Back to Basics – Part 4F: The Complete Lightroom Foundation Recap
Back to Basics - Part 4F
The Complete Lightroom Foundation Recap
Everything you need is in place before you touch the Develop Module
When your photos deserve better than chaos
As an Oceanic Explorer, you're no stranger to that sense of awe and discovery. After returning from an incredible dive trip, you eagerly import your photos into Lightroom, ready to relive those underwater moments. However, as the number of files grows, things can quickly become overwhelming. Without a clear organizational system, your editing process can start to feel like guesswork, making it harder to bring out the true beauty of your images. Having a structured approach can transform this chaos into a creative flow, helping you refine your photos efficiently and enjoyably.
That is precisely why this Back-to-Basics series exists.
Part 4F is the reset point. Before we move into the Develop Module, this post brings everything together, connects the dots, and confirms that your Lightroom foundation is solid.
The reality is straightforward: excellent editing doesn’t start in Develop. It actually begins with a solid structure, clear communication, and purposeful intent.
New to the Back-to-Basics series? Start here
Since you're joining this series partway through, it's important to note that Part 4F serves as the central hub. The earlier posts are designed to tackle specific challenges and gradually develop a comprehensive understanding of Lightroom tailored for underwater photographers. Each post aims to equip you with practical knowledge and insights to enhance your editing skills.
Back-to-Basics series overview
- Part 1: Getting Organized in Lightroom: Catalogs, Backups, Folders & Collections Explained (2025 Edition)
- Part 2: Hardware Configuration for Lightroom, Minimum vs Optimal Systems
- Part 3: Import Workflows and Consistency in Lightroom
- Part 4A: Setup for Success in the Library Module
- Part 4B: Fast, Confident Culling with Flags, Stars & Color Labels
- Part 4C: Metadata, Keywords & Search Tools That Actually Work
- Part 4D: Fast Culling & Advanced Library Tools
- Part 4E: Smart Collections & Automation Tools
Each part stands on its own, but together they form a repeatable, long-term workflow.
The Big Picture Workflow
Before diving into the specifics of tools, it's beneficial to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. This is the entire Lightroom workflow you've been developing, starting from the moment you surface from a dive all the way through to when you start editing. Understanding this complete process helps you see how each step connects and prepares you for more effective editing.
- Capture with intent
- Import with structure
- Protect your data
- Cull with confidence
- Describe your images with metadata
- Automate the boring stuff
- Then, and only then, enter the Develop Module
The order in which you do things really makes a difference. When you stick to it consistently, it helps eliminate confusion, makes decisions faster, and ensures your edits are deliberate and meaningful.
What we built so far, and why it matters
Each part of this series was thoughtfully created to provide a lasting solution to particular challenges that underwater photographers commonly encounter, drawing on expert knowledge to be both helpful and insightful in a friendly manner.
Part 1: Organization that protects your future self
We established clear catalog strategies, predictable folder structures, and a backup mindset built around the 3-2-1 rule. The goal was reliability, not perfection.
Part 2: Hardware that supports Lightroom
We removed performance guesswork by aligning Lightroom’s real needs with practical hardware configurations, so speed and stability no longer become bottlenecks.
Part 3: Import consistency
We turned importing into a repeatable process rather than a creative decision, ensuring every trip imports into your library the same way.
Parts 4A to 4E: Library mastery
From setup and culling to metadata, advanced tools, and Smart Collections, the Library Module became a decision-making engine rather than a photo browser.
Back-to-Basics quick reference
What each part solved
| Part | Focus Area | The Core Problem | What This Part Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Catalogs, Folders & Backups | Lost files, duplicate folders, unclear storage | Reliable catalog structure, predictable folders, and a backup system you can trust long term |
| Part 2 | Hardware Configuration | Slow performance, lag, crashes, and frustration | Clear guidance on minimum vs. optimal hardware so your system works with you, not against you. |
| Part 3 | Import Workflow Consistency | Messy imports and inconsistent organization | A repeatable import process that keeps every trip organized the same way |
| Part 4A | Library Setup | Wandering through Lightroom without a plan | A decision-making workspace in the Library Module |
| Part 4B | Culling Strategy | Too many “maybe” photos and wasted edit time | A repeatable culling system so you edit fewer images, and better ones |
| Part 4C | Metadata & Keywords | “I know I shot it, but I can’t find it.” | A searchable library by subject, location, and story |
| Part 4D | Advanced Library Tools | Slow review of large dive trips | Compare, Survey, Stacks, and Filters to speed up selection and reduce overwhelm. |
| Part 4E | Smart Collections & Automation | Manual sorting and constant rework | Automation that surfaces your best work without hunting for it |
| Part 4F | Foundation Recap | Disconnected tools and unclear next steps | Connected everything into one workflow and prepared you for intentional development work |
This table exists for one reason: clarity. It shows progress, reinforces purpose, and helps readers understand where they are in the journey.
