How to batch edit in Photoshop

Photoshop is a leading photo editor, and for good reason. It has sophisticated features that make photo editing easy. But perhaps one of its most intriguing features is the ability to edit a batch of photos at a time. The feature is useful when you have multiple images that need similar edits. That way, you save time and effort that you would otherwise spend doing repetitive tasks that can be easily automated.

But how exactly do you batch edit in Photoshop? Keep reading to find out how to do the entire process.

How to batch edit photos in Photoshop

Batch editing allows you to apply the same effect or action to many photos simultaneously.

We highly recommend batch editing photos with the same subject, environment, and lighting conditions. However, you can still batch edit photos that don’t meet these requirements, especially if you have a set of actions that you typically apply to almost every image you edit in Photoshop.

The way the batch editing feature works in Photoshop is that you record a set of actions; Think of this as the actual edits you are making to a particular photo. You can then replicate these actions on all other images in the batch. As a result, all photos will share the same effects with a single app.

Essentially, batch photo editing with Photoshop involves three main steps. Below we analyze each of these steps in greater detail.

Step 1: Add the photos to edit to your Photoshop workspace

This step involves opening all the photos you want to batch edit in Photoshop. To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Launch Photoshop and on the home screen, select the “Open” option in the sidebar.
   
2. Navigate to the folder containing the images you want to batch edit.
   
3. Select all the images you want to edit. To select multiple photos at once on a Windows PC, click on the first image and then hold down the “Ctrl” key. If you’re on a Mac, you can click on the first image, hold down the “Cmd” key, and finally click on the rest of the photos to select them.
   
4. Press the “Open” button once you have selected all the images you want to batch edit.
   
5. The images you selected should open in Photoshop, each in its own window.
   

It’s best to have a copy of the photos you’re going to batch edit in a different folder so you have a backup in case the final edits don’t turn out the way you imagined. That way you’ll always have something to come back to in case you have to redo them.

Instead of opening all the photos in Photoshop, you can simply create a dedicated folder on your computer and transfer the images you need to batch edit to that particular folder.

Step 2: Record the actions applied to the current photo

This step involves editing the photo you’re currently working on and then saving these edits as actions that you can apply to all the other images in the batch. Keep in mind that any modifications you make to the current photo will affect all other images in the set once you apply the action, so you have to do it right.

Follow the steps below to create an action that can then be replicated on the other photos in the batch:

1. Open the Action Panel by going to “Window” and then “Actions.”
   
2. Navigate to the bottom of the Action Panel and click the folder icon to create a new folder for your action.
   
3. Specify the folder name and press the “OK” button.
   
4. Open the folder you just created above and click the sheet of paper icon at the bottom of the Action Panel to create a new action. This icon is right next to the trash icon on the left.
   
5. Specify the name of the action. It is best to opt for a name that is descriptive and easy to remember because you will select it from a list of other actions. You can leave the “Function Key” and “Color” options as “None”.
   
6. Press the “Record” button and start editing the current photo. You can verify that actions are being recorded by looking for a red circle at the bottom of the Actions Panel.
   
7. Any edits you make will be recorded as an action and can be applied to all other photos in the batch.
8. Once you’re done, go to “File” and “Save As” to save the image you just finished editing.
   
9. Go to the Actions panel and press the “Stop Recording” icon to stop recording the action.
   

Step 3: Apply the recorded action to the rest of the batch

Now that you have an action, it’s time to apply it to the rest of the photos in the batch. Think of it as using the effects of the edits you made to the first image on other images in the batch. Here’s how to do the process:

1. Go to “File,” then “Automate,” and select “Batch.”
   
2. In the widget that opens, go to the “Set” drop-down menu and choose the set that contains your action.
   
3. Expand the “Action” drop-down menu and select the action you created in the previous step.
   
4. Under “Source,” select “Open Files” if you opened all the photos you want to batch edit in Photoshop. Otherwise, select “Folder” if you have all the images you want to batch edit stored in a specific folder on your computer.
   
5. From the “Errors” drop-down menu, choose “Stop for errors.”
   
6. Specify the destination of the final photos by opening the “Destination” drop-down menu, then select “Folder” and specify the folder where you want to save the final images. Alternatively, you can also select “Save and Close”. Photoshop will automatically save your photos when you close the app.
   
7. Once you are done, press the “OK” button.
   
8. Wait a few minutes until the action is applied to the other images in the folder. This action may take longer depending on the speed of your computer and the number of images you are editing.

If you want to continue editing a specific photo in the batch, you can proceed to do so. However, batch edits are already applied to the image, so there is no need to repeat them.

Additional FAQs

What is the maximum number of photos I can batch edit at once in Photoshop?

There is no maximum number of photos you can batch edit at a time. However, suppose you have a computer with lower hardware capabilities. In that case, you may be limited to a few images in a single session; Otherwise, the Photoshop program may start to slow down.

If editing too many photos at once slows down your Photoshop, limit the batch to a few images.

How do I save the photos I just edited as JPG?

JPG is the preferred image format for many photographers because images saved in this format are smaller but do not compromise photo quality. To save the images you have edited as JPG, follow the steps below:

1. Batch select all photos open in Photoshop.

2. Click the “Save” icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

3. From the “Format” drop-down menu, choose “JPEG” and then “Save.”

How do I remove batch edits from a single photo in the batch?

To reverse edits made to a single photo in the batch, open that particular photo and click the “Reset” button in the lower right corner of the window.

Batch Edit Photos in Photoshop Like a Pro

Batch image editing in Photoshop is a relatively simple task thanks to the ability to apply one action to multiple images. It’s a great way to save time and automate repetitive tasks that can quickly become boring. However, it is best to use this feature on photos with the same subject and lighting conditions.

If your images do not meet these requirements, batch editing may not produce the best results. Consequently, you may spend even more time manually redoing the entire process one by one. So, be careful and be a little picky about the photos you want to batch edit.

Have you tried batch photo editing with Photoshop? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.