Difference Between Collections and Smart Collections in Lightroom Classic

In Lightroom Classic, Collections and Smart Collections serve the purpose of organising photos, but they differ in how they operate and the functionality they provide.

Collections

• Manual Organisation: Users manually add photos to Collections. This gives full control over which photos are included.
• Flexible Use: A photo can belong to multiple Collections without moving its original file location.
• Custom Naming: Users can name and organise Collections based on projects, events, or personal preferences.
• No Criteria: Collections do not employ search criteria to collect and organise images; all images must be added or removed manually.

Smart Collections

• Automatic Organisation: Smart Collections automatically organise photos based on defined criteria, like metadata or keywords.
• Dynamic Updates: As new photos are added to the LrC Catalog that fit the criteria, they are automatically included in the Smart Collection.
• Criteria Filters: Users can define specific rules for inclusion, such as rating, colour labels, metadata, or camera settings.
• No Manual Input Necessary: Users are not required to manage the contents actively; the Smart Collection updates in real-time based on user-defined rules.