Hi everyone. This week Adobe released a new Lightroom update with some new features. Of those, are two that I think you’ll really want to try out. The first is a duplicate finder which is something Lightroom users have been wanting for a long time. Next, isn’t really a new feature, but they’ve improved the Select Subject masking tool, which is something just about everyone uses all the time. And in my experiments, it’s not just a little better, it’s a big improvement.
What the duplicates finder brings to Lightroom
The new duplicate finder is designed to help photographers manage their libraries more efficiently by locating exact or near-duplicate files. This can streamline catalog management, reduce storage usage, and minimize confusion when organizing shoots or backups. As with any automated tool, it’s important to review results before taking bulk actions to ensure you don’t lose valuable copies.
In practice, you can expect the tool to scan your selected folders or the entire catalog to identify duplicates based on image hashes, file metadata, or perceptual similarity. This enables you to catch duplicates that may have slipped through from different imports or backups. The feature aims to balance accuracy with speed so that you don’t experience long wait times during a typical editing session.
Improved Select Subject masking
Next, the improved Select Subject masking tool is not a brand-new feature, but it represents a meaningful upgrade for everyday editing workflows. The enhancement focuses on more accurate and reliable subject selection, which helps you isolate subjects quickly for masking, adjustments, or refinements. The result is a smoother editing experience, especially for complex backgrounds or intricate subjects where previous iterations struggled.
For many users, this means fewer manual tweaks and faster progress when preparing portraits, fashion shoots, or wildlife shots. The update reinforces Lightroom’s role as a versatile, efficient workflow hub, enabling more time to be spent on creative decisions rather than technical fiddling.
Potential update rollbacks and cautions
UPDATE: It looks like Adobe may have pulled the update due to the Duplicate feature removing photos that shouldn’t be removed. I don’t use the feature, and I use Lightroom (not classic) for my perusal photography - so I haven’t rolled back. But you can contact Adobe for help rolling back if you’d like. Alternatively, just don’t use the new feature - you won’t be able to anyway if you rollback to the previous version. Click here to read up on it and hopefully this helps. Alternative you can go directly to my YouTube channel to watch.
This note highlights an important practice: before adopting a major change, test the new tools on non-critical catalogs or sample folders. If any automated deletion or bulk action feels risky, consider delaying rollout or keeping a controlled environment for evaluation. Adobe and the community often share guidance and rollback procedures; consult official support channels if you plan to revert.
Practical tips for using the new features
- Backup your Lightroom catalog and copies of original files before enabling the duplicate finder on large libraries.
- Run the duplicate search on a smaller subset first to gauge accuracy and behavior.
- Review duplicate results with a careful eye to avoid removing photos you value or need for different edits.
- Experiment with Select Subject masking in a variety of lighting conditions to understand its strengths and any edge cases.
- Combine the masking improvements with existing workflows, such as quick selective adjustments and targeted color edits.
When to rollback or pause updates
If you rely on precise catalog integrity and have a large, curated collection, consider pausing automatic updates until you verify that the new duplicate finder behaves as expected in your environment. Engage with Adobe support or community forums for rollbacks or patch notes, and share your experiences to help others decide whether to adopt the update immediately or wait for refinement.
Lightroom Classic 15.4: AI Masking, Duplicate Detection and More!
In summary, the update introduces a dedicated duplicates finder that many users have requested for years, alongside notable improvements to the Select Subject masking tool. While the rollout has raised concerns about potential unintended deletions, careful testing and clear rollback options can help photographers decide how to proceed. For those who want deeper dives, checking official Lightroom resources and creator channels can provide practical demonstrations and best practices.
tags: #find #duplicates #in #lightroom