In the world of digital photography, you can find a nearly unlimited supply of articles, reviews and recommendations about camera bodies, lenses and accessories. But I am quite surprised to find that there isn’t much available discussing one of the most important aspects of the digital studio: The Computer. This lack of focus can be attributed to many things, but I suspect that some of the most common reasons the computer has been ignored are:
- The computer really is secondary to your camera setup.
- Compared to your camera equipment, computers are relatively cheap.
- Given the choice between a computer upgrade and a new lens, most photographers will probably choose the latter.
Unfortunately, I beleive that there is a lot of ignorance about computer hardware and software, especially as it relates to specific tasks, such as photography. In this article, I hope to shed some light on the subject and provide some insight to those considering a new computer or a computer upgrade.
Hardware Misconceptions
I conducted a little informal survey among my friends and family about what people focus on when they consider purchasing a computer. The processor was the most common aspect followed by memory (RAM) and hard drive space. In past years, these were very important features, but you will need to unlearn in this day and age. The fact is that to edit and maintain your portfolio, even the cheapest machines will be able to do your bidding when it comes to the Processor, RAM and Hard Drive. That’s not to say we should ignore these facts, but they should not be the deciding factor. Processors are all fairly fast these days, and unless you intend to use your machine as a gaming machine or a music workstation, you can get buy with a cheaper processor (1.8Ghz for Laptops, 2.4Ghz for Desktops). RAM and Hard Drive space, on the other hand, are relatively cheap. It doesn’t hurt to get as much as you can right-away. But these are both items you’ll be able to upgrade easily in the future.
Hardware to Consider
Monitor – As a photographer, you will want to focus most of your attention on the display. Resolution is a two-part measurement of the pixels in the “WIDTH x HEIGHT” format – the higher each number is, the better. The goal is to get the highest resolution you can afford. All displays are not created equal. This is especially important for Laptops where there is such a wide range of quality. If you’re buying a laptop, try to get one with the highest resolution you can afford. But be aware, laptop resolutions aren’t widely advertised, directly. Instead, you’ll see monitor types such as “WXGA”, “WSXGA+” or “WUXGA”. To help decode the secret language, check out the Video Standards Diagram (Wikipedia) or the complete Computer Display Standards article (also at Wikipedia). If you are buying a desktop machine, I typically recommend you don’t order your monitor from the maker of the computer. Instead, buy an after-market monitor from a monitor specialist like Viewsonic, Mitsubishi, Sony or NEC. Just be aware that some of the best graphic monitors may not be available at your local retailer. Don’t be alarmed, but a really good display can cost as much as the rest of your machine.
Input Devices - Specifically, you’ll want a good mouse. Chances are, you’ll want to buy an after-market high-resolution mouse, especially if you plan to do a lot of photo editing. Having a good sensative mouse will save you a lot of frustration when you’re doing your precision work. As an additional input device, many photographers like to use a tablet device which can be used like a pen instead of a mouse – a more tactile feel. But that is a matter of preference.
Backup Options – You’ll want at least two methods of backup in case of hardware failure. I recommend DVD Burners and external hard drives. For general backup purposes, you can back most of your stuff up to your external hard drive. And then once a month or once a week (depending on your production level), burn a DVD for your safe deposit box. This is, of course, a minimum backup. You can also subscribe to online backup services, and they’re well worth their weight in gold, for an extra level of comfort. But that can get costly. Bottom line, you need a way to back things up, so consider this up front.
Calibration Hardware - I personally don’t have any calibration hardware, so I don’t claim to be an expert. Generally, the device is designed to evaluate your display and adjust your system’s color profile to correct any inadequacies. Professionals will calibrate their monitors as many as a few times each week. As a hobbyist, it’s harder to justify the cost, but prices are coming down. Besides, if you really want to ensure color accuracy, you should save up to get calibration hardware as soon as possible. It’s on my wish list. For more detailed information about color calibration and color management, I would strongly suggest you check out Jim Talkington’s feature, Episode 28, Intro to Color Management (Pro Photo Life).
Conclusion
I’m sure I surprised most of you by such a short list of considerations. The fact is that we are at a privileged time where the computer technology is affordable, but that doesn’t mean you have to have the top of the line equipment. Unfortunately, the industry would like you all to believe that. But you can save a lot of money on the machine itself and spend it all on a good monitor and some good software (In a future article, I intend to speak more about software).
I hope this helps all of you to make a better decision with your computer needs.
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