My Lightroom Editing Changed Forever | Wacom Intuos Tablet

I have purchased a Wacom Intuos Pro Medium tablet and I love it. Today I will show you how I use it with Lightroom as well as my Lightroom setup. This isn't a tutorial as I have only been using the tablet for 24 hours and this may seem odd that I making a video so soon, but what I want to show is how easy it is use when editing my landscape photos.
My Wacom Tablet: geni.us/intuos_pro
Skip to Lightroom Setup Info - 07:54
See Final Image - 14:03
My Instagram: / heatonthomas
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As Day Breaks - Jack Elphick
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#LandscapePhotography #Wacom #Lightroom

[@danev1969]

Thanks Thomas. I have the same tablet and consider it my "freedom" device to open up my creativity and it significantly reduces the time I need to spend on each image.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

I can totally see why. I'm excited by the possibilities.

[@JonathanToraldo]

Thomas Heaton great Review. Heartwarming how excited you are☺️ i remember when I got my first tablet. I couldn’t imagine retouching without one anymore!!! Do you strictly retouch in LR? Greetz Jonathan

[@llg4958]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Next step - Capture One. It is the ideal time to try it out since you are starting with your new tablet, and there is a free trial.

[@isthisreallife506]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto Check out HUION and XP-PEN drawing tablets. ' A more bang for your buck' alternative to Wacom tablets(Almost half the price difference).

[@vyrnmn]

@@isthisreallife506 he's already bought the wacom

[@ottersphotography304]

Great image Thomas. I used to use my Wacom when I was doing digital art. I gave my tablet away. I recently purchased a new Wacom and have started editing with it. It is priceless and enhances my work flow immensely.

[@tombuck]

I’ve had one of these for years, but literally just pulled it out of the closet yesterday to play around with video editing, and they really are terrific.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Whoa whoa whoa! Video editing??? You can use it for video?? I need to Google this.

[@michaelbast8250]

Joy and enthusiasm on your face is fantastic Thomas. As I am an illustrator I think I bought my first tablet 30 years ago (the first wacom tablet) an indispensable piece of gear for me. I had the same look on my face back then. I love your adventures, thanks for bringing me with you.

[@cindyrosen8170]

Thank you for the video. I’ve been considering a tablet/pen scenario for editing and was hesitant to learn the new technology and workflow. Your experience has provided a tremendous resource for me to re-evaluate my decision. Much gratitude for the work you put into ALL of your videos.

[@imaaronross]

I got the iPad Pro back in the fall and I’ve had the same experience of it transforming the interaction with the image. The feeling of painting has made it so much more of an “art.” Thanks for sharing!

[@terrywbreedlove]

Rh9ocrash I have been using my iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil and Lightroom. Can’t wait for the new iPad OS this fall and the full version of Photoshop as well.

[@ryanlio9611]

Yeah.. especially you get "real" interaction with your photo. With a tablet you still need to "guess" the cursor location onscreen . With iPad, you actually better experience. Yeah.. look forward to the iPad os already!!! Especially helpful in mobile workflow.

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Thank you Thomas Great video ,been thinking of getting a tablet Educational, well presented Enjoy your new toy

[@zaugitude]

Yes! I have been using an Intuos for many years now; totally changed my LR workflow too. You can actually set up sets of commands that will come up with the buttons; for example I have an “Export” list that covers the various external editing and export tools I commonly use. I have recently added a ball mouse, also set up with a full complement of custom settings; I rarely have to go to the keyboard for most LR tasks.

[@andyplatt6729]

Brilliant, I've just bought one myself but not had much time to play, so watching your video has helped no end. Thank you for your time.

[@NickPage]

It really is my favorite part of my computer setup... I could buy a brand new set up or build a new computer and the one thing that would not change would be my tablet!

[@carldowningphoto]

I’ve been using a Wacom tablet for about 4 years and would never be without it.

[@TheShoobah]

Have had that exact tablet for a year, love it. Can't imagine not having one. 👍

[@ianmackenziehumber]

THE WALL IS NAKED! Also this is why I got a 2-1 laptop for my editing. It's good stuff

[@bramvandermee7354]

I saw this introduction and it helped me a lot to set up my new tablet, the same as you are showing. I bought it only a few days ago. Thanks so much!

