Want to travel with just Lightroom Mobile on iPad, and no computer? It can be done but there are caveats! Here's everything I learned about making the process as smooth as possible.
Scot, I’ve been doing something sort of similar during recent travels. I import files using the iPad version of Photoshop, and since my iPad automatically syncs to my Apple iCloud account the files are automatically duplicated there. When I’m feeling particularly paranoid I also update to a bare SSD with a USB-C cable adapter. (And my camera has two card slots that hold duplicate versions of the image files.) So, all told, I might end up with 4 copies of all of my files without too much ado.)
I do very little on-the-road editing, since I find it pretty cumbersome using the iPad version of Photoshop on my iPad Pro. I do some culling perhaps, but beyond that most of the serious work waits for when I get home.
Sounds like a super-robust system with lots of redundancy, and also eliminates the complexities introduced by Lightroom's queueing system running in the middle. Question: If you're just using Photoshop but no Lightroom, you have no image management, so where is the culling happening? On the SD card? In the File app manually?
Actually, I do this so rarely that I may be describing it incorrectly. As I think about it, LR is the raw convertor for iPad PS so I think I'm importing into LR and then opening the raws to PS.
With iCloud I get a backup of The whole machine so I assume that the image files are in there, too.
In the past I did simply copy image files into a folder on the iPad, but now I have to go back and look at the details of what I dd on the last trip!
Quick follow-up, after writing all of that. I used to carry a Macbook Air as my on-the-road device, but swapped it out for the iPad a few yeas back. I quickly came to like the iPad quite a bit for many purposes, especially since I added Apples expensive keyboard that converts into a cover.
But it turns out that the weight savings aren’t quite as big as we might expect, at least if you use that Apple keyboard. I’d describe my iPad setup as “smaller but not a lot lighter.” I’m actually considering going back to the small screen of the Macbook Air in the future, since it will actually run my normal post-processing apps, just like my big photo machine at home.
Well, I just got an 11” iPad for this purpose (on the road ingestion, culling, cloud backup, maybe some editing). Agree that if you add the fancy keyboard you’re not very far out front weight wise. However I have enjoyed the experience so far of being able to directly edit masks on the screen with that pencil!
I’ve also found it useful for the new sorts of extended dynamic range “HDR” edits, as that screen had 3 stops of HDR headroom as opposed to my desktop screen which is strictly SDR.
When it comes to editing "on the road" with the pencil, you are ahead of me! I'm afraid that I haven't come to terms with editing on that small screen except in a few cases where I just wanted to see what the potential of a file might be. (I'm spoiled by the pair of 27" monitors on my studio setup, I suppose.)
One thing I discovered in Scotland is that LR Mobile has a masking feature that Lightroom and Classic don't have (strangely) - look for the magic wand tool - it's not the same as "Auto" edit settings - it auto-creates a whole bunch smaller sub-masks which you can (of course) adjust the settings of independently. Big time saver especially in that constrained environment.
Perfect timing for me Scot, as I'm preparing to follow in your boot-steps to Scotland (as you know)! Lot's of great information here, touching on aspects of the remote work/sync aspects I haven't found in other places with this general topic.
Regarding the note about possibly importing to the iPad's local files first, if one wants the redundancy of having the files stored also on the iPad then couldn't this more simply be achieved then by adjusting the cache size limit to the maximum you think you'd need (eg, 500 GB)?
Your article validates for me the basic premise of using an iPad for this purpose (light editing and backup while traveling). Alternatives I've also seen people talk about are just using your phone as a bridge to backing up on a portable drive via the file manager (but this doesn't get you cloud backup, or any on the road editing), or taking say a 13" Macbook Air.
I'm probably headed to the Apple store today to take a look at iPads, so I'm currently pretty far down in the weeds considering various different options. Some things I'm currently weighing (if you have any insights regarding) are:
1. The fundamental choice between taking a lightweight laptop vs an iPad. For instance (quickly checking) I could get a similarly configured MacBook Air for $400 cheaper than an 11" iPad Pro! But the iPad Pro is significantly lighter (1 lb vs 2.7 lbs) … unless I add that "Magic Keyboard" — then they are much closer weight-wise.
2. Screen real-estate. There's a lot of debate between the 11" and 13" size (with an argument that the newer 13"s are much more portable than they used to be). But that 11" is always going to be easier to shlep around, hold one-handed, etc. What size is yours, and did you experience any frustrations around that?
