One of the most time-consuming parts of editing high-volume shoots, especially weddings and portraits, is the photo culling process. Going through hundreds or even thousands of images to find the best shots can take hours. But what if you could do all of that—without ever leaving Lightroom Classic?

With Lightpanel, a new AI assistant, you can use powerful AI photo culling tools directly inside Lightroom Classic—no importing or exporting required. Learn more about the Lightpanel culling engine. Here’s how it works.

Why Use AI for Photo Culling in Lightroom?

  • Identifies blurry images and those with closed eyes automatically
  • Groups similar shots together so you can quickly pick the best
  • Built into your Lightroom Classic workflow—no external software or round-tripping
  • Uses Lightroom metadata and rating systems

Step-by-Step: AI Photo Culling with Lightpanel

Step 1 — Set Up Your Job in Lightroom

Whether you use one catalog or a folder-per-job workflow, just select the folder in Lightroom with the photos you want to cull.

Step 2 — Open Lightpanel and Analyze

In Lightpanel, go to the Culling tab and click Analyze. This scans for:

  • Visually similar images (duplicates)
  • Eyes closed
  • Blurry photos

You can customize what metadata ratings and color labels Lightpanel assigns during analysis in Preferences. For example:

  • Eyes Closed = 1 Star + Red
  • Blurry = 2 Star + Yellow
  • Duplicates = 3 Star + Purple
  • Selects = 4 Star + Green

Step 3 — Review Duplicate Groups

Once analysis is complete, Lightpanel will show all your duplicate groups. Use the arrows or keyboard shortcuts to cycle through sets. Each group includes a magnified view of faces for easy expression comparison.

Step 4 — Promote Your Picks

Use standard Lightroom ratings (e.g., hitting the 4 key) to promote the best shot(s) from each group. You can promote one, all, or none—your choice.

Step 5 — Review Eyes Closed and Blurry Photos

After you finish reviewing duplicates, click the Eyes Closed and Blurry tabs to view flagged images. Lightpanel flags any photo with a face detected as having eyes closed or that appears out of focus. Keep or reject as needed with your normal keyboard ratings.

Pro Tips for Faster Culling

  • Use one-column or two-column view to see more face details or compare expressions.
  • Use arrow keys to move quickly between groups.
  • Customize star ratings or color codes to match your workflow.

FAQs about AI Culling in Lightroom Classic

Can I trust the AI to make decisions for me?

Lightpanel suggests, but you ultimately get the final decision. It flags potential issues but doesn’t auto-delete anything.

Will this slow down Lightroom?

Nope. Lightpanel works in the background while Lightroom remains responsive.

Can I use Lightpanel with my current Lightroom presets and ratings?

Yes. Lightpanel integrates directly with Lightroom’s metadata system, so everything is compatible.

Try It Yourself

Download Lightpanel now and see how much time you can save on your next job. AI photo culling has never been easier. See why photographers call it the best AI culling software.