So what are plugins? These are third-party software, also called an add-on or extension which you can use to add new functions to host programs (like Lightroom Classic) without actually modifying or changing the host program itself. There are quite a few plugins; let’s have a look at what they are and how to access them.

What Plugins are available?

There is a whole range of plugins available to work with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. You can also use Photoshop as a plug in too. You can use many of these on other programs like Luminar as well.

• Radiant Photo
• Nik Collection
• Topaz Studio — DeNoise^AI, Sharpen^AI & Studio II
• Luminar Neo
• Exposure

Plugin Manager

You can check what you have installed in the Plugin Manager in Lightroom. File > Plug-in Manager. You can add and remove them from here too. Adobe Photoshop is usually already set up for you.

How to access plugins

Firstly, you may need to access and setup your “External Editing” settings. Go to Edit > Preferences > External Editing tab. The top part is how I like to set up for editing in Photoshop. In the bottom part, if your drop down the Custom tab, you can choose from your options. Click OK to save settings.

Now you can edit in external plugins. Select your image in Lightroom, right-click and choose “Edit in” and then choose from the drop-down menu.

Once you have finished editing your image, simply save and it will save as a copy in Lightroom Classic, usually alongside or at the end of your film strip. If you have opened and saved in Photoshop a copy will be made with a. PSD extension.

Most plugins work in a similar way, depending on what extension you chose in the External Editor it may be a TIFF file. Perhaps these could be the ‘key’ to your editing happiness?