As a photo editor, there are several tools I use on a daily basis that help me efficiently & comfortably edit through several weddings a week. I always find it interesting when creatives share a peek into how they get their jobs done, so today I’m providing you a look at 5 things I can’t edit in Lightroom without.
1| Apple Trackpad
I love using the Apple Trackpad. I’ve given Wacom tablets a try twice and each time, as much as I wanted them to work out, it felt clunky. I know several editor who love to use a tablet for editing, but I have found that the Apple Trackpad works just like a tablet, but additionally it allows for multi-touch gestures (like easily scrolling up/down, left/right, quickly toggling between applications) that I could not replicate with a tablet or other tool. I often have one hand using the Track pad and the other using quick key (shortcuts) on the keyboard.
2 | Wrist Rest
This one is a bit of a personal preference and dependent upon your desk set up situation, but I quickly learned that I needed somewhere to rest my wrists while I’m using my computer for extended periods of time. This white wrist rest was the perfect addition for my keyboard/trackpad combo and compliments my white desk very well.
3 | Dropbox
Over the years I have tried a few different ways of exchanging Lightroom catalog files with my clients, but Dropbox remains the easiest. Having the app on my computer allows me to easily drag and drop the files when completed. Investing in a Dropbox Plus account is one of the very few costs of doing business I have and the 1 Terabyte of storage has been perfect.
4 | SSD External Drive
I recently added this SSD External Drive to my workflow as a way to keep my client files easily portable and organized. Prior to using an external drive, I kept my client files in their own folder separate from my personal files, which worked great. Occasionally I will edit away on my laptop, and the ability to quickly move the external drive from my iMac to the laptop makes the transition seamless.
5 | Podcasts/Audiobooks
I am a lover of learning! This is probably one of my favorite perks of working as a photo editor. I get to listen to podcasts and audiobooks all day long. From learning business strategies to keeping up with political discussions to staying motivated with fitness podcasts, I listen to it all. Have a favorite podcast, let me know!
Do you use any of these tools for editing? What are 5 things you can’t edit in Lightroom without?
