One accessory that isn't talked about much is the monitor hood or glare shield. You rarely think about them, but once you've used one, you can't live without them.
Why do I need an anti-glare hood?
If you edit photos, videos or even designs, a monitor hood is a must as it prevents light from reflecting on the screen. Light reflections can be very unpleasant, especially if you are working on a glossy screen. They can also cause discomfort and even eyestrain. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a matte coated screen to avoid reflections.
Even with a matte-coated screen, distracting light can still hit the monitor from above and from the side, causing light and color differences. Most often, it's direct sunlight that can have these effects, as most of us tend to set up our workstations near a window. But other light sources can also have the same effect. Think about any light source that's near your desk: lamps, another workstation, or even the overhead lighting - they can all have a significant impact on the image on your monitor, as the light reflects off almost anything near them, especially metallic objects.
The way we perceive light is fascinating, and colored objects in our environment can affect how we perceive colors on our screens. That's why it's important that we avoid having very colorful objects near us when we're color-consistent on screen. Even a bright wall can distort color perception. For example, if you stare at a red image for a long time, the cone cells in your eyes can tire and temporarily stop responding, causing you to see green instead, creating an optical illusion known as an afterimage. This is another reason why an anti-glare hood is a useful and often underrated accessory.
In addition to all of these benefits related to glare, reflections, and accurate color perception, an anti-glare hood also provides privacy and prevents distracting elements from entering your field of vision. With such a hood, you can better focus on the task at hand and block out distractions in the background, especially if you work in a shared studio or office.
Removable anti-glare hood for the BenQ SW series
While an anti-glare hood isn't the cheapest accessory you can buy, why spend money on a monitor if you're not even going to be able to work without light distraction? There are some monitor manufacturers that offer free, removable hoods with their monitors. One of these is BenQ with their BenQ SW series of color-accurate displays. This is something to keep in mind when looking to buy a new monitor, as some manufacturers charge extra for an anti-glare hood, while others may not offer a monitor hood at all and you'll have to buy one from a third-party manufacturer.
The anti-glare hoods that come with the BenQ SW series monitors are made from durable yet flexible plastic and have a black velvet interior that absorbs light. They are easy to install and can be used in both landscape and portrait orientation. The hoods feature a special cutout on the top for a calibration device that slides up and down. This makes calibration a smooth and hassle-free process without having to remove the monitor hood every time you calibrate (hopefully you do this at least once every two weeks!).
Browse the BenQ SW series here.