[@MaliDaviesPhotography]

Brilliant and great to see you getting excited about a new way of editing! Excited to see your future creations. I started with a Wacom tablet in 1997, amazing tool to use. Exciting times ahead 😍👍

[@rnbmeister]

I absolutely love using lightroom on my Surface Pro. Tablet/Pen is a game changer

[@wildcroissant]

Great video, as always! The best thing in the Wacom tablets is.... Pan/Scroll under pen button (I have it in lower, and then have upper for right-click). That's a huge huge HUGE improvement in the editing workflow for me. It works not only on the LR/PS image window (like space bar), but also in the image browser (that scrollable panel usually at the bottom of LR), web browser, and on all other scrollable panels and windows. Magic! Give it a go and see for yourself. I'd also highly recommend trying something like Loupedeck (or if you want to save some money and want to* play with the settings Behringer x-touch mini) - all the tools you need in physical buttons/scrolls/dials - fantastic little piece of equipment * probably you don't want to play with the setup of x-touch mini, but still I wanted to mention it, as it's a super cheap alternative

[@MrClarkeGaber]

Those things r amazing, glad u picked one up. Makes life so much easier

[@stevebrown164]

I bought the more basic version about a year ago and find it so easy to use. Selections in Photoshop are so much easier. It is intuitive to draw around something with a pen, rather than drag a pointer around something. Good video.

[@sallyjberry805]

Thank you for this video! I just purchase the small Wacom about a month ago - still learning but Wacom has definitely helped my processing photos. Your set-up tips gave me more great ideas.

[@valpayne2963]

I’ve had a 2nd hand one in my drawer for two years. I’m going to plug it in now!

[@goldenstardust]

Did same thing myself, not used it for years!

[@gordroberts53]

Very helpful Thomas! I've had one for a couple of months now and tomorrow I'll be taking it out of the box. Thanks for sharing!

[@antonydavid2953]

Thanks for re-igniting my love for my Intuos 3. I had got out of the habit of using the express keys, ( but always using the pen) but with your suggestions I’m back to trying them. My one key I use frequently is G for grid view, so have set that as key 7, just above the Develop key. The biggest hurdle for me is letting go of years of keyboard shortcuts and relying on the Wacom for most actions. I look forward to your Photoshop set up.

[@TheGuitarsadist]

Good to know that you are enjoying the tablet so much. Been using when of some type or another for years. Current one is a Huion 1060Plus. Love it and going strong with daily CAD use as well as Lightroom for 2 plus years now.

[@sorenmelchior]

I love my Wacom tablets, been using them for 22 years.... and one thing you did not mention (another bonus feature) is that the pen/stylus does not need batteries.

[@MC50000]

Welcome to the world of Wacom tablets! Glad you are enjoying it. I’ve had several Wacom cintiq’s over the years and wouldn’t be without them. I also have the Wacom mobile studio pro 16” which is amazing for editing on the go whilst away, i absolutely love it! Drawing and editing directly on the screen with the picture under your pen is even more intuitive than an intuos tablet (but obviously much more expensive on the downside). Enjoy your new editing tool! 😊

[@tjsinva]

Certainly worth considering when I finally crack down and start processing my many untouched images, but that's another story. Rock on!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

I have been putting it off for about a year, glad I got it, so it's worth a look.

[@francisschweitzer8431]

WOW!!! That pressure sensitive mode alone is a major sell point. Thank you for showing this

[@amitsh71]

I was on the fence, I bought it today after watching this video:) Thanks to Thomas

[@Shelley_H]

Thank you so much for your information and enthusiasm. I'm a photographer and was on the fence - now I have jumped over so to speak and will be purchasing a tablet and pen and thoroughly enjoying the new Lightroom plus tablet journey.

[@petroverba6054]

thank you for video. I'm looking for for such tablet for some time and your video brought me one step closer for purchasing something like that. I thought that it is something very handy and now I beleive that it is so.

[@itaylorm]

Just ordered my own, looking forward to getting mine. Very helpful in making my decision

[@wylie_photo]

I bought the intros pro paper edition a couple of years ago to use for both photography and illustrating. Great tablet. The packaging it comes in is very stylish too!

[@karlthefirst8690]

Wow, what timing! Just bought the Intuos Pro last week and while I’ve been editing on iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil for a while, I’m just beginning to set up the Wacom so this couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanks man.

[@jamesjohnston6765]

Welcome to the club! I must admit that I frequently post process on my Mac Book Pro but when I do landscapes on my tower I always use the same tablet. It was easy going from the touch pad of the laptop to the tablet.

[@TimHill1]

Just had the 'small' delivered today, great video Tom, it really helped me get it set up quicker. Enjoy!

[@BryantOrtega]

I can feel the genuine excitement. I feel happy for you and your new purchase. Always nice to get something that inspires you to be better. I know my camera purchase did the same for me. Enjoy!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Usually, new gear doesn't get me too excited, but this has opened up a new world!

