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defaultkdrezyybsr3c
Participant
July 12, 2021
Answered

Lightroom CC displays the same images in parent folder and in subfolder

  • July 12, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 2711 views

When I import images from an SD card into a subfolder LR CC puts the images into the subfolder and into the parent of that folder. If I try to delete one set of images LR CC deletes the images from both locations. Note: I did not check "Create a second copy" on Import. Please see my attached images.

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Correct answer GoldingD

By default, in LrC, when you select a folder, all photos in that folder and subfolders are shown. So, in your screen shots, you have a folder selected, not a subfolder, and you think that images are in both.

 

To turn that option off, in the menu panel up top, click on Library, uncheck Include Photos from Subfolders.

 

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/create-folders.html

 

3 replies

DdeGannes
Community Expert
DdeGannesCommunity Expert
Community Expert
July 13, 2021

 The advice by Golding is the solution. Browsing the folders in lightroom is not the same as using a browser application in your operating system. It's a good idea to utilize the many tutorials available that describe how the Lightroom Catalog file functions.

 

Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
S
Steverino52
Participant
August 27, 2021

I have not found a tutorial that covers this situation. When I attempted to consolidate images in a folder from the subfolders by copying and pasting the photos into the folder.  Some photos moved but I got a message that said a portion each subfolders photos were already in the folder. When I delete the remaining photos in the subfolders, the photos in the folder are also deleted. If they are duplicate files, why can I not delete them?

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 27, 2021

You must understand that there are TWO ways you can show images in Parent Folders and sub-folders.

It depends what option you have selected-

You have the option to check [Show Photos in Subfolders] either ON or OFF:

 

First checked ON:  The image numbers (and the Previews in Grid view) are the TOTAL of ALL images in the Parent Folder PLUS all the images in any Sub-folders:

 

Next checked OFF:  Any selected Folder, including a Parent folder, will only show the number of images in that specific folder:

 

Now to your question-  I suggest your images are NOT duplicated. You have no need to "Consolidate" images. You are seeing the SAME IMAGE because [Show ....subfolders] is checked ON. And you may be not understanding that an image shown with the Master Folder selected is actually in a sub-folder. Likewise an image that appears to be in the Parent folder will be deleted from its sub-folder location if you [Delete] that image.

You cannot Copy&Paste image files as Lightroom-Classic only allows one reference to an image in the Library.

 

From Lightroom-Classic Help: " By default, selecting a folder shows all photos in that folder and all subfolders in the Grid view and the Filmstrip. To show only the photos in the selected folder, choose Library > Include Photos From Subfolders to deselect it."

A Tutorial by Julianne Kost on this topic can be found here-

https://youtu.be/5LZSqvXBwBw

 

And Laura Shoe also presents some good advice here-

https://laurashoe.com/2016/12/29/clean-up-your-files-and-folders-in-lightroom/

 

 

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.0, Photoshop 27.0, ACR 18.0, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0 .
    GoldingD
    GoldingDCorrect answer
    Legend
    July 13, 2021

    By default, in LrC, when you select a folder, all photos in that folder and subfolders are shown. So, in your screen shots, you have a folder selected, not a subfolder, and you think that images are in both.

     

    To turn that option off, in the menu panel up top, click on Library, uncheck Include Photos from Subfolders.

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/create-folders.html

     

      E
      Ed376201819u0l
      Participant
      May 24, 2024

      Thanks GoldingD!  This worked and releaved a great deal of frustration and time trying to resolve without getting anywhere.  This should be the default intstead of the other way around.  Thanks again for showing me how to turn off all pictures being seen in both the parent and subfolders.  Now I can be more productive with my time.

      Theresa J
      Community Expert
      Theresa JCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 13, 2021

      This is a question for the Lightroom Classic forum. I am going to move your post over there.

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