BenQ

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PHOTOGRAPHERS ... STOP USING HDMI to connect your Monitor / Display 😳

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Photographers ... who knew that connecting your computer to your display with a HDMI cable actually be the reason you're colours look bad and your prints look nothing like they do on the screen?

This video explains all why

IMPORTANT NOTE:
This video is NOT refering to the HDMI cable but the HDMI settings. In some systems for example with an NVIDIA Graphics Card it is possible to dive in and alter the setting so give the Full Range (0 - 255) however this isn’t possible on some other systems including Mac. In this case, amn alternative connection between computer and display is advised e.g. USB-C

My NEW Desktop / Workspace Set Up for Photography , Content and LIVE Streaming

Moving house recently was a great excuse for a revamp of my workspace with also now having a new bespoke made desk from my friend Mark Baber.

I often get asked about what computer I use and what monitor / display, so with a few new additions including a 2nd display and new acoustic panels, this is what I’m working iwith day to day and never lets me down …

COMPUTER

Midway through last year my turbo charged iMac unexpectedly died on me. Nothing and no-one could bring it back to life. 

Thankfully this wasn’t an inconvenience as opposed to a disaster because nothing is stored on it other than the software I use … and all of that is easily installed again as it’s all held online. All my files (video, photo etc) are all stored on an external hard drive system and a number of cloud based services too.

Before the iMac was no more, for some time I had been looking into the M1 Apple Studio and had couldn’t decide to go for either the Max or the Ultra … and then there was question of what upgrades to go for.

However due to the iMac’s demise being all of a sudden, I couldn’t wait for an upgrade … I needed something straight away so ended up going to a local Apple Store and picking up an ‘off the shelf’ spec M1 Mac Studio Ultra and I have to admit I’m so glad it worked out this way.

I do A LOT of video editing, photo editing and motion graphics and not once has the Apple M1 Studio missed a beat or left me waiting. It works a treat. It’s fast and it’s silent. Unlike some folks saying they experience a high pitch noise, I wouldn’t know mine was on if i didn’t look at the displays I have connected into it.

Displays

The NEW and my latest display is the SW 272U from BenQ.

27” display, 4K , 90W USB-C Photographer Monitor / Display. 99% Adobe RGB, Fine Coating Panel with TUB Anti Relfection (which works an absolute treat) , Wireless Hot Key Puk and a whole lot more.

This is my workhorse and what I use for ALL photography / image editing. Colours are absolutely spot on! The included shade works great along with the anti relfection screen meaning no matter what angle or lighting conditions, you still see the colours, contrast and details as they should be. The position of the SD Card slot makes it extremely easy and convenient to use, the wireless Hot Key Puk is being used more than any other puk I’ve had with previous model displays and the faux leather material on the base, although it might not seem like a bigge, makes a huge difference being able to store / rest items on it as they no longer slide off.

BenQ SW272U

My 2nd disdplay is the BenQ PD3420Q which is an ultra wide 34” 21:9 display.

So much I could say about this but just for starters it’s Mac Ready, 100% sRGB and 97% P3 Colour Space with IPS Technology and much more.

This thing is my ‘everything except photography’ workhorse. I use it for video editing, live streaming, the occasional bit of gaming, writing, browsing the net, watching Netflix … it’s an all-round creative display that also happens to look great too.

BenQ PD3420Q

Using this as a 2nd display couldn’t be simpler; I just connect a USB-C cable from my SW321C into it and that’s it…done!

•On the subject of displays, as an AQColor Ambassador I am able to help with the purchase price of a new display in the SW or PD range.

