Skip to main content
K
K o n i a k
Inspiring
December 14, 2023
Question

How to keep original photos in Lightroom but remove synced to Lightroom Classics files

  • December 14, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 717 views

In some cases I have the following workflow requirement:

  •  Import images to Lightroom CC Cloud collection from iPad app using SD-card
  •  In Lightroom Classic, turn on sync for the collection to make images available on Desktop
  •  Edit images on Desktop (automatically syncing changes to the could)
  •  ?? Remove stored images on Lightroom Classic harddrive and only store in cloud ??

 

The issue here is with the last step:

Ie that after doing some of the editing on a collection synced to Lightroom Classic, I do not want the images to take any space on the Desktop. They should again only be stored in the cloud. (Though as usual visible in the unsynced collection in Lightroom Classic)

 

What I have tried:

  1. Turning off sync for the collection: The images are only moved to "All synced photographs"
  2. After that, remove the images from the "All synced photographs": They are removed from the cloud/Lightroom CC, but still kept in Lightroom classic in "All Photographs" (The exact opposite !!)

 

How can I revert a collection of photographs to "cloud only"/"Lightroom CC only" after having had the collection synced in Lightroom Classic?

Any input appreciated!

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    1 reply

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 14, 2023

    Storing images only in the cloud is not possible if you have a synced Lightroom Classic catalog.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    K
    K o n i a kAuthor
    Inspiring
    December 15, 2023

    Hi Johan, Thank you giving your input.

    Please note that I'm NOT syncing my Lightroom Classic Catalog to the cloud. This would mean sending only low resolution Previews to the cloud and it would not the be possible to keep them "only in the cloud" as you say, since the full image only exist in the Lightroom Classic catalog.

    In my case, the original full resolution raw files are created in the cloud using Lightroom CC and sorted into Lightroom CC collections. For some of these individual collection I choose to turn on sync to Lightroom Classic for some editing. This means the full resolution raw files, in addition to being stored in Lightroom CC cloud, also get stored in lightroom Classic's "synced images folder".

    Are you telling me that any individual Lightroom CC cloud images that you choose to sync to Lightroom Classic, can never again exist ONLY in Lightroom CC cloud?

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 15, 2023

    Yes, that is what I am saying and I am adding this: you cannot choose which cloud photo to sync with Lightroom Classic*. If you sync your Lightroom Classic catalog, then Lightroom Classic will download every image you have in the cloud or add to the cloud, so for example every photo you take with the built-in photo app of Lightroom mobile, or every photo you add to Lightroom mobile using a card reader connected to the iPad. If you delete such a photo from Lightroom Classic, then it will be deleted from the cloud as well.


    * You can choose wich Lightroom Classic photos you want to sync (as smart preview) to the cloud, but not which cloud photos are synced from the cloud.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices