My MOST IMPORTANT editing tool - Wacom tablet for photo editing
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- I get asked about my Wacom tablet a ton, and in this video i talk about what it is, how I set it up and so forth. The short answer.. its the single best investment for post processing I have ever made.
you can buy the medium pro here - amzn.to/2Uw2Yhy
and the small bluetooth travel tablet here - amzn.to/2LwBaFR
I've had the small version for years and wouldn’t go back. The small works great on a small desk and I have no issues with precise adjustments. As Nick said, I also only use the scroll wheel component and the pressure sensitivity is one of its greatest attributes. With a small tablet you don’t have to move your hand around as much as with the larger tablets, something to think about if you’re trying to decide which model to buy.
Buttons on the Wacom Tablet. I don't use them either. However I do set the top button to "Desktop". I will usually have 2, 3 or more programs up and running at any one time. If I want to go to my desktop, I simply hit the button on my Wacom that I've assigned to "Desktop" and all of my programs minimize and my desktop is totally visible. Hit that button again, and all those programs reappear. If you're only going to use "one" button on your tablet. Thats the one!
Nick THAKNK YOU. I'm a fence sitter and have been for a verrrrry long time about getting a Wacom tablet. I'm left handed and for some reason use the mouse in my right hand, nearly strangling the mouse while do my editing and after several hours yep tired sore hand. After watching your video and the way you explained everything, I'm now looking at seriously getting one. Can't thank you enough for all the time and effort you put into your tutorials. And just love your photography. Cheers Donna
I absolutely love my Wacom I've actually had mine for more than 10 years, and it still works like the day I bought it. I use it for absolutely everything including a mouse replacement. Using a pen so much more intuitive than using a mouse. I feel like using a mouse to edit is like trying to use a brick to draw instead of a pencil.
I presently have a small Wacom tablet. Have been on the fence about getting a larger one but didn’t know enough to make a decision. Now I have that thx to this video. Thank you
Nick is going crazy with the daily video's. Not that i'm complaining :D
Just received the tablet as a Christmas gift and ABSOLUTELY the best gift. Love it.
Bought myself the intuos pro and couldn't be happier it instantly improved my post thanks again for another awesome video!
I’ve noticed after so many pen tablet reviews that it’s really up to the user of how big and what type they want to use it for. You’re passionate about a bigger size and I’ve seen another professional passionate about a smaller version. Pretty funny. Thanks for your input! 👍
I travel with smaller size, but for a 27” monitor the medium makes more sense
Thanks Nick. You gave all answers to my questions. I am 68 but still learning,
Perfectly on point! I just received this tablet for my birthday yesterday 😀
Totally agree on the intuitive feeling it gives while editing, plus it makes the learning process really easy.
Thanks for the tips Nick!
I couldn't imagine not retouching without my XP-Pen Deco Pro A4 sized tablet. I find it such a natural way to use all the tools as soon as Photoshop is up out comes the pen. I did start with an A6 tablet and that was great but the fine movement you get with a larger tablet is just brilliant for cloning and retouching.
Hi Nick, I owned a Wacom years ago and loved it. It broke and I never replaced it, but your previous video on Wacom inspired me to buy another. I had forgotten how easy it makes editing finer detail and like you rarely use my mouse anymore. Thank you for guiding me back to the light 😃.
Just got my XP-Pen Deco Pro... YEP agree with all of this!
Thanks for the overview Nick - as always.
Some of us will look forward to the left-hand version of the video.
Got to agree Nick, Picked one of these up last year because I wanted to really focus on my post process work - huge investment and certainly one that all photographers should make who want to up their game. Great videos as always!
really like what and how you do with all these youtube clips! maybe because youre true and honest to the viewers. just wanted to tell you i do enjoy what you do from japan! take good care and keep it up:)
(sorry if my english didnt make sense..!
Boy did this hit home. Been editing in PS for over 20 years, and am addicted to my (very high-tech) mouse. The learning curve on my new tablet is driving me a bit nuts, likely because I keep reaching for my mouse! Am going to force the issue by disconnecting it and putting it in a drawer (as you did). This is going to be painful, but it will make me a better editor in the long run. Thanks for the encouragement!