3. I noticed in an image you shared privately that you had a keyboard paired with it (not "Magic"!). How essential did you feel that to be—any recommendations there?
4. Really in the weeds now, but a further possible choice is whether that "Nano" coating offered in some configurations for the screen is beneficial/worth it.
Thanks again for your insightful write-up! I love how the character in your article illustration seems more enamored by looking at the scene on her iPad than the actual scene she is sitting in 😂.
> if one wants the redundancy of having the files stored also on the iPad then couldn't this more simply be achieved then by adjusting the cache size limit to the maximum you think you'd need (eg, 500 GB)?
I guess that true, but keep in mind that you've got a storage battle happening - when you increase the cache size, that is subtracted from the overall available storage, which is where that all-important upload queue goes. So you would need a huge internal drive to have both a huge cache space and also large enough free space.
1) Such a good question. The Air is barely larger than an iPad, and it has a built-in full keyboard, so what's the point, really? OTOH you also make good point that everything I wrote here could just as well be done on the phone and in that case you *really* have a weight / risk reduction (but no large screen to work with). Tradeoffs, with no blanket answer. For me, I use the iPad like a giant phone around the house for all sorts of stuff so it feels very natural.
2) Again, just a matter of personal preferences and trade-offs. FWIW mine is an 11" 5th generation iPad Air with 256GBs storage (which is mostly full hence some of my hassles). I find 11" to be a very comfortable compromise size. I like that it fits easily in backpacks. It feels like the sweet spot bw small phone and large desktop, but it could just be that I'm so used to it.
3) I didn't cover the keyboard bc it's not really related to the Lightroom topic, but yes this was the first time traveling with a Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad. I mostly wanted that so I could do my email and social media in the evening, etc. - I'm not comfortable with iOS typing and my family won't let me do speech -> text in their presence :) It use a full size Logitech MX Keys S at home, but bought a "mini" version of that for this trip. It was flawless - I adore both versions of this keyboard. Search amazon for "Logitech MX Keys Mini Minimalist Wireless Illuminated Keyboard - Graphite" (sorry the link is hella long and I can't link text here).
Regarding the cache limit idea, I see: if you adjust the cache limit you're reserving that space whether you end up using it or not (which you wouldn't be initially for sure). Therefore a more dynamic storage strategy if you need to manage a more limited resource is to copy the images to files instead, since that will only occupy the storage space necessary (leaving the rest free for the queue, etc). But then you can end up with the situation you encountered on the plane home, since even though the images are in the file system, LR wouldn't be able to use those (as it wouldn't naturally know about them)? This could be an argument for spending for a more abundant SSD ($$$): allocate the max amount of cache you want access to, plus enough headroom for the queue at any time. This is definitely making me gravitate towards 1 TB as a minimum.
Thinking about the iPad vs Laptop question, I'm gravitating towards the iPad because:
1. More casual/compact/lighter weight
2. If you're using the pencil (particularly) you get a very direct experience doing things like creating masks (particularly brush masks)
3. If I want a keyboard your third party suggestion is probably going to be lighter than the Apple "magic" one (1.3 lbs!)
The fact you didn't feel constrained by the 11" size is reassuring to me. For sure what you're habituated to can make a big difference, but you do LR on a desktop as well, so if it was really constraining I'd expect you'd notice.
Other influencers have noted the advantages of using a portable keyboard with LR on an iPad because keyboard shortcuts. For instance, being able to quickly flag images as you're curating ("X" & "P" for instance). I'd expect you also used your keyboard this way (which would then make it relevant)?
I haven't worked with a pencil but have also heard great things about the experience - curious to try that. If you're going the iPad route, also put some thought into a case that can double as a stand. The Apple plastic case is a basic stand in landscape mode only. More advanced cases are more flexible in that department. So that you don't have to look for a flowerpot or pillow to lean it up against while working, etc.
To be clear 11" *does* feel like a compromise compared to desktop (as does LR Mobile itself) but it's OK because mentally I don't *expect* it to be a full experience - it's just a travel functionality thing.
There's a surprisingly good set of keyboard shortcuts for LR Mobile:
I say surprisingly because the vast majority of users are using without a keyboard, and clearly they put some effort into this set. And you're right, I do use a handful of them quite a bit.
