Professional photographer Christopher Malcolm has discovered that reducing his equipment and workspace setup has dramatically improved his productivity and creative focus. After years of accumulating multiple monitors and camera gear, Malcolm made the counterintuitive decision to strip down his setup, leading to unexpected benefits in his filmmaking and photography work.

Malcolm's journey began with what many would consider an ideal workspace setup: four computer monitors arranged on his desk including a main widescreen monitor in the center, a calibrated grading monitor positioned to his left and slightly elevated, a smaller widescreen monitor for email and messaging in the lower left, and a fourth elevated monitor for general purposes. As someone who multitasks extensively, this elaborate setup seemed logical and necessary for his workflow.

However, the configuration became problematic when Malcolm decided to move closer to a window for better natural lighting. The setup was further disrupted when he needed to relocate a large-screen television from his living room into his office space. These changes resulted in constant neck strain from looking back and forth between screens, difficulty tracking his mouse cursor across multiple displays, and technical issues with his main monitor not properly displaying certain websites, particularly Vimeo.

After multiple attempts to reconfigure his workspace, Malcolm made a radical decision that went against conventional wisdom. Instead of adding a fifth monitor for balance or continuing the mental gymnastics required to manage four screens, he chose to eliminate one monitor entirely. He also adjusted his desk position, sacrificing some of his desired proximity to the window but achieving a much cleaner, more functional setup.

His new streamlined configuration consists of just three monitors: a main large monitor positioned straight ahead, a smaller front monitor also facing directly forward, and the calibrated monitor positioned to the side solely for accurate color rendition. While this setup provides objectively less screen space, Malcolm found that focusing all non-color grading tasks on just two monitors instead of four significantly simplified both his workspace and his daily routine, resulting in substantially improved efficiency.

This organizational experiment reinforced a lesson Malcolm has encountered multiple times throughout his career in photography and filmmaking. He explains that humans are naturally inclined to accumulate more possessions, viewing ownership as an indicator of status and capability. However, he has found that people are often far more effective when working with fewer tools and options, as this allows for better focus on what truly matters rather than being distracted by an overwhelming array of choices.

The principle extends beyond workspace organization to camera equipment as well. Malcolm recently sold one of his cameras, partly to make room for new equipment but also as part of his philosophical shift toward simplification. This decision prompted him to question whether owning multiple specialized cameras actually made him more productive than when he had only one camera and was forced to find creative solutions to make it work for various situations.

While acknowledging that owning multiple specialized cameras is a privilege that can be beneficial for specific tasks, Malcolm emphasizes the significant advantages of committing to specific equipment limitations. He argues that embracing limitations helps avoid decision paralysis that comes from having too many options, comparing it to the modern streaming television dilemma where endless choices often result in spending more time browsing than actually watching content.

To put his philosophy into practice, Malcolm plans to conduct a new experiment in the coming months. He intends to select one camera and one prime lens, committing to shooting everything possible with this single, stripped-down combination. While he acknowledges that specific commercial projects will require particular equipment, he aims to stick with this minimalist approach as often as possible.

The primary motivation behind this experiment, beyond the obvious benefit of a lighter gear bag, is to refocus his attention on what he considers most important: the subject matter in front of the lens. Malcolm wants to eliminate any obsession with technical equipment and redirect his energy toward creativity and artistic vision. He recognizes that this approach may prevent him from capturing certain shots, but believes it will also help him discover new photographic opportunities he might never have considered while being distracted by numerous equipment options.

Malcolm's experience reflects a broader trend among creative professionals who are discovering that intentional limitations can lead to enhanced creativity and productivity. His desk reorganization and equipment reduction serve as metaphors for maintaining focus straight ahead rather than being constantly distracted by peripheral options, ultimately making it easier to concentrate on the primary task at hand.