For myself, I find the best way all around is to use 1 external hard drive with all LR catalogs, imports and exports in this one location. I simply carry it with me and regardless of computer I always have the latest imports with PP changes available. I tried synching catalogs but found too many inconsistencies with the temp files and didn't always get what i was expecting. I use the WD passport which fits in my shirt pocket and has 1 TB of space. My 3 other backup drives are simply used for backup.

I also run a program that will assign a specific drive letter, P, to this drive when inserted. Now, LR doesn't care whether your catalog is on H-K-L-Q OR Z drive as long as the path for the photo files is consistent. It merely helps in that all my shortcuts are set to look for the catalog on P drive. P for Photos. :)

That said, I also copy all my LR presets onto this drive so I can keep all computers consistent. For this I use a synch program, SynchBack Pro, set to run when any change is detected in the presets folder. I have tried many other methods but this one is the simplest and cleanest IMHO. YMMV.

In LR, if you're referring to the backup on import then you are only backing up the originals from your cameras card. No PP has been applied.

In LR, if you are exporting, then any PP you have made are already applied.

In LR, if you export as new catalog then all changes (xmp sidecar files) accompany the photos and new catalog to the new location.

Outside of LR, if you copy (DON'T MOVE) the storage folder (where LR looks for the files) to a new location (backup) then all changes (xmp side car files) are included.

Remember that LR does not make any changes to the original files but creates a recipe card (xmp side car file) where all changes you have requested are listed so that when exporting, LR then applies these changes to the new photo file, usually a jpg. If you have done any PP then have a look inside your storage folder and you will see your original file such as img_1234.jpg (assuming you shoot jpg) and it will also have a file called img_1234.xmp where your changes have been cataloged ready to be applied on export regardless of which computer you plan to use. Of course if you've copied to another computer then that copy of LR will have to import the photos and yes it will see the xmp files so no changes will be lost.

Note: if your referring to a real backup no problem. If your referring to working on the files on 2 different computers then you "may" run into problems such as making a change on computer 1 then copying to computer 2 making more changes then copying back to computer 1. Which xmp file should it use? In this case you don't want to back up, you want to synchronize folders.

Make sense?

Just to clarify, Dropbox, while a cloud storage solution, does not use the cloud storage for you to work with. (you can if you really want to live slowly) It creates a folder(s) on your computer and those are the files you work with. As a save or addition is made DB auto sends the file to the cloud. You still have your file(s) on your computer.

Now the fun part. Should you install DB on a 2nd, 3rd, 4rth etc. computer AND use the same account as the 1st computer, DB will automatically send the new/changed files to each and every computer that is logged in. So let's assume you are at home and download some photos from your camera and place them in a DB folder. DB auto sends them all to the cloud. DB now looks for any and all computers that are logged into that account and sends the files to all those computers. Your computer at work (assuming you have left it on) now has a copy of all those files on its own hard drive ready for you when you come in the next day at 8 am. At work you do some editing and hit save. DB automatically sends to the cloud and any and all computers using that account so when you get home at lunch time your home computer already has those updated files.

No it's not instantaneous but as you can't be in two places at the same time it has some leeway to transfer the files.

This process also works the same on shared folders with other people. So if I place some files into a folder that I have shared with 7 family members then those files will automatically be placed on those 7 computers. Again, assuming they are on and connected to the web.

If your computer is not on then when you do flip the switch and become connected DB will automatically start transferring and new or changed files.

The only time to work from the cloud is if you arbitrarily delete some photos or other files. You can go to the cloud and recover them. Even different versions of files.

Dropbox is a good solution providing you are not storing thousands of RAW files on a daily basis. If that is in your realm then the multiple external HDs is the way to go.

Back up, back up, back up. Trust me, I found out the hard way. My main and backup drive both died within 2 days of each other with over 2 years of photographic work including weddings. And over $500 worth of recovery didn't help except for some thumbnails. I now use a 4 drive backup system.

Polarizer comes to mind...

What folder do you D&D to? Photos folder allows for folder sharing/linking but Public only allows single file sharing/linking. Now if you're in the base folder not sure what protocols are allowed there.

