DIY hardware trick that gives you hardware control over Lightroom for less. MUCH less!
Hardware boards that give you control over Lightroom’s function with real knobs and sliders (instead of using a mouse, or your keyboard, a tablet, etc.) have become more and more popular recently, and a blogger named Crispian Thorne was looking at buying one of the latest ones called, Loupedeck which bills itself as a “photo editing console.’ It looks like it might be really cool (it’s not shipping yet), but it’s pretty pricey at around €369 at pre-order pricing (that’s approx. $415.00 US-dollars. Yeowza!). I embedded a video below on how it works (it really does look pretty slick!)
Anyway, Crispian got to thinking and found a DIY way to create something similar using a $65 Midi Controller and some open-source software that converts Midi to Lightroom (I am not making this up).
You can read Crispian’s full article here, which includes a video on how it all works (I’m including one of them below, from photographer Brian Lovelace and it gives you a good feel for how its all done).
Also, shoutout to DIY photography master Larry Becker who turned me on to Crispian’s excellent blog post.
Hats off to Crispian, and heads up to Loupedeck — you’ve got a really cool idea and layout and I hope you guys are a success, but since you haven’t shipped yet — it’s not too late to reconsider your pricing a bit. 🙂
Hope you have a great humpday!
Best,
-Scott
Thanks for the shout Scott! Followed your work for years. Appreciate it.
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Or … simply add a USB Contour Designs Shuttle Pro or Shuttle Express for as little as $60 … originally designed as a jog/shuttle for video editing but can be utilized for editing in other apps for still images and even word processing. Works in ANY app on your computer and the drivers are self aware to know which app is active and changes the button presets accordingly. Comes with presets for many popular apps and OS functions and is also fully customizable.
I really like the Shuttle Express for both editing video in FCP X and stills in Lightroom … fewer buttons. If you check out Victoria Bampton’s site, she has a blog entry on how she uses the Shuttle Pro with Lightroom.
I have the contour shuttle Pro 2, and never use it. I find the sound of the buttons really annoying. If you’re interested in buying it from me, contact me at rthaler@yahoo.com.
Thanks for the heads up, Butch. I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
Thomas Heaton (A UK Landscape Photographer/Vlogger) was sent to Finland to test one of these out – just a brief, early test so far, but he suggests that it is really quick. I see this as really valuable to the wedding photog that has many thousands to get through by Sunday evening, but for most of us hobbyists…. yeah, probably just a bit more clutter when a landscape shoot brings back just 2 or 3 keepers. HOWEVER I’m really, really pleased that there are folk out there pushing away at this kind of stuff because one day they’ll have something for me. I sure appreciate that I wouldn’t have a clue how to start; so thanks guys for inventing, and keep it up.
What happens to Loupedeck when Adobe changes up the Lightroom controls?
That’s great if you just do universal changes. Still need a mouse or pad to use the adjustment brush. Does look like fun tho’.
I think it’s a ridiculous idea. Takes up far too much space and will probably slow down rather than speed up workflow. Customize a Wacom tablet for LR and use that instead.
If you are into more clutter on your desk then sure, go for it. I’ll stick with my trackpad.
Wow, a bit gready, isn’t it…
Will try the DIY version 😉
Look at peltmade.com 😉
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