A RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, has become an industry standard for easily protecting your photos. Most RAIDs are freestanding pieces of hardware that look and function like a large external hard drive. In a RAID, multiple hard drives work in unison to provide a single storage “drive” with a couple of configurable features. RAIDs have many different configurations, but we are going to focus on RAID 1 and RAID 5s.
Posted by Foto Care | Posted in Foto Coach
Posted on September 1, 2011
via NASA
There are two types of people who use computers, those who have lost data and those who will. Chalk me up in the first category. My sophomore year of college the single 125 gb drive that I was carrying my years worth of work around on crashed. The five stages of Data Loss set in.
Denial- “No way this drive crashed, I’ll bet it is the cord/power supply/drive enclosure”. After replacing all of these things it was time to move on to Anger.
Anger- No amount of cussing made the drive work, and not from a lack of trying.
Bargaining came next, as I called up the manufacturer and offered to pay anything to recover my lost work. They referred me to a data recovery firm that wanted $1000 to strip the drive apart and read the data platter by platter and with that price tag, my bargaining stage passed rapidly.
Depression set in helping make a weekend full of shoots and editing to replace my lost assignments even worse. Then I hit the final stage of Data Loss, Acceptance.
Acceptance- I accepted that drives will fail, it is inevitable. Not an if, but a when. What could I do to prevent the loss of my photos?
This all falls into the category of Digital Asset Management, and most experts on the topic will tell you that you need 3 copies of everything. At least 3 copies of everything, and one of those needs to be in a different location that the other two. Here is what we recommend:
RAID Units
A Redundant Array of Independent Disks, or RAID, uses multiple hard drives to protect your data. A simple two bay raid, such as the RTX220-QR from Wiebetech, stores your information on two separate drives simultaneously (called a RAID 1) and protects against the failure of a single drive. An identical backup copy (your third off-site drive) can easily be created by swapping a third rotational hard drive with the bottom drive in your 2-bay RAID 1 system.
Hot Swapping and Archived Hard Drives
Once you have filled your two bay raid you can pull the two drives and install two new ones, but what do you do with the earlier ones? Split them up into different locations and if you want to access information stored on one of them. try the RTX-100H-Q. This drive enclosure allows you to read the internal hard drive in a hot-swappable (you don’t have to restart your computer) enclosure with the same trayless design as the RTX220-QR unit. Accessing an archived hard drive can take under a minute.
If you are interested in learning more about Digital Asset Management, storage, and backup, Peter Krogh (the person who literally wrote the book – The Dam Book) will be Foto Cares guest speaker on September 13th and 14th. Click here to learn more!
For more information in regards to storage and backup you can contact Foto Care and ask for either Jon Slesinger or Don Jakubowski, both are well versed in storage and back up.
Posted by Elizabeth Stacy | Posted in Foto Coach
Posted on January 24, 2011
An important step in everyone’s digital process should be calibrating your monitor(s). By calibrating a monitor you will get accuracy in color, contrast and brightness rendering of your images. Whether it be for shooting, retouching or web work there are certain steps to follow for accuracy and control.
In this series we explain the steps and give tips on calibrating your NEC monitor using the proprietary software, SpectraView II.
To calibrate your monitor plug in your calibration device to the computer and launch SpectraView. *(Note: Make sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the software from the website)*
After launching SpectraView select SpectraView Preferences located in the top menu bar.
Choose the calibration device you are using under Sensor Type. Click OK when finished.
In the initial SpectraView window, choose the Edit Target Settings (the hammer & wrench icon).
This will take you the Edit Calibration Settings window. Click Custom Edit for your White Point to assign a specific white point.
This will take you to the Custom White Point window. Choose recommended white point for the Black Body option. Once you choose the white point click OK.
*(Note: This setting is a starting point. You may need to change it if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*
This will take you back to the Edit Calibration Settings window. Follow the recommendations shown below for the Intensity, Contrast Ratio, Gamma and Color Gamut settings. Click OK once you have set the parameters.
