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grahamp44661668
Participating Frequently
October 10, 2020
Question

Create jpg from previews or screen shots of lost files

  • October 10, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 607 views

I imported a bunch of CR2 images into Lightroom, creating standard previews in process. I then worked on some of them. Some time later, for an unknown reason, many of the CR2 files disappeared from my hard disk. Those are irrecoverable, and no backups. However, I can still view the images in Lightroom, although of course they are all identified as missing files. It is tantalising that the original files have been wiped but I can still bring up what look like pretty good quality screen-filling images, including all my edits, in the Library module. Of course nothing shows up in the Develop module. Is there any way I can convert those full-screen views into a jpg file? One clumsy possibility might be to take a screenshot and then somehow save that as a jpg - but is there a slicker way, and one that can retain as much quality as is there? I use Windows 10 and Lightroom Classic (i.e. desktop).

Thanks, Graham Pears

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3 replies

dj_paige
dj_paige
Legend
October 10, 2020

Make backups from now on.

Todd Shaner
Todd Shaner
Legend
October 10, 2020

"Some time later, for an unknown reason, many of the CR2 files disappeared from my hard disk."

Did you move or rename any folders or files from outside of LrC using Windows Explorer or some other app? When you do that LrC loses it's connection to those folders and files.

 

G
grahamp44661668Author
Participating Frequently
October 10, 2020

Unlikely, unless I had a mad 5 minutes and forgot what I did. But the problem is not that Lightroom can't find them, it is that they are no longer on the drive. I agree that if I had deleted them from outside LR - in Windows Explorer etc - that would confuse LR - maybe I did , but seems v improbable as I just don't do that. I havesince taken multiple backups of all my 200,000 images, on 3 other HDDs - and I will not trust the original drive again. Data recovery guy and I have both searched the original drive by capture date and by image number, and I know he has done a much more sophpisticated search than I am capable of. Sad fact is, the raw files are gone.

Just Shoot Me
Just Shoot Me
Legend
October 10, 2020

Yes there is a option, system, to create small files from the previews.

 

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/extract-previews-for-lost-images-lightroom.html

 

But I would investigate Why you lost those images. Could be some type of hardware failure.

    G
    grahamp44661668Author
    Participating Frequently
    October 10, 2020

    Thanks so much - that seems quite amazing. I will definitely take a look at that.

    I have had someone take a thorough look into possibility of recovering but it does seem they are gone - but as to why, that really is a mystery. In fact I lost some files out of each of 4 adjacent folders on the HDD. Cannot understand how or why. He has been able to retrieve many of the files I intentionally deleted from within Lightroom, but none of tthe ones that simply disappeared, which of course are the ones I want. 

    All best, Graham

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