When Adobe updated Lightroom Classic, they introduced a feature called Content Credentials. This tool provides a way to establish ownership of your images and track how edits, including AI tools, were applied. Whether for contests, client work, or personal projects, Content Credentials offer additional transparency and security for your photos.
Coming to you from Anthony Morganti, this detailed video explores what Content Credentials are and how to use them. Morganti explains that Content Credentials create a persistent record of your ownership. Unlike watermarks or metadata that can be stripped away, this record is designed to be harder to remove. It also provides a way to indicate whether AI tools were used during editing. This is helpful for scenarios like entering contests with strict editing rules or showcasing transparency about how an image was created. You can even link your social media accounts, giving viewers an easy way to discover more of your work.
Morganti demonstrates the setup process during export. In the export dialog, you can choose to attach credentials to the file, publish them to Adobe’s cloud, or both. He recommends publishing to the cloud for a more permanent record. Options include adding your name, linking social media accounts, and documenting edits made to the image. This feature is particularly useful for professionals who want to ensure their work is attributed to them or for creators seeking to highlight the tools they’ve used responsibly.
During the tutorial, Morganti edits a noisy image shot at ISO 6400. He applies AI noise reduction, clarifying that this tool doesn’t trigger an AI tag in Content Credentials. However, using features like generative AI for object removal or addition does flag the image as AI-edited. This distinction helps ensure accuracy when sharing or submitting images for specific purposes. The video walks through basic edits like exposure adjustments and localized sharpening while showcasing how these edits are tracked.
You can verify Content Credentials on your exported files using Adobe’s website or Photoshop. Morganti explains that Adobe’s verification tool displays details like the producer, social media links, and whether AI was used. While still in beta, Content Credentials are shaping up to be a valuable feature for image transparency and ownership. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Morganti.
