 MY FILTERS & ACCESSORIES
🔘Best Filter Kit: geni.us/filterkit
🔘Black Mist Filters: geni.us/blackmist
🔘Top Camera Bag: geni.us/favoritecamerabag
🔘Favorite Tripod: geni.us/rrstripod
🔘2nd Tripod: geni.us/fotopro
🔘Top Ballhead: geni.us/aspenballhead
🔘Full Photo Kit: geni.us/photokit
📺 WATCH THESE PLAYLISTS NEXT
🔘Composition Tips: geni.us/composition
🔘Beginners Guide: geni.us/BeginnersGuide
🔘Editing Tutorials: geni.us/Editing
🔘Tips & Tricks: geni.us/TipsandTricks​
As an affiliate marketer & Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I earn a small commission on the above links if you decide to purchase the item at no additional charge to you.
#landscapephotography​​ #lightroom
*LETS CONNECT*
Newsletter: markdenneyphotography.com/join
Instagram: / markdenneyphoto
Facebook: / markdenneyphoto
Twitter: / markdenneyphoto
TikTok: / markdenneyphoto

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

🎮QUICK QUESTION: Was there at least a couple new ones you got out of this week's episode?

[@ArminSteiner]

Love those, all of them 👍🏻 they helped me a great deal already. Right now I look into PhotoLab Elite 6 by DxO and that looks really promising also.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

@@ArminSteiner Awesome to hear!

[@nelsbondephoto]

Yes, the before and after variations are immensely helpful. Quick question though, how do I turn lights out on with a black background? Even when I change it to black, when I turn the lights out it goes back to white...

[@ddki9094]

Solo Mode, shift double click, lights out (L) and (J)

[@stevejohnston7118]

For me, this was a great instructional video!! I am saving this one for future reference/learning. Thank you for all your do!

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

One thing about the brush tool: while the bracket keys are needed to adjust brush size in Photoshop, if your mouse has a scroll wheel, it works great to adjust brush size in Lightroom. So much faster than the brackets. I wish Photoshop would enable that.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Ahhh good call! I've been using only trackpads for years that I forgot all about the scrolly wheels.

[@peterpage597]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto Also great for zooming.

[@blue_ranger]

For quick brush size changing on photoshop = hold Alt + right click, then move mouse left or right for size, or up and down to change softness.

[@JohnDrummondPhoto]

@@blue_ranger thanks! I knew there had to be some way to do it. 👍🏿

[@CornishMotorcycleDiaries]

@@MarkDenneyPhoto On the Magic Mouse, just use your finger to change Brush size.

[@johnmcintyre6649]

WOW, WOW and WOW. Your tip at 6:12 in the video of shift > double clicking the basic settings is amazing. Everyone must try this. My advice is to simply start at the top (exposure) and work your way down to blacks. You must do them all because one Lightroom double click adjustment is dependant on all the others. Double clicking exposure might not make sense until you do the same for highlights and whites and so on. I used to strictly do these adjustments locally with masks but when I went back to previously ("perfectly") edited images and let Lightroom do these global adjustments I got amazing juice and pop. Always needs some tweaking of course but very inspirational. And can be used at the beginning or the end of the work flow. P .S. Loved the way you described these adjustments as, "giving Lightroom the ability to go ahead and make what it feels is the necessary change." AI is here.

[@curtlewis3446]

Great video this week Mark. I have been using several of the shortcuts you mentioned, and now have others to try. I do spend a great deal of time editing, so anything that reduces that time and makes the process more efficient is always welcomed.

[@ralphpayne6259]

A refreshing reminder to use some of the shortcuts I had forgotten and the new-to-me Z and specific colour picker. Made a quick list so that I can get into a routine for using most of the ones I had forgotten. Great start to 2023. Thank you.

[@stephencampbell7395]

Thanks Mark...excellent reminder of some shortcuts and made me aware of those I am looking forward to include in my repertoire.

[@brianjennings2185]

Mark, I follow your instructional videos more than the multitude of other pro photographers. They are easy to follow and we learn a ton. And, you have come out to my neck of the woods for workshops (Oregon, Washington, Montana). Please keep up this great work and a note to your sponsors - Mark's content is a great investment.

[@brucesorrell3647]

Mark, your tutorials are always great, but this one has to be one of the most helpful and easiest to follow ! Super work, my friend. Slainte !

[@jerrymarshallphotography]

This is a great help Mark! Lots of great info all in one video! I use a few of these already, but some like Lights Out and the Specific Color Picker (#3) are something I'm looking forward to using a bit more. Thanks as always Mark! Keep up the great work!

[@jimwhite1050]

Thanks Mark. Always good to get a refresher.

[@nancybateman7378]

Very helpful, Mark. Now I need to watch again and take notes!

