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George Cairns shows you how to get your photos into Lightroom

Last issue we took you through Lightroom’s basic interface. One of the great things about Lightroom is the ease with which you can import images into Lightroom’s Catalog from a variety of sources. As well as being able to import files that you’ve already downloaded onto your computer (either its hard drive or an external hard drive), you can also import them from memory cards and even direct from your Nikon.

You’re also able to use the Develop settings to batch-process your images at the same time as you import them. This can help reduce the time you spend in post-production if you’ve taken a number of photographs in one location, and in identical lighting conditions, and want to give them all the same initial treatment – or if you know you have a tendency to under- or over-expose, and so always need to tweak that aspect of your shots.

Note that if you shoot in RAW and have been using Picture Controls, you will not see the effects of these when you import your RAW file into Lightroom. Photographers who use their camera’s Monochrome Picture Control are often surprised to open their RAW file in software such as