If you’d like to know more just drop me a message using the form on my CONTACT page or Direct Message me on social media (Fcebook , Instagram , Twitter )

*NOTE … If you’re thinking of investing in a BenQ Display, as an Ambassador I’m in the fortunate position to be able to help out withe the cost so if you’d like to know more, feel free to get in touch using my CONTACT page.

lighting

The main video light I use is from Westcott … the Flex Cine 1’ x 1’ which includes a flexible LED mat, dimmer, AC power adapter, grip head, yoke mount, Scrim Jim Cine frame, and hard diffusion panel. This entire 1-light setup packs neatly in the provided travel bag.

printer (PHOTOGRAPHY)

I absolutelty LOVE this printer … the Canon imagePROGRAF Pro 300

With my BenQ SW321C display correctly calibrated and using the ICC Profiles for the paper I use, every single print that comes off this thing is on the money be it colour or black and white. Simply stunning!

PRINTER (EVERYTHING ELSE)

The printer I use for everything else is the Canon PIXMA TS3450. Small, light and just works! Very quick and easy to set up sand the printing speed and quality is great. Veey happy with it. Nothing more to say 😃

storage

How I store files and backup has changed so many times over the years but never has it been so streamlined as it is now.

I use one 8TB G Tech Unit and this is where all my files (photo / video) are stored and this is backed up each and every day to Backblaze, Dropbox and Amazon as is my main computer .. but other than software there’s very little I store on that.

I also use two Sandisk Professional G-Drive SSD (I TB each) … one that holds my Lightroom Catalog (which is also backed up each day) and the other is used as Time Machine.

UPS

Uninterruptable Power Supply … I wouldn’t / couldn’t work without this! Living as we did in the countryside the amount of power cuts and surges was astounding but this unit didn’t miss a beat and just kept everytihng running until the power came back on, which at one point was over 10 minutes. Any longer than that and the UPS is able to close down the computer safely.


APC by Schneider Electric Back-UPS BX - BX1400UI - Uninterruptible Power Supply

If you don’t have one, I HIGHLY recommend you consider investing in a unit.

CAMERA / Webcam

Damn, I LOVE this camera!

The Sony ZV-E1 is basically a shrunken down (and twice the price) Sony FX3!

Full Frame, 4K 120fps, insanely good in-body image stabilisation, fabulous image quality and Subject Recognition and A.I. Focus Tracking that is incredible!

I got this first and foremost for filming content whilst out and about, but this thing works so good as a webcam too. With it being a small form factor, unlike the FX3 it doesn’t have an internal fan, but this is no problem at all when using as a webcam if you use a ‘dummy battery becuase then it will just keep on going and going. ALWAYS gets a comment when I’m doing a LIVE broadcast!

Microphone

The RØDE NT1 (5th Generation) … Can’t go wrong with RØDE so after a few years of using a different brand, I was drawn back when this updated model was released.

Studio / Broadcast quality. Does what it says on the tin and no wonder the NT1 has become the industry standard over the years!

AUDIO INTERFACE

The RØDE RØDECaster Duo

Originally I used a simple audio interface for connecting the XLR cable from previous microphone, but this is on a whole different level.

As the description say this is an All-in-One production solution for Podcasting, Streaming, Music Production and Content Creation. It does so much but in a really simple, tactile way. With the inbuilt processing this has saved me a ton of editing time removing breaths, working on audio in Adobe Audtion to enhance voice and so much more. Also when LIVE Streaming being able to easily control all aspects of audio makes the whole process so much more manageable and enjoyable.

Headphones

If I’m editing, watching YouTube, Netflix etc and anything else other than LIVE video, I use the Sony MDR-7506.

Super comfortable and great sound.

When I’m doing LIVE video ( presenting / zoom etc ) then I use my Apple Aipods Pro 2nd Gen.

Streamdeck XL

This thing is invaluable! 32 keys that you can programme to perfrom any number of taks depending on the software you’re using but it really shines when doing LIVE presentations such as on YouTube.

Streamdeck XL from Elgato

Being able to pre programme buttons to turn cameras on and off, microphones on and off, play video, play trailes, show images, start and stop the broadcast and so on, makes it so much more manageable; it literally is like having a team of people working with you by just pressing a button.

