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JBedfordPhoto
JBedfordPhoto
Inspiring
May 21, 2025
Answered

Small filtering issue

  • May 21, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 446 views

This one is debatable, but I think it should be addressed. 

 

When I edit a batch of photos in a collection filtered by camera type, the filter shows me only shots taken with that particular camera, as expected.

 

Occasionally, I'll use the "Enhance" function to remove noise on one of these files. Upon generating the new noise-reduced DNG file, LR's filters reset, revealing the entire collection containing all the cameras I used. I have to go back and reapply the filter I was using before.

 

The new file's metadata is still attributed to that camera, so technically, the metadata filter should still apply. 

 

Correct answer drtonyb

@JBedfordPhoto 

 

Have you enabled the Lock in the Library Filter?

1 reply

D
drtonybCorrect answer
Legend
May 22, 2025

@JBedfordPhoto 

 

Have you enabled the Lock in the Library Filter?

johnrellis
johnrellis
Legend
May 22, 2025

Building on drtonyb's reply, turning off Library filters after an Enhace or Photo Merge was a deliberate design decision by Adobe many years ago.   Their motivating use case: You're filtering with File Type = Raw and do Enhance or Photo Merge. If filters remained on, the generated DNG would be hidden, and users would get confused.

 

You can stop this behavior by clicking the Lock icon on the far right of the Library Filter bar (File > Library Filters > Lock Filters). This will also stop filters from turning off when you switch to another folder or collection. I prefer that filters stay locked but many don't.

 

Note that Photo > Edit In doesn't turn off filters, though the same use case applies, and in fact there are many reports here of such confusion.  Foolish consistency and all that...

johnrellis
johnrellis
Legend
May 22, 2025

Thanks for this...I may be splitting hairs here, but the only filter I turned on was "camera" (not file type). As LR still attributes self-created DNG files to the original camera (as shown in the Loupe information), the reset shouldn't apply. 

 

In any case, I'll start turning the lock icon on when necessary. 


"As LR still attributes self-created DNG files to the original camera (as shown in the Loupe information), the reset shouldn't apply. "

 

I agree that it would be possible for LR to determine if the generated DNG is getting filtered out and only unlock filters if it is (perhaps with a dialog asking the user to do that with Do Not Show Again). But such sophistication is generally not the LR Library way. 


There are several other situations in which the generated file doesn't appear, e.g. when you're in a smart collection, a special collection like Previous Import, or sometimes in collections.  In general, it's an inconsistent mess. (But LR is the hobgoblin of my little mind.)

 

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