Digital Editor - Caroline Thompson
Streamlining the digital imaging workflow increases profits by allowing the photographer to spend more time shooting and acquiring new business.
Digital imaging is an integral part of photography. Maximizing imaging time means maximizing profits. Photographers usually think of steps in image manipulation when workflow is mentioned, but efficient organization and maintenance procedures cut down on time spent imaging and prepping images.
- Clean the Computer Monitor-Monitors can accumulate dust and dirt that can affect imaging colors and overall viewing on the monitor.
- Calibrate the Computer Monitor-Color management is key to all digital imaging. Monitors should be calibrated once a month for color stability. This improves color accuracy in imaging.
- Update Image Applications-New plug-ins and updates address problems and sometimes have fixes that make imaging easier.
- Clear Application Caches-Computers tend to bog down over time. Cleaning out all image caches will speed up the system considerably. Do not forget to clear the browser and mail caches.
- Save and Remove all Image Files-Another way to speed up a computer is to save all image files to CDs or backup hard drives. The less storage space a computer has the slower it is. Image files take up more space than data files. By saving and removing them the more disk space is available for virtual memory and other tasks.
- Purchase Online or External HD Storage-Storage of client files is imperative in case of computer malfunction or crash. It is wise to use more than one back up system. Many photographers use an online storage company as well as having plenty of space on an external hard drive (HD).
- Backup Images on External HD-Everything of importance should be backed up to an external drive or online storage site. Computers fail and losing data images can be costly.
- Replace Bulbs with Full Spectrum Lights-Full spectrum lights are color correct light. They allow for accurate color imaging. Full spectrum bulbs are easy on the eyes according to research at Top Bulb, "Full spectrum light therapy is sometimes recommended for people suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD)."
- Digital Asset Management (DAM)-Purchase or hire a company to organize all image files in a digital asset management system (DAM). Image files grow rapidly and looking for a particular image for a client or a stock sale can take extra time if a file management system is not being used. Asset management can make organizing and searching files a breeze.
- Keep Good Records-Knowing the shoot dates of images, the client, income and where the file is located will increase profitability by streamlining search and sales functions. Images can be used for multiple uses and compiled into searchable advertising for the studio or photographer.
Copyright Caroline Thompson. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Caroline Thompson - Caroline Thompson has been a professional photojournalist since 1999. She combines writing and photography in her stories. ...
