As most photographers now work exclusively with digital cameras, one of the disciplines we now have to embrace is backing up and storing our digital images. The fear of losing important images can be unthinkable but once you have a clear and logical backup routine there’s nothing to worry about.
Creating a process
The first thing to do is create a process that works for you and then stick to it.
Most photographers start this process as soon as they have downloaded images from their cameras. There are many articles online about different methods of backup and as technology changes new avenues open up.
The four key steps in any backup and storage process are as follows:
- Always download your images immediately after a shoot or as soon as practically possible and verify that you have actually downloaded all the images taken.
- Store the files on a core system i.e. a PC, laptop or a workstation with a larger hard disc array.
- Backup your photos from the PC, laptop or workstation onto an external hard drive. This not just protects your files against hardware failure but also major software failure or corruption from a virus.
- Create another backup to a second physical location, either onto another hard drive or use cloud storage.
Following this process will significantly reduce any chance of losing data.
Backup to an external hard drive or the cloud?
It’s worth considering the following points when choosing to backup to an external hard drive or archive to an online backup system where files are stored in the cloud.
- Cloud backup can require a high internet bandwidth when backing up large numbers of images so ensure your internet connection has this capacity.
- Hard drives are increasingly more reliable, cheaper and faster so it’s still very much the go-to technology for many photographers in their backup routine.
- Choose backup software that only backs up new files and changed files on your system as you run a backup. This software (there are many different vendors on the market) is as vital to a photographer as editing software, so it’s worth researching and investing in this carefully.
- Having an offsite backup should be considered an essential requirement because it is of limited value if you store your back in the same place as your core work system or computer. A simple way of doing this is to have a second hard drive backup stored at a different physical location or by using cloud storage which creates a backup in the cloud, as well as having a hard drive backup.
The most important thing to remember is that once you have a backup routine stick to it and it should become part of your normal routine. As none of us can predict hardware failure, fire or theft instances it’s an essential discipline for any modern photographer.
What backup routines work for you? How have you made this part of your process?