While digital photography offers you the ability to review photograph instantaneously, it also offers you the added convenience of editing photos on the fly as well.
Enter the world of the mobile digital dark room. Laptops have liberated photographers from their studios and offices once and for all. For the first time this year laptops have outsold desktops according to research firm Current Analysis.
In addition to your routine photo gear, here are five must-have items you need to get your mobile darkroom up and running for your next photo assignment:
LAPTOP
Your choice of laptop is an important consideration. For the most part, a consumer-level laptop such as a Dell, Gateway, or IBM ThinkPad will suffice.
On the other hand, if you are a world traveler and you plan to venture into rugged terrain where you may regularly encounter rain, dust, and extreme temperature changes - invest in a rugged laptop. While making your decision, keep in mind the thickness and dimensions of the laptop. You will need to fit this into your photo backpack, so decide carefully. It's adviseable to purchase a backpack first and bring it with you when you're shopping for a laptop.
Ensure the processing speed and random access memory (RAM) is sufficient enough to handle the processing of large digital files. You should make sure the laptop also contains a CD burner, wireless network card, and wireless mouse. Consult your salesperson. Other additional considerations include an extended life battery and power adaptors capable of handling power connections in your auto, on airplanes, and other power sources.
COMPACT DISCS
Delkin Devices offers eFilm Archival Gold CD-R's that incorporate Phthalocyanine dye and a 24k gold reflective layer. Phthalocyanine dye helps resist harmful effects of UV light, heat, and humidity, while gold's inert characteristics prevent oxidation, which causes most CD-R failure. With volatility of computer hard drives and constant threat of virus attacks, Archival Gold CD-R's provide consumers with reliable storage medium to back up images.
CARD READER
Most card readers on the market today that meet the USB 2.0 standard are suitable.
SOFTWARE
If your laptop is capable of handling Photoshop CS/CS2 it is recommended that you install it. If space limitations don't permit their installation, then install Photoshop Elements 3.0. This obviously is your editing application, so it is advisable to install whatever application you normally use in your studio or office for a consistent digital workflow.
BACKPACK
LowePro, Tamrac, and Tenba have gotten much praise in the photo industry, however they are relatively expensive. A great alternative is the new Quantaray - Urban Gear U100 Pro Backpack available at Ritz Camera. At $79.99 for this versatile backpack is an incredible value. Not only can it handle a large SLR and array of lenses, but it has a laptop compartment, and a removable inner shell as well. Comparable backpacks are in the $200 range.
When you are ready to venture out and go mobile, do it with confidence knowing that you have all of the tools of the trade to edit your images on the road or off.
Ryan Shapiro is a freelance digital photographer based in Germantown, Maryland. His most recent clients include Optical Soceity of America, Kerrigan Media International and Harvard Graduate School of Education.
You may reach Mr. Shapiro at: http://www.digitalstockpro.com
Using a tripod is essential when taking photos - and... Read More
Choosing the right digital camera for general use can be... Read More
You may have joined the photo-sharing craze to share your... Read More
Your lens is an essential element to good photographs. It's... Read More
Being a professional digital photographer is a dream many people... Read More
Understanding light is one of the very basic principles of... Read More
Have you read the manual that came with your digital... Read More
1. Pet photos - advertise a Pet Photography business where... Read More
There are way too many tape, disk and stick formats... Read More
Tight BudgetsTight budgets are common these days. But the demand... Read More
Started in a single-room by three Japanese men in the... Read More
The article given here was written for Adobe Photoshop 5,6,7,CS,... Read More
Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills... Read More
The digital camera is essentially a computer-based device, whose core... Read More
By now I'm sure you've used Either a digital or... Read More
Fuji digital cameras entered the market in the late 90's.... Read More
When my old Olympus digital camera got broke while caving... Read More
We all want to make the most of our wedding... Read More
Why Pinhole Photography?It's fun. It's creative. It's educative about the... Read More
Digital SLR Camera or Digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera is... Read More
Disposable Cameras (also called single-use cameras) first came on the... Read More
Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More
Purchasing a digital camera is a wise decision, particularly if... Read More
Imagine being able to frame all your own photographs just... Read More
Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and... Read More
When should you use hyperfocal focusing? Well, sometimes when shooting... Read More
There are two sources for obtaining the moulding for making... Read More
Outlined below is a list of genres that call for... Read More
There are really great advantages in digital photography:You can shoot... Read More
Photography is a diversified field of creating a spectral variety... Read More
If you're like me, you have hundreds of photographs sitting... Read More
Panasonic is a world-renowned consumer electronics company today. Its digital... Read More
Photography 101 Part One Equipment: camera, meter, flash, tripod This... Read More
A common problem with old photos is that they often... Read More
Family vacations, summer weddings and family reunions are in full... Read More
Dots Per Inch is a useful measure of relative resolution.... Read More
So you have this great digital camera and you've taken... Read More
Point and click. The new life of digital cameras gives... Read More
Demystifying Digital Camera JargonWant to buy a digital camera but... Read More
So, you want to become a digital artist but paying... Read More
The digital camera is not something of a magic box... Read More
Remember the good old photography days?Film camera in hand, you... Read More
In a device such as a digital camera it is... Read More
Photography is a diversified field of creating a spectral variety... Read More
Let's start there (but not spend too much time on... Read More
Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph.... Read More
A picture is worth a thousand words, so goes a... Read More
It's hard to find sometimes but it's making a resurgence,... Read More
ContentEven if you feel that you already know what kind... Read More
So you have bought a camcorder and have shot some... Read More
You are anxious to purchase your new digital camera! You... Read More
Every device needs a driving force to operate, just as... Read More
Gone are the days when you would need to employ... Read More
Candid photography is photography that focuses on spontaneity rather than... Read More
If you think that digital cameras are for snapshots only,... Read More
Women photographers are fortunate. Unlike other titles, photographer has no... Read More
Reflected Light Readings for Film and Digital ImagesIn order to... Read More
Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More
Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More
Several years ago, I met a fellow photographer - albeit,... Read More
It doesn't matter if your emailing photos of your grandson... Read More
Outlined below is a list of genres that call for... Read More
Setting up your own photography business it easy, you don't... Read More
We all want to make the most of our wedding... Read More
When should you use hyperfocal focusing? Well, sometimes when shooting... Read More
While analyzing any camera, one of the most important qualities... Read More
Photography |