data protection | top 3 ways to preserve your photos

data backup protection – do you use it?

With the number of services around that offer free (albeit limited) cloud-based storage like Dropbox, OneDrive, and the low cost of cloud-based unlimited storage why not take advantage of them to back up your photos?

1. using a mobile phone or tablet?

Learn how to connect it with your computer, and copy the photos over. If you’ve got Dropbox and Onedrive, you can have it do it for you for smartphones.

2. using a camera?

Then do this after every time you use it. If it has a memory card, get a card reader that takes your card, and connects to the computer via USB. Copy the photos to the hard drive. Alternatively, use the USB connector that connects the camera directly, which will work regardless of whether the camera uses cards or not, provided the camera itself is not so ancient that it is no longer supported by the operating system (that’s windows, for example). Notice I didn’t say delete them from the card or camera just yet.

3. what would happen if the photos were lost forever?

If it doesn’t matter, fine. Ok, so you have no soul, but that’s your problem. And hey, if you’re reading this far, I’m guessing you would care. Back them up. Ideally in at least a couple more places. Maybe a second hard drive, maybe an online backup service – the idea is to minimise the risk of losing them. Got them backed up? Great, you can delete the photos off your phone or camera now.

and here’s a bonus

If they’re really worth preserving, why not have them printed too? More on that to follow…