Effective photo management in Luminar 4: Instructions

The management of your photos can quickly become confusing with a large collection. Luminar 4 offers you numerous features to give your image collection structure and create the desired overview. In this guide, you will learn how to efficiently sort, rate, and tag your images, as well as how to work with various tools within the software.

Key insights

• Luminar 4 is oriented towards the folder structure of your hard drive.
• You can rename and delete both images and folders in Luminar and on your hard drive.
• Through virtual albums, you can specifically collect and manage images for projects.
• Attributes like ratings and colors help in the quick identification of images.

Step-by-step guide

Understanding the folder structure

Luminar 4 displays the folder structure of your hard drive in the library. Open the software and take a look at the imported images. Here you can see which folders and subfolders exist. Be aware that all changes made to the image files in the folders, such as deleting or renaming, will also be reflected in Luminar 4.

Renaming and editing images

Let's say you want to rename a folder. Simply click on the desired folder, for example, "Ice", and rename it to "Ice Cream" by pressing the Enter key. This change will be immediately visible in the software, as there is a live link between the program and the hard drive. You can also right-click on the folder and choose the rename option to make the process even simpler.

Using virtual folders

In Luminar 4, you can also create a shortcut for all photos. Click on "All Photos" in the library for an overview of all images in your collection. This function is particularly useful for working sorted by specific periods or albums, such as photos from February 2019 or from specific days.

Tagging and rating images

An excellent feature of Luminar 4 is the ability to tag and rate images. You can mark images with a heart, add a color tag, or use a five-star rating system. This way, you can quickly find favorites or edited images. These ratings help you maintain an overview, especially in larger collections.

Using the trash bin

If you want to remove an image, it is first placed in the trash bin. Select the image and right-click to choose the option "Move to Trash". You can also select multiple images at once by holding down the control key. A simple click on the trash bin icon allows you to immediately remove the images or restore them from the trash bin.

Shortcuts for better overview

In the "Shortcuts" area, you can manage your frequently used albums or folders. Right-click on a folder and choose "Add to Shortcuts" to easily access the folder. Here you can also decide whether to hide or display certain shortcuts to improve the overview.

Creating albums for specific projects

When working on a specific project, it makes sense to create an album. Click on the plus sign to create a new album and name it, for example, "Vacation 2023". After creating it, you can select images from various sources and simply drag them into this album. This way, you keep track and can focus specifically on the respective images.

Sorting images

To gain a better overview of your images, you can sort the view by various criteria. Use the menus in the top right corner to switch between different views, such as all photos, only favorites, or rejected images. Sorting by capture time or rating is also possible and helps you quickly find the desired images.

Summary – Guide to effective photo management in Luminar 4

Luminar 4 offers you numerous powerful tools to manage your images efficiently. From simply renaming and organizing your folders to using virtual albums and shortcuts, you can purposefully structure your image collection. Rating and tagging options support you in quickly identifying your best shots.