Pen tablet

I used to use Wacom but now I use this Medium Pen Tablet from Xencelabs; reliable, well made, does what it says on the tin 😃

In fact, here’s a video I did for my YouTube Channel about it …

Other Stuff I wouldn’t be without

Apple M2 iPad Pro 12.9”

I use this every single day without fail. So increibly useful … superb for tethering too when using CaptureOne.

Belkin Boost Charge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

Not only handy because it charges my iPhone, Apple Watch and Airpods, but because it’s a stand I can see the time on my watch and notifications come through on my phone as I’m working. Might not sound like much but having everything in one place and charging for me is just so useful.

So that’s the main kit I’m now using for all my photography, video, live streaming and general day to day.

For other kit that I use I’ve listed pretty much all of it over on my GEAR page.

Anyway, thought I’d give you an update seeing as things have changed a bit over the last few months.

Cheers,
Glyn

THANK YOU Carmarthen Cameras, BenQ and Permajet

Last Friday I was in Carmarthen, Wales at Carmarthen Cameras for my Pro Printing Seminar …

… a 2 hour evening going through the complete printing process covering how to correctly calibrate your display / monitor for printing , printing software , paper choice and of course making some prints.

HUGE thank you goes to the great folks at Carmarthen Cameras who always pull out all the stops to make events run smoothly, and also to the incredible support from both BenQ and Permajet.

Kicking off going through the display calibration , I was using a BenQ SW240; a 24” hardware calibrated display using the BenQ Palette Master Software

To calibrate the display I used my X-Rite i1 Display Plus Calibration device (which is now the Calibrite Colour Checker Display Plus) …

So often we’re advised that for the best possible results you only need to use these (generic) settings but I never seemed to get the results I expected , so it was great to get the opportunity to go through explaining the settings and how to fit them to ‘your’ enviroment; when you know what each setting is , it makes this process so much easier and understandable.

I then covered printing software mainly looking at using Lightroom and also the Canon Pro Print Layout Software ; both work great although I do prefer the no frills interface of the Canon Software …

First of all showing how to print on Canon Paper using the Canon Pro 300 and then using a range of papers, from Permajet including their NEW Heritage Range , and showing how to use their Generic Paper Profiles … which never fail to produce fantastic results !

Again , a HUGE thank you to everyone involved and who came along on Friday making it such an enjoyable evening; It was great to run though ‘in person’ just some of the content I have recorded for inclusion in my Printing Class that will be available this April.

Creative Portrait Retouching Techniques Webinar with BenQ

On Wednesday 1st March 2023 (that's next week already ) at 6pm UK I'm doing a LIVE Webinar in partnership with BenQ, going through some Portrait Retouching Techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop + Q&A

This is a FREE 1 hour long webinar also allowing time for Q&A, so if you fancy joining me just use the link below to register and get the link as spaces for the ‘virtual room’ are limited.

Plus anyone who registers, will also receive a link to the recording of the webinar the following day so that they can watch it later.

Hope to see you there 😃
Glyn

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I'm hosting a Printing Workshop with Carmarthen Cameras, BenQ and Permajet

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On Friday 24th February 2023 I’m excited to be hosting a Printing Workshop in partnership with Carmarthen Cameras, BenQ and Permajet.

A 2 hour evening at the Carmarthen Cameras, Zion Chapel Store running from 7pm - 9pm, I’ll be taking folks through such topics as …

  • Display Calibration

  • Colour Space

  • Printing Software Options

  • Paper Profiles

  • Paper / Media Options

… and of course producing some final prints.

An often over-complicated process, I’ll make it not so, and show how an understanding of each part of the process can produce not just great prints, but prints that match what you see on your display again and again.

No more wasted paper, no more wasted ink … just complete confidence that when you press print, you know you will get exactly what you would want / expect.

Tickets are priced at just £20 but spaces are limited due to space.

For more information and to grab a ticket, check out the link below.

