Lightroom Smart Collections vs. Standard Collections: When to Use Each for Optimal Photo Organisation
- Martin
- Apr 14
- 3 min read
Right, so you're sitting there, staring at a mountain of photos in Lightroom Classic, and you're thinking, "How on earth do I organise this mess?" Fear not, dear photographer, for collections are here to save the day! But which collection is right for you? Let's break it down.
What Are Collections?
Think of collections as virtual photo albums. They don't move your actual image files; they just create handy references to them. You can add the same photo to multiple collections without duplicating the file, which is a massive win for storage.
Standard Collections: These are your classic, manual collections. You drag and drop photos into them, just like sorting physical prints into an album. They're perfect for curated sets of images, like a client shoot, a holiday, or a specific project.
Smart Collections: These are the clever chaps. Lightroom Smart Collections automatically gather photos based on the criteria you set. Think of them as dynamic albums that update themselves as you import or edit photos.
Lightroom Standard Collections: The Manual Maestro
When do you reach for a standard collection?
Client Shoots: Create a collection for each client to keep their photos separate.
Personal Projects: Organise photos by theme, location, or date.
Portfolio Selections: Pick your best shots for your portfolio and keep them in one place.
Specific Events: Weddings, birthdays, holidays – anything with a clear beginning and end.
Manual Curation: When you want complete control over which photos are included.
How to Create a Standard Collection:
In the Library module, click the "+" icon in the Collections panel.
Select "Create Collection."
Give your collection a name and decide whether you want to include selected photos.
Click "Create."
Drag and drop photos into your new collection.
Screenshot showing how to create a Standard Collection.
Lightroom Smart Collections: The Automated Ace
Lightroom Smart collections are your best friend when you need to automate your workflow. They're based on rules, so they constantly update as your library changes.
When do you use a smart collection?
Rating-Based Collections: Create a smart collection for all 5-star photos.
Keyword-Based Collections: Automatically gather photos with keywords like "landscape" or "Venice".
Camera or Lens-Based Collections: Find all photos taken with a particular camera or lens.
Colour Label Collections: Gather all the pictures with a specific colour label.
Recently Added Photos: Create a smart collection for photos added in the last week.
How to Create a Lightroom Smart Collection:
In the Library module, click the "+" icon in the Collections panel.
Select "Create Smart Collection."
Give your smart collection a name.
Set your criteria using the drop-down menus.
Click "Create."
Screenshot showing how to create a Smart Collection for a specific lens.
Collections vs. Smart Collections: A Quick Comparison
Feature | Standard Collections | Smart Collections |
Automation | Manual | Automatic |
Control | Full | Limited |
Use Cases | Client shoots, portfolios, and events. | Rating, keywords, camera data |
Updating | Manual | Automatic |
Flexibility | High | Moderate |
Combining Collections and Smart Collections
Why not have the best of both worlds? You can use smart collections to gather photos based on certain criteria and then drag those photos into a standard collection for further curation. For example:
Create a smart collection for all 5-star landscape photos.
Review the photos in the smart collection.
Drag the best ones into a standard collection for your portfolio.
Tips and Tricks
Collection Sets: Organise your collections into sets for better management. For example, create a set for "Client Shoots" and put all your client collections inside it.
Target Collections: Use the "Target Collection" feature to quickly add photos to a specific collection. Right-click on the collection and set it as the target collection. Then, when in grid mode, you can press the B key to add/remove the currently selected image to that collection.
Filters: Use the Library Filter bar in the Library module to refine your searches before creating smart collections.
Keywords: Consistent keywording is your friend. Smart collections are only as good as the metadata you input.
Naming Conventions: Develop a consistent naming convention for your collections to keep things organised.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best collection type depends on your workflow and needs. Standard collections offer manual control, while smart collections automate tedious tasks. Use them wisely, and you'll be well on your way to a more organised and efficient Lightroom Classic experience.
You may be interested in my upcoming Lightroom Classic course if you've read this far.
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