The mouse you use to edit your photography hasn't really changed that much over the years. Is it time to look for a better alternative?
Anyone who has spent hours editing their work on a computer will know how painful it can be on your body. While there have been various ergonomic improvements to the mouse over the years, you are still ultimately doing those same repetitive actions which can leave you aching the next day. Graphics tablets are a good alternative to a mouse and have been on the scene for some years now. If like me, you have resisted the idea of making the switch, this video by the team over at B&H Photo Video may just help you to decide if a graphics tablet might be a good idea.
The video features tablets by manufacturer Wacom which if you don't know, is one of the industry-standard makers of graphics tablets. The two tablets mentioned are the Wacom Intuos Pro Creative Pen Tablet ($379.95) and the Cintiq Pro 24 Creative Touch Display ($2,499.95). These tablets are quite different not least in their price tags and the video sets out to explain their differences. It was interesting to learn about the various changeable nibs which can be used in the stylus and how they can affect how the pen reacts with the tablet. My interest was also piqued when I saw how customizable the many buttons on both the pen and tablet are. I think many of us probably use a core handful of tools in our favorite programs and thanks to these programmable buttons could have most of these actions distilled down into a few button presses. This would be much more efficient than trying to memorize various key combinations or wasting time hunting through menus.
The video goes on to demonstrate how a tablet can be used in the context of some food photography images that need to be retouched. One of the two big takeaways from this was seeing how smaller more controlled movements are used on the tablet compared to a regular mouse. The other takeaway was seeing how fast he was able to jump between settings and menus to complete his edit. I'm sure those who have spent long hours using a mouse would be interested in embracing something which could speed up the editing process and also help to minimize wear and tear on their bodies. All-in-all this video is an in-depth look at some of the main features and benefits of using a tablet to edit your photography. I have personally resisted using a tablet in the past because I'm not a fan of change. That really isn't a good enough reason not to embrace new technologies especially if a tablet can help reduce the time sitting in front of a computer. Less editing for me would mean more time doing what I love most and that's taking pictures. After watching this video, I have a much better understanding of the benefits a tablet can have for photographers day-to-day. The fact a tablet can actually replace your mouse means there isn't really a point in having both. I think it could be time for me to say goodbye to my beloved mouse once and for all.
Could you make the switch and ditch your mouse forever? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Lead image by Matt Artz, used under Creative Commons.
Sadly, I'm not being paid by the tablet companies. I'm genuinely curious if they will.
I think if enough people switched to tablet etc we could see an end to the traditional mouse. Just wait till its all holograms like in the movies and the mouse will be long gone!
I use a mouse, a tablet, and the Trackpoint of my Thinkpad keyboards, and may use all of them--plus keyboard shortcuts--during the course of editing a single image, not to mention all the other things I do on a computer.
I see no reason for debate.
The title is confusing to me. The photographers who use a tablet for the majority of their photo editing .... don't they still have their mouse, and use it for other things? I mean, has anyone really "said goodbye" to their mouse? I would be quite surprised if the majority of people who use tablets don't also still have a mouse around.
I've worked in studios where I've seen people do everything with a tablet. Was weird seeing them surf the net on their lunch break with a pen in their hand and food in the other...
It's an interesting suggestion. I see it as a choice that could be easier if starting at a younger age with tablets or phone stylus and drawing surfaces; in my case it looked like earlier mouse experience was on the scale of 45k hours before purchasing my first Wacom so I realized pretty fast that it is not the best tool for me - I can use it for signatures and kindergarden level drawing but when I want accuracy - it's a mouse. It's similar to my skill level with fountain pens vs using rollers at work - everyone uses them but I use ink since I'm 5x faster at writing with it and that's the kind of skill which allowed me to finish a 2h exam in 20 min one time :).
Excellent point about starting young with tablets. I really struggled to make the switch to a rollerball type mouse after 20 years of a regular mouse.
Big fan of the fountain pen too btw!
25 years ago, I switched from a mouse to a trackball because supporting the entire weight of my arm to move a mouse was putting a lot of strain on my shoulder. With the trackball, I could rest my wrist on the desk and use just my fingers to move the cursor. Years ago, I switched from the trackball to an Apple Magic Trackpad (now version 2), which also doubles as a poor man's tablet when making selective adjustments to images.
Why did you support the entire weight of your arm to move a mouse around? When I move my mouse around, I rest my forearm/wrist on my desk, then just use my had and fingers to move the mouse around ..... just like you're supposed to.
Is there some reason you did it differently? What did you do, anyway ..... hold your whole arm up in the air while moving the mouse?
I worked on a large screen. Now I work on two. No, I didn't lift my whole arm, but I did have to slide the mouse sufficiently far that I couldn't keep my forearm and wrist static on the desk. With a trackball or trackpad, I need move only my fingers.
With my trackball I don't even have to move my wrist anymore. For me that helps a lot as I badly broke my wrist and suffer pain with it.
Trackballs are great when you have little desk space as you don't move the mouse. It's literally anchored to the spot. Great on location too as I can rest it on anything.
Have you ever tried one?
No, Paul, I haven't tried one. In fact, I have never even heard of a such thing as a "trackball" until this very moment when I read your comment. Might be something worth looking into, although I don't have any hand or wrist problems or any arthritis or anything wrong with me like that, so using a mouse in the conventional style isn't a problem.
This is what I use if you wanted to see. On my third one now. Have used them for 10 plus years. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-2226127-USB-Marble-Mouse/dp/B001DQY9AW
Hello fellow trackball fan! I still use one to this day for the same reasons you said. Do you use one at all now? If not, do you miss it?
When I'm using a regular mouse on someone else's machine I miss my trackball so much...
Nah, I switched to Apple Magic Trackpad and then version 2 years ago. I find it better for doing selections - kind of a poor man's graphics tablet - using my finger as a pen.
A good friend of mine does the same. I think I need to have a try myself. Thanks for the inspiration! : )