Apple Computers & Training
Just as “seeing” a picture is what really counts, not the equipment you choose to accomplish its capture, so the use of computers and Photoshop depends on your skills with the software, not so much with the hardware.
However, if you are serious about reducing your workload and increasing your efficiency, the choice and specification of a computer has a vital bearing on your results.
I used to be a dedicated Windows user. Despite knowing next to nothing about Apple Macintosh computers, I was outspoken in my condemnation! Too expensive, too complicated and not enough software or hardware available, were just a few of the moans that I heard on the Windows-led grapevine. When I had a chance to work on a Mac I realised just how wrong I was!
At the heart of digital imaging are ever-increasing numbers of large files. As cameras and scanners improve, so the bigger files become. Then you have to buy larger hard drives to store the files and everything else has to be upgraded as well; more RAM, faster processors, bigger monitors, new graphics cards and upgraded software are just a few areas where getting it wrong with your basic computer setup can be very costly later.
After years of struggling to keep up with the demands, I carefully researched the alternatives. There had to be a very good reason why professionals used Macs.
In 1999 I undertook a job for the Army that enabled me to budget for two complete Mac systems, just at the time when Apple had introduced a new range of computers, starting with the iconic iMac and the Blue & White PowerMac G3.
It only took a couple of weeks to discover what a fool I had been, using Windows for so long. The Macs were so user friendly, as well as so elegant, that I found that my productivity increased by 200%. Crashes on the Macs were relatively rare in those days; now they are such a rarity that I am hard pressed to remember one; certainly not for 4 years!
Bangs for bucks, Macs are no more expensive that Windows PCs and last much longer, spreading the cost further. Today, my first PowerMac G3 with 1Gb of RAM is still in everyday use alongside the latest offerings from Apple. OK, so it struggles a little, but with ‘office’ tasks it still runs perfectly using OS X 10.4 Tiger, whilst the newer Macs run OS X 10.7 Lion and deal easily with the power hungry imaging tasks.
Mac Training
I am a committed Mac user and rarely touch Windows PCs, save for the times when I am asked to ‘cure’ them! This often leads to the owner switching to Mac after seeing the real benefits.
However, once you’ve switched, you still have to learn how to find your way around and extract the best from them. Despite what I have said, this is not always such an easy task if you have a busy life and little time to experiment. Like the world of photography, there are lots of magazines aimed at the Mac user, but many suffer from the same problem of assuming that you have some knowledge.
Whether you just need help setting up your new purchase, or whether you need to learn how to integrate your whole new digital lifestyle in the most effective, cost efficient way, I am able to offer a solution to your woes. Just email me to find out what can be done.
LaCie colour calibrator
Mac Pro Quad Core
LaCie LCD monitors
Nikon LS8000 large format film scanner
iMac Intel 24”
Epson R1900 A3 printer
The courses
I assume nothing about your level of skills; we can start from the basics of choosing a suitable Mac and setting it up, right through to tweaking your Mac OS X system and choosing appropriate software for your needs.
I can take you through the complex task of setting up an easy-to-use digital workflow, through colour calibration of your monitor, preparing files for output to cataloguing and backing up your priceless files.
Courses run during the week, or more commonly, over a weekend, either one or two days depending on your requirements, and all media, food and refreshments are included in the price of £300 per day. If required, accommodation can be found for you.
Mac Training