The Foundation Checklist
Before you enter the Develop Module
By this point, you shouldn’t be left wondering whether you’re ready to start editing. You ought to have a clear understanding. This checklist serves as confirmation that your Lightroom foundational skills are solid, reliable, and adaptable for future needs.
1) Catalogs, Folders & Backups
- ☐ I have a clearly defined Lightroom Classic catalog strategy
- ☐ My photo folders follow a consistent naming structure
- ☐ I understand the difference between folders and collections
- ☐ I follow a 3-2-1 backup approach (local, external, offsite, or cloud)
- ☐ I know where my master image files physically live
2) Hardware setup that supports Lightroom
- ☐ My operating system and Adobe apps are entirely up to date
- ☐ My Lightroom catalog and previews are on fast storage (SSD or NVMe)
- ☐ I understand how RAM, CPU, GPU, and storage affect Lightroom performance
- ☐ My system meets at least the recommended baseline for my image volume
- ☐ I have a clear upgrade path if performance becomes a bottleneck
3) Import workflow consistency
- ☐ I import images the same way on every trip
- ☐ Folder naming is predictable and repeatable
- ☐ File naming rules prevent duplicates and confusion
- ☐ I apply basic metadata on import when appropriate
- ☐ I do not make creative editing decisions during import
Shortcut reminder (Lightroom Classic): Import dialog = Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + I
4) Library Module setup and navigation
- ☐ I primarily use the Library Module for selection and organization
- ☐ I am comfortable switching between Grid, Loupe, Compare, and Survey views
- ☐ I understand which tools are for selection vs organization
View shortcuts (default): Grid (G), Loupe (E), Compare (C), Survey (N)
5) Culling with confidence
- ☐ I use a multi-pass culling process
- ☐ Flags, stars, and color labels each have a defined role
- ☐ I reject images to remove them from my active workflow, not to delete them
- ☐ Rejected images remain archived for possible future recovery or technology advances
- ☐ I only send selected images to the Develop Module
Deletion rule (important): I only delete truly unrecoverable images, such as entirely out-of-focus frames with no subject definition, severe motion blur beyond recognition, frames that are entirely black or entirely blown out white, accidental shutter presses, or corrupted files.
Selection shortcuts (default): Pick (P), Reject (X), Unflag (U), Stars (1–5)
6) Metadata and keywords that work
- ☐ I apply keywords based on subject, location, and story
- ☐ I can find images by search instead of scrolling
- ☐ My keyword system grows logically over time
- ☐ I avoid over-keywording images that do not need it
7) Smart Collections and automation
- ☐ I use Smart Collections to surface images automatically
- ☐ Smart Collections are built from flags, stars, colors, and keywords
- ☐ My system reduces manual sorting and repeated work
- ☐ I trust Smart Collections to reflect my workflow rules
8) Ready for the Develop Module
- ☐ My foundation is consistent and repeatable
- ☐ I know which images deserve editing
- ☐ I am editing with intent, not trying to rescue mistakes
- ☐ The Develop Module is for refinement, not triage
Final confirmation
- ☐ I am ready to move into the Develop Module with confidence
A critical reminder about culling and deletion
Rejecting an image doesn't mean you're deleting it entirely. Instead, rejection is a purposeful step in your workflow. It helps you set aside certain images, removing them from your current editing focus so you can dedicate your attention to your best work—making the process more efficient and clear.
Deletion should be considered only for files that are genuinely unrecoverable. This includes images that are entirely out-of-focus with no discernible subject, or those suffering from severe motion blur that renders them unrecognizable. Often, these frames are completely black or consist of a blown-out white, resulting from accidental shutter presses or file corruption. However, with the continuous advancement of AI and data recovery tools, what once seemed impossible to retrieve may now be salvageable. In many cases, images that are problematic today could become successful recoveries tomorrow, thanks to the rapid progress in technology.
What you can do now that you could not do before
Because of this foundation, you can now:
- Import and organize without hesitation
- Find images quickly, even years later
- Cull decisively and confidently
- Trust Smart Collections to surface your best work
- Enter the Develop Module with purpose
That is not accidental. It is the result of systems thinking.
What comes next
Next, we transition into the Develop Module, where the emphasis moves from merely fixing issues to delving into interpretation. This stage is about more than just troubleshooting; it’s where we begin to shape the style, mood, and storytelling elements of the image through careful, thoughtful decisions, one step at a time.
(Link to Part 5 will be added here once published.)
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If you have questions about culling, organization, or adapting this system to your own diving and shooting style, I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in the comments or email me, and let us continue building a community.
Until next time, dive smart, shoot steady, and edit with intention.
Written by Robert Herb
Empowering underwater photographers to capture and enhance the beauty of our oceans since 1978.
Stay tuned for more in-depth insights into underwater photography. Let us dive deeper into the art and craft of capturing the marine world. If you have any comments or suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Get ready for an exciting underwater photography adventure. For more details on my upcoming online training course, check out my Training page at RobertHerb.com or email me at bob@robertherb.com.
Sincerely,
Bob Herb
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