Can you apply Lightroom filters to videos?

Answered by Tom Adger

You can absolutely apply Lightroom filters to videos! Lightroom has expanded its capabilities beyond just editing photos and now includes basic video editing features as well. This means you can apply adjustments, presets, and even create still frames from your videos.

To get started, open Lightroom and import the video file you want to edit. You can do this by clicking on the Import button or by dragging and dropping the video file into your Lightroom library.

Once your video is imported, you can access the editing tools by clicking on the Develop module. Here, you’ll find a range of adjustments that you can apply to your video, similar to how you would edit a photo.

You can make basic adjustments such as exposure, contrast, highlights, shadows, and white balance. Simply adjust the sliders to your liking and see the changes in real-time.

One useful feature when working with videos in Lightroom is the ability to create still frames. This allows you to capture a single frame from your video and treat it as a regular photo. To do this, navigate to the frame you want to capture and go to the Develop module. From there, you can apply any adjustments or presets to the still frame just like you would with a photo.

Another exciting feature is the ability to apply Lightroom presets to your videos. Presets are pre-defined editing settings that can be applied with a single click, giving your videos a consistent and professional look. To apply a preset to your video, go to the Presets panel on the left-hand side and select the preset you want to use. Lightroom will automatically apply the preset to your video, and you can further fine-tune the settings if needed.

It’s important to note that Lightroom’s video editing capabilities are more limited compared to specialized video editing software. You won’t find advanced features like timeline editing, transitions, or effects. However, Lightroom is a great option if you want to quickly make basic adjustments and apply presets to your videos, especially if you’re already familiar with the Lightroom interface and workflow.

Lightroom allows you to apply filters, make adjustments, create still frames, and apply presets to your videos. While it may not have all the advanced video editing features, it’s a convenient option if you want to quickly enhance your videos with a consistent look using the tools you already know in Lightroom.