A quick look at Collections in LR2 Beta

I've put together a short video on using collections in Lightroom 2 Beta. It covers Collection Sets, Smart Collections and module based collections. While I show how to create a module based collection in Slideshow, you can also do it in Print and Web. Enjoy.

The video is in m4v, iTunes video format. I've played around with getting the size vs performance right, this is done using the desktop video size.

A Short Intro to Collections

Video: Creating Text slides for Slideshow in Lightroom

The normal route to making text slides is by creating them in Photoshop or another similar program. Here's a little workaround video to getting them in Lightroom directly. For a black background to the text slides, simply take a photo with your lens cap on. For other styles, you could use a photo of a solid colour or texture.
In the Video I use Job Identifier as the holder for the text in the Slides, but you can use anything that is not used by the images in the slideshow. Make sure the text box you use in the Slideshow setup matches whatever metadata you choose.
The video is in .m4v iPod Video format so Right Click the link to download it. I haven't done a video for a while, so excuse any mistakes!

Watermarking Slideshow PDF files

A friend of mine is having a problem with sending out PDF files of her slideshows. She feels that people are simply printing off the PDF. While neither of us consider the print quality good enough, the clients must. I created an MP4 video to show how to watermark the Slideshow. It's a quick a dirty video with a USB mic. My studio mic setup was all packed away a while ago, so the audio is only okay on this one!
You can also Download the PNG file shown in the video.

Upgrading your Beta 4 Library to Version 1.

The upgrade path from a Beta Library is fraught with peril. Not really, but it does require patience and understanding, especially if you have large Library.
I've prepared a video as I do a jump from Beta 4 to V1. Before you begin your upgrade, please read the Readme and help files. Heed the warnings about upgrading therein. Unhide all image files and Import all Photo Binders into the B4.1 Library before starting. On that note, upgrade previous Libraries to B4.1 also. The process will backup the B4 library, in the event of a failure. To aid you in your upgrade here is the video: Library Upgrade Video.

Video: Spot Removal Tool

The first of my Version 1 Quick Tutorials: The spot removal tool. This is a very handy tool that both allows you to remove dust spots and do basic skin retouching. It can also be synced or copy/pasted into other images.

Histogram

A quick video on using the histogram in beta 4.1 to adjust your images and see clipping quickly and easily in Lightroom.

Individual Text

A lot of people are interested in having different text showing up on each image in their slideshow or web gallery. Here's another short tutorial video on how to do this:

Multiple Libraries

A few people have been requesting an existing feature in Lightroom: Mulitple Libraries. The current way of dealing with Libraries is not obvious to the uninitiated so I've done another bandwidth video eating to help.
Update: With reference to the PC Method of opening the Library Picker. Alt Clicking on the icon in the Quicklaunch bar and other single click to open locations works, as does Ctrl and double clicking on shortcuts to the Adobe Lightroom application. Double clicking and then holding Alt immediately also works. More than one way to skin a cat it seems. As johnbeardy points out you could always just double click on the Library you want to use also.

Tone Curve Video

In yet another moment of madness, I've done another 3 minute tutorial. This time it's on the Tone Curve giving a quick run through on how to use it.
This time it's a Quicktime Movie file with h.264 compression so quality should be more acceptable. Audio is still from a headset, but louder than last time. I still need to stop mumbling though :)

Video: Crop & Straighten.

I'm going to regret this when my server load goes bananas. With all the questions on Cropping coming up on the forums, I've done a video on it.
This is my first video folks, done on my Macbook Pro on a demo copy of Snapz Pro X, using my headset mic. I may bring home a mixer and a decent condensor for next time but for now, Please excuse the any audio impropriety. The video quality is reasonable, enough to understand. I just needed it to be small enough. I'll do better next time here too. This is a zipped MP4 and should play fine in Quicktime. Right click on the image and save linked file as. Otherwise the movie is here

Next time I promise I'll speak louder. I'll be in a room where no one is sleeping near me!