Have you seen the new Wacom One and if you have any thoughts
Stoked to see all this fresh content you've been putting out! Keep it up 💪
A video I was waiting since long time!!!
Thanks Nick!
Top video Nick. Really appreciate you taking the time to put this together I have always wondered about these things.
I’ve had one for a year but haven’t really tried it out. You convinced me to give it a shot. I like the idea of hiding the mouse to force me to learn how to use it. Thanks for making this video.
These seems cool, I just bought the XP-Pen Star G640S tablet and it is amazing! The size you choose is really just a personal preference, I chose the small because I work on a 15" MacBook so the size fits well with my screen.
I also have had one for awhile and like others always find myself going back to the mouse, really must do as you suggest and put the mouse away and really get into the pad, the only way to learn!
I bought the XP-Pen 01 on Prime day for $41 and it is incredible. For the folks who are amateurs like myself I highly recommend.
Thanks, Nick! I've been considering getting one and this pretty much made up my mind. Thank you!
I LOVE my Wacom tablet!
Thank you for your video sir :) I have been wanting a tablet with pen for a long time now; but trying to sift out what is and is not suitable is such a painful daunting process. You just helped me bypass all the shenanigans of shopping ! Thank You Sir :)
I will never be able to completely stray from a mouse due to Parkisons like issues ( shaking or vibrating ) and the mouse helps absorb it on my minor days, but that darn glitching of the mouse you talk about drives me more nuts than the Parkisons issues itself lol
Have a wonderful day sir; and your work and videos are top notch ! Thank You For Your Knowledge :)
Thank you for a really timely video - I’m currently looking at tablets due to an RSI that my physio says is due to how much time I spend using a mouse. You’ve convinced me!
Hi Nick. I really like these Photoshop-related videos. Thanks for the series.
Just got mine. Start the curve!
Awesome! I have the small Wacom Intuos Pro. I need that small keyboard!!! Thank you for sharing
I can't believe you don't use the programmable functions - they're so useful as you can programme them for different apps. Saves me hours of work.
the thing is, I have all of my hotkeys memorized an in muscle memory.. I feel like it would slow me down, but thats only because I knew them going in. Those that dont have them memorized, those buttons are money
@@NickPage Yes, I quite agree about "muscle memory"; my brain is stuffed with keyboard shortcuts for all sorts of things. But there are some great tricks when keys are programmed: here's an example g shiftM D shift tab (repeated another 4 times) n puts me in survey mode with six images selected. This is very helpful as I often do 3 landscape and 3 portrait shots bracketed. Having this on a function key is great. Each time I press the key it jumps to the next 6 images. Sorting out a shoot is much easier using this!
Thanks! I have been in the fence about getting one, didn't know you could use it for everything! Thanks
I have that exact tablet... still in my learning curve. I think my usable space on the tablet is too small and I need to expand it. Thanks Nick!
Hi Nick, I want to ask you what kind of monitor model you handle your photos. Thank you in advance.
Love these tutorials Nick, Thank you so much!! I had a question, being on an all apple setup at home do you have any opinions on using sidecar with an iPad pro? I only ask because 1. I want to be future proof and 2. I can get an 11 inch iPad pro for only another few hundred dollars more than this wacom tablet and it would have more than one use. Anyone in the channel have experience using an iPad pro with Photoshop? (I currently use a mouse). All feedback is much appreciated!
Great review! You convinced me to buy it. What kind of keyboard is that?
I finally got my own. I love it.
Great work Nick , I’m one of those on the fence , think I might have to jump off it now :-)
Would be great to see you inaction using it on an image too
Bravo Buddy
I'm confused.. I thought Thomas Heaton, Adams Gibbs, & Gavin Hardcastle were the biggest tools... for editing i mean ;)
I vote this for best comment award...
I have my first button on my stylist set to zoom. So when I click it in I can swipe left and right to zoom in and out. Found it to be super helpful.
dodgy burner.. awesome vid. love it. Ordering a Wacom
Thanks so much! I always wondered about the wacom tablet, now I know!