[@troporobo]

So many great ideas here Mark, thanks a lot for compiling them all in one video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Happy to hear it was helpful!

[@nancybateman7378]

Very helpful, Mark! Must watch again and take notes.

[@jontheshrub]

Thank you Mark. Some I didnt know and some I'd forgoten. So ive now written them down as you went along. Cheers.

[@tinacampbell3720]

Loved this!!! I've been using Lightroom for a few years and honestly only knew a couple of these. Sincerely appreciate it. Solo Mode and Lights Out...awesome!!!

[@ForrestWest]

Great tips Mark! I especially like the J and N and \ shortcuts. Instead of a brush to dodge & burn my subjects and backgrounds I often use the radial filter to make a shape with feathered edges a little bigger than my subject to highlight and brighten and adjust it and I invert that mask to slightly darker and lower the highlights in the backgrounds to accentuate the subject. I can also intersect that radial filter with the subject or background if I don't want it affecting anything else.

[@LindaMaier360]

I always pick up new tips from you. A few I didn't know here. Thank you!

[@TomWindeknecht]

Another cool tip for the shortcut key (O) is to click Shift+O. This will rotate some of the overlays on your image (like the golden spiral).

[@MichaelChapmanVisuals]

Now THAT's one I didn't know!!! Thanks!

[@joepetolino3997]

In the crop tool, a useful companion to O is H, which completely hides the overlay.

[@HansvanMeteren]

Thank you!! One addition. In Develop when using O in some Crop cases you can use Shift O to see some more overlays as "subset" of the one already chosen.

[@luisguillermomursanchez8808]

Great bunch of tips. Very useful and timesavers. Thanks for sharing Mark. Keep on doing videos like this and like the others. Great man!!!!

[@terricarpenter1798]

Awesome as always...thanks for sharing.

[@marys53]

Thanks Mark! Editing is my nemesis. I feel like you’ve given me some battle gear. You’re the best, thank you for another helpful video.

[@dbv11]

Insanely great stuff. I’m going to make a little list and print it for my workspace. Thanks Mark!

[@anitajessup3609]

That was so so helpful!! Thank you for that. Would love to see any more shortcuts you have in another video.

[@susanfirth2279]

Good video Mark. I knew of a couple of these tips/tricks but not all of them. Some really useful information, thank you.

[@maheshsrinivas8941]

Excellent video as always, Mark! Learnt quite a few shortcuts that I am applying right away. Thanks for making and sharing this video.

[@ivan7453]

Thanks Mark. Another great video from which I did learn something helpful. Thank you again.

[@alisanginian3083]

great refreshing reminder Mark.

[@bryant928]

i love these tips. knowing how to speed up editing is incredibly powerful

[@michaelventarola7100]

Love all your video and tips.

[@karynnorman3769]

Another fantastic video where I learned some new stuff! I forgot about the Y (before & after comparison), learned the Z (zoom), Shift Double Click (really cool - I knew double click to reset the slider but not this new one), L (for lights out), and J (for clipping indicator - I only knew about checking the boxes on the histogram for it). I love Ctrl Z for undo which I use often and I also use Ctrl Shift Z for redo. Thanks again Mark for another great video!

[@darkstar9793]

Incredibly helpful - many thanks!❤

[@TheBoatmike]

I really enjoyed this. I've seen some of them before, not all, but without using them a lot I forget them. Everytime I edit from now on, I'm going to keep a note card with me and use the shortcuts over and over. Thanks for the great hints.

[@Stealthman42]

Thanks for the informative tools and remind me to use Lightroom to it's fullest extent! I often forget about these really helpful tools. Great video Mark!!

[@ronhuff9736]

what an informative video. I learned many new ones from this video!! Thanks for all you do!!

[@bobgrove8150]

Picked up a few helpful tips that I'll be using soon. Thx!

[@davidhart6900]

Thank you for the content of this video; you are really helping me to achieve my goals in my photography

[@mikebrownhill4662]

A good selection of the most important shortcuts in Lightroom - thanks. I didn't't know about double-click shift to get an idea of what Lightroom thinks are correct exposure settings - that's very useful for getting a "second opinion" on the direction you're taking an image! One thing I find useful, although it's not a keyboard shortcut, is to close the left-hand panel when I'm editing and have it pop open if I hover my mouse to the left of screen when I need it (which for me is pretty much only for the Navigator most of the time). I edit on a MacBook Pro a lot and this give me a bit more screen estate for my image, but it's not really necessary on large screens...

[@BirdzEyeViewAV]

This was really an eye-opening video for me, and Hugely useful. Thank you, Mark! As always, another very well put together, easy to listen to, informative tutorial!

[@JanieP53]

Mark, I always learn something from your videos, but this one is may be my fav of all time! I am going to make myself a cheat sheet of them so that I don’t forget them. I maybe only knew 3 before this video. From one pixel peeper to another….Thanks a bunch!!!