Scot, I’ve been doing something sort of similar during recent travels. I import files using the iPad version of Photoshop, and since my iPad automatically syncs to my Apple iCloud account the files are automatically duplicated there. When I’m feeling particularly paranoid I also update to a bare SSD with a USB-C cable adapter. (And my camera has two card slots that hold duplicate versions of the image files.) So, all told, I might end up with 4 copies of all of my files without too much ado.)
I do very little on-the-road editing, since I find it pretty cumbersome using the iPad version of Photoshop on my iPad Pro. I do some culling perhaps, but beyond that most of the serious work waits for when I get home.
Sounds like a super-robust system with lots of redundancy, and also eliminates the complexities introduced by Lightroom's queueing system running in the middle. Question: If you're just using Photoshop but no Lightroom, you have no image management, so where is the culling happening? On the SD card? In the File app manually?
Actually, I do this so rarely that I may be describing it incorrectly. As I think about it, LR is the raw convertor for iPad PS so I think I'm importing into LR and then opening the raws to PS.
With iCloud I get a backup of The whole machine so I assume that the image files are in there, too.
In the past I did simply copy image files into a folder on the iPad, but now I have to go back and look at the details of what I dd on the last trip!
Gotcha, that makes sense, using Lightroom and Photoshop in conjunction in that way.
Quick follow-up, after writing all of that. I used to carry a Macbook Air as my on-the-road device, but swapped it out for the iPad a few yeas back. I quickly came to like the iPad quite a bit for many purposes, especially since I added Apples expensive keyboard that converts into a cover.
But it turns out that the weight savings aren’t quite as big as we might expect, at least if you use that Apple keyboard. I’d describe my iPad setup as “smaller but not a lot lighter.” I’m actually considering going back to the small screen of the Macbook Air in the future, since it will actually run my normal post-processing apps, just like my big photo machine at home.
Well, I just got an 11” iPad for this purpose (on the road ingestion, culling, cloud backup, maybe some editing). Agree that if you add the fancy keyboard you’re not very far out front weight wise. However I have enjoyed the experience so far of being able to directly edit masks on the screen with that pencil!
I’ve also found it useful for the new sorts of extended dynamic range “HDR” edits, as that screen had 3 stops of HDR headroom as opposed to my desktop screen which is strictly SDR.
When it comes to editing "on the road" with the pencil, you are ahead of me! I'm afraid that I haven't come to terms with editing on that small screen except in a few cases where I just wanted to see what the potential of a file might be. (I'm spoiled by the pair of 27" monitors on my studio setup, I suppose.)
Well, so far it’s more of a proof of concept. I’ll see how much I like it (or not!).
My editing otherwise to date has all been via LR Classic on my desktop Mac and big monitor 😉.
One thing I discovered in Scotland is that LR Mobile has a masking feature that Lightroom and Classic don't have (strangely) - look for the magic wand tool - it's not the same as "Auto" edit settings - it auto-creates a whole bunch smaller sub-masks which you can (of course) adjust the settings of independently. Big time saver especially in that constrained environment.
I look forward to seeing that pencil in action.
Perfect timing for me Scot, as I'm preparing to follow in your boot-steps to Scotland (as you know)! Lot's of great information here, touching on aspects of the remote work/sync aspects I haven't found in other places with this general topic.
Regarding the note about possibly importing to the iPad's local files first, if one wants the redundancy of having the files stored also on the iPad then couldn't this more simply be achieved then by adjusting the cache size limit to the maximum you think you'd need (eg, 500 GB)?
Your article validates for me the basic premise of using an iPad for this purpose (light editing and backup while traveling). Alternatives I've also seen people talk about are just using your phone as a bridge to backing up on a portable drive via the file manager (but this doesn't get you cloud backup, or any on the road editing), or taking say a 13" Macbook Air.
I'm probably headed to the Apple store today to take a look at iPads, so I'm currently pretty far down in the weeds considering various different options. Some things I'm currently weighing (if you have any insights regarding) are:
1. The fundamental choice between taking a lightweight laptop vs an iPad. For instance (quickly checking) I could get a similarly configured MacBook Air for $400 cheaper than an 11" iPad Pro! But the iPad Pro is significantly lighter (1 lb vs 2.7 lbs) … unless I add that "Magic Keyboard" — then they are much closer weight-wise.
2. Screen real-estate. There's a lot of debate between the 11" and 13" size (with an argument that the newer 13"s are much more portable than they used to be). But that 11" is always going to be easier to shlep around, hold one-handed, etc. What size is yours, and did you experience any frustrations around that?
