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    How to build a PC for work purposes #1

    December 12, 2009 /

    One of the key components to being a digital image maker is a PC or Server.

    This is often something that is overlooked when we’re bombarded with newer, bigger resolution and faster FPS cameras every few months.
    Although it’s great having top-end pro-cameras, you also need the [digital] darkroom to process the images efficiently too

    We can create files 11-60MP, 11FPS, 25-100Mb in size, yet it takes ages just to do the simplest processing, then it’s time to face the fact….. it is the weakest link…. reboot

    So what can you do about it?
    As with most things, the answer is fairly simple.
    Below is the first step that should make an immediate change to your digital life.

    Buy another computer

    Sounds like a cop-out right? Well not quite. The secret to it is to also keep the one you already have 😉

    So why buy another computer?
    In an ideal world we would have a computer that’s as fast as lightning, never slows down over time and we’d never be distracted when using it

    The new machine should be a high spec and built just for editing/processing – don’t put other programs on it if you can.
    You keep your current machine/laptop as your ‘working’ device (accounting, email, paperwork,whatever…) and keep it as a backup for the main editing machine.

    I know it sounds like, “build a high power machine then leave it off most of the day”.
    If that’s the case then great. It and you have become more efficient and so it means that you’re off working somewhere else.

    Another bonus is that it stops the new PC from being used unnecessarily which will over time wearing out the hard-drives and slow it down (yes, this happens)
    2 key things will happen when you’re in front of the new machine which will speed you up

    1) You don’t have emails or IM messages or any distractions taking valuable resourses and popping up on the screen and interrupting your immersion in what you’re doing.
    What you may find that what used to take you 2 hours now takes you just 1.
    What could you do with an extra couple of hours in the day? 🙂

    2) No matter where you keep and use the new machine, psychologically you will know that this is your workplace.
    It’s a lean mean editing machine.

    Step #2 here

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  • All Categories,  General News,  How To,  Workflow

    Free IT advise

    December 1, 2009 /

    I come from a technical IT background and so I thought that I may have something of value to share on both my current set-up and best practise methods which may be of some value to someone (anyone? :) ) out there on the interweb

    Over a few blog entries I’ll hopefully share with you some IT best practises that will make your computer happy which in turn will make it perform quicker and in turn improve your workflow so you can be less interrupted through your day and log-off quicker to go do something more interesting.

    This isn’t necessarily just photographers – this covers anyone that uses a PC/MAC for work purposes, but I’ll lean towards the visual industry as they have higher performance requirements than the average computer user.
    More to come ….

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  • All Categories,  General News,  Training/Testing

    Fashion shots with Katie Green

    November 16, 2009 /

    I’m just back from attending a workshop today from fashion photographer Jon Grey which was hosted by the BIPP.

    In the afternoon we had three basic lighting set-ups and pro model Katie Green with us. I tend not to lighting everything when doing beauty portraits and usually choose a shallower depth of field (f/2.8 to f/11 max). So this was a different experience for me photographing someone at f/20 with strobes at every angle.

    Below are a couple of shots from the day.

    The Bowens Gemini gear we were using was proving to be fairly problematic which is unusual for a brand leader.
    Interestingly my favourite is the first image below in which when the main light failed to trigger, but the rear screen and reflectors did the job.
    The end result was the emotive style I would choose to do when doing a fashion shot thather than nuking the subject….. unless it was a product shot ;o)

    Less is more and all that 😉

    Katie is the face for Ultimo’s D-G Range and was a superstar.
    She did her own makeup and was very professional from start to finish. She kept going even when the temperature soared with all the strobes firing all afternoon.
    Her website and link to her agent is here: https://www.katiegreenofficial.com/

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