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duglas50
Participant
July 30, 2017
Answered

Lightroom won't synchronize folder

  • July 30, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 5271 views

I have an issue that I haven't found an answer to yet.  I'm having trouble importing files to the Lightroom catalog.  For example this recently happened after making adjustments to a RAW photo in Lightroom.  I exported it as a jpg to the same folder as the original.  After exporting I synchronized the folder it was exported too but the photo did not show up.  Thinking that I may have exported it to a different folder I opened all the folders in the catalog and did a search in Lightroom and it didn't show up anywhere in my Lightroom catalog.  The next thing I did was open the folder in Explorer and sure enough the photo was there so Lighroom did actually export the photo correctly as I instructed.  The folder in question actually contains 274 photos in Explorer but the folder in my Lightroom catalog only contains 273 photos, thus the missing photo.  Ok, since the photo is actually where it is suppose to be, I next tried to do an import.  Under import I selected Add at the top of the screen and opened the folder on the left panel but the photo that I exported from Lightroom was nowhere to be found.  Is there a bug in the program?  This has happened on more than one occasion when trying to synchronize but I have always been able to resolve the issue with an import.  What do I need to do to get this photo into my Lightroom catalog?    

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer F. McLion

Check if this applies to your situation:

I suspect you exported the photo to its original name, except for the ending jpg instead of RAW.

LR treats RAW and jpg with the same file name as a single file. If you want this to change tell LR to treat the files separately: How to set file import preferences in Lightroom

-> Treat JPEG Files Next To Raw Files As Separate Photos

A side note: It is not 'Best practice' to import developed photos back into the catalog. Why would you do this?

3 replies

Just Shoot Me
Just Shoot Me
Legend
July 30, 2017

In the Export dialog there is a check box to "Add to this catalog" and the option, at the top, to place the exported image in the original folder or some other folder. Is that check box checked in your export dialog and have you selected "Export To: Same folder as original photo"?

If it is then you may have a filter set or you are in a collection and that image wasn't added to that collection.

hreinard
hreinard
Participating Frequently
July 30, 2017

Just right click on the folder in question and choose "sync folder". BTW THIS IS THE WAY I IMPORT MY PHOTOS.

The othe question is still why you would reimport a developed photo. Doesn't make any sense to me. If you need the jpg for any purpose export it  to the download folder or somewhere else, use it and throw it away afterwards...

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
July 30, 2017

hreinard  wrote

Just right click on the folder in question and choose "sync folder". BTW THIS IS THE WAY I IMPORT MY PHOTOS.

this will not work for the situation in question where the user wants to import a photo that he just exported.

Both F. McLion and Just Shoot Me have given the right advice

hreinard
hreinard
Participating Frequently
July 30, 2017

Of course this works, it’s a normal step to look for new or changed photos in a folder. As I said, I do all my imports like this.

F. McLion
Community Expert
F. McLionCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
July 30, 2017

Check if this applies to your situation:

I suspect you exported the photo to its original name, except for the ending jpg instead of RAW.

LR treats RAW and jpg with the same file name as a single file. If you want this to change tell LR to treat the files separately: How to set file import preferences in Lightroom

-> Treat JPEG Files Next To Raw Files As Separate Photos

A side note: It is not 'Best practice' to import developed photos back into the catalog. Why would you do this?

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    duglas50Author
    Participant
    July 31, 2017

    F.McLion's suggestion solved my issue.  Thanks to everyone who responded.

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