As the heart of the digital darkroom, your computer can make your photo projects either fun and easy or a downright drag. Photo editing puts a big demand on a computer, especially if you're working with high-resolution images. If your system is lacking in processor power, RAM (memory), or hard drive storage space, it will carry out your editing commands at a snail's pace, or perhaps not at all.

The next three sections tell you what you need to know about these critical computer components along with a few others: monitor, video card, memory-card reader, and long-term image-storage device.

• Processor and RAM

  On a PC, we recommend a Pentium II processor or better; on a Macintosh system, a G3 processor or better. If your system is of recent vintage, say no more than three years old, it likely meets this specification.
  No matter how fast your processor, though, you need to feed it lots of computer memory, called RAM, for your photo software to run smoothly. You need at least 64MB (megabytes) if you work with low-resolution files, and twice that if you want to edit high-res images. For even faster performance, add as much memory as your system accepts. Also check the RAM requirements for the software you want to use; some programs require 96MB or more.

  TIP: Many people ask whether a Windows or Macintosh machine is better for photo editing. The art community has long had a fondness for Macs, and a Macintosh is a fine machine. However, because the majority of consumers have Windows, many software manufacturers don't offer Macintosh versions of their programs. So you'll be able to choose from a wider spectrum of software if you go Windows.

• Hard Drive Storage Space

  The hard drive is your computer's filing cabinet, where you store all your programs and files. As with RAM, the amount of hard drive space you need depends on the size of the image files you want to store. However, you need to keep a chunk of the hard drive empty at all times. Your system uses this free drive space for temporary data storage while you're working in a photo editor or other program. We suggest that you keep at least 500MB free for this purpose.

  TIP: If your photo program displays an error message saying that your scratch disk is full, it means you don't have enough free hard drive space. To give your computer the hard-drive breathing room it needs, go through your files and dump those you no longer need.

• Video Card and Monitor

  Your video card determines how many colours your monitor can display as well as what screen resolution settings you can use. Screen resolution affects the size at which your pictures display but even the poorest excuse for a video card is likely adequate in this regard.

  For photo editing, a more critical issue is whether the card offers so-called true colour display, also called 24-bit colour., which gives you the ability to display about 16.7 million colours. Your digital camera captures all those colours, so you should be able to view them on your monitor.

  As for the monitor itself, size doesn't matter, although your eyes will certainly appreciate a 17-inch or larger screen more than a 15-inch one.
  What is important is the type of monitor you use. The new flat-panel LCD monitors look good and eat up less desk space, but they're not the best choice for doing intensive retouching and colour-critical photo projects because image colours, contrast, and brightness appear different depending on your angle of view.
  Traditional CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors produce a more even, reliable display.

• Memory Card Reader

  Your digital camera box no doubt included a cable that lets you connect the camera to your computer in order to transfer picture files from the camera's memory to the computer's hard drive (or other storage device). But transferring picture files this way sometimes involves some extra steps, or requires that you use the camera manufacturer's proprietary transfer software, or both.
  In addition, you have to keep the camera turned on during the file transfer, which consumes battery power.

  A better transfer solution is to attach a memory-card reader to your computer.
  When you're ready to transfer pictures, you insert your camera memory card and then drag and drop files from the card to the computer's hard drive, just as you do when you're moving files from a floppy disk or CD to the hard drive. And you no longer have to spend an hour trying to remember where you left the camera cable the last time you used it. Readers that accept a single type of memory card are not very expensive; for a bit more, you can get a model that accepts a variety of cards.

  TIP: A printer that can print directly from camera memory cards can double as a card reader. While the printer is connected to the computer, the system sees the printer's memory-card slot as another hard drive.

• Archival Storage Device

  Never use your computer's hard drive for long-term picture storage. Hard drives can die, taking your picture files with them to the great electronics beyond. In addition, you run the risk that you or others who use your computer will accidentally delete important picture files.

  At present, CD-ROM offers the best option for archival image storage. CD burners are cheap, as are blank CDs, and you can buy external models so you don't even have to crack open your computer case to add one to your system.

  Be sure to copy your image files to CD-R discs, which can't be erased, and not the rewritable CD-RW discs. And for long-term security of your image files, use brand-name CDs, not the cheap brands.

  DVD recorders are another storage possibility. However, prices are higher than CD technology, and the industry hasn't yet agreed on a common DVD format, which means that a DVD you create on your system may not play on another computer or DVD drive.

  Using a mouse for photo editing is a cumbersome way to go. Instead, you may be interested in a graphics tablet, which enables you to swap out your mouse for a pen stylus, gives you far better control over your editing tools and also is easier on the wrist.

• Software

  A high-powered computer does you absolutely no good unless you have the appropriate software. Every serious digital photographer needs a photo editing program and an image organiser.

  • Photo Editing Programs

    Even if you don't plan on doing much photo editing, you need a photo editor to prepare pictures for printing or e-mailing. If that's all you want to do, you can get by with a bare-bones program--in fact, your camera or printer probably shipped with a tool for performing these basic operations. Many photo organisers also include simple editing tools. For more involved retouching work or creative photo artistry, you need software that's a little more sophisticated. For the novice photo editor, Adobe Photoshop Elements offers on-screen assistance with common editing tasks. But the program also offers a surprisingly robust assortment of advanced editing tools.

    For professional-level tools, you have two choices: Adobe Photoshop, and Corel PHOTO-PAINT, which is sold together with CorelDRAW (in a package called Corel Graphics Suite). Among other things, the extra money buys you more advanced exposure and colour tools, plus some features that are important for folks who prepare photos for output on a commercial printing press.

    TIP: Not all programs mentioned here or elsewhere in the book are available for both Windows and Macintosh computers. So if you're interested in a particular product, visit the manufacturer's web site to check the system requirements.

  • Image Organisers

    An image organiser enables you to sort, manage, and catalogue your image files. This type of program is essential for keeping track of your pictures, especially if you're a prolific photographer.

    Use the Black Country Today on-line photo albums to share your photos.

    Some photo editing programs have a built-in file browser, as do some versions of the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. You may also find a basic image-management tool on the software CD that came with your camera. You can do simple organising tasks with these tools, but after you accumulate more than 100 or so files, you'll want something more advanced.