I can definitely understand the advantage of a small keyboard, but my (only) computer is my daily driver for all things -- not just photo processing. As a result I can't give up my big daskeyboard Cherry Red keyboard... It types just too well. After a couple of decades in IT (before retiring) I typed on so many crappy keyboards that I swore I'd never use a cheap keyboard on my personal computer. I have an Intuos small tablet, so I'm kinda the opposite: big keyboard, small tablet. 🙂
Nick, is your tablet set up the same for Photoshop as it is for surfing the web? I recently got an Intuos Pro small, and as you say, trying to get used to it. It kind of goes rogue on me sometimes. Like rotates when I don't intend it to do so. I found a tutorial for Photoshop, but there is no tutorial for just everyday use. So, is it the same, or do you set differently for different programs?
The investment in my tablet has been well worth it for the last 10 years. I am positive that my lack of using a mouse has saved my wrists as I am in IT (also hobbyist photographer).
@Grey Fox Mishima I have been using the med one as I have two monitors and the size works well with two monitors
I would like a tablet for Xmas and have been considering the Wacom Intuos M but I am now looking at the XPen Deco1. I am really new to photography so don’t need anything too fancy and after watching your latest vlog about not keep spending money on gear, I thought this might be a perfect opportunity to save myself some money for a (short) trip! You also seemed to say in this vlog that generally speaking all the tablets were good, so do you think I’ll be okay with the XPen? Love your vlogs xx
Nick, I'm new to your channel and loving the videos. I'm going to hold you to the promise of a Hot Keys video, really looking forward to that one. I'm also going to try and find one of the ultra slim keyboards here in the UK, what a great size.
Nick I just upgraded to a fully loaded 14’ MBP. Wacom dropped firmware on my beloved Wacom. Totally bummed me out. Talked to them and they told me to buy a new one, this one was $500. So I see this video is a few years old.
Do you still use this method or are things going the iPad route as a editing tablet for the bigger Mac screen/
Excellent..... This on my list for sure.
Thank you Nick, you convinced me to give it a try
Hi Nick..Is there a Monitor you’d recommend?? I’m getting ready to purchase one to go with my MacBook Pro...Thank you!! Great video as always..
1000th like :) Off to order one now, thank you! I used one years ago but have got out of the habit.
Just watched this after seeing Thomas Heatons video. He gives you a big credit.
Really interested in this. I think I may invest.
I also have the medium same as yours and also the small photography one for my MacBook when on the road. It would be hard to live without it although it did take a while together used to it
I have the Waucom Intouos Pro Small size and I've found it makes a really good mousepad :D. So far, I have been totally unsuccessful in using the tablet. I think I need to put my mouse in a bag and bury it in the back yard until I am used to the tablet.
Nick, I'm now the proud owner of one of the Arteck Slim keyboards, finally managed to get one here in the UK. Can I ask if you leave the small wireless USB dongle plugged in all the time?
I can't see anything in the instructions.
Nick, you called this the Medium model, but it is surely the Large one? Your Amazon link is for the large too.
Your video helped to convince me to get a current model of the Wacom tablet in your video. Your working surface appears to be much shinier than mine. Are you using one of the overlays to alter pen resistance? If so, is this because the original got worn over time and the surface needed to be renewed, or do you recommend one of the three available textures in particular for lightroom and photoshop work? Thanks in advance for any insights that you can provide.
I appreciate your comments about the Wacom Tablet.
With cursive not being taught in many schools these days, will young photographers know how to hold the editing "pen" ? ;-)
It does seem to be very helpful and convenient.
I have one, but very intimidating to use them. Your suggestion about disconnecting the mouse will be helpful, let me check and try :)
So how do I tell capture one that there is a tablet hooked up to the computer.
I have one but I mostly use it for art - not so much for editing
Hi Nick ! Do you use the whole area of tablet for retouching or you have mapped it to smaller area ?
I've been using my Microsoft Surface withe the pen. How does this differ with the work flow? Is there an advantage over the Surface line?
Michael Shouse not really I don’t think. I think the surface would be even better. I personally don’t like Wacom tablets. I don’t find it natural how they work. I’m waiting for the new Mac OS and iPad OS updates so I can use my iPad Pro as a tablet for my MacBook Pro.
I personally have never tried a Microsoft surface, but I would find it very annoying to be placing my hand over what I’m working on and obscuring my view.
Hi Nick
Can you give me a breakdown of your audio equipment you use please. I see some Led's in the background so I am guessing you use some sort of equaliser. Thanks
Is there a big difference between the pro and the travel one?
