Hardware Configuration

Drive Setup

Software

XP Cheat Sheet

Disable Gamma Utility at Startup

Using a computer that is configured for digital image processing will produce a much more enjoyable post processing experience. Unfortunately, with such rapid advancements in computer hardware technology, it's really difficult and expensive to stay up to date.  The existing configuration below works adequately with Photoshop and 60 MB files.  It's a little pokey loading CS and multiple layers will slow down processing considerably. 

It's apparent that most of the recent upgrades have been focused on peripherals which include a 4,000 DPI film scanner, multiple backup hard drives, and an 8 ink-cartridge pigment photo printer.  The upgrade system is not the "latest and greatest" but should be considered more of a "work horse" setup.

The software used for image processing will guide the need for hardware.  For example,  I use both Photoshop 5.5 and CS.  The current hardware configuration runs effortlessly with 5.5 but is fairly pokey with CS.  Therefore, if I'm going to migrate 100% to CS, I will have to upgrade my computer,

Also, the size of file will guide computer hardware selection.  Scanned images from the Nikon Coolscan 5000 ED will generally require 65 megabytes which is workable on my existing system.  The D2H creates a 6 MB NEF file which equates to a 12 MB 8-bit TIFF file or a 24 MB 16-bit TIFF file.  All sizes are very comfortable with my existing hardware configuration.

Keep in mind that each Photoshop layer will double the file size so a 65 MB file can easily become a 130 MB or 195 MB files.  My current system simply can't handle these file sizes.  An alternative is to only utilize flat files with only the original layer.

Major Graphics Applications

          -  Adobe Photoshop 5.5

          -  Adobe Photoshop CS

          -  Microsoft Picture It      (for borders)

          -  Camerabits Photo Mechanic     (browser)

Photoshop Plugins

          -  B+W

                  Outdoor Digital Filter Set

          -  Chroma

                  Highlight Control   (16 bit)

                  Shadow Control   (16 bit)

                  Smart Sharpen   (16 bit)

          -  Nik Multimedia

                  Define

           -  Kodak Applied Science Fiction

                  Digital Gem Pro    (16 bit)

                  Digital Gem  (grain reduction)

                  Digital Sho  (color correction)

           -  Nik Multimedia

                  Color Efex Pro - Photo Design Set

                  Sharpener

           -  Photo Tune

                  20/20 Color MD  (color correction)

                  Skin Tune  (color correction) 

           -  Pictographics

                  I-Correct Pro 4.0.2

           -  Vivid Details

                  Test Strip  (color correction)

Automate

Fred Miranda Downloads  (FILE ... AUTOMATE)

           -  FM Intellisharpen Pro - (PhotoShop 6+ only)

           -  FM Stair Interpolations - SI Pro - (image enlarge)

           -  FM Shadow Recover - SR Pro - (recover detail in shadow areas)

           -  FM Web Pres - WP Pro - (reduce pixel count to save to web)

           -  FM BW Workflow  - WP Pro - (convert color to black & white)

Actions

(see actions palette)

          -  FM Frames

Windows is not an easy program to understand especially since I only want to know as much as necessary to be able to run graphics software seamlessly.  My ultimate goal is the creation of images, not spending time leaning the intricacies of Windows.  I don't think Microsoft understands this concept.

Below are a few select Windows issues which I have been able to figure out a way to resolve.

XP System Restore

Problem:  After downloading software, you're computer is not working properly due to an incompatibility.  Ops, now what do you do?

           1.  START ... CONTROL PANEL ... SYSTEM ... SYSTEM RESTORE ... (confirm system restore

                   is turned on on each drive)

           2.  START ... HELP AND SUPPORT ... UNDO CHANGES SYSTEM RESTORE ... RESTORE     .      .               COMPUTER EARLIER TIME

           Tip:  (set s system point prior to downloading software)  

XP loads too many programs at start-up:

Problem:  Every software vendor wants their programs to load at startup which will slow down your system and potentially create incompatibilities.  To find these programs which are loaded at startup, perform the following:

             START

             RUN

             type:  MSCONFIG  (SERVICES.MSC will show used ram)

             (enter)

             uncheck boxes at left of undesirable programs

Disable script debugging:

Problem:  While surfing the internet, messages of script debugging can really slow you down.  Besides, who cares. Below is way to get rid of this annoyance:

            START ... CONTROL PANEL

            INTERNET OPTIONS

            ADVANCED tab

            uncheck DISABLE SCRIPT DEBUGGING

            OK

Internet Explorer text size:

Problem:  Every once in a while while surfing the internet, I'll accidentally press an incorrect button and the next thing I know is all the text on every site is too big.  To solve this problem, perform the following steps:

            start INTERNET EXPLORER

            click VIEW on the menu tab

            choose TEXT SIZE (typically MEDIUM)

Dangerous ActiveX controls:

Problem:  Accepting ActiveX downloads can be extremely hazardous to your computer and potentially destroy all of your graphics programs and image files.  To remove the possibility of ActiveX downloads, perform the following steps:

           start INTERNET EXPLORER

           TOOLS ... INTERNET OPTIONS ... SECURITY tab

           CUSTOM LEVEL

           check to disable ActiveX

           1. automatic prompt for Active X controls

           2. download unsigned Active X controls

           reset to HIGH ... RESET

          OK

Whenever you launch Adobe Gamma from the Control Panel and actually apply its adjustments, it adds a shortcut to the Startup group called Adobe Gamma, which is actually just the "loader" that applies the correction.

To disable it, simply to go Start > All Programs > Startup, right-click on the Adobe Gamma shortcut, and choose Delete from the popup menu. Click Yes to confirm the deletion, and restart your computer.