*(Note: This setting is a starting point. You may need to change it if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*
This will take you back to the main SpectraView window. Click on Save (disc icon) to save your custom calibration settings. After saving click Calibrate to being calibration.
Follow on screen instructions. When a summary window appears the calibration is complete and you may quit the software to begin working.
For instructions for on calibrating an Eizo or an Apple monitor please follow the links below.
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WELCOME STUDENTS
As a student of photography you possess an insatiable desire to learn all there is about the history of the art, the story behind the masters of the craft, and the names and work of the top images makers of today. It goes without saying that a vital part of every great photographer is the equipment they choose to work with combined with their unique shooting style and perfected techniques. At FotoCare, we are committed to helping photographers learn and grow at every level. There are always new innovations waiting to be demonstrated and new techniques waiting to be shared.
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Simply visit FotoCare and enroll in our Student Rewards Program to begin taking advantage of what we hope will become a lifetime of benefits. (You must be a fulltime student in an accredited academic institution, high school or college level). During your visit, we encourage you to try out the latest in lighing and equipment including the full range of Nikon cameras and lenses available for purchase and rental. Also, be sure to ask about our weekly workshops and seminars to experience an array of tips, tools and demonstrations that are sure to further enhance your photographic journey. As our industry continues to evolve, we will do everything we can to help you evolve as well.
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FotoCare is here to support you, guide you and to celebrate with you as your vision and passion turn into achievements.
Posted by Foto Care | Posted in Foto Coach
Posted on May 23, 2010
After spending considerable time working on an image in Photoshop, wouldn’t it make sense to print and proof the image right from Photoshop instead of saving the image to your desktop and then printing? Here’s how you can streamline your workflow process.
Begin by launching Photoshop and opening the image you would like to print.
Next, check your color settings to make sure they are correct for printing. To do this click on Edit in the top toolbar. At the bottom of the drop down menu click on Color Settings.
This will open the Color Settings window. Once the Color Settings window is open click on the More Options button on the right hand side. This will drop the window down with additional options.
Your Color Settings should be as follows: Working Spaces *Note: once you make a change the settings’ name will change to custom*
Color Management Policies *Note: You want Photoshop to ask when opening/pasting so incoming images will have the correct profile applied*
Conversion Options
Advanced Control
After changing all the settings you can press the OK button to apply them to Photoshop
Next you need to view the image with Proof Colors applied to see what the image will look like printed.
Click on View : Proof Setup : Custom
In this window select the correct paper profile (the paper you are using to print) for Device to Simulate. For the Rendering Intent select Perceptual and check the box next Black Point Compensation to turn it on.
Once these changes are made click OK.
Now the correct color settings are applied and you can proceed to working on the images or printing. Continue to print by proceeding with the following steps .
Click on File in the toolbar. At the bottom of the drop down menu click on Print.
This will open the Print window. In this window you need to click the Page Setup button in the middle of the window.
This will open the Page Setup window. In this window click next to Format For and choose your printer. Under Paper Size pick the paper size you are using.
After changing these settings click the OK button at the bottom of the window. This will take you back to the Print window.
Double check your Printer to make sure it is correct then change your settings in the Print window to match as follows.
*Note: For Printer Profile you will choose the paper profile for the particular paper you are using*
After changing your Color Management settings click on the Print button at the bottom of the window. This will take you to the next Print window.
In this window double check to make sure the correct printer is selected. Next to the printer name make sure the arrow in the blue box is pointing up, this will open all the printing options. Next, click once on Layout to open the drop down menu. In the drop down menu click on Print Settings.
In the Print Settings window apply the following settings.
*Note: For Media Type you will choose the type of paper you are using.
Next press the Print button at the bottom of the window. Your image will now be sent to the printer.
Posted by Elizabeth Stacy | Posted in Foto Coach
Posted on April 17, 2010
To calibrate your monitor, begin by making sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the Eye-One Match software (from their website). Next, plug in your calibration device to the computer and launch Eye-One Match.
