Collages have been a staple for wedding photographers for a long time. Now, they have gained popularity on social media and blogs as well. You want to refresh your content, add a collage. The best thing about Adobe Lightroom is that among the number of features that it provides, it also allows us to create collages.Â
In the beginning, it might be a little confusing to learn how to make a collage in Lightroom, but once you go through the article, it will be a breeze.
Creating a Lightroom Collage
Before we begin, you should make a new collection of the images you are going to use. If you do not know how to do this, then you can browse the images from the Folders panel.
Step 1: Use the Print Module
Print Module is located on the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen, under the File tab. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl/Cmd+P to enable it.
Although the primary purpose of this module is printing, it is also useful in creating a Lightroom collage. Once you have opened the module, you will see the Template Browser option on the left side of the screen.
When you click it, it will open a list of pre-existing collage templates. The easiest way to learn how to make a collage in Lightroom is to edit one of these templates. Scroll down until you find the templates starting with Custom.
Step 2: Customizing the Template of collage in Lightroom
On the right side, open the Ruler, Grid, and Guides panel to make custom adjustments.
Firstly, set the Ruler to inches and Grid Snap to cells.
Secondly, tick the Show Guides. And under this menu, select Page Bleed, Page Grid, Image Cells, and Dimensions.
As you move down on the customization panel, you will see the ‘Print to‘ option. Set it to JPEG; this is the exact reason we are using Print Module because, in addition to print, it allows us to save the collages as JPEG. Moreover, you can either uncheck Print Sharpening or set it to Standard.
Also, set the JPEG quality to 100 and file resolution to 100ppi.
This is the most crucial step of learning how to make a collage in Lightroom, so pay attention while you do it.
Step 3: Setting the Dimensions
This part will depend on the specific purpose that you have in mind. However, for the sake of this guide, let’s assume that you want 1000 pixels at the width. It would translate to 10 inches.
There’s no pressure to get it right the first time; you can do it as many times as you want. Even if you change your mind further down the process, then you can always come back and readjust the values.
Photo edited in Lightroom.
Step 4: Arranging Cells
In a Lightroom collage, the photos are placed inside the cells. So now, we have to add and arrange the cells. You can add any number of cells in any position. But for now, let us add a larger cell at the top for a landscape and two smaller cells beneath it for portraits.
Head to the Cells Panel and click on 4×6, which will be present under the Add the Package option. It will add a small cell, but you can resize it by clicking and dragging it.
Similarly, add two smaller cells and position them underneath the first cell.
When resizing the cells, hold the Shift Key so that the ratio will not be disturbed. Alternatively, you can check the Lock Photo to Aspect Ratio option.
If you wish to save the template before adding photos to it, then click the + sign at the top of Template Browser. Then, type in a new name and click Create.
Step 5: Adding the Images to the collage in Lightroom
This is the last step of learning how to make a collage in Lightroom. In order to add the images, you can drag them from the Filmstrip panel at the bottom.Â
The ratio of the photos and the cells might be different. Therefore, drag the image inside the cell to reposition the crop.
Step 6: Adding a Border and Watermark
This step is not necessary, but adding white borders on the collage will make it more pleasing. To add the border, head to the Image Settings panel and check Photo Border.
You should know that the color of the Border is determined by the template’s background color. To change it, open the Page Panel. There, check Page Background Color and select your desired color.
You can also use the same panel to add a watermark to the collage.
Conclusion - How to Make a Collage in Lightroom
So, that was it. Hopefully, you have gone through the guide. But if you still think that it is confusing, give it a try. It might sound that there are too many moving pieces in this process, once you start practicing, you will see that it is pretty easy to learn how to make a collage in Lightroom. Not only easy but rewarding as well!
If the “How to Make a Collage in Lightroom” article has helped you, then Like and Share it with your friends!
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Have a nice photoshoot!Â
Lightroom and Photoshop Tutorials
