Do you use a tablet?

[Hawkdl2]

I got approved by Adobe for a teacher discount so I bought both LR3 and CS5 before they changed their mind. A big upgrade for me from PS 5 circa 1998. Now I'm thinking of getting a graphics tablet but can't tell if they are really useful for photo editing. Any of you use them and can make a recommendation?

 

[BlueCorn]

I do use one, a Wacom Intuos 3, but I use it very sparingly. I do most of my editing work in Lightroom but I finish each image in Photoshop. I have an action that sets up dodging and burning layers (I don't actually use the dodge and burn tools). I use the tablet while I'm painting in my adjustments. It gives me better control than I get from the mouse.

Cheers

 

[Brett9917]

What is this dodging and burning layers action you speak of?

 

[BlueCorn]

What is this dodging and burning layers action you speak of?

It's an action that I recorded to build the dodging/burning adjustment layers that I use. It uses blend modes and masks which allows me to paint in my adjustments without making destructive changes to the image.

 

[Brett9917]

Ooh, is that just with the tablet, or can it be done in standard Photoshop?

 

[BlueCorn]

It's just standard photoshop. I just like using the tablet because it gives me more control over the brush.

 

[Brett9917]

Alright, I will look up how to set something like that up. I just know how to D&B with the brushes...

 

[Hawkdl2]

I do use one, a Wacom Intuos 3, but I use it very sparingly. I do most of my editing work in Lightroom but I finish each image in Photoshop. I have an action that sets up dodging and burning layers (I don't actually use the dodge and burn tools). I use the tablet while I'm painting in my adjustments. It gives me better control than I get from the mouse.

Cheers

That's show I set up to D&B now, but with the aggravation of a mouse. That's about the only application I thought they might be really useful. I don't see them as replacing a mouse.

Do you see any point in considering one of the low cost non Wacom brands that are also medium sized? There seem to be a few models that are<$100

 

[mpc]

If you really desperately want a tablet then go with wacom bamboo fun pen & touch Medium. You can't go wrong with this one. Yes it is ~$150 but you will be sure that it performs as it should without glitches. The only drawback (in my mind) is that they now have a rough surface that literally eats away the pen nibs [like crazy]. The great thing about wacom is that there are no batteries in the pen - so it is light and easy to use.

 

[Recty]

I just received my Intuos4 today... so far it's pretty cool. I've sketched my daughter and done a couple things to pictures of my wife that she has slapped me for

All in all, it's nice. I mainly plan on using it for creating logos for some clients of mine but it's a fun tool to have in my arsenal.

 

[Recty]

I thought this was cool, my first night with the tablet my wife wanted me to try the fake makeup thing on a picture of her.

To the left is normal, to the right is "smokey eyes" or something like that. Anyway, it's pretty cool and definitely would have been tons harder with a mouse. The pressure sensitivity is great with the tablets.

I dont do much in the way of people photography yet but I would like to someday, I'm sure this pen will come in really handy when that time comes.

 

[IPT]

Nice job Recty

I have a tablet, but haven't used in quite sometime. Not really sure why, guess I just became pretty proficent with the mouse and using masks and stuff. The pressure sensitivity of tablet is cool though. It adds another level of skill aqusition and learning IMO. There are benifits to be had for that though. Increased precision, feels more natural and intuitive to use a "pen", and easier to fade in/out using the pressure sensitivity. The questions is, are the benefits of it worth the time and $$ investment to you? Is it is definately a "nice to have", not "need to have" tool (IMO).

 

[Hookup]

It's an action that I recorded to build the dodging/burning adjustment layers that I use. It uses blend modes and masks which allows me to paint in my adjustments without making destructive changes to the image.

Beeyguy, care to share the layers/action details? I fund myself back at the digitallightroom last night, first time I'm a year, and couldn't find/remember the non destructive version of this....

Trade secret or public lesson? Haha

 

[IPT]

Beeyguy, care to share the layers/action details? I fund myself back at the digitallightroom last night, first time I'm a year, and couldn't find/remember the non destructive version of this....

Trade secret or public lesson? Haha

I'm sure he'll chime back in. However, if I understand correctly any adjustment LAYER used to adjust in PS is considered "non destructive". Also, I think you can choose the type of "mode" on any adjustment layer. Adjustment layers by default create a mask. Then you can use a brush, or the burn/dodge tool to add or subtract from the mask either intensify or subdue the effect.

Hope that makes sense...and that Beerguy gets here to make corrections .

 

[Hookup]

Bump for beer...guy

 

[BlueCorn]

Sorry, I missed your comment originally.

It's not a "trade secret" but it is something that I generally only make available to workshop attendees. If you shoot me a PM and promise not to share it, I'll send you a URL to download it.

(that goes for anyone already on this thread)

 

[Jacob D]

Doug's method may be more advanced, but if you guys are looking for a simple dodge/burn layer here's one way...

1. create a new layer,
2. fill it with 50% gray
3. set the blend mode to "soft light"

(you can make this into an action of course)

When you paint white onto that layer it results in a dodge, and painting black results in a burn. Set the opacity of the paintbrush to control the effect and it can always be "erased" by painting back over it with 50% gray.

The real power in this is when you start using luminosity masks which essentially gives you a contrast brush utility.

Into on all of the above is readily available from Google.