A snapshot is a way to save a modified set of Develop Settings. Pressing the Reset button is essential the same as creating a snapshot for the original imported image. Pressing the big reset button in the Develop Module sets the image back to its default settings.
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David Marx

Great minds think alike. Plugin master Jeffery Freidl had the exact same thought a few months ago and he designed a simple solution. Check out his wonderful “Snapshot on Export” plugin.

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David Marx

I’d really like to make a snapshot for multiple photos at the same time. For example, I’d like to ‘label’ an entire collection as “4×6 version given to customer.”

When you select multiple photos in the Develop module, then name a snapshot, it only does so for the one bold/selected photo.

Thanks for your article!
Paul

The plugin master Mr. Jeffery Freidl recently posted a new export plugin for the Lightroom 3 beta v.2 that you might find interesting. This cool new plugin makes a snapshot for you every time you export a file. It certainly doesn’t replace the uses for virtual copies but it makes it easy to return to a particular set of settings even if you have completely reset the file and then reworked it in an entirely different direction. Check out The Snapshot on Export Plugin.

Remember though that Lightroom 3 Beta v.2 is still experimental and not bug free.

David

Thanks for the compliments. There are some definite crossovers between snapshots and virtual copies. Basically, I use Virtual Copies when I want to see two or more different versions of an image side by side for comparison purposes or when I’ll be exporting multiple versions.

For example, it’s pretty easy for me to select a group of images, create virtual copies for all of those images, then turn those virtual copies to black and white. Then, I could easily batch export the color and black and white versions simultaneously for some outside use (i.e. – showing to a client).

Hope that explanation helps.

-Scott

I am pretty new to LightRoom and loving it so far. Your instructional videos are excellent and already my workflow is starting to get much more streamlined and less laborious.

I have a question about snapshots. I understand now how snapshots should be used but I see a lot of crossover with the virtual copy feature. Could you explain (or point me in the direction of a resource) when it is advantageous to use one method over the other and what the pros and cons are of each.

Thanks for taking the time to produce these high quality productions, I really appreciate them.

1. Go to the develop module and click on your snapshot of choice.

2. Go File > Export.

3. In the Export Dialog select the apporpriate location for your new file, if needed give it a new name, and then select the appropriate file format.

4. If you have more than one snapshot, and want more than one new file, repeat as needed.

5. Press the letter G on the keyboard to return to Ligtroom’s Grid View in the Library Module.