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09/21/2005 03:09:30 PM · #1 |
I have run into a HUGE problem.... right now my computer has over 60GB of RAW files on it. Most of them have been converted to JPG for printing. It's gotten so bad, that we hardly have any space left!
My question is, how many of you keep all the RAW files and the converted JPG? or Should I just get rid of the RAW and keep the JPG since they are already edited and converted.
We plan to get an external hard drive just for picture storage, but I still can't decide if I need to keep the RAW or not! Ugh
Thanks
Lorrie |
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09/21/2005 03:16:11 PM · #2 |
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09/21/2005 03:21:08 PM · #3 |
burn'em ...DVD-/+R
a dvd holds about 2-3weeks of shooting |
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09/21/2005 03:58:04 PM · #4 |
| Do not get rid of the raw file, they are your negatives |
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09/21/2005 04:07:52 PM · #5 |
//www.openraw.org/
Important matter concerning the RAW file format. Please read. |
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09/21/2005 04:15:10 PM · #6 |
I usually go through each months worth of shots anweed out the ones I know I will never look at or use.... which usually amounts to over 60% of them. In most cases I take multiple shots of the same thing trying to get just the right shot so I end up deleting all of the other ones.
Probably should get in the habit of burning them or something, but I don't see the need if I know I am not going to go back to them. |
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09/21/2005 04:15:52 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by PhotoRyno:
Do not get rid of the raw file, they are your negatives |
I agree! If you ever want to re-process, the JPG won't help you, you need to go back to the RAW file. You can save some space by deleting RAW files for the clunkers that you know you'll never use again, although I must admit I'm horrible at this.
If you have 60GB of RAWs, that's a lot of DVDs, and that should not be yor only backup. Your "negatives" shoudl always exist in at least two places at once. Here's a workable strategy...
- First, burn copies of all your RAW files to DVD, after culling what you'll never use again (if you can bring yourself to spend the time to cull, LOL).
- Second, verify the DVDs on a different machine.
- Third, buy an external hard drive, and move your RAW files to that.
- Finally, store the DVDs off-site. If something happens to your residence, you will not lose your files.
This strategy gives you two copies, but you still could be bitten if your external drive crashes, and for some reason, a backup DVD can't be read. For one level more security, instead of MOVING your RAW files to the external drive, buy both an external and an additional internal drive, MOVE the RAW files to the second internal drive, and back them up regularly to the external (the backup can run automatically when you're not using the machine).
This last strategy is the one I use. Hard drive space is so cheap, and automatic backups cannot be forgotten.
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09/21/2005 04:17:09 PM · #8 |
I have to battle my packrat mentality. The fact is, of my several thousand photos, a significant portion will never have anything done with them except to be reduced and sent via email. I will never, ever, in a thousand years go back to the raw and re-edit these.
Clearing out the clutter of a hard-drive can be as liberating as cleaning out the clutter of a room. At least it is for me. |
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09/21/2005 04:20:18 PM · #9 |
Sounds like you really need a good DAM. I use Extensis Portfolio 7. I archive older RAW files to disk leaving a low resolution preview file in the data base. You can do extensive searches, and it will tell you which DVD or CD to insert to access the original. It also does a lot more.
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09/21/2005 05:49:16 PM · #10 |
| External harddrives are the way to go. You can get USB harddrives that you can plug in and remove at whim, or do what my dad did and have a harddrive carriage that he switches in/out on reboots. Supposedly data on a harddrive will last longer than on CD/DVD especially when you only use them for storage. They won't generate the heat that kills most harddrives since you are using it sparingly. You can organize a harddrive into files much easier than you can organize a rack full of CDs. Best of all, buying a harddrive with a five year warranty at a bargain prices is relatively easy nowadays. Look for prices at less than 50c/Meg. |
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09/21/2005 07:10:04 PM · #11 |
Let me ask you a question. What percentage of shots do you go back and reprocess the RAW images again to another JPEG copy. If you do that often, then you should keep the RAW files. If you don't do that, then you probably don't need to save most of the RAW images.
I rarely save my RAW files. If I really like a picture or if it was for a paid gig, then I keep the RAW files. For a guy that easily keeps 60-100 shots almost every weekend. There is no way I'd be able to reasonalbly store all the RAW data. Many are simply for fun anyway.
I'd recommend saving the RAW on your "keepers" and getting rid of the rest if you find that you rarely go back to the RAW image to make another jpeg copy.
Message edited by author 2005-09-21 19:16:14.
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