[@MA-no8tz]

Great tips! I did not know some of them. Thanks again.

[@lindaashby4304]

I've come back and watched this a couple more times now, because there's a lot in here. I've started using the Y (Before/After) and Solo Mode options. These have been really useful and I can't not use them now. I'm experimenting with the colour picker as well, I haven't mastered that just yet though, but I will, because I can see how much better that is than just trying the colours individually. It really made sense when you explained it. I wanted to come back and leave you a comment because I've been watching your videos for a while now, and they have been so useful and helped me improve my editing skills. I like how you are more about, "here's how you can do this thing, here's something you might like to try", not "you must do this with that type of photo". You've really helped me understand what I can do to improve my photos, as opposed to just admiring yours. I hope that makes sense.

[@hotflashfoto]

Instead of using Undo (Ctrl Z) and Redo (Ctrl Y), you can open the History in the left panel and hover over a particular step. It will instantly show you what the image looked like after that action was taken. If you click on it, it will take you back to that action in your editing. You can click any step at all, then click back on the most recent one and return to your editing. However, if you click on an earlier action (let's say 10 steps before) and then make a new edit, then the 9 steps that came after that one will be gone. LR is very powerful! And convenient! Keep on making great videos!

[@2sambell]

This is an outstanding video!!! Thank you for sharing.

[@dktraveller8364]

Great set of tips, thanks, 3 more that I use daily are C for comparison mode where you can compare 2 images side by side, you can select several images, the most selected will be in one window and with the arrow keys you can cycle thru the candidates in the second window. The second is reference mode where one window is a reference image and the second window is your live edit image. The 3rd is what you can do with dual monitors, and that is a whole other video.

[@michaeldesselle7589]

Great tips; thanks Mark 👍

[@AF-gd6uv]

Very helpful, I learnt a few things that I had no idea about as well refreshed some of the things I did. Thanks for this and you have a new subscriber.

[@lukaskucharczyk1676]

Thanks Mark, lot of useful tips :)

[@tuftyhill]

More great tips thanks Mark. You even got a mention in a recent Phototripper video this week ☺

[@tombishop7545]

Thanks Mark… i always enjoy your channel and your information

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much Tom - really appreciate it!

[@gordon8858]

Hi Mark, Thank you for this video, I'm new to Lightroom CC and find some of these shortcuts brilliant. Great Video. Gordon, Halifax, UK.

[@felixrivero1178]

Thank you very much! for this very useful shortcuts

[@treyfoerster6468]

Caught a couple shortcuts I didn't know about. Thank you!

[@mhc2b]

Thanks for these short cut "tricks." Can really utilize most of them!

[@kevins8575]

Thanks. I had forgotten a couple of these that are very helpful, so I'll try to remember them.

[@davidjboozer]

Once again, Mark....Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@antonoat]

A very helpful film Mark, I’m very late to LR, I’ve been a PS only user for many years! Seems to me now LR has evolved into a far more complete solution than it was in the past. Thanks for sharing this! 👏👍😀 PS it always surprises me that many areas of trees and plants often contain far more yellows than greens, despite what my eyes tell me!

[@theindusguy]

Nice summary. I used to use Y & Z but had forgotten about these. Also I use F (full screen) instead of L and I use mouse wheel (on windows) to alter brush size. Also shift+mouse move lets you control zoom into the specific point where cursor is.

[@erikswenson2659]

Knew some of this, but definitely learned a thing or two. Thanks!

[@joeweintraub]

These tips are great. Thank you, Mark. This proves I need to read (and memorize) the shortcut keys in the manual. I especially like the Clipping Indicator (J) that you pointed out. For Highlight and Shadow adjustments, I had been holding down the Alt key (in Windows) to see the blacks and whites that are clipping as I adjust the sliders. But the Alt key doesn't let me see the image. Only a black screen for Highlights adjustment and white screen for Shadows adjustment. While holding the Alt Key, I can reduce or delete the blown out areas, but it doesn't let you see the actual image until you release the Alt key or take the mouse away from the slider. Using the J key is so much better. Again, thank you for that. You get a standing ovation just for that alone. 😃

[@ericpecquerie4868]

Great. Thank you. To my big frustration, I learned 4 tricks that l did not know. I am becoming more humble and that’ s good ( only from time to time)

[@Sijyro]

Very helpful tips, thanks alot ! :)

[@mumme4444]

Love your very clear explanations and examples!

[@mikebartow9415]

When changing brush size you can use the scroll wheel on your mouse. The size change can happen while holding the left button down too. This is helpful when brushing the object which is changing size.either increasing or decreasing.

[@natepotter6911]

Also if you hold down shift, the mouse wheel changes feathering.

