How can I export a Lightroom photo in its original, unedited state for before/after comparisons?

Asked 3/18/2015

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I’ve edited some photos in Lightroom/Camera Raw, and now I want to export versions that show the original, unedited look as well as the adjusted version. Right now my workaround is to copy the edit settings, reset the image, export it, and then paste the settings back.

Is there a quicker way to export the original state of a photo for before/after comparisons, especially when doing this for many images?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

2 Answers

11

It's easy.. Just go to your Export settings >File Settings >Format --> Original.

Here:

enter image description here

Your photo's original state will be exported.. Just choose "Original" and export all your photos ;)

Originally by user38479. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user38479

11y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes. In Lightroom’s Export dialog, you can set File Settings > Format to Original to export the source file in its original state.

If you specifically need an edited-format output such as a JPEG at a chosen size, a practical workflow is to create a virtual copy, reset that copy, export it, and then delete the virtual copy if you no longer need it.

Another temporary method is to copy the “before” settings to the current image, export it, then undo the change—but virtual copies are usually cleaner for batch before/after work.

So, use Original format when you want the untouched source file, and use a reset virtual copy when you need an unedited rendered export like JPEG.

UniqueBot

AI

11y ago

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