[@BryantOrtega]

@@ThomasHeatonPhoto that's cause it was something you really needed, not something just to fill a void. appreciate the reply! thanks

[@photoguy1957]

I've been using a tablet for a long time. Just never took the time to modify the standard keys... wow, what a difference! Thank you Thomas.

[@philduch]

Obviously I just bought a small one and it is awesome. Thanks for the tip Mr Thomas. Philippe from Belgium

[@kustrat]

I love that picture. The sunset color perpetuates throughout the image.

[@roadtripimages]

Great purchase Thomas! I love mine.

[@aengus1948]

Tx Thomas. I have owned, loved and hated my Intuos pro "s" since I purchased it maybe 5 yrs ago. Now that i have watched your video I think I might give it another go.

[@johndileo7202]

THANK YOU! Mine has been opened for about 5 hours now and I've been searching youtubes for how to se this up. You video is great and much appreciated!

[@duane.hewitt]

Good to see you’re enjoying it after so little time. I saw a similar tablet and pen setup with some of the FStoppers videos, but was a bit reluctant due to concerns it would take me forever to get used to also. You’ve just helped get rid of that fear.

[@IceIceBabygirlX]

Wow.. Thank you SO MUCH. I am so happy I found you. I am going to buy one immediately. I love your enthusiasm and passion. Lovely just lovely.

[@magicdoors]

Congrats with the switch, your mousefinger will thank you =) had one lying around for years before i got used to using it, now its an extention of my hands. Painting in masks and light with big soft brushes is easier than ever now. I never got used to the buttons though, i have my keyboard on top of it and used the spacebar for moving around and various keycommands, its easier for me to do this because of the layout and I dont have to look down or away from the screen. One of the best things in photoshop is the ability to change brushsize/hardness while holding alt+right click on the pen and then dragging the pen left/right on the tablet to resize the brush and up/down to change hardness, this works for me way faster than using the wheel, but to each their own =)

[@mikecastles]

Thanks Thomas, I am pretty the same, as in reluctant to make changes. After watching Nick and now you I am pretty sure it is something I need to add to my workflow. Thank you, SIr!

[@ArchivePete]

I'm a video editor but use Photoshop and other Adobe tools as part of the overall editing process. I got one of these about a year or so ago and use it for everything. The one thing I find a little strange is when you want to change the value of hot numbers (like opacity), the pen doesn't like to scroll the value like the mouse can, but other than that, they are great. I even use it for editing on the timeline, general mouse work inside and outside Adobe apps, etc. Enjoy. I love your work, very well explained and your compositions are stunning.

[@mostlypenink4253]

bought my intuos 2 back in 2003, still going strong and use it everyday!

[@FarawayPictures]

Just watched this and want to say thank you. I'm at a place where I'm wondering how to develop my photos a bit more creatively and this is excellent.

[@TheReadDesultory]

I love your honest enthusiasm.

[@daletch1972]

i got the last version of it.best investment i ever made.when you get your preset buttons and dial set up omg what a time saver

[@christiang-berg8490]

Have a coupe of years older medium sized Wacom and I love it for editing in booth LR and PS! :)

[@MrPhotog4u]

I love these tablets, I have a large one at home with my desktop and a smaller one that I take with my laptop. I've had them for years and would be lost with just a mouse. Thanks for sharing.

[@oldgrumpyjim5003]

I've been using the older version of your Wacom for about three years and couldn't do without it. I also bought the smaller photo editing one for travel and my MacBook once you get used it its brilliant but you have to put the mouse to the side.

[@seandavis3048]

Thanks Thomas I have had a Wacom tablet in the cupboard for several years and not used it. Time to take it out and give it a try.

[@dallasmaher]

Nice video mate... Been using one for 15 years or so... The perfect LR or PS combo for me is Wacom (right hand) & Loupedeck 2 (left) - that's awesome interaction!

[@sarfaraz.hosseini]

You're so brilliantly talented Thomas. Your creative videos are inspiring, you're not a techy, but your tech. videos are more useful than the techy photo channels. Thank you!

[@BlogHajaVisto]

I have the cheapest of all, the wacon intuos without pro, I chose this one because I live traveling and it takes up much less space in the backpack, I'm using it for six months and I'm loving it! I'm sure it will greatly improve your workflow! The video is very good!

[@douglasladowski6342]

Thomas thanks for not losing the "regular " person perspective in your videos. Your view of tech sounds just like me. Keep up the great work.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

Hahaha. Yes, I am a technophobe. I was so worried my phone was dying and i would have to get an upgrade. Luckily it was a faulty cable.

