1. Building a Digital Darkroom
Chapter 7
Building a Digital Darkroom

2. The Computer Platform Processor RAM Hard Disk Windows versus MacOS
Faster processors speed up operation
CPU vs. GPU
RAM
Larger images need more RAM
Hard Disk
Faster hard disks (7200 rpm) speed up saving and loading images
Solid State Disk (SSD)

3. Solid State Drive (SSD)

4. The Monitor Monitor size LCD vs. CRT The bigger, the better
17”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 23”, 24”, 27”, 30”
LCD vs. CRT

5. CRT Monitors
CRT is mature technology but becoming obsolete.

6. LCD Monitors Prices are dropping Important characteristics
Viewing angle
Contrast ratio, e.g. 800:1
Resolution, e.g. 1920x1080
LCD panel production
LCD panel structure

7. LCD monitor

8. Printers Inkjet printers
Most desktop inkjet printers are “RGB” printers—they accept RGB files and print them using CMYK inks.
The best inkjet printers use six to eight different inks, e.g. cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, light magenta, black
Some inks last longer than others on paper.

9. Inkjet technology

10. LaserJet technology

11. How ink is made

12. Software
Standard, Professional Photo Editing Software: Adobe Photoshop
Other popular software
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Ulead PhotoImpact
Jasc Paint Shop Pro

13. Download Direct from camera Card readers
USB, FireWire (IEEE 1394), Wireless
Card readers
Connect to computer via USB or FireWire

14. Camera Software Camera-specific Stand-alone image browers
E.g. Canon ZoomBrowser, Nikon ViewNX
Stand-alone image browers
E.g. iPhoto, ACDSee, Picasa
Microsoft Windows
Office basic download and browsing

15. Image browsers (Digital light table)
To organize lots of images
Main functions
Rotate
Sort and organize
Rename
Rank
Metadata
Keywords and captions
Format conversion
e.g. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

16. Photoshop Lightroom

17. Converting RAW Files RAW files are camera-specific
High-end image editing software provides special converters for RAW files, e.g.
BreezeBrowser
PhaseOne Capture One DSLR
Adobe Camera RAW