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iPad Pro Photographers: iPad Pro as only device

S

Stephen13

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 5, 2018
40
45
USA - GA
Looking for workflow and file backup advice on the iPad Pro.

I am getting ready to replace my 2011 iMac 27". The hardware landscape in 2019 is very different from 2011.

I use my iMac 70% for casual editing in Lightroom and social media sharing. The rest for Apple Photos library, web, email, Excel and Word. My iMac has 1TB internal storage (40% full after 8 years) and external HDD backup using Time Machine.

The thought occurred to me: can the new iPad Pro satisfy my needs? It's a heck of a lot smaller and convenient for casual editing. I don't like being locked away in the office while editing.

Since the iPad does not easily accommodate an external HDD, my main concern is with backup storage. Just like my iMac has a backup drive today, I want ONE backup source for EVERYTHING on my device. I don't want to have to split LR backups from everything else on the iPad.

If I'm using LR CC, how does backup work? If I bought iCloud storage, could I put all my LR files there along with my Apple Photos library?
 
Stephen13 said:
If I'm using LR CC, how does backup work? If I bought iCloud storage, could I put all my LR files there along with my Apple Photos library?
Click to expand...

If you have a regular LR CC subscription you get 1 TB of cloud storage. So your photos will automatically be synced to the LR sever and you can access them anywhere. I say go for it. Editing photos on an iPad is a great experience imo.
 
What Mike said. Plus there is a strong likelihood that iOS 13 later this year will open up usb-c and allow connecting an external HD to the ipad pro. At least Federighi hinted as much at a recent Q&A.

Personally I absolutely love my 11” iPad pro for editing photos as well as 4k gopro & dji drone video while on the road. Affinity Photo & Luma Fusion are my two fav programs. And with Photoshop coming later this year, my fingers are crossed that Apple will release a version of Final Cut for the ipad pro too.

I would keep researching until you are personally satisfied that an ipad pro can handle your workflow. But Once you decide it is, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy. My 11” ipad pro has really has changed my opinion, and I couldn’t imagine traveling without one now.
 
Mike82 said:
If you have a regular LR CC subscription you get 1 TB of cloud storage. So your photos will automatically be synced to the LR sever and you can access them anywhere. I say go for it. Editing photos on an iPad is a great experience imo.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. One of the kickers is, if I ditch my mac altogether, the only backup method for the iPad would be iCloud. There is no easy local/external backup drive support for iPad - yet.

I am currently running LR4 without a subscription on my iMac. AFAIK, Adobe doesn't offer standalone software anymore. I would therefore have to subscribe to Adobe Cloud services to back up LR photos on the iPad? That's what I'm trying to avoid, if possible.

Is there anything at all about LR on iPad that lacks compared to the desktop version? Any interface, editing or features differences?
 
Last edited:
Stephen13 said:
Thanks for your reply. One of the kickers is, if I ditch my mac altogether, the only backup method for the iPad would be iCloud. There is no easy local/external backup drive support for iPad - yet.

I am currently running LR4 without a subscription on my iMac. AFAIK, Adobe doesn't offer standalone software anymore. I would therefore have to subscribe to Adobe Cloud services to back up LR photos on the iPad? That's what I'm trying to avoid, if possible.

Is there anything at all about LR on iPad that lacks compared to the desktop version? Any interface, editing or features differences?
Click to expand...

Wouldn't you have to use a cloud service of some sort anyway? You aren't planning to keep all your photos on an iPad?

The mobile version of LR isn't as robust as the desktop version, but I suspect that will come in time.
 
I've tried it and was unsuccessful. The iOS platform right now is not productive enough for me to use it as a full-time editor. It is much slower than a PC or Mac - not in terms of processing power but in terms of workflow efficiency. The Lightroom client is not as full-featured, and just getting the photos into Lightroom is a hassle. You have to import into Photos, then copy over to Lightroom, then delete from Photos.
 
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mollyc said:
Wouldn't you have to use a cloud service of some sort anyway? You aren't planning to keep all your photos on an iPad?