Pretty huge difference. The amount of sensitivity and accuracy in the pro version blows away the travel version. You really notice it when trying to use a slider or something that requires precision
@@NickPage Oh really?! well that's
disappointing :/
I only use a mouse. I have a tablet. Never got used to using it. Tablet is muccch harder to navigate menu's and changing settings when needed. Like for example a mouse has predictable results when using a tool somewhere. A tablet with pressure sensitivity does not. I set flow to 4% on a mouse. It's always 4%. A tablet will vary wildly.
You really think it's worth using one? What's the most better about it? What specific tools in Photoshop are must use with a tablet?
If you allow yourself the time to get acclimated to it it’s much much better for any kind of masking or other adjustments. It’s not great for sliders but you get better at that too. I literally don’t even own a mouse anymore I use the tablet for everything from surfing the web to edit in videos and audio.
@@NickPage how do you change between layers with a tablet? Especially during dodging and burning I very often need to change between the mask on the dodge and the burn layer and with a pen this is much slower than with my ultra accurate and fast gaming mouse+expensive mousepad combination
@@trancer03 … I just click on it…
Respect a fellow Broadcaster mic!!
my audio background is showing :)
I've owned my Wacom tablet for about 5 years and have had 4 or 5 "false starts" with it. I use it for a while (without a mouse close by) but I end up going back to my trackpad. The main issue I've had is exactly the problem you said you had with a mouse - fine motor skill. I feel the tablet is too jumpy when trying to do something with precision, such as using the pen tool in PS or even just trying to close a window. I really want to convert to the tablet since I know how much it can improve editing. Any thoughts or suggestions?
My question would be first off, which tablet are you using? With the Bluetooth small tablet I showed in the video it’s jumpy and unreliable. But with the large more expensive versions of the tablet you get none of that and it’s super smooth
@@NickPage It's the Wacom Intuos Small (PTH-451). I guess I could try a larger tablet.
I have the same issue! Can't get precise where I want to point the pen tool. I have a small pro tablet but it is wired...
@@jeffreber3205 I'm using mine wired, as well. I had a couple of other issues when I tried using with Bluetooth. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and try the medium size.
@@RichardRostant1 Before you doing anything, I might have come across a solution. 2 things: Go into Control Panel and click on Devices. Under Pen and Windows Ink, for "click & hold" and "double click" change both of these to "do nothing" or "off". It's been so long but I think doing this made my pen tool more accurate and when lifting the pen off the tablet while using LR sliders, the desired value doesn't jump around anymore. Let me know, I'm very curious to see if it work for you.
I had been meaning to ask you if you’re a Wacomer. So now I know.
Hi. I don't see any review on these Wacom or similar on how good they are for using it instead of a mouse on day to day things, internet or in daws (music producing). That would be great to know. Perhaps a way cheaper model cuts it even? Perhaps a good video?
Mine works great in Lightroom but I hate it in photoshop. The pressure sensitivity doesn’t work correctly. For example, if I am dodging and burning, it leaves a “hot spot” in the middle of the area I am brushing. So instead of a gradual effect, it looks like a gradual effect with a hard line in the middle like a pencil line surrounded by a brush. Any ideas or thoughts?
I have the same problem. Have tried and tried to use it but it simply does not work for me.
great video thanks nick
what microphone are you using here
I would love one but my home office just now is literally a cupboard in my living room. I have a computer stand for my computer and not a proper desk so it will just have to wait until later in life some day.
One quick question though and it may be a stupid one but how do you know exactly where on your tablet equates to different parts of your photo? Does the cursor move about the screen even if the pen is hovering above the tablet?
I got the 13 HD Cintiq years ago for digital art. might break it out soon after 4 years of collecting dust
Would it be better to get a screen tablet for editing instead? So you could actually see where you're applying the stylus or does it not matter?
I would actually not like that, because I would be covering parts of the photo with my hand and arm..
I've thought about getting one. But I'm a wonky donkey, I use a mouse with my right hand but write with my left hand. (dyslexic, so really bad writing) so unsure which hand I'd use for a tablet....
