Using Adobe Bridge and Lightroom Together

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Adobe Bridge can be a great tool to use with Lightroom or even in place of. In this video we'll take a look at some ways they can work together.

[@georgecarter]

I've been using Photo Mechanic for a while, with the primary purpose of labeling my pictures. Out of 1,000 pix, I might only Really like 50, so in PM I tag them with a 1 Star rating. Then when I import to LRC, I can filter to only see those 50. Bridge, which will likely replace PM for me, can do that same thing. I've found that this workflow really speeds the whole process up since PM and Bridge are Much faster than LRC for the initial review.

[@framebuyframe2493]

I had been using Photo Mechanic for a long time but upgraded to a new MBP recently and Photo Mechanic is rather pricey now and already pay for Adobe bridge as part of Lightroom so looks like Adobe Bridge is better for me to incorporate into my workflow moving forward.

[@kevins8575]

For the past few days, I've been trying to figure out (unsuccessfully) how to use Bridge and Lightroom in an integrated workflow. I'm so glad you did this video so i can go back to normal. What i really want (not likely to get) is an integrated photography shop with modules for: file mgmt/browser that can ingest files into a database; library or catalog system to search and manage holdings; color and tone adjustment; pixel editing and transformation; publish via print, web or book.

[@MattKloskowski]

Glad the video helped. By the way... it sounds like you just described Lightroom perfectly. Not sure how you're using it but that description is exactly what Lightroom is :-)

[@kevins8575]

​@MattKloskowski , I think Lightroom fills much of those categories, but isn't a file explorer, nor can it do the more sophisticated editing and transformation that comes in photoshop. So, you still have to jump back and forth between programs.

[@cnicolo]

Very nice video. I always use bridge when I don’t want to store those photos in a catalog or else. Bridge gives me the ability to read files without storing them on my catalog into LrC. Working on those photos with Camera raw as editor, and save all edits on a different card or usb key to give to a client. Very easy, very quick.

[@yuvanjose5690]

Now they have brought back the Multi-window support. Having Multiple content panel with Multiple bridge window is super super handy.

[@madst7521]

Downside of turning sidecar files off is that you'll lose your work if the catalog is corrupted. I don't see any reason not to save the sidecar files.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. It slows significantly and it is simply not worth it. By backing up your catalog through LR, you will optimize and check it to avoid the .0001% chance of corruption.

[@neilschlosser1112]

😊

[@DavidSchamis]

I agree with you - I feel much safer having the changes also with the files (in my case I convert to DNG and the changes are in the DNG files).

[@margueritewhite3038]

Thankyou for this video. This just solidifies to me that I really don't have a need for Bridge. I don't understand why Bridge wouldn't show the changes made in Lightroom and vice versa. Seems a pain in the rear to have to constantly "save' in order to see your changes but maybe that's just me!.

[@training7574]

Very helpful, thanks. I'm struggling with fitting LR and Bridge into my project.

[@billyyoung234]

Thank You Matt, The clarification of the little arrow top right of thumbnails on what the two options are, I don't quite understand the logic of "xmp" files, I do not use them, I found that they confused me too much, I had watched tutorials, but still could not understand ! to use "xmp" files, or to NOT use "xmp" files ? THAT is the question.

[@ahargusphoto]

Matt...I use Photo Mechanic to import/cull from my cards to my laptop/SSD, and then import into LR when I am ready to edit an image or series of images (I shoot sports/rodeos); then if needed, I edit in Photoshop via LR. I also import using PM code replacement scripts. I don't yet use Bridge and am wondering where Bridge would fit in this dynamic? Any concerns with using Bridge alongside Photo Mechanic? Thoughts?

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. No concerns. It sounds like it would be redundant but you could use both and give it a try. Thanks.

[@jasone7461]

Great video Matt! Can you do a video explaining why one should use lightroom instead of Bridge. I use Bridge and edit camera raw files from it. I never have understood why you would use LIghtroom and have the dependency of all your changes made to the photos stored in the Lightroom Catelogue. To me this seems like a huge failure point.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. Probably not. I feel like there are probably 100 of them on the internet. I guess I’d say this… if you don’t see a reason then don’t use it. To you it’s a dependency. To me, I could care less where my changes are stored… everything works and everything is smooth and that’s all that matters to me and many others. I simply don’t care about where everything is stored. I know where my photos are and that’s all that matters - after that LR gets out of the way and for many, its just a smoother interface. But definitely don’t use it if you don’t see the need. Thanks.

[@raymondjobin7673]

Great help in clarifying the uses of Bridge and Lightroom.

[@TC_Conner]

My next step is to get that course Matt! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@waynelytton7517]

Bridge is my go to program. I have never been able to understand Lightroom's file and folder structure.

[@RadAlzyoud]

Very useful. Thanks for sharing.

[@mikaelschulin4315]

Great as always! Thanks

[@hotflashfoto]

Wonnerfull, wonnerfull, wonnerfull. (Doing my best impression of Lawrence Welk.)

[@eyesonly4451]

Good video. And if you generate DNG working files, archiving your original RAWs into a separate folder, the Adobe ecosystem will save/load XMP data directly to/from those DNG files instead. This eliminates those pesky XMP sidecar files. Note that Adobe ACR/Lightroom will *_always_* internally convert your camera's original raw into DNG, on the fly if necessary. So there is no downside to converting to DNG up front when using ACR/Lightroom.

