Tutorials
Getting Started with Batch Processing: A Complete Guide
Master the art of batch photo editing with our comprehensive guide covering everything from setup to export.
H
Written by
Hoang Tran
Published
Dec 28, 2025
Read time
12 min read
Getting Started with Batch Processing: A Complete Guide
New to batch photo editing? This comprehensive guide will take you from zero to hero.
What is Batch Processing?
Batch processing allows you to apply edits, enhancements, and exports to multiple photos simultaneously instead of one at a time.
Why It Matters
- Save Time: Edit hundreds of photos in minutes
- Consistency: Maintain uniform look across photo sets
- Efficiency: Focus on creativity, not repetitive tasks
Step 1: Organize Your Photos
Before you start, organize your images:
Create a Logical Structure
Project_Name/
āāā RAW/ (Original files)
āāā Selects/ (Photos to edit)
āāā Edited/ (Processed files)
āāā Exports/ (Client deliverables)
Name Files Consistently
- Use descriptive names
- Include dates if relevant
- Avoid special characters
Step 2: Set Up Your Workspace
In Partr Dashboard:
- Create a new album
- Tag with category (Portrait, Event, Product, etc.)
- Upload your batch of photos
Pro Tip
Upload during off-peak hours for faster processing if you have large batches.
Step 3: Choose Your Hero Photo
This is crucial! Your hero photo should:
- Represent the average lighting of your batch
- Show typical composition
- Be properly exposed
- Have accurate white balance
Step 4: Edit Your Hero
Make your adjustments:
Basic Adjustments
- Exposure
- Contrast
- Highlights/Shadows
- White Balance
Color Grading
- Saturation
- Vibrance
- HSL adjustments
- Tone curves
Detail Enhancement
- Sharpening
- Noise reduction
- Clarity
Step 5: Apply Hero-Sync
Once you're happy with your hero:
- Click "Sync to Batch"
- Select which adjustments to apply
- Choose target photos (all or selection)
- Click "Process"
What Happens Next?
Our AI analyzes each photo and intelligently applies your edits while adapting to individual characteristics.
Step 6: Review and Refine
After batch processing:
Quick Review
- Scroll through thumbnails
- Look for outliers
- Mark any needing individual attention
Individual Adjustments
For photos that need tweaks:
- Fine-tune exposure
- Adjust composition-specific elements
- Make creative exceptions
Step 7: Export
Choose Your Format
For Clients:
- High-res JPG (sRGB)
- 300 DPI for print
- Embedded metadata
For Web:
- Optimized JPG
- 72 DPI
- Resized appropriately
For Social Media: Use our auto-export presets:
- Instagram (1080x1080)
- Facebook (2048x2048)
- Stories (1080x1920)
Advanced Techniques
Selective Syncing
Don't sync everything! Consider syncing:
- Color adjustments: Yes
- Crop/straighten: No (usually unique per photo)
- Exposure: Carefully (may need per-photo adjustment)
Creating Preset Libraries
Build your own presets for:
- Different lighting scenarios
- Client preferences
- Seasonal looks
- Event types
Using API for Automation
Pro Studio users can automate with our API:
// Example: Auto-process uploads
const processImages = async (albumId) => {
const response = await fetch('/api/v1/images/process', {
method: 'POST',
headers: {
Authorization: `Bearer ${API_KEY}`,
'Content-Type': 'application/json',
},
body: JSON.stringify({
album_id: albumId,
settings: {
hero_sync: true,
export_formats: ['instagram', 'facebook'],
},
}),
});
};
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Wrong Hero Selection
ā Using an outlier photo as your hero ā Choose a representative image
2. Over-Processing
ā Extreme edits that don't translate well ā Conservative adjustments that scale
3. Ignoring Individual Photos
ā Blindly accepting all batch results ā Review and refine as needed
4. Poor Organization
ā Dumping all photos in one album ā Organize by scene/lighting/type
Workflow Example: Event Photography
Real-world example processing a corporate event (500 photos):
Hour 1: Setup
- Import and organize
- Quick cull (remove blurry, duplicates)
- Group by lighting scenario
Hour 2: Batch Edit
- Edit 3 hero photos (keynote, networking, candids)
- Sync each group
- AI processes in background
Hour 3: Review
- Quick review all photos
- Individual adjustments: ~20 photos
- Export setup
Total Time: 3-4 hours
Traditional editing: 15-20 hours
Next Steps
Now that you understand the basics:
- Practice: Start with a small batch (50-100 photos)
- Experiment: Try different hero photos and settings
- Refine: Develop your own workflow
- Scale: Apply to larger projects
Resources
Ready to Start?
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Questions? Contact us at admin@partr.ai