Super awkward setup. I've tried to solve this problem for years and always end up with my keyboard directly in front of my iMac, Apple trackpad directly to the right. And my Intuos Pro medium to the right of that... where I never use it. Too inconvenient. I'm considering a $30 XP-PEN that is very small and might be useful. I have no interest in the key and controls on the Intuos products. I have all the key controls I need on my Apple keyboard. I never use a mouse for anything.
hey just a question how important is the tilt fuctionality for photos ? thx
Tilt functionality?
@@NickPageYes like in some tablets you can tilt the pen and change the brush texture or something like that ^^ ..I’m not really sure what up with that, (I’ve never used a tablet), so just wondering.
Literally left best buy an hour ago, had one in my hand, put it back. Now I see this. Hmm
I was doing the same 2 days ago and I put it back as well! haha.
Nick, when using the pen tool with the Wacom, I never seem to be able to precisely put cursor where it needs to be to trace my outline. Where as with the mouse I lay the cursor over the spot I want and then click the mouse and its exactly where I want. How do I make contact with the pen where it needs to be?
Can you use the cintiq 32 pro or is that one not for photography?
you could, but I prefer just a standard tablet
I switched to a tablet about 2 years ago and man... I'll never go back to the keyboard or mouse.... I tried and it was almost impossible..
I’d like to make an official complaint....after buying your awesome photoshop for landscape photographers you bring this video out...I’ve now bought the Wacom! My wife doesn’t know yet 😂 Looking forward to setting it up.
Lol There are times that I save you money but a lot of times that I spend your money for you :-) sorry about that
Nick Page I’m sure I’ll live. Looking forward to using it, currently being charged as it only had 1%
Nick, since you don't use the pro buttons for anything, and use the presumably CTL4100 with the 4k pen when travelling, what is your impression on limitations with the lower end tablet? Is the pen sensitivity significant? Would you be able to use no mouse given it has no scroll wheel? - I'm trying to decide between the in intuos and the intuos pro... thx.
my main concern would be the quality of the smaller motions and pressure sensitivity in a more affordable tablet. things like this are miserable if they dont work juuuuuusst right. And as much as I use my computer, I can kinda justify the extra cost. If you edit much, I would say go for the more spendy brand just to make sure it lasts and you have a good experience with it. I dont miss the scrolling wheel really, I just use the wheel on the tablet to scroll
@@NickPage thanks for the quick reply. I was leaning to the pro model.... but now after reading some amazon reviews, it seems there are people really not happy about the pen tips wearing down quickly and being unusable.... ugh!
@@grschryer the pen tips are replaceable and cheap.. they wear down yes.. but it comes with a bunch of replacements and you can always buy more. Seems like a very small problem for them to complain about.. its like complaining that erasers wear out on a pencil and condemning the paper haha
I have a problem with my wacom tablet using lightroom on a winsows pc , somehow it lags when i turn a slider ... the only fix for me ist to turn out pressure sensitivity. Do you have a fix for this ?
Great for editing but not so good at replacing a mouse (trackball in my case) when using multiple monitors.
That’s a very good point, I know that there are ways of using it on dual monitor set ups where you program a button to swipe from screen to screen, But I have never done it
What keyboard do you use?
i just bought a Wacom intuos Medium and I'm experience some issues with LR. I can not drag the sliders left to right.....if i turn off "use Windows Ink" it's ok, but then i loose pen sensitive. Any ideas?
You and Thomas have made me want this so bad the last few months. Lol. The one I want is just so damn expensive 🤢🤑🤮
It's 80 bucks
You honestly don't need the pro version for photography the pro version is really for illustrators and people who are literally drawing things on the computer that need that higher level of pressure sensitivity.
I've never been able to get my Wacom to work correctly on PC. The only way I can get it to work without terrible lag in Lightroom is to disable Windows Ink in the Wacom properties, but then you lose the pen pressure control, which defeats half the purpose of using a tablet. It looks light it's a widespread issue that lasted many years and it's been very frustrating to have what would be a great tool sitting on my desk, unusable.
I found a workaround that gets the tablet to work properly in Photoshop, so I used it as motivation to shift most of my editing from Lightroom to PS. Your PS essentials course was a huge help.
I'd definitely need to get a new left handed keyboard.
What size is the one on your desk
Medium pro
Still getting used to it but it is wayyy better than my thumb pad lol