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Paige28037349tr8c
Participant
January 20, 2023
Question

Why is Lightroom automatically adjusting my photos before I edit?

  • January 20, 2023
  • 6 replies
  • 3077 views

hey guys, Im having a new issue I wasn't having before.

In develop mode as soon as I click on a photo to edit, lightroom is automatically making my photos way brighter and over exposed.  Even when resetting settings and having my camera calibration set to my camera nothing is helping. It's doing it to new imports and previous ones and really causing issues with my editing!

 

Hoping someone has a solution!

Thanks

    6 replies

    E
    elizabeth_6770
    Participant
    February 14, 2025

    Hello! I'm also having this issue, but the more I research, the more i'm convinced it's not something we exactly can fix. (But hopefully i'm wrong, because I also hate when LR does this. I like the "original" colors/highlights/shadows better than when LR automatically corrects it.)

    I found this in a link which ill add below for more context... but...
    "Embedded previews are preview images that are generated directly from the image file itself rather than one created by the Lightroom program. You see, when you take a photograph (especially in RAW), the camera creates a JPG preview of that image and embeds it in the image file. For example, that’s the preview you see on your camera screen when you review photos. " 

    LR applies these "Embeded Previews" to make it easier for the program and you to cull through photos quickly. 

    "When it is time to edit photographs, Lightroom will have to generate either a standard preview or a smart preview" It goes on to say "Lightroom cannot edit on an embedded preview "...  which sadly, is the preview you get a split second before LR automatically corrects the "brightness and overexposure" to which you're referring to. 

     

    The article goes on to break down the difference between each LR Preview option (these are prompted on import) so I highly suggest scrolling down to learn what preview is best for you, and how it impacts your editing... because I just did and wow my life is changed.

    Hope this helps!

    What Are Embedded Previews In Lightroom + How To Use Them

    I
    ismail3484838352h3
    Participant
    January 17, 2024

    Lightroom Develper contact.

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    January 17, 2024
    quote

    Lightroom Develper contact.


    By @ismail3484838352h3


    What is your question, @ismail3484838352h3 ?

    M
    mikew_826
    Participant
    December 6, 2024

    Same thing is happening to us. Using lightroom classic. We import the images, the thumbnails look fine at the bottom of the screen, the first time you click on one to bring it up it looks on and a split second later it auto adjusts and is blown out and saturated. Reset settings doesn't do anything. We can't find the fix.

      G
      g27998398tdo3
      Participant
      January 21, 2023

      If you still have your SD card with the pictures on it, you might be able to review them in camera by paying special attention to the histogram of the pictures. If your camera is set up the way it is, the image you see presented in the viewfinder post-shot may not be accurately reflected the true image, depending upon the settings in your camera. There might have been a problem with overexposure there? It is inevitable that things will happen from time to time.

      GoldingD
      GoldingD
      Legend
      January 21, 2023

      Also, if you still have the images in your SD card, perhaps you can review them in camera paying close attention to the histogram. Remember, depending upon in camera settings, the image post shot in the viewfinder might be presented in the best light, not in truth. Perhaps they were overexposed? Things happen.

      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      January 21, 2023

      If the OP is shooting raw, the only we can find out if the images are or are not over or under exposed is to view the raw using a raw Histogram. Which means something like RawDigger. ACR/LR and nearely every histogram on a camera (PhaseOne not in the list) never provide a raw Histogram. 

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      January 21, 2023

      You're shooting raw? And the change is just after import (when LR is creating its own previews, not the embedded JPEG in a raw)?

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      GoldingD
      GoldingD
      Legend
      January 20, 2023
      • In your import screen, are you selecting to create any previews? And what ones if any? 
      • Are you selecting to use embedded previews?
      • In /preferences/presets/raw defaults/, what is selected? Screenshot may help if other than Adobe default.
      • In the develop module, what is shown in the history panel? Screenshot might help.

       

      Jim Wilde
      Community Expert
      Jim WildeCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 21, 2023

      Also in the import dialog, are you applying a Develop Preset? So screenshots of both the Import dialog and the Preferences>Presets tab would be very helpful.

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