A stroke of luck

Transform your image editing workflow with a tablet and stylus

- Mike Harris

EDITING

Attempting to replace the humble mouse and keyboard is a bit like reinventing the wheel. But if you’ve ever used a mouse to perform delicate dodging or burning, you’ll know it’s an awkward task. Try a digital pen instead and you’ll never want to go back. Graphics tablets with screens have become increasingly popular over the years and more affordable, too. But even the cheapest options can be difficult to justify unless they’re going to be in constant use.

That’s why tablet styluses, such as the Apple Pencil and Samsung S Pen, are an attractive option for photo editing and retouching work. The Apple Pencil, in particular, has received plenty of plaudits and is an excellent tool for artists and photographers alike. It’s pressure-sensitive, just like a real pencil, thin and comfortable to use, and a relatively inexpensive investment at £139/$129. So if you spend lots of time editing your images and don’t already have a compatible device at home, now’s the time to invest in an Apple iPad or Galaxy Tab – they offer plenty of other benefits besides digital drawing.

We paired our iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) and second-gen Apple Pencil with Affinity Photo 2 for iPad (£18/$18.50) to show you how to make smooth and accurate edits using the Dodge Brush Tool.

affinity.serif.com/photo www.apple.com.

No iPad? Try these other options