The mobile version of LR isn't as robust as the desktop version, but I suspect that will come in time.
Click to expand...

Yes, I expect to have to use cloud storage for backup. 1TB local storage on the iPad should do me for several years.

The main question - is it possible to have just one cloud storage platform for EVERYTHING on the iPad? As it stands, I would need at least an iCloud storage plan. I need to know if I can roll in my LR photos into iCloud, or if I would also need an Adobe storage plan.
 
Stephen13 said:
Yes, I expect to have to use cloud storage for backup. 1TB local storage on the iPad should do me for several years.

The main question - is it possible to have just one cloud storage platform for EVERYTHING on the iPad? As it stands, I would need at least an iCloud storage plan. I need to know if I can roll in my LR photos into iCloud, or if I would also need an Adobe storage plan.
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware, Lightroom uses CC storage and only CC storage.
 
Why wouldn’t you just get a MacBook of some sort? Then you can just keep using your existing software and drives.
 
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Stephen13 said:
I need to know if I can roll in my LR photos into iCloud, or if I would also need an Adobe storage plan.
Click to expand...

Try the photographer's plan on Adobe CC. It's Cheaper and will work wonderfully in your iPad Pro. You could stil use it on your old Mac if you want to.

As performance, Ipad Pro is somehow ridicously fast. You will note it in the first moment!
 
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Stephen13 said:
Yes, I expect to have to use cloud storage for backup. 1TB local storage on the iPad should do me for several years.

The main question - is it possible to have just one cloud storage platform for EVERYTHING on the iPad? As it stands, I would need at least an iCloud storage plan. I need to know if I can roll in my LR photos into iCloud, or if I would also need an Adobe storage plan.
Click to expand...

Short answer no. Depends where you place your image library: If you store images in Creative Cloud Storage through LR, that data is stored separately and isn't included in your iCloud Storage / iCloud Backups. If you store everything in your Camera Roll and import/export them into LR, then you could use iCloud Storage exclusively by leveraging iCloud Photo Library -- that said I don't know many people happy to have heavy image workflows depending on Photos.app.

Also if you end up keeping your iMac, you could use it as a simple backup server, syncing up either your LR Creative Cloud library or iCloud Photo Library to it, and from there you have many more options for redundant backups.

Here's a few interesting workflow articles which might be worth checking out:
 
Sorry to hijack this thread as I was looking to do something similar as I have just signed up to the Creative Cloud 1tb. I don’t know if I have read this correctly, but if I was to disable the sync from camera roll and use a usb-c CF card reader for my 12.9 iPad Pro 2018, am I able to upload my Raw files directly to Creative Cloud, without having to upload them to the Camera Roll / iCloud first ?. Or does everything have to be done via the internal storage / iCloud when using LR Mobile ?
 
I couldn’t do it yet. I love photo editing on the iPad Pro, but still need my Mac Pro to finish them in the end. You would need a 50mbit Upload Connection or so, for a cloud only workflow to make sense., also I have already a 900 gb photo Collection that i wouldn’t know what to do with. At least wait what iOS 13 brings.
 
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Yes, but even though I use my iPad Pro for 90% of my photo editing, video editing, sketching, writing, and film design work... I still require a Mac workstation to do just a couple things that the iPad Pro cannot do just yet. But if you are just editing HQ or even RAW photos or music and videos... the iPP can take it like a champ.






Kallum.
 
brofkand said:
I've tried it and was unsuccessful. The iOS platform right now is not productive enough for me to use it as a full-time editor. It is much slower than a PC or Mac - not in terms of processing power but in terms of workflow efficiency. The Lightroom client is not as full-featured, and just getting the photos into Lightroom is a hassle. You have to import into Photos, then copy over to Lightroom, then delete from Photos.
Click to expand...

Same here. If I'm processing a couple of hundred RAW photos I also find the the iPad Pro workflow to be too inefficient. I gave it a good try on travel but on my next trip the laptop and a USB-C SSD will be back with me. And then there's the issue of managing many thousands of photos - RAW & processed - in off-line storage at home.
 