[@mas5ara723]

This review is genuine, i actually paused mid-video, subscribed liked and here I'm commenting, before continuing the vid. Good job!

[@AndrewRobins]

Great video, Thomas. I purchased the same tablet a while back and found it fantastically intuitive to use. I like some of your shortcuts, will try adding a few of those to my workflow I reckon.

[@ivanulyanov3461]

It's so cute and nostalgic to see someone discover graphics tablets for the first time and be genuinely excited about it! As a digital painter, I'm so used to them just always being around, I forgot how fresh and freeing it felt to use them at first. :)

[@rogersimpson7905]

Nice Thomas, I bought one a year or so back and love it!

[@ukburn4]

I've had my Wacom tablet for about a year after seeing other creatives on You Tube rave about them. Although I'm still trying getting to get to grips with it, it still feels better editing in LR and Photoshop with a tablet than using a mouse. It's my 2nd best tech purchase after ditching PCs for my iMac. Thanks for the tips at the end.

[@DarrellOakdenPhotography]

I've had an intuos five for years and would be lost without it. I have the advantage of being left handed, but mouse with right my hand. I have a gaming mouse that has programmable buttons as welll. It makes using photoshop very intuitive. I can use both at the same time. I find some things like drawing masks better with the pen, but others such as cloning better with the mouse because I need my other hand to press alt for the sample area.

[@RussellBCaC]

Been using this tablet for several years, think you will love it even more in Photoshop!

[@DarrenKnightPhoto]

I bought one 2 weeks ago and it’s going back. I just can’t get on with it. I’m glad you’re enjoying it though 👍

[@SeanandOreo]

Good timing. Just got mine in today actually. Went with the small Intuos and it's working just fine for headshot retouching.

[@davidmoore349]

I'm glad you love using it. I just find it funny that you use it in Lightroom, for all the years I have had a pen and Lightroom I've never used them together. It is a 100% Photoshop thing for me. I still use my mouse for lightroom/Capture One stuff.

[@Fagapperd14]

Thank you so much Thomas, you are not only a great photographer, but a great person as well.

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

You're very kind and it's much appreciated.

[@WayneRobertsonPhotography]

Good purchase, I am sure you will continue to love it. It doesn't make our photos any better but definitely makes the editing process much nicer. I've used one on a Mac for years, the only niggle is that sometimes the software takes a little while to come alive (and let the tablet be used) when you first start your Mac, but I think this will be fixed. Enjoy!

[@stuartschaffner9744]

Wayne Robertson Photography , once you get used to complex and smooth dodging and burning with the brush tool and removing distracting elements with the clone stamp tool you will find that a tablet is much more than just a convenience.

[@WayneRobertsonPhotography]

@@stuartschaffner9744 Absolutely, like Thomas was saying you feel more like an artist. I also think it makes editing more comfortable and easier.

[@easy56wedge]

Been using a Wacom tablet for years beginning with the little 5” surface. It’s great with drawing programs too.

[@martinsarre]

Thanks for the tip, I now want one. Was thinking of getting on of those deck things, but this seems better.

[@timo3226]

What helped me the most to speed up the process is to use a midi controller combined with midi2lr. It's absolutely amazing.

[@ronaldcphotography]

Dude I'm in the same boat, what have I been waiting for, im going out today to get one thanks so much

[@seanglossop2990]

Hi Thomas, I bought one of these a while ago and didn't really got on with it...didn't have the time to learn it. I am going to give it another go after watching this. Timely post as I was looking at the box at the weekend.

[@BudBetz]

Thomas, great video! I just purchased a Wacom Large tablet, and it pairs well with my biga$$ monitor. Been spending the last couple of days watching the KZbinrs tell about their setup. Yours seems the be the most intuitive I've seen. I'll be watching (new fan) and using the tablet working your F4 Roadtrip tutorials as well as the other three (Nerds😁) reviews. This should help to hone in those skills others (like Nick) have developed. It feels really natural and seems to be fitting in pretty well after only a few days. Been doing some drawing exercises that have helped orient me to not use the mouse so much. Thanks for the tips. You're awesome!

[@paulrobinson6548]

Have fun Thomas. I picked up mine after taking a course with Elia Locardi and would never do without it.

