| 2.
Introduction to Digital Image Storage
Article
2 of 100
Storing the image - for me this is quite simply copying
the image from the memory card to one or more hard disk drives
and DVDs for archival storage of the original file.
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| Lexar
Professional Compact Flash Stackable Readers
|
In
the words of Forrest Gump (or was it his mother?) "Simple
is as simple does." I don't know why so many photographers
and computer users like to complicate their lives by relying
exclusively on automated systems for archiving their images
files. Many photographers I know even have four or five incompatible
cataloging systems on their computer and are still constantly
complaining about lost and corrupted files.
Being
a software and hardware reviewer I of course have to test
all the systems available but before I even think about using
a cataloging and file management system, I first make sure
that I have at least one copy of the original image file in
a safe and secure place.
Step
1: Turn off all automatic file download programs. Every software
manufacturer tries to take over your computer, it is the nature
of the software game. Just find their preferences and turn
the auto download feature off.
Step
2: Use a Memory Card Reader (I use the Compact Flash Pro card
readers from Lexar, it allows for stacking of multiple readers
for simultaneous downloads from multiple CF cards). Do not
read directly from the camera, a battery failure could spell
disaster.
Step
3: Manually set up a folder for your image files on your computer.
I suggest using a very simple (and admittedly boring) system
based on the calendar, roman numerals and alphabet. For example:
year / month / date / shoot number. This may not be as sexy
as an automated database system but it will save you a lot
of grief when the database decides to go south for the winter.
Step
4: Manually copy your files from the memory card to the folder
you have set up for it on your hard disk drive. Now if you
are as paranoid as I am, you will immediately copy these files
to another external hard disk drive (or two) and/or a set
of DVD disks that should be recopied every couple of years.
Step
4: Since your image files are now archived in their original
state, it is now time to make another copy and use a cataloging
system such as Adobe Lightroom and/or Adobe Bridge to organize,
rename, classify and enhance your image files.
Step
5: Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back, your image
files are in safe hands (your own).
P.S.
Please do not get upset if your personal experience and views
are different from my own. These opinions are mine exclusively
and do not reflect the views or policies of any of the manufacturers
mentioned in this article...... George
Mann |