3. I noticed in an image you shared privately that you had a keyboard paired with it (not "Magic"!). How essential did you feel that to be—any recommendations there?
4. Really in the weeds now, but a further possible choice is whether that "Nano" coating offered in some configurations for the screen is beneficial/worth it.
Thanks again for your insightful write-up! I love how the character in your article illustration seems more enamored by looking at the scene on her iPad than the actual scene she is sitting in 😂.
Hey Ward, great questions. My responses:
> if one wants the redundancy of having the files stored also on the iPad then couldn't this more simply be achieved then by adjusting the cache size limit to the maximum you think you'd need (eg, 500 GB)?
I guess that true, but keep in mind that you've got a storage battle happening - when you increase the cache size, that is subtracted from the overall available storage, which is where that all-important upload queue goes. So you would need a huge internal drive to have both a huge cache space and also large enough free space.
1) Such a good question. The Air is barely larger than an iPad, and it has a built-in full keyboard, so what's the point, really? OTOH you also make good point that everything I wrote here could just as well be done on the phone and in that case you *really* have a weight / risk reduction (but no large screen to work with). Tradeoffs, with no blanket answer. For me, I use the iPad like a giant phone around the house for all sorts of stuff so it feels very natural.
2) Again, just a matter of personal preferences and trade-offs. FWIW mine is an 11" 5th generation iPad Air with 256GBs storage (which is mostly full hence some of my hassles). I find 11" to be a very comfortable compromise size. I like that it fits easily in backpacks. It feels like the sweet spot bw small phone and large desktop, but it could just be that I'm so used to it.
3) I didn't cover the keyboard bc it's not really related to the Lightroom topic, but yes this was the first time traveling with a Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad. I mostly wanted that so I could do my email and social media in the evening, etc. - I'm not comfortable with iOS typing and my family won't let me do speech -> text in their presence :) It use a full size Logitech MX Keys S at home, but bought a "mini" version of that for this trip. It was flawless - I adore both versions of this keyboard. Search amazon for "Logitech MX Keys Mini Minimalist Wireless Illuminated Keyboard - Graphite" (sorry the link is hella long and I can't link text here).
4) I haven't heard about the Nano coating, sorry.
Regarding the cache limit idea, I see: if you adjust the cache limit you're reserving that space whether you end up using it or not (which you wouldn't be initially for sure). Therefore a more dynamic storage strategy if you need to manage a more limited resource is to copy the images to files instead, since that will only occupy the storage space necessary (leaving the rest free for the queue, etc). But then you can end up with the situation you encountered on the plane home, since even though the images are in the file system, LR wouldn't be able to use those (as it wouldn't naturally know about them)? This could be an argument for spending for a more abundant SSD ($$$): allocate the max amount of cache you want access to, plus enough headroom for the queue at any time. This is definitely making me gravitate towards 1 TB as a minimum.
Thinking about the iPad vs Laptop question, I'm gravitating towards the iPad because:
1. More casual/compact/lighter weight
2. If you're using the pencil (particularly) you get a very direct experience doing things like creating masks (particularly brush masks)
3. If I want a keyboard your third party suggestion is probably going to be lighter than the Apple "magic" one (1.3 lbs!)
The fact you didn't feel constrained by the 11" size is reassuring to me. For sure what you're habituated to can make a big difference, but you do LR on a desktop as well, so if it was really constraining I'd expect you'd notice.
Other influencers have noted the advantages of using a portable keyboard with LR on an iPad because keyboard shortcuts. For instance, being able to quickly flag images as you're curating ("X" & "P" for instance). I'd expect you also used your keyboard this way (which would then make it relevant)?
I haven't worked with a pencil but have also heard great things about the experience - curious to try that. If you're going the iPad route, also put some thought into a case that can double as a stand. The Apple plastic case is a basic stand in landscape mode only. More advanced cases are more flexible in that department. So that you don't have to look for a flowerpot or pillow to lean it up against while working, etc.
To be clear 11" *does* feel like a compromise compared to desktop (as does LR Mobile itself) but it's OK because mentally I don't *expect* it to be a full experience - it's just a travel functionality thing.
There's a surprisingly good set of keyboard shortcuts for LR Mobile:
https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/mobile/get-started/keyboard-shortcuts.html
I say surprisingly because the vast majority of users are using without a keyboard, and clearly they put some effort into this set. And you're right, I do use a handful of them quite a bit.