What would you do with your files if you are on my situation

[Robin Usagani]

As some of you know I have triplet girls. I have been taking so many pictures of them. Most of my shots were taken with RAW. I have an external drive that pretty much replicates everything on my hard drive. I am getting ready to move most of my pictures to DVDs. What would you do?:

 

[Overread]

I'd ask why you are moving from harddrive to DVD for back up unless you are just adding a second layer of protection (eg harddrive and DVD backup methods).

Secondly I'd say always keep a backup copy of the RAWs- they are your negatives and can always be easily reworked if you so desire (eg you learn a new editing skill or upgrade your software and have a specific shot you want to work on again). Along with that I'd either back up the Tiffs or the JPEG. Hires JPEG and RAW would be ideal - you've the jepgs to use as you want (and since you arn't saving them over and over they should keep their image date intact) and the RAWs to work from at a later date.
TIFFs I would keep on specific shots if you want to keep the layer data from editing or if you decide not to save the RAWs. (at least then you've one lossless saved format with as much data as possible)

 

[Robin Usagani]

my 1.5 TB internal HD is half full. I just want to do it now before it is getting close to full. Plus it is a good stopping point because it is a new year. Its kinda nice having all photos on my LR3 library, but I cant do that forever?

 

[Overread]

Why not? In the past I've found backing up to DVD's was a nightmare of time and failed burned DVDs - on the other hand a 1/4TB harddrive is pretty affordable these days and nothing stops you linking up one or two externals to save your photos to and then mirror those drives over to others. It sounds more expensive, but its far quicker and less of a headache.

Also I suspect there are better high storage options of multiple TB drives linked up in raid systems and such that might be far better to move to instead of mountains of DVDs.

 

[swedberg311]

do dvds with all the RAW files then convert to Hi Res JPEG for casual viewing since you cant just pop the DVD with RAW files in and look or show someone

 

[Robin Usagani]

Can you give me links and explain more about the set up? So for example if I have TWO 1TB external drives, I need additional TWO 1TB external to back up the first 2?

 

[MohaimenK]

get another HD and move on to next one. You know how many DVDs I have that suddenly stopped working?? I've had to order OEM CDs from both Sony and Acer because they went bad from keeping them on my shelf. Sometimes even the slightest scratch can screw it up. Now always but sometimes. If you want to take a chance of that "sometimes" then go for it. Or else just get online backup company and save there.

Or go with my setup. Use the eSATA dock and get internal HD's and save them like disks.

 

[Robin Usagani]

I can also upload all my JPEGs or TIFFs to zenfolio in a passworded folder. But that would take forever.

 

[Overread]

Can you give me links and explain more about the set up? So for example if I have TWO 1TB external drives, I need additional TWO 1TB external to back up the first 2?

In simplest terms yes - if you want to back up you'll need the same amount of storage space. From there things can get more complex/advanced and automated.
Most external harddrives come with some kind of built in software for automatic backing up and there are many 3rd party options. Further there are options such as RAID setups.

However I've only a simple 2 harddrive setup (one harddrive with all the photos on and then another with a copy of all that data) myself. Derral uses a more advanced setup as do several others here

 

[mrpink]

my 1.5 TB internal HD is half full.

are they all keepers?








p!nK

 

[Robin Usagani]

my 1.5 TB internal HD is half full.

are they all keepers?


p!nK

Probably not pink. They are mostly my girls photos so I dont have the time to REALLY edit them. I feel bad deleting some LOL. I dont mind deleting clients photos RAWs though, after I save the good ones as high res jpegs.

 

[Gruen Photo 7 Design]

jpeg dvds

 

[Buckster]

From what I've read about your photographic aspirations since you got here, I'd say you'd better start thinking about a more robust and reliable system of backup.

I use DVD's as a last line of defense, but I'm with Mo, they're not terribly dependable, and you never know if they're going to save you until you pop them in one day (maybe years from now) because you NEED them, cross your fingers and hope for the best. Not much of a comfort level there.

Myself, I'm doing this, and it works for me. You need to find a real comprehensive solution that works for you.

Remember, you get what you pay for. What's that backup worth to you? What's your time and effort worth to you? What's it all going to be worth to your future clients?

 

[reznap]

I don't see why you shouldn't do DVDs. I personally would just get another hard drive, like an external. If you have the DVDs laying around though, and you just want to archive a bunch of old photos, it seems like a reasonable plan.

EDIT: Buck, that setup of yours is awesome... I have disk-envy for sure.

 

[mrpink]

my 1.5 TB internal HD is half full.

are they all keepers?


p!nK

Probably not pink. They are mostly my girls photos so I dont have the time to REALLY edit them. I feel bad deleting some LOL. I dont mind deleting clients photos RAWs though, after I save the good ones as high res jpegs.

I am the same way. It has to be a very bad photo of my kids for me to even think about deleting it. I usually just email them all the Boomn4x4.






p!nK