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Culling is an essential step in the photo editing workflow, especially for photographers who work with large volumes of images. In Adobe Lightroom Classic, culling refers to the process of sorting through and selecting the best photos from a shoot, while discarding the ones that don’t make the cut. This helps streamline the editing process, allowing you to focus on the images with the most potential.

How to Cull in Lightroom Classic

1. Import Your Photos
   Begin by importing all your photos into Lightroom Classic. Once imported, you’ll find your images in the Library module, where the culling process begins.
2. Use Grid or Loupe View
   In the Library module, use the Grid View (shortcut: G) to see thumbnails of all your images. This allows you to quickly browse through them. Alternatively, the Loupe View (shortcut: E) is helpful for inspecting individual photos in detail.
3. Flagging Photos
   One of the most popular methods for culling is flagging. You can mark photos with three types of flags:

• Flag as Pick (shortcut: P): Marks the photo as a keeper.
• Flag as Rejected (shortcut: X): Marks the photo for deletion or removal.
• Unflag (shortcut: U): Removes any flag from the image if you change your mind.

1. Star Ratings and Color Labels
   Many photographers also use star ratings (1-5 stars) or color labels to organize their selections. For example, you might give your best shots a 5-star rating and average shots 3 stars, saving time for future reviews.
2. Quick Develop Tools
   While culling, you may notice that some images need slight exposure or contrast adjustments before making a final decision. The Quick Develop panel in the Library module lets you make minor edits without jumping into the full Develop module, speeding up the process.
3. Refining Your Selections
   After flagging, rating, or labeling your photos, you can filter your selections by using the Filter Bar at the top of the Library module. This helps you focus only on the flagged or highly-rated images as you refine your culling further.
4. Delete or Reject the Rest
   Once you’ve selected your keepers, go ahead and remove or reject the photos that didn’t make the cut. You can delete them from the catalog entirely or just mark them as rejected to be removed later.

Benefits of Culling in Lightroom Classic

1. Saves Time and Storage Space
   By removing unwanted images early in the process, you free up disk space and make the remaining workflow more efficient. This also prevents you from wasting time editing photos that won’t be part of your final selection.
2. Improves Focus on Quality
   Culling helps you focus on the best images from your shoot, giving you a clearer direction for editing. When you’re not distracted by hundreds of similar shots, you can refine the top selections and bring out the best in your work.
3. Organized Workflow
   Lightroom’s ability to flag, rate, and label photos allows for a highly organized workflow. You can revisit your selections later, sorting by star ratings or color labels, which is especially useful for large projects or client work.
4. Better Client Deliverables
   Culling ensures that only your highest-quality work is presented to clients. This not only improves client satisfaction but also strengthens your portfolio over time.

Culling is more than just deleting photos—it’s about thoughtfully curating the best from your shoots. By mastering culling in Lightroom Classic, you can significantly improve your efficiency and the overall quality of your photography work.