MOBILE FILE MANAGEMENT
Back up, distribute and archive your images in order to avoid irreplaceable losses while you’re out on extended shoots
Moving files and organising your image database is tricky to do while on the move. If you’re only on a short trip, then often this part of the photographic process can wait until you get home, but if you’re moving for a lengthy period, or if your images are required immediately, when shooting a sports event for example, then you must figure out a way of integrating file management into your mobile workflow.
Image transfer, data backup and raw file editing must all be conducted without the use of a desktop computer and your fixed storage solutions, such as RAID drives and wireless studio network. You must ensure the safety of all your images until you can move them into your normal backup and archiving system.
The good news is that, while it may not be possible to work completely unhindered when moving from place to place, in recent years the ability of photographers to shoot, process and store their work out of the studio has been simplified. This is thanks to applications such as mobile raw editing software, rapid, the easy availability of highcapacity USB-powered portable hard drives, and the ever-increasing storage capacity of memory cards. These do not totally solve all of the issues faced by a mobile photographer, but with correct usage it’s possible to construct a virtually foolproof remote file-handling policy.
With cards as large as multiple terabytes now available, it’s possible to carry sufficient memory space to shoot as many images as you need without a huge investment. The biggest advantage is that you can shoot without filling your cards – an advisable strategy to reduce potential data losses.
Regularly changing cards doesn’t create full redundancy, but it can help with distributing images across multiple storage locations. If you can’t back up your work, at least not all of it will be lost if something goes wrong. Number your cards, and change them once you’ve captured a set number of shots. Using multiple card slots on newer cameras is a great way to instantly create backups as you shoot.