Been thinking (yes it hurt) about a way to accomplish this without an account. The only way I can see is if a sender is copying a link from another account. I can see no way to post files onto DB without an account. If I were to send you a link, you could then send that same link to others even though you didn't have an account. But if you find a way PLEASE let us all know Esther. That would be great.

PS watch that end date closely to avoid unexpected bills :oops:

Using Dropbox you can do the same thing without the need to constantly FTP your files to the web site. Drop your files into a Dropbox folder you have already posted the link to on your web site and voila your files are being viewed live. The benefit is that the files are actually on the Dropbox web site and not taking up your web space limits. To give you a good example go to http://www.ptboclicks.com/info/index.html and click the "See what we've been up to..." link. So when someone has taken a club photo I just put a copy in that Dropbox folder and all is taken care of.

Then you can send that same link you were referring to, to all your clients, friends and family.

Dropbox is cloud storage on steroids. You have a Dropbox folder on your computer and that is where you put your files. OK your done go have coffee. Now Dropbox takes over and transfers the files to the cloud and also transfers to any people you are sharing files with but in your case you are just sharing a link, probably by email. Your people then click the link and go to the Dropbox web site where they can view or download the files.

To be clear, I think you mean that your ISP throttles you to 20 MB per email transfer but you will also have a data transfer limit on a per month basis. My limit is 16 GB per month and I did break it once. (never again at those penalties) This data transfer encompasses email, FTP and all other forms of data transfer of which Dropbox is one.

To give you an idea, here is a link to my submissions for last years Scott Kelbys World Wide Photo Walk. Click the link and you will be taken to the Dropbox website (the cloud) and you can view or download to your hearts content. https://www.dropbox.com/l/TN068HVG3Ys9TqguMP7i08.

Please note that two folders are created in your computers Dropbox folder. 1. Photos, and 2. Public. The photos folder is the most used because you can link or share the folder or any sub folders you create and Dropbox assumes there are photos inside and views them as photos. If you are dealing with multiple clients you really want to create sub folders inside the photo folder to keep things straight and not get your clients confused. The public folder (why public I have no idea) can only be used to share individual files and not folders. There is no provision for viewing photos inside the public folder or any sub folder you may create. I use the public folder as personal storage for important non photo files.

In the event you have more than 1 computer you may install Dropbox on as many computers as you can and if you use the same login then all your Dropbox files will automatically be synchronized between all the computers. So if I were to put a file into my DB folder on my upstairs computer and then walk downstairs to my other computer the file would probably already be on that computer as well. Providing it wasn't some ungodly huge monster.

As they say in the fibre commercials, Try it, you'll like it... :lol:

If I may... You start with 2 GB on a free account and this grows by 500 MB for every referral that signs up. The total is currently capped at 18 GB on a free account but when I started it was capped at 10. There are a couple other ways to gain space such as instant uploads from your phone, tablet, camera etc. and nothing says you have to keep this intact so do it once get your space and never do it again if you don't want to. As to how much you can send... I think you meant to say store. The sending portion is controlled by your ISP not Dropbox. Hope this helps.

You're right again, although the originating poster must have an account but no viewers (or downloaders) need one.

Not true, you can share the link and anyone who gets it can view the photos, no account needed. If you share the folder then yes, they do need an account. But as it's free and seems to be the preferred way, simple and easy, to share photos with select people, why not get an account.

I use Dropbox all the time to share links and folders. Good choice.

The more time between shots, the faster (and choppier) the video. The speed at which you hike will also be a factor in the final result. This is something you will need to tweak as you get into it. My first thought is to start with a small hike and shoot every 3 seconds as a base line for the future. Shooting this many allows you the choice of deleting shots from your timeline if you have just too many but not having enough of them in the first place is a killer.

As you grow you will find your own optimal settings for uphill, level and downhill hikes. Do yourself a big favor and don't expect perfection or anywhere close to it from your first 10 hikes. Good luck and have fun.

FYI there is no "R" in the HDR program Photomatix.

Not a one uses a tripod when on the field. They would be banned. They use a monopod to give added stability and quick movement.

So if I have this straight, you use one program to cull out your bad shots, then import into LR and then use the "X" picker to cull out your bad shots. So what is the purpose of the first program? Why wouldn't you just use LR and as your culling the shots use your filters to hide the "X" picks and show your "P" picks and "U" unpicked. Then every so often delete the "X" picks as you do now?