[@tamasisgupta5315]

Very informative video... thanks for sharing this tips 👍

[@andrefelixstudio2833]

All great excellent information nicely presented!

[@photoaddiktt7633]

Thanks a lot for such timesaving shortcuts 👍

[@Big.E]

Always super content put over excellently

[@GirdHerd]

Excellent tips, Mark. Thanks.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Very welcome!

[@sutv6754]

Wow that was extremely helpful. Packed with stuff I did not know Gold. Thank You.

[@billkipper3264]

Even though I'm using Capture One I've been watching these Lightroom videos. One reason is that I can adapt some things but the main reason is that, along with other photographers Lightroom/Photoshop videos, I've become convinced that they are just more versatile with more and easier ways to manipulate images. I'm currently waiting for parts to arrive to build a custom editing computer. When it's up and running I intend on subscribing to Lightroom/Photoshop to compare it to Capture One on my current computer. Thanks Mark for all the work you put in to help all of us out here floundering around trying to improve.

[@Didierphotography]

After using Lightroom for years, thank you for teaching me some new shortcut tricks !

[@edgorochowski9709]

Very informative. Thank you

[@JudyArzt]

I liked the Survey one, using the shortcut Key N, especially because I often I take several photos of the same scene, and this way I can easily see several on the screen at once for a quick comparison.

[@heinrichkessler7655]

Great video,Thanks Mark!

[@JH-qv3xv]

I added 2,4 and 9 into my workflow. Thanks

[@marcpilon4585]

Wow. Thank you so much. You just improved my workflow and efficiency ten times.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Love to hear it Marc!

[@raymondbaddeley6467]

Probably the most useful tutorial I have seen. Many thanks

[@brucedelorme5026]

Loves the VLOGs Mark. Always have golden tickets in there that I did not know about. Great stuff buddy

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@michaelt7320]

Thanks for another great video, Mark. So useful to have so many tips in one place.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

My pleasure!

[@SwiftyTravels]

I really appreciate this video!!

[@nb7524]

Thanks Mark!

[@patrickmcsweeney2021]

Thanks Mark. Another super helpful video!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it Patrick!

[@Robert-R]

Thanks for summarizing all your LR shortcuts. There are certainly a few that I was not aware of. Very helpful.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad it was helpful Robert!!

[@Dorff_Meister]

Really good set of tips or reminders for Lightroom users.

[@lindayurkanin8796]

I really enjoyed watching you video. I usually follow Matt K and Anthony Morganti, but I have added you to my list! You are easy to follow and you have a nice calming voice to enhance the listening process🙂. Anthony Morganti actually suggested you for Lightroom tips. I hope to engage in more editing tips for photoshop as well.

[@garryhughes3747]

Thanks for a really useful video. I've been working with Lightroom for a while but I didn't know about the Y, Z or N shortcuts and they are all great workflow shortcuts!. IA couple of my other favourites are to the use the F key to toggle your shot to full screen and back again. And right clicking on the background frame colour will change the colour of the background of your photo frame. Thanks again. I'm subscribed!

[@bertieann]

I have been using most of those shortcuts for quite some time. But I did not know the (N) or the (\) shortcuts. Thank you Mark.

[@renoholland7090]

Very useful info. Thank you Mark.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Reno!

[@TheRigldbrg]

Bro, thank you so much for this video. I'm a very experienced Lrc user and I had no clue about half of these things. Right off the bat, the solo mode is going to completely change how I use Lrc. I can't wait to try some of the others out as well. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Love to hear this - thanks for letting me know!

[@SPSingh-gb3kq]

Superb. Very helpful. I come across the shortcuts in different place. Putting the most used ones in one place is an excellent idea. I am sure there may ve more short-cuts. Will you be covering in a future episode?

[@mattthomas1547]

QUICK ANSWER : YES. Great tips Mark, THANKS.

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Glad you enjoyed it Matt!

[@peterleung6970]

Very useful shortcut keys. Thank you.

[@colebrian6]

Thanks again, Mark! Another great learning/teaching video. Are you planning any trips to Acadia this year? I noticed the shot you used from the dodge and burn section of the video, looks like north and south bubbles….

[@WaikikiJason]

There are so many lightroom creators on KZbin.. You sir win! Love your content. It's not only informative, it's inspiring. I'm signing up on your website now. Thank you

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Wow, thank you!

[@lisasquiresphotography]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks Lisa!

[@michaelwhalen7154]

Thanks for another great video Mark. Extremely useful!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Great to hear - thanks Michael!

[@hypnotoads]

Hands down the best LR tips video I’ve ever watched!

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much Mark!

[@MikeHarveyPhoto]

Great help as allways thanks

[@MarkDenneyPhoto]

Thanks so much!

[@chantallabelle8571]

Your video are always so interesting. Thank you. I have a question regarding Capture One versus Lightroom: Which one you prefer to use and why?