Hey there, fellow shutterbugs! If you’re anything like me, you’re passionate about photography but crave the freedom to edit your masterpieces wherever inspiration strikes. Whether it’s a cozy coffee shop, a bustling airport terminal, or a serene mountaintop, editing photos on the go is a dream come true.

Enter the iPad Pro, Lightroom, and Photoshop – my trusty trio for transforming ordinary snapshots into extraordinary works of art. And the best part? I can do it all from the comfort of my favorite cafe, soaking in the ambiance and sipping my favorite latte.

I used to lug around a heavy laptop, tethered to a power outlet, feeling like a prisoner to my desk. But not anymore! The iPad Pro has revolutionized my editing workflow, giving me the flexibility to edit anytime, anywhere. So, if you’re ready to ditch the desk and unleash your inner photo editing nomad, here are 10 reasons why the iPad Pro is an absolute must-have:

1. Your Portable Editing Studio:

Picture this: you’re strolling through a vibrant street market, snapping photos of colorful spices and bustling crowds. With the iPad Pro, you can instantly edit those images, capturing the essence of the market’s energy while it’s still fresh in your mind. The sleek design and lightweight build of the iPad Pro make it the perfect travel companion, slipping effortlessly into your backpack or carry-on. The tablet is thin, light and small enough to take with you anywhere. There is something to be said of the portability and comfort of being able to work on your edits when and where you want. I get my images in the cloud I can access them and work on them when I want. It’s just a fun, relaxing experience. I grab my iPad, I put on some jams or throw something on the TV and I sit back, relax and work on edits on my iPad. I can sit by the pool, I can be at the coffee shop. I can’t overstate how liberating it is to not be confined to a desk when it comes to working on edits.

2. Retina Display: A Feast for the Eyes:

The iPad Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display is an absolute masterpiece. It’s like having a mini movie theater in your hands, showcasing your photos in stunning detail and true-to-life colors. Whether you’re editing a breathtaking landscape or a captivating portrait, this display ensures every pixel shines. The other plus here is the color accuracy of the display. Imagine a world where you don’t have to worry about display calibration You can just throw on some headphones, sip on your favorite coffee beverage, kick up your feet and get to work.

3. Apple Pencil: The Editing Tool of Your Dreams:

If you’re rocking an iPad Pro M1 and haven’t experienced the magic of the Apple Pencil for editing your pics, you’re seriously missing out. This isn’t just a stylus – it’s a game-changer. In Photoshop, the Apple Pencil lets you retouch portraits with pinpoint accuracy, like smoothing out skin blemishes or adding a subtle catchlight to the eyes. And in Lightroom, it’s perfect for precise adjustments, like dodging and burning to sculpt light and shadow. The pressure sensitivity and tilt support give you an almost magical level of control. its pressure-sensitive tip beautifully handles tasks like adjusting brush flow and opacity, making it an indispensable tool for bringing creative visions to life. With the Apple Pencil, your iPad Pro transforms into a powerful digital canvas, where every stroke adds depth and detail to your images, enhancing their visual impact. It’s like having a traditional paintbrush for your digital masterpieces! Trust me, once you try the Apple Pencil for photo editing, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

4. Intuitive Touch Controls: Edit with Your Fingertips:

Editing on the iPad Pro is a breeze, thanks to its intuitive touch interface. Pinch to zoom, swipe to navigate, and tap to adjust. It’s a seamless and enjoyable experience that feels like second nature. You can rotate the tablet to work in either portrait or landscape. It feels very natural to be able to touch to manipulate settings and work on the image. You get more of the feeling that you are an artist working on a painting which I really enjoy.

5. Processing Powerhouse: No More Waiting Around:

Remember those days of endless loading screens and frustrating lag? Not anymore! The iPad Pro’s powerful M1 chip makes editing a smooth and effortless experience. Complex adjustments, layers, and filters are handled with ease, allowing you to focus on your creative vision. It takes a huge amount of stress away from the editing experience when you are not sitting there waiting for processes to complete. Everything here works seamlessly and the performance is snappy, all with just touch or Apple pencil control.

6. App Store Wonderland: Your Creative Arsenal:

Lightroom and Photoshop are just the tip of the iceberg. The App Store is a treasure trove of photo editing apps, from powerful RAW editors to fun and quirky filter apps. Discover new ways to enhance your images and experiment with different styles to create a unique look that’s all your own. I mainly work in the Adobe ecosystem but honestly there are so many options available to you here. There is no set rule that says you have to work in Adobe, whether you use Pixelmator , VSCO, PicsArt, heck even the build in iPad OS editing tools sometimes yield amazing results. Again there is nothing set in stone saying you have to use specific apps to express yourself the way you want in your photography.

7. Cloud Storage Bliss: Your Photos, Everywhere You Are:

Thanks to seamless integration with cloud storage services like iCloud Photos, Dropbox, and Google Drive, your photos are always within reach. Edit on your iPad Pro, then pick up right where you left off on your phone or computer. It’s the ultimate convenience for the modern photographer. Adobe offers Adobe Cloud storage as well but any of the cloud storage options work well. You can choose the one you feel gives you the features and value you need for the money you want to spend. I have iCloud, Google drive and Adobe and all have their unique values to me based on what I want to do.

8. All-Day Battery: Edit from Sunrise to Sunset:

The iPad Pro’s impressive battery life means you can edit for hours on end without worrying about running out of juice. It’s perfect for long flights, road trips, or simply those days when you want to immerse yourself in your creative flow. The battery life on this thing is more than adequate and I get close to 8 hours of screen time still today. Of course I always still carry my power banks with me to top off when needed but I can’t remember the last time the iPad was my issue when it comes to battery life and being able to make it to the end of the day.

9. Multitasking Double the Productivity:

Need to reference another image or look up a tutorial while you edit? The iPad Pro’s multitasking capabilities let you split the screen and run multiple apps side-by-side. It’s a productivity powerhouse that streamlines your workflow. Now I’ll be honest here 13 inches is not a lot of real estate but you can quickly go back and forth between your tutorial and your work if its the only device you have available. Again the flexibility here is welcome specially considering we are being freed from being confined to a desk.

10. Tailored for Touch: A User-Friendly Interface:

Lightroom and Photoshop on the iPad Pro are designed specifically for touch and Apple Pencil input. The interfaces are intuitive, user-friendly, and optimized for a seamless editing experience. iPad OS has come a long way as well providing a premium experience in a very portable device where you can feel like an artist when working on your photography.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

The iPad Pro, Lightroom, and Photoshop are a match made in photography heaven. Embrace the freedom, convenience, and creative possibilities they offer. Ditch the desk, pack your iPad Pro, and embark on a photo editing adventure that will transform the way you approach your craft.

With the iPad Pro, you have a powerful editing studio right in your hands, ready to unleash your creativity wherever your travels take you. Just like the best camera is the one you have with you, hey, your best editing tool can also be the one you have with you. Every photo on this blog was edited on my iPad and I am very happy with the results.

Join me next week when I unbox and write up my hands on review of the new Tandem OLED, M4 powered 13inch iPad Pro 2024. Can’t wait to experience editing on this new premium display and unleash the power of the M4. See you then!