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Stephen13 said:
Thanks for your reply. One of the kickers is, if I ditch my mac altogether, the only backup method for the iPad would be iCloud. There is no easy local/external backup drive support for iPad - yet.

I am currently running LR4 without a subscription on my iMac. AFAIK, Adobe doesn't offer standalone software anymore. I would therefore have to subscribe to Adobe Cloud services to back up LR photos on the iPad? That's what I'm trying to avoid, if possible.

Is there anything at all about LR on iPad that lacks compared to the desktop version? Any interface, editing or features differences?
Click to expand...
Stephen13 said:
Thanks for your reply. One of the kickers is, if I ditch my mac altogether, the only backup method for the iPad would be iCloud. There is no easy local/external backup drive support for iPad - yet.

I am currently running LR4 without a subscription on my iMac. AFAIK, Adobe doesn't offer standalone software anymore. I would therefore have to subscribe to Adobe Cloud services to back up LR photos on the iPad? That's what I'm trying to avoid, if possible.

Is there anything at all about LR on iPad that lacks compared to the desktop version? Any interface, editing or features differences?
Click to expand...

https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/product/HM4G2ZM/A/lacie-2tb-dji-copilot-boss-hard-drive?fnode=5f

This might be the answer.

Researching it now for my own iPad move.
 
jwar1976 said:
The new iPad Pro isn’t compatible with any external hard drive via usb-c

https://www.businessinsider.com/app...tible-with-external-storage-2018-11?r=US&IR=T

Looks like the wireless WD My Passport, maybe the only option for the time being
Click to expand...

I use a RAVPower wireless FileHub as it has the flexibility to accept any USB device - I use a 4TB HDD - and has an SD card slot. And it's only $43.

https://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Wireless-Portable-Streamer-Cellphone/dp/B016ZWS9ZE/
 
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jwar1976 said:
Now this does look interesting, are you able to upload straight to creative Cloud from it ?
Click to expand...

It has pass-through Internet capability (bridge from another Internet connection - it's not a hot spot) so files on attached storage could be uploaded. Apps like Lightroom cannot directly access files on the storage - they have to be imported into Lightroom - but with the Internet connection, you could upload to the Cloud. For general file access to storage on the FileHub, I like to use FileBrowser as it can make an SMB connection and directly access the attached storage (rean & write).

Should note that just like other wireless storage, these things are not real fast. I reviewed a newer model that has since been discontinued due to problems with it but my review has data on the older model I pointed to above -

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-ravpower-filehub-model-review.2128117/

I've been using this older model for 3.5 years.
 
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sparksd said:
I use a RAVPower wireless FileHub as it has the flexibility to accept any USB device - I use a 4TB HDD - and has an SD card slot. And it's only $43.

https://www.amazon.com/RAVPower-Wireless-Portable-Streamer-Cellphone/dp/B016ZWS9ZE/
Click to expand...

Sunday, Mar 24, 2019 09:47 AM

Apple:
Welcome to Apple.
What can we do for you today?

s.235@btinternet.com:
Hello. Can I edit images stored on this product when it is connected to my iPad Pro? LaCie 2TB DJI Copilot BOSS Hard Drive

Apple:
Now transferring you to an Apple Chat Specialist. Please wait.

Demetrios:
Welcome to Apple! My name is Dimitris, hope your day has been great so far!

Demetrios:
I can see your notes about the Lacie 2TB hard drive and would be happy to assist you with this!

Demetrios:
Bear with me for a minute while i check this for you!

s.235@btinternet.com:
ok

Demetrios:
Thank you 1

Demetrios:
Checking the specification of the hard drive, you mentioned, is is possible,

Demetrios:
The files you can store in the drive will be usable from your iPad Apps.

Demetrios:
Of course what I need to mention is that the App you are using has to be able to open the specific file type.

s.235@btinternet.com:
So I can use this as a storage device with full access and transfer capabilities with the iPP?

Demetrios:
That is correct! It is compatible with most iPad Pro models and versions.

