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othonleon
Participating Frequently
January 10, 2022
Question

Deleting RAW files from LR on a Mac

  • January 10, 2022
  • 1 reply
  • 1005 views

Hello LR experts! This is my first post here. Question(s), please: I have edited a RAW file in LR, exported it as a JPEG to the LR folder, and now and I want to get rid of the multiple RAW images that I won't use. When I delete them from the file in my Mac, does LR keeps the RAW original of the one I edited in the cloud? Can I delete ALL my RAW files, includibg the one I chose and edited? And finally, if your answer is "yes", how do I back up the RAW files that LR keeps in the cloud, please?

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1 reply

JohanElzenga
Community Expert
JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 10, 2022

It is possible to delete the raw files (and import the exported jpegs if you do want to keep the images in Lightroom), but perhaps you should reconsider your workflow. The whole idea about the non-destructive workflow in Lightroom is that you do not have to export edited images. Until you need an image for something outside of Lightroom. In that case you export a copy that is specific (in size, color space, compression) for that particular purpose. So if it's for the web, you export a smaller copy than if it is for printing, for example. When you have used the copy for its purpose, you discard it from your hard drive. That is because you can export a new copy if and when you need it. So keep your raw files because they are the high quality source images in the Lightroom workflow.

 

-- Johan W. Elzenga
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    othonleonAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 10, 2022

    Thank you, John. I have started to understand. I am new to LR. Problem: When I have finished editing one picture, for a specific purpose, as you say, I see all the pictures that I imported to LR, and that I will not use, and want to get rid of, except for that one I do want to keep, the one I selected to edit. So, my question: How do I delete from LR, all of those RAW images that I do not want anymore, from LR and my hard drive?

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 10, 2022

    If you use Lightroom (not Lightroom Classic), then the original image is stored in the cloud. Any local copies can be always deleted. Lightroom has a built-in option to delete images. Just right-click on the image and choose to delete it. The deleted image will first be moved to an online trash can, so you can still retrieve it if you change your mind. After a certain period it will be permanently deleted, or you can do that manually.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
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