How long do you save your work files?
Jan 25, 2014 10:54:02 #
After processing a shooting session I am left with the following folder and subfolders:
1. Top folder that holds all the unedited RAW images:
2. a subfolder "HDR Work" containing all TIFF files from Photomatix Pro;
3. a subfolder "PSD" where each image includes all the layers I made;
4. a subfolder "JPEG" where all the final JPEG images are kept.
You should know that I am an amateur. I do no commercial photography.
To date I have kept everything. All folders and subfolders from prior years are stored on an external harddrive. All current year images are backed up to Carbonite.
I know that if I delete everything but the JPEGS I will never be able to go back and re-edit as I acquire new techniques as I have done.
So, here's my question... should I keep everything or just the JPEGs?
1. Top folder that holds all the unedited RAW images:
2. a subfolder "HDR Work" containing all TIFF files from Photomatix Pro;
3. a subfolder "PSD" where each image includes all the layers I made;
4. a subfolder "JPEG" where all the final JPEG images are kept.
You should know that I am an amateur. I do no commercial photography.
To date I have kept everything. All folders and subfolders from prior years are stored on an external harddrive. All current year images are backed up to Carbonite.
I know that if I delete everything but the JPEGS I will never be able to go back and re-edit as I acquire new techniques as I have done.
So, here's my question... should I keep everything or just the JPEGs?
Jan 25, 2014 11:03:47 #
RVDigitalBoy wrote:
After processing a shooting session I am left with... (show quote)
Memory is cheap . . and getting cheaper all the time, so I keep everything . . . forever.
Jan 25, 2014 11:08:52 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Weddingguy wrote:
Memory is cheap . . and getting cheaper all the time, so I keep everything . . . forever.
I agree, disk space is cheap and I also keep everything.
Organizing everything is not "free", it takes time and thought. You may want to spend a little time figuring out what and how you back up and archive stuff.
Jan 25, 2014 11:16:35 #
I'd keep as much as I could
You never know when a drive will fail
I'm in the IT business and do data recovery
I upgrade drives every year or so
I'm in Gainesville by the way
You never know when a drive will fail
I'm in the IT business and do data recovery
I upgrade drives every year or so
I'm in Gainesville by the way
Jan 25, 2014 11:16:49 #
Since you are generating two large intermediates with the TIFF and PSD files, you could just keep the RAW and JPG files. Worst case is that you would have to reprocess the source RAW files.
By the way, I suggest backing up to multiple storage media. A single hard drive is not sufficient.
By the way, I suggest backing up to multiple storage media. A single hard drive is not sufficient.
Jan 26, 2014 06:54:25 #
Right now I have 12,000 raw images on my computer. It gets overwhelming so every now end then I take a day to delete what I will never use. Everything I edit, sell, give away or post on my website gets saved in the appropriate folder and backed up using airport time capsule. You have to be realistic about if you need/should save certain files.
Jan 26, 2014 07:04:28 #
Keep everything*, in part for your own comment: "I know that if I delete everything but the JPEGS I will never be able to go back and re-edit as I acquire new techniques as I have done."
As well, with the passage of time, a given photograph, even if not the best shot, may take on special meaning or have a use you never foresaw.
Finally, a photograph documents something, and as such may prove useful later in some way.
*Some photographs may have such poor quality that you will feel comfortable deleting them. Or you may've taken more than one shot of a subject, each so similar, you may feel comfortable deleting one or more of them. It's a judgment call.
As well, with the passage of time, a given photograph, even if not the best shot, may take on special meaning or have a use you never foresaw.
Finally, a photograph documents something, and as such may prove useful later in some way.
*Some photographs may have such poor quality that you will feel comfortable deleting them. Or you may've taken more than one shot of a subject, each so similar, you may feel comfortable deleting one or more of them. It's a judgment call.
RVDigitalBoy wrote:
After processing a shooting session I am left with... (show quote)
Jan 26, 2014 07:31:58 #
RVDigitalBoy wrote:
After processing a shooting session I am left with... (show quote)
Eventually the amount accumulated will be so overwhelming you will never do much with it.
Save your best work and discard the rest. Shoot ten; keep one.
Yes storage is cheap but what is your time worth?
Jan 26, 2014 07:36:59 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
joer wrote:
Eventually the amount accumulated will be so overwhelming you will never do much with it.
Save your best work and discard the rest. Shoot ten; keep one.
Yes storage is cheap but what is your time worth?
Save your best work and discard the rest. Shoot ten; keep one.
Yes storage is cheap but what is your time worth?
I mostly agree, except for me I change "discard" to "archive", because I take more thought to decide what to discard than to archive.
Jan 26, 2014 08:27:03 #
Opus wrote:
Right now I have 12,000 raw images on my computer. It gets overwhelming so every now end then I take a day to delete what I will never use. Everything I edit, sell, give away or post on my website gets saved in the appropriate folder and backed up using airport time capsule. You have to be realistic about if you need/should save certain files.
Your comment caused me to look at my files - In my "Pictures Directory" I have, Good Lord, 73,289 files in 866 folders. I also have pictures in misc files on my C Drive (I use an external HD for primary storage). And I've only been doing this since about 2005
Jan 26, 2014 08:35:00 #
RVDigitalBoy wrote:
After processing a shooting session I am left with... (show quote)
You have good organization, and that's the most important thing. If you have room on your drive, keep everything. If you're running out of room, get another drive. Once it's gone, it's gone forever.
Jan 26, 2014 08:54:51 #
Because it is so eeasy to create another JPEG from your RAW, TIFF and PSD files why keep them
Jan 26, 2014 09:00:28 #
Thanks to everyone for your responses.
Generally, your input reinforces my gut feeling: to keep everything. Storage and backup storage is not an issue.
It is true that I like to go back and apply new filters on occasion. So, my PSD files will remain intact for that purpose.
With Photomatix Pro of late I have been reprocessing my HDR TIFF files using the "fusion" method replacing the prior tone mapped version.
Okay, all is well and everything stays.
Generally, your input reinforces my gut feeling: to keep everything. Storage and backup storage is not an issue.
It is true that I like to go back and apply new filters on occasion. So, my PSD files will remain intact for that purpose.
With Photomatix Pro of late I have been reprocessing my HDR TIFF files using the "fusion" method replacing the prior tone mapped version.
Okay, all is well and everything stays.
Jan 26, 2014 10:19:11 #
RVDigitalBoy wrote:
After processing a shooting session I am left with... (show quote)
RV, it appears to me that you more or less answered your own question. If you ever intend to 'go back to them', by all means, keep them, all. Good Luck.
Jan 26, 2014 10:55:56 #
RVDigitalBoy wrote:
After processing a shooting session I am left with... (show quote)
Until I'm sure I'll no longer need them for any possible someone who may ask. And then, if it was an important shoot, I'll burn them to a DVD for safe keeping... just in case.
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