Are You Confused About The Best Way To Back Up Your Images?
I have installed a software on the first drive called GoodSync2Go. I originally learned about the software when I took a course by Kevin Kubota. Once installed the software creates a job. That job checks for differences between the two hard drives. When it to detects a change to the first disk it copies the changes to the second disk. This way I’ve always got two external disks with all of my images on them in the case one should fail.
Here are some helpful tips and hints to keep your most precious commodity of your travels, your images, safe.
#1 Get into a system
Create an organized system and do not waiver from it! Follow the hints below, set up a system, and be consistent.
#2 Keep non-downloaded cards unique
In your card carrier case, keep all non-downloaded memory cards upside down. In this way, you know the card is not ready for use. When you have downloaded AND backed up, at that time place the card right side up again. It is now ready to use.
#3 Format your memory cards
Before each use, format and make sure your card is clean before using. This makes sure the card is completely ready to go. Of course, only do this if all of your current images on the card are downloaded AND backed up!
#4 Don’t put all your eggs(images) in one basket
Simply put, do not buy the largest memory card money can buy and shoot your entire trip on one card. Buy smaller ones, then if you lose a card or one goes bad, you at least have a portion of your trip images still.
#5 Bring PLENTY of high quality memory cards
Memory cards have come down in price drastically. In order to have all your images on many different cards, invest in plenty of memory. It makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on a trip, gear, and more only to skimp a few dollars on what holds the memories!
#6 Download and backup every day
Once you return to the hotel room, you may be tired, but your images are worth the little extra effort to download immediately and then backup to a secondary device.
#7 Always carry an external hard drive
As soon as you download to your laptop, be sure to immediately backup to an external hard drive as well. The price of memory is so inexpensive; there is absolutely no reason to not be carrying a lightweight external hard drive.
You can read 8 more tips in the original article over at Digital Photography School.
Source: Digital Photography School
Ugh. I assumed (silly me) that this article was about protecting my images while traveling. It is a basic, recycled piece about backing up drives, formatting cards and such. Nothing about protecting while traveling at all. I was expecting something about airport x-ray machines or something. Good information in the article for beginners, but a bit misleading in the headlines.