Since I started photographing, I notice that a lot of people, not only they don't print their photos, they only keep them in the computers and don't even do any back up for them. Some don't even have a computer and keep only in their memory cards. These fools don't know that memory cards are more easily get corrupted then hard drives. These photographs don't seem very important if nothing happen to them in the computer. But computers do crash!
For a lot of people photographs may seem like just a piece of paper or a digital file for viewing in the computer/TV. But for me it is more than that. A photograph is a piece of precious memory. Is the only way you can freeze time, and it is the only way you can show your grandchildren or any other person about your life or passions. Be it your wedding, family gatherings, friends reunion, your kids growing up progress or even the portfolio of your hobby subject photos, all these will be gone if you don't keep them safe. When I say safe, I don't mean keep them in your computer, password protected, lock the computer room and install alarm system for the room. What I mean is back up all your digital files and keep them in a separate place.
There are a few ways you could do this:
- The simplest way is to duplicate all your digital files into a CD or DVD. Infact make a few copies more for your family members or friends. But also keep in mind that, these CDs/DVDs are also subjected to deterioration as they ages. So to play safe, after 2-3 years before they start to deteriorate, make another set of duplication. CDs and DVDs are so cheap now, there is no better way.
- Keep all your digital files in another external hard drive. If you shoot RAW, keep a separate hard drive only for this format. Another for post-processed files. In fact some professional photographers will keep at least 2 sets of hard drives for each format. It is that much important those photographs are for them.
- Upload the photos onto a photo hosting or sharing website. Most paid sites have more features but some free site are also good enough. Sites like Flickr, Photobucket or Smugmug are some examples. Just google "photo sharings site", you will see lots of choices to choose. Try them and then make your choice.
- Another way is to print them out. With digital photography, one simply can shoot up to hundreds if not thousands of photos during a single event. You don't have to print them all but choose those worth to print. It may not be the best choice to keep them but with technology, nowadays prints quality are able to be maintained for longer periods without fading. My personal choice would be Fuji Crystal Archive Paper.
- Make a photobook if you could. Keep all or part of your photos in a hardcover like coffeetable book. Site like Photobook Malaysia provides professional photobook binding for a fee. Lots of sizes and page quantity to choose from. Another site called Blurb provides book making services. Not only your photos could be made into a book for your keeping, others could buy them as well from the Blurb website and the best part is you take all the profit.
These are just some of the methods that I would like to mention. They are many ways which you can keep your memories alive. Choose the best that suits you and your memories should live forever.
Just google "back up photos", and you should find more professional and better ideas on how to back up your precious memories. What I am trying to say is don't take the risk of losing all your photos, is not worth it. So, for all the photos that you keep in your computer, ask yourself this question, "Are they safe?".
