Whether you are a professional photographer, or just an ambitious individual with a point-and-shoot camera, it is important to take good care of your digital files. Most people are under the misconception that the chances of something happening to their digital images is slim-to-none, when in reality, they are just as likely as anybody else’s.
I, for one, would rather be cautious so that if something where to happen to my digital files, I would be prepared. Here are 3 tips for caring for you digital files:
Keep your digital files in a safe environment. This may sound silly, but there is truth in it. Some people think that as long as their memory card is inside the house, it is safe, but that is not always the case. For example, you may think that leaving your memory card on the counter or dresser is okay, but if left for an extended period of time, dust can settle in the tiniest spaces and make your memory card incapable of use. Yes, often times you can clean them by simply blowing a little air across them, but sometimes when cleaning a memory card, the data can be affected.
Safely remove your memory card/USB from the computer. This is a bit of an obvious tip, but you would be surprised at how many people just take their memory cards/USBs out of the computer without safely ejecting them first. When you safely eject your device, the computer makes sure that all the applications connected with it are disconnected, making it safe to remove. If you do not safely eject it, there may be processes going on behind the scenes with your memory card/USB, and when you just pull it out, those processes are not fully completed and can result in data loss.
Most importantly, backup your files. The last thing that you want to do is have an issue with your memory card or computer and lose all your images. This is a very simple thing to do, yet many people do not consider it until it is too late. I recommend having your data stored in at least 3 places. For example, you could have your photos on your laptop, and 2 USBs. Make sure to keep them all in separate places as well. It does nothing for you if you have all 3 backups in the house and there is a fire. Keep 1 in your home, 1 at your office, and 1 either in a purse you keep on you when you are out or even at a family member’s house.
I know that I would be distraught if the memories I had captured were suddenly gone so I intentionally backup my digital images. Hopefully these 3 tips will come in handy for you and you will have peace-of-mind knowing that your data is safe. You can never be too cautious when it comes to preserving memories. Trust me, you will be glad you did!
I wrote a very similar blog post about this! So so so important for clients to care for those images to keep as heirlooms for generations!
I couldn’t agree more, Arica!
such a great post! i think people don’t remember how often tech fails or changes!
Very true, Melissa. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
This is a great post!! Very important info for sure!
Thank you, Chasity Noel! Glad you found it helpful.
Very important tips! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading, Tosha!
As the mom of two toddlers, I’ve learned that backing up my photos is very important – we had a close call last year! I thought I had lost several important photos but thankfully was able to recover them. You bet I do everything to keep them safe now. Thanks for the tips!
Oh no! Glad you got to recover them. Backing up is always the way to go.
This was so helpful, I have to bookmark this! You never know what happens, right?:)
I’ve learned something today and that is not to keep my memory card in such places. Very informative post you have here.
I learned the hard way to back up files when my computer crashed. I lost a while year of photos.
Such good tips to know. Huge risk to lose data otherwise. thanks.
Great reminders. Recently, my computer was stuck in start-up mode, so I took it to the repair shop. The cost of repair was $100, but I had to pay an extra $50 to get them to save all of my data. A flash drive is a lot cheaper! Have a great week!
I’m terrible about removing my USB memory card correctly. :( Thanks for the tips!
Okay, I’m guilty of not ejecting my memory card! My computer always ‘yells’ at me for it too. But I never understood why it was such a big deal. Thanks for shedding some light on the issue. Very good to know.
I also had no idea that a memory card could get damaged just sitting out on the table. Wonderful and helpful post. Going to stumble this one!
V
Thanks for sharing these awesome tips! I’m so bad at not properly ejecting my external hard drives – this was a great reminder to take that extra two seconds! :)
very helpful post thank you
[…] Protecting Your Image Files […]
[…] Protecting Your Image Files […]