Hodge Podge of photo-editing related questions

[Chris Janes]

Just a few questions I've been mulling over and just looking for advice.

1. I have an Apple 27" Thunderbolt display, the glare and the associated eye-strain is becoming an issue. I sometimes can't sit behind the screen for several days. I've heard there are glasses that help deal with this, does anyone know if they work? I don't wear glasses as my vision was still 20/20 last year and I'd like to keep it as long as I can despite becoming an old f@#$.

2. Is the monthly cost for photoshop worth it and how will it help improve my photos? I already use lightroom 5 and the Nik add-ons. Will CS be overkill or is it something that I can use in conjunction with what I have?

3. Anyone here use pen tablets like the Intuos5? I've read some good things about these,  just looking for someones personnel experiences with them before I decide to get one.

[Joe Copalman]

On #2, you can definitely use CS in conjunction with LR5 and the Nik stuff.  There are several things you can do in Photoshop (any version) that you can't do in LR, and I use both on pretty much every shot I post. 

[Jay Beckman]

1) Chris, have you used a Spyder or Color Munki on your monitor at all?  Most LCD screens are at least twice as bright as they should be right out of the box.  That is probably contributing to your eye strain.

2) I'm at the $21/mo point with Adobe Cloud and I'm already using well over $1,000 worth of software (some for stills, some for video.)  For me, it's worth it at this level.  Most folks would be happy with the $10 photographers plan of LR and CS6

3) Couldn't imaging editing in CS6 without one.

[Jeff D. Welker]

1 - I concur with Jay on screen brightness. Use an appropriate calibrator and things should improve.

2 - I use the $10/month LR and Photoshop CC subscription and think it is worth every penny.

3 - I've got an Intuous; however, I'm not as comfortable with it as my mouse. IMO it requires some dedication to master, but I am told by several user (i.e. Jay) that it is well worth the time to do so.

[yipDog]

1) To the guys who responded with "calibrate"...it's not that. Years ago I worked for a company that used the Apple glossy monitors. I had the same glare issues and started bringing in my Dell from home. A matte screen is much easier to look at than the shiny glass that Apple uses. You can get an overlay for the monitor to help with glare, http://www.amazon.com/Kuzy-Anti-Glare-Protector-Thunderbolt-ANTI-GLARE/dp/B00CO99ISK
It does affect quality though. Best to re-arrange your workspace and lighting to minimize glare.

2) Lightroom and PS are best when used together. Layering and fine detailed editing can't be done in LR and PS isn't meant to manage a library.

3) Jay is a master at the tablet. I tried for weeks to get the hang of it but like Jeff am much faster with my mouse.

[Dave S.]

Regarding...

#2 - I'm still on LR4 and CS5.  I hesitated too long on getting the standalone CS6, now the CS6 upgrade for the standalone is no longer available.  I wasn't really keen on the forced upgrade aspect that Adobe introduced with their Cloud suite.  Setting that aside, I've discovered (and still discovering) the huge power PS has to offer: layers, curves...the list is long.  No way I'd want to rely on just LR.

#3 - I picked up a Bamboo about a year ago.  Took a while to get used to, but it's so much easier/intuitive/natural while editing than a mouse is.  That's not just in terms of curser/position control, but also the advantages that pen pressure bring too.  I'd suggest keep at it with the tablet, you'll come around.

[Chris Janes]

Thank you for the feedback everyone!!

Considering there are a lot of complaints about the glossy glass finish on the apple monitors and the relative ease of removing the glass front with a few suction cups. I wonder why there has never been an after market matte finished glass replacement. Seems like it could be done rather than using a film. I'll give the Spyder or color munki a shot in the meantime.