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| Have Camera, Will Photograph, by DG Hudson |
Where are your photo files stored?
A newspaper article I read recently reminded me about the very real possibility of losing your digital photo collection. This can happen for a variety of reasons. I'm referring to computer related losses, whether you lose the computer from theft or lose the content within. We've lost data a couple of times with computers in the past, with all the photos that weren't copied onto a storage device.
It's a good idea to have a backup hardcopy for something as important as photographs of your family or your 'work stock' of photos. Having a physical copy means you can scan it and add it to your archives if the digital image is lost. In the referenced article, the couple lost baby photos. Even in the digital age, there should be room for a photo album or scrapbook, at least for the milestones.
Reference newspaper article:
Can't Find Your snapshots? Picture this-a real photo album, by Shelley Fralic, The Vancouver Sun, January 2013.
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To compensate for Murphy's Law: (what can happen, will happen)
I've learned to store my work and photos on other devices: flash drives, DVDs, personal storage. I have albums of printed photos, a habit started as soon as I had a camera. I print special photos in 5X7 or 8X10 format. A larger format will give a better copy for scanning.
Posting photos online via Picasa and Blogger means I have the data for online uses, but the physical copies mean I have another option if my e-data goes into the ether. It's a way of having something in my backpocket.
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Regarding Picasa
I've recently downloaded Picasa, as Blogger gave me no choice if I wanted to upload my own photographs. I had photo applications on my pc and didn't need Picasa until Blogger changed the way it uploads photos. At least, it changed for me.
Alert: when the Picasa menu item says 'delete from disk', it means 'remove from your hard drive'). Maybe some of you knew this, but I didn't. Use caution.
This post was inspired by the newspaper article, but also because having one method of storage isn't always a good idea. I've backed up my writing and most of my photos. How about you?
Are your photos or your writing saved online as well as in off-web storage devices? Do you have backups of your photo work stock? Have you lost work only stored on your pc or other devices? Please share in the comments.
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