How to Show Before and After in Lightroom: A Guide to Viewing Images in Adobe Lightroom

As you become more comfortable and proficient with photo editing in Adobe Lightroom, one of the features you’ll find invaluable is the ability to view your image both before and after edits. This functionality allows you to compare the original, unedited image with your current edited photo, which can give you a good idea of how your edits are progressing and whether or not you’re satisfied with the changes you’ve made.

This article will provide a comprehensive guide on utilizing this feature in Adobe Lightroom.

Understanding the Before and After Tool

The Before and After tool in Lightroom is a powerful feature that allows you to compare your original image with the edited version. This tool determines what else to edit in your photo before it’s a masterpiece. Using the Before and After tool, you can quickly see how much you’ve changed your original image since you first cropped it in Lightroom and made many changes.

Where to Find the Split Screen View for Before and After

The before and after views in Lightroom can be accessed from different areas within the software:

1. In the Develop Module: This is the most common place to use the before and after views. You’ll find this feature in the Develop Module in the toolbar below your image. If you don’t see the taskbar, press ‘T’ on your keyboard to toggle its visibility. You are currently working on and comparing the active photo in Lightroom.
2. In the Library Module: You can also access a before and after view in the Library Module, specifically in the Quick Develop panel. This is useful when making quick, broad adjustments to your images.

How to Use the Before and After Views in Lightroom Classic

Using the before and after views is relatively straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Open an image in the Develop Module: Select the image you want to edit and open it in the Develop Module.
2. Begin making your edits: As you apply your adjustments, you can check your progress by comparing the current version of your image with the original photo.
3. Click on the ‘Before/After’ button: You’ll find this on the bottom toolbar. Clicking it will split your image into two halves – the left side shows the original image (before), and the right side shows the edited version (after).
4. Choose your preferred view: Lightroom offers different before and after views. You can choose from a ‘Left/Right’ split view, a ‘Top/Bottom’ split view, and a ‘Side by Side comparison’ view. You can switch between these views by clicking the arrow next to the ‘Before/After’ button and selecting your preferred option.
5. Toggle between the before and after views: If you want to switch between the full before and after views, press the backslash (‘’) key on your keyboard. Pressing this key will switch the full image view between the before and after versions.

Viewing Modes

Lightroom offers several viewing modes to compare your original image with the edited version. These modes include:

• Side by Side: This mode lets you view your original image on the left and your edited version on the right.
• Split Screen: This mode allows you to view one whole image on the screen, with a line drawn down the middle. One half of the screen shows the original image, while the other half shows the edited image.
• Top/Bottom: This mode places the before image at the top of the screen and the after photo at the bottom.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Lightroom provides several keyboard shortcuts to quickly access the Before and After tools. These shortcuts include:

• Backslash key []: This is the quickest way to see Before and After in Lightroom. This keyboard shortcut works in Adobe Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic, and all previous versions of Lightroom.
• [Y] key: This key views the Before state.
• [Shift + Y] key: This key toggles between comparing full images and a split-screen comparison.
• [Alt + Y] critical views a Top/Bottom comparison.

Why Use the Before and After Views for Original Image Comparison?

The before and after views can be extremely useful in your photo editing workflow. Here are a few reasons why:

• Track Your Progress: As you adjust your image, it’s easy to lose track of how much your photo has changed. The before and after views allow you to see these changes clearly by comparing the edited and original images.
• Reevaluate Your Edits: Sometimes, you may find that you’ve over-processed your image. Comparing the edited image with the original can help you notice this and scale back your edits if necessary.
• Presentation: If you’re showing your work to a client, the before and after views can effectively demonstrate the improvements you’ve made to an image.

Adobe Lightroom’s before and after views are an invaluable tool in your editing process. It’s a feature you’ll use often, regardless of whether you’re a professional photographer or a hobbyist. So, the next time you edit an image in Lightroom, use this feature to help you create the best picture possible.

Tips for Effective Use

Here are some tips for effectively using the Before and After tool in Lightroom:

• Use the Before and After tool regularly to compare your original image with the edited version.
• Use the different viewing modes to compare your original image with the edited version.
• Use the keyboard shortcuts to access the Before Quickly and After tools.
• Use the History panel to compare different versions of your edited image.
• Use the Split Screen mode to compare the original and edited images directly.
• Use the Top/Bottom mode to compare the before and after images, especially for horizontal photos.
• Use the Copy History Step Settings to copy the settings from one image to another.
• Use the Split Screen comparison to compare the original and edited images side by side.

By following these tips, you can effectively use Lightroom’s Before and After tool to compare your original image with the edited version and make informed decisions about your editing process. ✔