Today’s Question
In Lightroom Classic, when I create a virtual copy, it automatically gets named “Copy 1,” “Copy 2,” and so on. However, if I try to rename the virtual copy, the original image also gets renamed. Is there a way to modify just the “Copy 1” label to something more descriptive, like “Black & White,” to indicate the edits I made?
Mark’s Answer
Yes, you can rename a virtual copy in Lightroom Classic by modifying the Copy Name field in the Metadata panel on the right side of the Library module.
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When you create a virtual copy in Lightroom Classic, it is automatically assigned a name like “Copy 1” for the first copy, “Copy 2” for the second, and so on. By default, this name appears alongside or in place of the original filename, such as in the grid view or above the filmstrip in the bottom panel.
Suppose you use the Rename Photo command on a virtual copy. In that case, you’ll rename the source image since a virtual copy is just a reference to the original with a different set of metadata.
However, you can rename a virtual copy by editing the Copy Name field in the Metadata panel on the right side of the Library module. Remember that the Copy Name field is not always visible, depending on the selected metadata view. For example, the Default metadata view may not show this field unless customized to include it. The EXIF and IPTC metadata view, however, does display the Copy Name field.
To rename a virtual copy, simply enter a new name in the Copy Name field. This is useful for organizing your workflow, allowing you to label copies descriptively – such as “Black & White” or “Soft Contrast” – rather than relying on generic names like “Copy 1.”
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