How to build a PC for work purposes #1 – Callum Winton Photography

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

CallumW