[@davep6603]

Great tutorial, Matt! I’ve have started using Bridge prior to importing to LrC. I copy my photos from card to a folder, cull in Bridge, and then do my import. I didn’t realize I could edit (via ACR) in Bridge as well (I would most likely just crop before importing), or that other metadata could be shared (e.g., keywords). I’m wondering if stars could be also be shared, or if Bridge has pick flags. One thing LrC has that I love using for culling is Survey View. I’m also wondering if Bridge has this. Going to check all of this out now. Thanks for making this tutorial!

[@jaspergoodall3206]

If you are culling in Bridge, you may as well just use ACR to edit. It has identical functionality to LR. Tbh I don’t really see the point in Lightroom! 🤷‍♂️

[@adventure9606]

@@jaspergoodall3206 For me the DAM or digital asset management part of lightroom is invaluable. I can go back 10 years in 10 seconds and find about anything I want. Even if the photos are physically on another drive not hooked up to the computer you can view them in full size with no problem which I have done many times on my laptop showing potential customers. You don't have to drag around drives from years ago, just go to the folder, find the photos, open it then go full screen. Naturally, you can't make any changes to the photo at all if the hard drive is not hooked up but you can look at them like the hard drive was there. This is a big benefit for me.

[@stuffstuffstuffyay]

@@jaspergoodall3206 One plus for LR over Bridge, you can hit command (or is it shift) I and get the name and meta on fullscreen view. Bridge doesnt have this and it annoys me. Also the LR has a much easier way to use my color checker passport. I prefer Bridge though as some things in LR annoy me. no zoom on crop! Also a plus for LR is being able to sync changes between files.

[@stuffstuffstuffyay]

Advice please :) what do you think of my workflow, from someone who normally used Bridge and camera raw, and mostly saves final PSDs for the long term, and likes viewing them in Bridge years later etc: Import raw files to Bridge, delete and rate. Make new LR catalog in this folder of images, import images to LR, delete xmp files (I hate the clutter of them in my finder) carry on rating and deleting in LR and editing, this way I can use their presets and sync options in develop, export to psd as final step. Delete all raw files and LR catalog when I'm very done with editing. I often do final edits in Photoshop too.

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi - It sounds good. I guess I’d ask why review in Bridge first? LR is usually a little better at it and if you’re importing to LR anyway then why not from the start. But if it works it works. :-)

[@timmykincaid]

Thank you for doing this video. I've tried working with both in the past and it was a nightmare because of the metadata conflicts. You mentioned some things that I overlooked. That being said, the only reason I used bridge is for the feature of being able to run batch actions in Photoshop. Do you know if they will ever add this to Lightroom? I've tried the droplet thing you did a video on in the past but I would say it's about 60% effective.

[@rjm-w3616]

I used Bridge to develop a raw file. I got a .acr file which seems to be an advanced xmp file. Please can you help as the raw file seems to have disappeared.

[@CharlieMartorelli]

Thanks great info, as always!

[@mikebartow9415]

Thank you

[@danielbowden2401]

I have never used Bridge, but I pay for it in my Adobe package. Can I use Bridge to quickly read my memory card of 1000 images, mark 100 images, and then just import the 100 images to Lightroom?

[@MattKloskowski]

Yep.

[@Lumen777_]

that's the part I can't figure out. if I mark/rate them in bridge how to I find just those ones to import into light room. it won't show me all the one's I star rated. and no way to sort and find them in light room to pull in and I often have 2,000 plus photo. ...help@@MattKloskowski

[@oneeyedphotographer]

What I want to do is transition from LrC to Bridge/ACR/Ps. What I have been unable to do is find any description of how to do so, when I ask Google, I get round-trips LrC to Ps. I thought I could just export the catalogue and get a bunch of raw files with matching .xmp files but when I came to do it, it's just not an option. The reason, I want to learn Ps, so my preferred choice to do that is to not use LrC at all. I expect a workflow more akin to Capture One sessions, albeit losing virtual copies/variants. I have found how to make LrC always create .xmp files. Are you willing and able to make a video describing the process?

[@MattKloskowski]

Hi. There is no transition. The two don’t talk to each other so just open your files in bridge and look at them. You said you know about the XMP settings and that’s all there really is to know of you want some of your LR settings to show up in ACR. Thx!

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@MattKloskowski There are virtual copies, I don't want to lose them, I sometimes make two or more photos from a single image.

[@MattKloskowski]

You’d have to make physical copies of the files if you want to keep your different versions.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

@@MattKloskowski That's what I figured. I didn't see a way to identify them in LrC though. I might have to examine the catalogue with sqllite3 to see what I can see. In the future, a separate physical file will just happen when I go through Ps. In ACR, I will be aware of it. I do need to look into snapshots.

[@jaspergoodall3206]

I don’t use Lightroom. EVER! I hate the library/import. It confuses me a lot. I prefer to make a folder for a shoot and drag and drop from my camera card. Bridge is always open on my machine, it’s my most used program. Bridge, camera raw, photoshop. A magical combination. For me LR is redundant.