After you launch Eye-One Match it will open the initial Eye-One Match window. You will need to choose the Monitor icon and then click Advanced at the bottom of the window. After you have made these chooses click the right arrow at the bottom of the window.
This will take you the Monitor Type screen. Choose the type of monitor you are using and click the right arrow button on at the bottom of the window.
This will take you to the Calibration Settings window. In this window you will choose your custom settings. (Note: These settings are starting points. You may need to change them if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*
First you need to change your white point. Click next to White Point and a drop down menu will open. At the bottom of the menu click on Custom WP. This will open the another window so you are able to assign a custom value. Manually slide the arrow to 5700 K then click the OK button. (Note: This setting is a starting point. You may need to change it if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*
Please note these recommended settings: For Printing: White Point: 5700 K For Viewing (not printing): White Point: 6000 K
Next, you need to change the Luminance. Click next to Luminance and a drop down window will open. Click on 90 for the luminance (the luminance is the brightness of the monitor). After setting the luminance click the right arrow at the bottom of the window. (Note: This setting is a starting point. You may need to change it if you see the screen is not matching your prints.)*
Please note these recommended settings: For Printing: Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness) For Viewing (not printing): Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)
On the next window you will be prompted to place your calibration device in the center of the monitor. Do this then click the right arrow at the bottom of the window. (Note: It is a good idea to tilt the monitor backwards slightly to prevent the device from moving.)
This will take you to the next screen where you will be prompted to set your Contrast. On an Apple Display you do not have this capability so click the right arrow button to proceed.
This will take you to the next screen where you will be prompted to set your RGB Color. On an Apple Display you do not have this capability so click the right arrow button to proceed.
This will take you to the next screen where you will be prompted to set your Luminance. Place your device on the monitor (centered) and click the Start button to set your luminance.
After cllicking the start button your monitor will go through a series of black and white screens to find your device. When the software has found your device the LuminanceIndicator window will open. This shows the target luminance of the monitor and the current luminance of the monitor. Use your brightness controls in either your system preferences, keyboard or monitor to achieve the target luminance. When you are within 1-2 points of the target luminance click the Stop button.
After you click stop it will take you back to the main window. Click the Right Arrow to proceed. After clicking the right arrow the color calibration will automatically begin. Do not move the calibration device until the process is completed.
Once it is finished the final window will open. In this screen you can name your profile and activate the calibration reminder. After changing these settings to your preference click Finish Calibration button. You have now completed your monitor calibration.
Posted by Elizabeth Stacy | Posted in Foto Coach
Posted on April 6, 2010
Foto Coach shares tips on how to calibrate your monitor using Color Navigator.
To begin, make sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the Color Navigator software from the website and launch the program. After you launch Color Navigator you will be prompted to select the calibration device you are using. After choosing the correct device click the OK button.
This will open the main startup screen for Color Navigator. When this screen opens click on Create New Target at the bottom of the screen. This will allow you to choose custom settings.
This will take you to the Brightness/White Pointmenu. Under this menu your options should be as shown in the image below. After you have changed these settings click the Nextbutton at the bottom of the screen. Note: These settings are starting points. You may need to change them if you see the screen is not matching your prints.
Please note these recommended settings:
For Printing:
Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)
White Point: 5700 K
For Viewing (not printing):
Brightness: 90 or 100 (dependent on room brightness)
White Point: 6000 K
After clicking next it will take you to the Black Levelmenu. Under this menu you do not need to change anything. It should stay at the default and not clicked on. Click the Next button at the bottom of the screen.
This will take you to the Gamma menu. Under this menu your settings should be as follows on the screen below. After you have changed these settings click the Finish button at the bottom of the screen.
This open the Make a New Target window. Here you will either keep the name which is automatically made or you can create a custom name. After you have chosen a name for the profile click the OK button at the bottom of the menu.
This will take you to the final screen before calibration. Click Adjust Now to calibrate the monitor. After you click Adjust Now place the calibration device on the monitor and follow the on screen instructions.
And that’s all there is to it. Let us know if you found this post helpful.
More on RAID’s after the jump…