Demetrios:
Sorry for delaying I am reading the tech specs as we speak.

s.235@btinternet.com:
ok

Demetrios:
From what I am reading it does support editing directly from the drive,

Demetrios:
Based on that they also offer complimentary cloud and adobe cloud subscription,

Demetrios:
so you can do just that, from any device you have it connected on.

Demetrios:
In any case, if you find yourself not being able to use this product as planned, you can always use the 14 day return period, to return the product and receive a full refund!

Transcript of today's chat with Apple Help.
 
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Reality4711 said:
Sunday, Mar 24, 2019 09:47 AM

Apple:
Welcome to Apple.
What can we do for you today?

s.235@btinternet.com:
Hello. Can I edit images stored on this product when it is connected to my iPad Pro? LaCie 2TB DJI Copilot BOSS Hard Drive

Apple:
Now transferring you to an Apple Chat Specialist. Please wait.

Demetrios:
Welcome to Apple! My name is Dimitris, hope your day has been great so far!

Demetrios:
I can see your notes about the Lacie 2TB hard drive and would be happy to assist you with this!

Demetrios:
Bear with me for a minute while i check this for you!

s.235@btinternet.com:
ok

Demetrios:
Thank you 1

Demetrios:
Checking the specification of the hard drive, you mentioned, is is possible,

Demetrios:
The files you can store in the drive will be usable from your iPad Apps.

Demetrios:
Of course what I need to mention is that the App you are using has to be able to open the specific file type.

s.235@btinternet.com:
So I can use this as a storage device with full access and transfer capabilities with the iPP?

Demetrios:
That is correct! It is compatible with most iPad Pro models and versions.

Demetrios:
Sorry for delaying I am reading the tech specs as we speak.

s.235@btinternet.com:
ok

Demetrios:
From what I am reading it does support editing directly from the drive,

Demetrios:
Based on that they also offer complimentary cloud and adobe cloud subscription,

Demetrios:
so you can do just that, from any device you have it connected on.

Demetrios:
In any case, if you find yourself not being able to use this product as planned, you can always use the 14 day return period, to return the product and receive a full refund!

Transcript of today's chat with Apple Help.
Click to expand...

Interesting. But nowhere else have I seen anything saying that an app on the iPad - like Lightroom or Affinity - can directly access and edit a file on the CoPilot; the file has to be copied to the iPad for editing.
 
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sparksd said:
Interesting. But nowhere else have I seen anything saying that an app on the iPad - like Lightroom or Affinity - can directly access and edit a file on the CoPilot; the file has to be copied to the iPad for editing.
Click to expand...

Yup! I agree. The issue seems a little fraught and unclear.

It may be that the editing itself must be done on an imported image(possibly a copy) and the result returned to the CoPilot for storage.

Certainly the CoPilot app. can be used to manage files on the Drive and if that is the case and each file can be viewed on the iPP then there appears to be a workable fit here.

I think a workflow video is needed to clarify the points we have issues with.

Cannot afford to buy try and return what's needed for a trial so just hope someone else can:)

I do wish the interfacing of third party and Apple products was made clearer across the board - damned confusing!
 
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Reality4711 said:
Yup! I agree. The issue seems a little fraught and unclear.

It may be that the editing itself must be done on an imported image(possibly a copy) and the result returned to the CoPilot for storage.

Certainly the CoPilot app. can be used to manage files on the Drive and if that is the case and each file can be viewed on the iPP then there appears to be a workable fit here.

I think a workflow video is needed to clarify the points we have issues with.

Cannot afford to buy try and return what's needed for a trial so just hope someone else can:)

I do wish the interfacing of third party and Apple products was made clearer across the board - damned confusing!
Click to expand...

Exactly. I've tried different attached devices - wireless & Lightning-based flash - and it's always been the "copy and return" model. People are hoping for improvements in iOS 13 but I wouldn't hold my breath on them. And the Lacie at $350 for a 2TB spinning drive is more than I want to pay - the 4TB HDD I use with the FileHub was about $110.
 
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I am looking to do a similar thing and I looked up the Lacie Hard Drive linked in this thread, it seems apple stores stock in stores. Maybe one of us should buy one to test it out and then return it.
 
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