[@DannyGuppy]

I got one of these back in April and I love it ! The only thing I would change on your setup is undo button on the pen because it's very easy to accidentally click that button.I learnt the hard way 😂

[@lamkaz810]

Good stuff, Thomas! I will be replacing my medium with a small tablet. As I'm not a graphic artist, I only need a few inches square of the tablet, I've set it up that way so I only need to make small movements. In fact, the size of a laptop touch pad is all I need...now if only Wacom would work with Dell......... 😉

[@hanklevesque426]

Just got around to watching this video. What a dope I’ve been. I bought and connected a Wacom tablet a few years ago, and it sat above my keyboard since. I would occasionally try it for a few minutes, then stopped. I’d use the mouse that came with it when my regular mouse battery died. (P.S. neither the mouse not pen require a battery). After watching your video, my forehead is sore from banging it with my palm when I actually configured the Wacom for use with Lightroom. Belated thanks for your video.

[@Feanor_1169]

Yesss! Pen Tablets are a great addition! I have another tip for you: Set the "working area" of your tablet to a credit card sized space in the top left corner. It was weird at first. But it relieves your hand and wrist, because you now have the complete monitor area within one stoke. It works really natural too, and since you got used to the tablet in 24 hours in the first place. Can't hurt to give it a shot.

[@echoez]

why buy a medium tablet and force yourself to only use a small working area. Wouldnt it be better just to get the small size ? Im asking seriously since im thinking of purchasing

[@adampoll4977]

Thanks! Nice intro to tablets for tablet newbies like myself (just acquired an Intuos Pro small) from an experienced photographer point of view.

[@jakeysea]

omg, i have a tablet that a friend gave to me years ago. and i've been afraid to use it cause my thinking was similar: it would take a while to master. so, this video is going to push me past my fear. thank you thomas. ps you are looking so hands

[@davidbailey4976]

I have been using a Wacom for some years. Using a mouse now feels like wearing a boxing glove in relative sensitivity terms. I, too, bought the medium a couple of years ago and, even though I use dual screens, it is a little too large for my needs. I have applied actions to the buttons and so can effect crude sharpening by the depression of one Wacom button. One thing to note: when I bought my medium, about two years ago, I purchased lots of spare 'nibs'. A complete waste of time. Two years on and I am still using the original tips, despite being quite heavy handed. It is such a liberating device.

[@davidburns7938]

Thanks Tom, you have just convinced me that I need something that was not even on my radar one hour ago. Look forward to your thoughts after a month or two, perhaps a follow up video to see how you are getting on?

[@Mcteerproductions]

Thank you for this video!!!! I have just purchased mine and will follow your instructions;)

[@darksideemt]

For the longest I did all my work on my 12.9 iPad pro and then a few months ago I got a 27in iMac and I got the small entry Wacom tablet to use on there. I does take a little bit to get used to and I haven't set up my hot buttons yet but they are really awesome to use over trying to do it all with a mouse.

[@kwizmon]

Hey Thomas. One of the best things about thing tablet is that it's also a touch pad so you can use your fingers to move around like you would with a mouse. Only its better because you can use 1,2,3,4 or 5 finger gestures. Also, the buttons are touch sensitive so if you lightly touch one (not press) a quick menu pops up on your monitor showing what it's assigned to. Insane!

[@KAZUNARl]

It's always interesting to watch your videos, thomas... I also have a intuos wacom tablet laying around which I picked up for half of the price it usually costs... maybe I give it a try... and yes, everything what makes your workflow better and faster is a plus...

[@DennisSiebertPhotography]

I've had an Intuos Pro M in my drawer for years, barely used. Occasionally, I thought I should use it again. Maybe your video is the right idea for me.

[@amaly76]

I have the same one, love it!

[@tompetersphotography]

So tempted by this matey, I’ve delved into some of Nicks tutorials and I think this would help me lol

[@allansisson355]

Nice I'll remember this to look at when i pick one up.

[@capt1089]

Great minds think alike!! I just bought the "small" version. I love mine. You will too!

[@ThomasHeatonPhoto]

High five!!

[@bjvincent3615]

Looks fun, thanks for sharing.

[@jonathanmcghee9541]

Brilliant Video as always. I don't have an editing tablet but do get the same experience on my iPad Pro and Affinity Photo.

[@jwmphotog]

It cracks me up when people discover this. I've been using Wacom tablets since 1995. And it was a SCSI 2 hard drive and lots of conflicts. Within a year I was speaking at conventions trying to convince everyone that painting with a rock in your hand was not nearly as intuitive. Glad you're spreading the word.

[@monum]

19 years ago i bought my first Wacom tablet and since I am left handed but use my mouse on the right it was a great addition to my workflow. Can't imagine working without one. But... the only downside has always been the fact that you don't put your pen where you actually edit which is on your screen. That is why I experimented with my iPad pro to function as a second screen and using the apple pencil to edit. It worked reasonably but I am looking forward to iPadOS where the functionality is integrated in the OS itself. If you have an iPad I suggest you try it and save yourself some 350 quid on that Wacom.