Lightroom Help Needed...

[Korky]

I may just be being a bit thick here, but here goes anyway.

 

When I edit an image in Lr, the edit always finds its way back to my library, but what happens to the original?

 

In Aperture, the original stacks up with the edit(s), but I just can't work out how Lr handles things.

 

Korky

[Martyn]

If you're editing a raw file, the original remains as it is except it has a small invisible sidecar file attached which contains the edits you have applied.

[PaulT]

I'm newish to lightroom as well so completely unqualified to comment!  (Just signed up to the monthly payment thing) but this is what I worked out because of the same thing. As Martyn said the edits are just floating on top of the original, if you look on the bottom LHS in develop (under the preview pane) and scroll down down all of your actions are there in the history section and can be taken away etc. I make a virtual copy (right click image about half way down) and then go back in time with the first image. I hope this makes sense and is right! 

[ChrisLumix]

Same with RawTherapee - a tiny file goes side by side with the original.

[cuilin]

if you're editing a raw then your original raw file remains as martyn said and you'd get a new .jpg file next to it when you export.  however, if you're editing a .jpg it can overwrite your original image.  there is an option in the export dialogue to give it a new name.  once you set it up it will remain like that until you change it. there may also be an option to create a copy, but i'm not sure and don't have it in front of me.

[Korky]

Thanks for the info, everyone.

 

Korky