Jul 28, 2025

How to see before and after in Lightroom?

How to see before and after in Lightroom: A Guide to Viewing Images in Adobe Lightroom

As you become more comfortable and proficient with photo editing in Adobe Lightroom, one of the features you'll find invaluable is the ability to view your image both before and after edits. This functionality allows you to compare the original, unedited image with your current edited photo, giving you a good idea of how your edits are progressing and whether you're satisfied with the changes you've made.

This article will provide a comprehensive guide on utilizing this feature in Adobe Lightroom, using my Charming Café Figure with Beer Mug image as a real-world example.

Understanding the Before and After Tool

The Before and After tool in Lightroom is a powerful feature that allows you to compare your original image with the edited version. This comparison tool enables you to visually assess your edits by offering options such as side-by-side or split-screen views, making it easier to evaluate the impact of your adjustments.

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This tool helps determine what else to edit in your photo to make it a masterpiece. Using the Before and After tool, you can quickly see how much your original image has changed since you first cropped it in Lightroom and made numerous adjustments.Take the time to learn how to use the comparison tool effectively, making better editing decisions and achieving the best results.

Where to Find the Split-Screen View for Before and After

The before and after views in Lightroom can be accessed from different areas within the software:

In the Develop Module: This is the most common place to use the before and after views. You'll find this feature in the Develop Module in the toolbar below your image, where you can activate the split screen or before/after view. To enter the split screen view, select the appropriate option from the toolbar. You are currently working on and comparing the active file in Lightroom. The before image represents the default state of the file before any edits are made.
In the Library Module, you can also access a before-and-after view, specifically in the Quick Develop panel. This is useful when making quick, broad adjustments to your images.

How to Use the Before and After Views in Lightroom Classic

Using the before-and-after views is relatively straightforward. Follow these steps:

Open an image in the Develop Module: Select the image you want to edit and open it in the Develop Module.
Begin making your edits: As you apply your adjustments, you can check your progress by comparing the current version of your image with the original photo. This allows you to view your post edits alongside the original image.

ic:Tapping the [Y] key quickly toggles Lightroom’s Before state, letting you instantly see your unedited image for comparison while working in the Develop module.

Click on the 'Before/After' button, located at the bottom toolbar. Clicking it will split your image into two halves. The left side shows the original image (before), and the right side shows the edited version (after).
Choose your preferred view: Lightroom offers different before-and-after views. You can choose from a 'Left/Right' split view, a 'Top/Bottom' split view, and a 'Side by Side comparison' view. You can switch between these views by clicking the arrow next to the 'Before/After' button and selecting your preferred option.
To quickly toggle between before and after views, use the following keyboard shortcuts: Press the backslash ('\') key on your keyboard to switch the full image view between the before and after versions. On Mac, you can also use Option + Y to toggle the before/after view, while on Windows, use [Alt + Y]. These shortcuts help speed up your workflow when comparing edits.

Viewing Modes

Lightroom offers several viewing modes to compare your original image with the edited version. These modes include:

Side by Side: This mode lets you view your original image on the left and your edited version on the right.
Split Screen: This mode allows you to view one whole image on the screen, with a line drawn down the middle, allowing you to view two images simultaneously. One half of the screen shows the original image, while the other half shows the edited image.
Top/Bottom: This mode places the before image at the top of the screen and the after photo at the bottom.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Lightroom provides several keyboard shortcuts to quickly access the Before and After tools. These shortcuts include:

Backslash key []: This is the quickest way to see Before and After in Lightroom. This keyboard shortcut is compatible with Adobe Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic, and all previous versions of Lightroom.
[Y] key: This key views the Before state.

[Shift + Y] key: This key toggles between comparing full images and a split-screen comparison.
[Alt + Y] critical views a Top/Bottom comparison.

Understanding the History Panel

The History panel in Lightroom Classic is a crucial feature for anyone seeking to take control of their editing process. Located in the Develop module, the History panel provides a detailed timeline of every change you make to your image, from the moment you import your original photo to the final edited version. Each step in your editing journey is recorded, allowing you to review, compare, and even revert to any previous state with just a click.

To access the History panel, open the Develop module and look for the "History" tab on the left side of your workspace. Here, you'll see a chronological list of all your edits, complete with timestamps. This makes it easy to track your progress and determine precisely how your image has evolved. To compare different versions, select any step in the History panel—Lightroom will instantly display the image as it appeared at that point, allowing you to see the difference between your current edit and any previous state.

For even more flexibility, the History panel lets you create snapshots of your image at any stage. By clicking the "+" button in the Snapshots section, you can save a particular version of your edited image, making it easy to experiment with new edits without losing your favourite results. If you ever want to return to a specific look, select the corresponding snapshot.

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Lightroom Classic also makes it convenient to compare your original image with the edited version using keyboard shortcuts. Pressing the "Y" key activates a side-by-side comparison, while the backslash key () toggles between the before and after states in Loupe view. These shortcuts, combined with the History panel, give you powerful tools to evaluate your edits and ensure you're moving in the right direction.

The History panel isn't limited to Lightroom Classic—Lightroom CC and Lightroom Mobile also offer ways to review your editing history. On Lightroom Mobile, tap the "Edit" icon and then the "History" tab to see a list of your changes. This allows you to compare different versions and make informed decisions, no matter where you're editing.

By using the History panel and its integrated comparison tools, you can confidently manage your edits, create multiple versions, and always have the option to revert to a previous state. Whether you're perfecting a single masterpiece or working through a batch of images, the History panel is a convenient and powerful feature that helps you get the most out of every edit.

Why Use the Before and After Views for Original Image Comparison?

Fortunately, Lightroom makes it easy to use the before-and-after views, allowing you to compare your edits with the original image quickly.

The before-and-after views can be instrumental in your photo editing workflow. Here are a few reasons why:

Track Your Progress: As you adjust your image, it's easy to lose track of how much your photo has changed. The before-and-after views allow you to see these changes clearly by comparing the edited and original images.
Reevaluate Your Edits: Sometimes, you may find that you've over-processed your image. Comparing the edited image with the original can help you notice this and adjust your edits as necessary.
Presentation: If you're showing your work to a client, the before-and-after views can effectively demonstrate the improvements you've made to an image.

Adobe Lightroom's before-and-after views are an invaluable tool in your editing process. It's a feature you'll use often, regardless of whether you're a professional photographer or a hobbyist. So, the next time you edit an image in Lightroom, use this feature to help you create the best picture possible.

Tips for Effective Use

Here are some tips for effectively using the Before and After tool in Lightroom:

Use the Before and After tool regularly to compare your original image with the edited version.
Use the different viewing modes to compare your original image with the edited version.
Use the keyboard shortcuts to access the Before and After tools.
Use the History panel to compare different versions of your edited image.
Use the Split Screen mode to compare the original and edited images side by side.
Use the Top/Bottom mode to compare the before and after images, especially for horizontal photos.
Use the Copy History Step Settings to copy the settings from one image to another.
Use the Split Screen comparison to compare the original and edited images side by side.

By following these tips, you can effectively use Lightroom's Before and After tool to compare your original image with the edited version and make informed decisions about your editing process.