Sunday, February 17, 2013

When Two Is Better Than One

close-up image of black Arabian horse mostly eyes by Anita Jesse
Click on the image for the larger version

"Midnight Visit" is currently displayed as a 6x9 Lustre Print in an 11x14 matte. This piece is available at Gallery 'N Gifts, Tehachapi, CA. Prints are available in various sizes. See my website for additional information.
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About the Image
I have lost track of how many of my pieces include this black gelding. His was a tortured spirit and and the barely subdued madness in him has always translated into some form of energy in the photographs we made together that I couldn't possibly manufacture on my own.

Old Habits and Productivity
Finally, a couple of months ago, I began working with two monitors. Don't ask why it has taken me so long.

Sometimes the answer to increased productivity or greater creativity has been under our nose for months or years and we fail to see it. This is certainly what happened to me. It isn't as if working with dual monitors is a new and iffy concept. I just lagged behind and kept doing things the way I had always done them. Yes, I considered a computer even with one monitor pretty cutting edge in the early 1980's. But, I had fallen way behind the times. And, yes, I upgraded to larger and more sophisticated displays. Just not more than one at a time. Old habits getting in the way of progress.

Sound familiar, anyone? I wish I could say that I don't often make such bone-headed mistakes, but I would be flattering myself. More often than I want to admit I finally come around to trying a new technique or piece of equipment and then kick myself for dragging my feet.

For so many of us it is easier to keep repeating the old familiar mistakes than to try something new. We tell ourselves that we don't have time to master the new tool, or get used to doing something a new way. But, it is based in some sort of fear.

It is particularly interesting to me that, more often than not, I eventually face down that resistance and jump into what I have carefully avoided for sometimes years. Yes, occasionally, learning the new way of working is frustrating and takes time as well as patience before it becomes as natural as the old familiar habits. But, often, the transition is a non-event and the switch-over is painless. The latter was the case with adding a second monitor. Within a couple of minutes I was having a wonderful time and wishing I had made the move years ago.

The real embarrassment is that I changed my ways mostly by happenstance. Months ago, I had purchased a second monitor so that I could get into the old machine without having to disconnect my monitor from the new computer. It seems that reports of the old computer dying were more than slightly exaggerated. After that one terrifying day when I was treated to the gasps of a faltering machine with only hours to survive, the old machine has cooked along nicely. Of course, it is no longer being asked to manage Photoshop and power I-forget-how-many external hard drives. That could explain the revival.

As time passed, I asked myself why I should let that perfectly fine new monitor sit there day after day waiting for the rare call into service when I wanted to search for something on the old computer? Why not try working with two monitors every day? What a novel thought. Not!

Now that I have two lovely, wide monitors lined up side by side on my desk, working on an image like the one above is a whole lot easier. Phew? Late to the party, a little embarrassed that it took me so long; but, having a grand time. Ain't technology grand?

 

10 comments:

  1. Well if you're late to the party then I'm even later. I've often wondered if I should use 2 monitors since I see them on sale all the time, but I'm not sure if my productivity would improve. I think it would be a great improvement expecially with the Wacom. I may look into it since I have an older monitor sitting right on my desk attached to an even older computer which I never use.
    The photo is wonderful and very evocative. The focus on the eyes really draws the viewer in.

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  2. The second monitor helps helps me far more than I ever imagined it would. This is particularly useful when working in Photoshop.

    I like being able to have all my tools on one display while I work on the the larger display. It is also handy to duplicate an image with the reference picture on the smaller display giving me some type of overview, then I can zoom in and work ultra close ont the primary monitor. That way I can maintain some perspective with my adjustments without having to constantly zoom in and out.

    Try it out. Since you already have the monito sitting there. You might be just as surprised as I was.

    Thank you for the feedback on this photo. I am a sucker for eyes and attached to this horse. Translation: difficulty being sufficiently objective about capturing images that convey his spirit. I have looked forward to some comments from people and appreciate your opinion.

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  3. I'm still working with one monitor as well - though I'd love to use dual (which I do at work). My problem is one of space - my current set up might allow two 19" monitors but that would be tight. So I just toodle along, feeling frequent frustrations, with my single, sad and lonely monitor.

    And what a great image! You've really tempted me with this one.

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  4. Since I had no idea what I was missing, it never bothered me to work with one monitor. It must be tough to swich back after using dual displays at work. I am fortunate to have a wide desk. Of course, with two large desks in our little office, we have wall to wall furniture and a cramped space. But, we get along.

    Thank you for the enthusiastic comment on the image. Now, I am intrigued by your mention of being tempted. Elaborate, John, please.

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    Replies
    1. To purchase a copy, of course!

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    2. John, I can't say enough to sufficiently apologize for my late response. I was knocked out by a severe case of flu, but have finally had enough antibiotics to be on the recovery side.

      I am deeply touched that you would consider owning a copy of Midnight Visit. Please email me at anitajesseartAtyahooDOTcom. So we can discuss further.

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  5. Anita, of course you know you can never go back now. I've been using two monitors for some time and would have a difficult time moving back to just one. My only changes are that the monitors have grown larger over the years as they've been replaced. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Earl, you can see exactly where I am headed. I can already see that I could not go back. Too late, now.

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  6. First of all, the image here is quite beautiful, and I would have probably seen a haunted sadness even if you didn't mention it.

    As far as two monitors, you know, I have a fairly good one that has been sitting under a dust cover for awhile from my old PC. I never thought that it would offer me much advantage, but seems I may be wrong on that. However, space simply won't allow me to get that hook in me. But that monitor will sit here under the dust cover obviously reminding me I should try it sometime now. :-)

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    Replies
    1. I so appreciate your comment. I always wonder if viewers see the qualities that I most want to capture.

      A perfectly good monitor sitting there waiting! Ah, for a desk stretcher and possibly a room expander. Don't ever try it. You may end up knocking out walls.

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