Hope to see you there,
Glyn

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Do you own a BenQ SW or PD Display? If so, BenQ have a gift for you 🎁

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Whether you’re a photographer, an Illustrator, a Graphic Designer , Video Editor , Retoucher … in fact no matter what you do within the creative industry , you will have definitely heard of Pantone; the World’s leading authority on Professional Colour …

Well, if you own a BenQ Display OR if you buy a new BenQ Display and it’s from their SW or PD range this means as part of BenQ’s Pantone Connect Premium Campaign, you now have One Year FREE access to Pantone Connect Premium which brings benefits to your smart device without the need for cumbersome and expensive equipment like a colorimeter …

Colour is everything … from setting a mood and atmosphere all the way to a feeling and that’s in everything … a movie through to a piece of material and accurate colour and colour that is interpreted correctly.

So what is Pantone Connect Premium

Well basically it enables you to measure and capture colours, be they in digital format or something physical, and by simply using the app you can disvocer what the matching Pantone Colour is from the thousands in their library, discover colour harmonies (i.e. what colours work well with others), create swatches, save them and use them in software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and so on …

This makes working with colour so easy and accessible … and doing so quickly!

Pantone Premium Connect App open on my iPhone and on my BenQ SW321C Display

Imagine seeing a colour and thinking how you’d like to use the exact same colour in a design, maybe you’re looking to capture the colour grading in the Shadows, Midtones and Highlights from a movie you’re watching on your Display (BenQ of course 😃 ) OR maybe you’re restoring an old photograph and colourising clothing and skin tones. Pantone Connect Premium would enable you to very easily sample colour for the clothing and even better than that, the skin tone that you could then add in.

How do I get Pantone connect premium?

Easy! If you have a BenQ Display from the SW or PD range purchased in recent times OR you purchase a new one, all you need to do is to go to the link below fill in your details, BenQ display serial number and then you’ll receive a code (withing 5 days … although mine came through the same day just a short while later) and then you’re good to go 😃

Oh, also there’s some great videos on the Pantone Premium Connect APP and the Pantone Premium Connect website, there’s some grrat videos on there showing all the what, how, why etc …

Enjoy 😉

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Colour Grading in Lightroom Webinar with BenQ

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Following the success of the recent Lightroom Virtual Summit 2022 and the wonderful feedback I received for my Colour Grading: The Essential Finishing Touch class, I’ll be presenting a LIVE Webinar on behalf of BenQ on Tuesday 25th October …

Approximately 45 minutes long, starting at 6pm BST, I’ll be going through how I use the Color Grading Panel in Lightroom to finish my images and giving them mood and atmosphere.

An often overlooked and avoided tab in Lightroom, Color Grading is incredibly powerful and best of all, easy to use once you know not just HOW to apply it but (more importantly) WHY you apply it.

I’ll go through the theory along with examples and then go step by step through how you would use the Color Grading Panel for best results by diving into the controls and showing useful keyboard shortcuts that offer much more control.

The webinar is FREE to join and you can do so by registering at the link below; oh and there will of course be time set aside for questions.

Hope to ‘see’ you there :)

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HOW TO CALIBRATE your Display for PHOTOGRAPHY and PRINTING

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I LOVE printing…but it wasn’t always the case.

I wasted a lot of time and money in the past because when I thought my monitor / display was calibrated correctly…it wasn’t!

So, in this video I show you the settings that DO WORK so you get the best from your display AND the best possible results when printing!

I’ll be using a BenQ Display, BenQ Software and an X-Rite i1 Display Pro Plus BUT all the settings I go through translate perfectly to other monitors, software and devices!

You can check out all this kit over on my GEAR PAGE

Oh and if you look in the description part of the video on YouTube, I’ve also added in Chapter Markers so if you want to, you can jump to a particular part in the video.

Enjoy!

🎬 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎

00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Display, Software and Calibration Hardware
02:14 - PME Software
03:28 - Workflow
04:06 - Display Settings
09:58 - Measurement
12:45 - Validation
15:52 - Wrap Up

© Glyn Dewis 2025