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Using the Library Filter
One of the coolest features in Lightroom is the Library filter. With just a few clicks, the Library filter can use not only attributes, but also keywords, EXIF data from your camera, and IPTC Metadata that you applied during import or other processes, providing a really simple and efficient means of displaying only those shots that meet your specific criteria.
By default, the Library filter is located above the thumbnails in the Grid view, but it may not be visible. To open the Library filter, press the backslash (\) key. The filter uses three types of criteria, which can be combined in different ways. For this example, we'll focus only on the use of attributes. When you click the Attribute label, the filter's controls slide into view. These controls (flag settings, ratings, and labels) will be familiar, since you've worked with them in the Compare view.
To activate the filter, just click the attributes of the images you want to see. For example, suppose you're working in a specific folder, and you want to view only those shots that have ratings of four stars or greater, and that have been flagged as selected shots. You can choose the "greater than or equal to" symbol (≥) from the pop-up menu, click the 4 Star icon, and then click the white flag (Select) icon. You can also click (or Command-click/Control-click) color labels to further refine your results. Any images that don't meet your chosen criteria will be hidden (see Figure 6).
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Figure 6 By clicking on different Attribute criteria, you can quickly filter out (hide) any images that don't match the criteria.
To learn more techniques and tips like this one, check out Adobe Digital Imaging How-Tos: 100 Essential Techniques for Photoshop CS5, Lightroom 3, and Camera Raw 6.
Dan Moughamian has nearly two decades of experience working with Adobe applications, including more than 16 years with Photoshop. As a fine art photographer, professional instructor, and a veteran of the Adobe alpha and beta testing programs, Dan brings a unique and fresh perspective to digital photography workflows. You can learn more about Dan at Colortrails.com and follow him on Twitter @Colortrails.