Many Lightroom users wonder if the software duplicates their precious photos during import, leading to concerns about storage space. It’s a valid question, especially when managing large photo libraries. Let’s clarify how Lightroom handles your photos and where copies might be created.
Lightroom, particularly the cloud-centric version (often referred to as Lightroom CC), is designed to synchronize your images across devices. To achieve this seamless access, Lightroom uploads copies of your original photos to Adobe’s cloud storage. This means when you import photos, Lightroom indeed creates copies, but these are primarily for cloud backup and syncing purposes. These initial copies are temporarily cached locally before being uploaded. Once successfully uploaded, Lightroom clears this local cache, freeing up space.
However, if you prefer to keep your originals solely on your local storage and avoid cloud uploads, you have options. Lightroom offers a “Local” tab. Using this mode allows you to browse and edit photos directly from their existing location on your computer or external drives. In Local mode, Lightroom references your photos in place, without making copies or uploading them to the cloud. This is ideal if you want to maintain full control over where your photos are stored.
Alternatively, Lightroom Classic is specifically designed for photographers who prefer a file-based workflow. Lightroom Classic catalogs your photos in their original locations and edits them directly, without forcing cloud uploads. While Lightroom Classic can connect to the cloud for limited syncing capabilities, its core functionality revolves around local storage.
In summary, Lightroom (cloud version) makes copies to facilitate cloud synchronization, storing them in Adobe’s cloud and temporarily in a local cache. To avoid this, use Lightroom in Local mode or opt for Lightroom Classic, both of which allow you to work directly with your photos in their original storage locations, giving you greater control over where your photo copies are made, or rather, not made.
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