Edit Photos in Lightroom Mobile ON external drive

[schmerol]

Hi!

I saw a lot of videos and tutorials about transfering RAW-photos to a ipad pro. but i really would like to not transfer it:)

Heres my problem:

- I want to have the possibility to edit photos in lightroom mobile while traveling.

- ideal would be one databank (external ssd) for all photos. i have the Toshiba Canvio AeroMobile or RAVPower FileHub in mind. these two have batterylife & sd-slots & wifi!

- it would be perfect if i could store all my photos on one of these and than edit the photos with a tablet directly on the fly, without coping them onto the tablet.

i see the problem in the apps the external ssd needs to backup the files from the sd-cards. i don't know, if there is a way to browse the files just like in explorer/finder. but that would be great!

Is this even possible?

i really need a YES before i buy a new tablet plus external ssd

thanks in advance for any tip!

[Michael J. Hoffman]

Hi schmerol,

What you want to do with Lightroom mobile is possible to a degree, but there are limitations and there are specific steps you'll need to take to do what you're asking. Most importantly, you will need to take a step back, and learn about Lightroom's workflow, and Lightroom Mobile's workflow, to provide better context for your questions.

- Using Lightroom on your desktop or laptop, and keeping the photos on an external drive, is absolutely possible and is a good way to keep organized (and to allow for easy backup and recovery of your images).

- Copying raw files to your iPad is possible, but cumbersome, and that's not how Lightroom mobile works to its best advantage. You are on the right track by avoiding this workflow.

- Within your desktop/laptop with full Lightroom and access to your full original images on the external drive, create a collection of the images that you want to be able to access in Lightroom mobile. Make sure that these collections are set to "sync with Lightroom Mobile."

- Now those images will show up in Lightroom Mobile on your tablet, where you can do full editing (Within the functional capability of Lightroom Mobile). Any changes you make will be synced back to the desktop version of Lightroom.

Lightroom Mobile syncs using a small DNG proxy, which makes it quicker than syncing full res raw files.

Read more and learn from tutorials here:

How to get started with Lightroom on mobile

Mike

[schmerol]

Hi mike

thank you for the fast response.

i know about the correct workflow/usage of lightroom mobile. its a great way to edit already taken and stored pictures.

but i really would like it a little bit more indipendent.

by traveling i mean more in long terms, like several weeks/months, without the possibility to get to the private workstation.

with other words, it would be great, if you can have like a little workstation with you while traveling for months.

maybe ditch the external drive and use a raspberry pi instead. But i'm pretty sure thats not the best device to run lightroom on it.

[Michael J. Hoffman · Accepted solution]

Hi schmerol,

If you're truly wanting to go portable for an extended time, consider placing the Catalog file (the one ending in .lrcat) on the external drive as well. Then use it when you're on the road along with a notebook computer, using the external drive.

There's no way to work in this way using a tablet only. It requires a full computer with full Lightroom.

Mike

[shawng58702023]

I have been looking for this functionality too, where I store all my photos on an external drive and have LR mobile access them for offline editing. I know the workflow is to upload these my photos to my tablet and then to upload to Adobe Cloud. Unfortunately, this solution is very limiting when you're working with a Full Frame camera. I have seen other RAW Editor / Viewer Andriod apps having the ability to access mounted devices like thumb drives etc and appears LR Mobile has the ability too but in a limited capacity. It would be great in the near future LR Mobile has the ability to access all mounted devices that are attached to my tablet.

This solution that I am looking is primary for travel purposes where it isn't ideal to travel with both a tablet and laptop. 

I never really understood why Adobe has limited access to the network drives since the beginning of LR. Something about lrcat corruption issues.

[iamcdn]

Has there ever been a satisfacory answer to this? This post is over a year old

[Victoria Bampton LR Queen]

Has there ever been a satisfacory answer to this? This post is over a year old

Lightroom does still copy the photos into its own storage location, ready to transfer to the cloud. It can’t reference photos without doing so. It’s designed around cloud storage so to be honest, I can’t see that changing.

[t.linn]

More accurately, Lightroom for Mobile is designed to force users to buy cloud storage they otherwise might not need by removing any alternative workflow. This tactic has completely eliminated the iPad Pro as a viable travel option when you will be anywhere without fast, unlimited internet access. The situation is unfortunate.

[Geoff the kiwi]

Lightroom Mobile allows for editing images in Photos on my phone without importing to the cloud first. 

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

You’ve posted to an ancient thread. It is highly unlikely that the issue described in this thread, though not impossible, is the same one you are currently experiencing. Rather than resurrect an old thread that is seemingly similar, you are better off posting to a new thread with fresh, complete information, including system information, a complete description of the problem, and step-by-step instructions for reproduction. 

If the issue is the same, we will merge you back into the appropriate location. 

Thank you!