How to back up your photos

With digital images and especially with smartphone cameras becoming more powerful than ever, there’s been a huge increase in the number of pictures we take. But where are all your photos actually stored? Are they backed up? The only way to protect your photo collection is to develop a good management routine; otherwise, you risk losing photos forever. Here are some tips on just that!

Tip 1: Create a centralised “Master Library”

Store your photos in one location, such as your main computer. Regularly consolidate photos from any devices to your master library. If your computer hard drive isn’t big enough, Tekkie Help can upgrade the hard drive to increase storage capacity.

Tip 2: Label your photos

Add metadata to individual photos to help you identify and search for them. Create albums to help organise your memories, too. Apple’s Photos app enables you to create smart albums where the software automatically organises your photos by the criteria you specify.

Tip 3: Regularly remove duplicates

As you download and share photos, it’s easy to accumulate duplicate images. Manually deleting these is time-consuming, and there’s a high risk of removing the original and being left with a low-res thumbnail. Invest in the right software to regularly “spring clean” your library by deleting unwanted copies.

Tip 4: Back up, back up and back up again!

Back up your computer regularly, including every time you transfer new images to your master library! With copies stored in different locations, you minimise the risk of losing them. We endorse the 3-2-1 backup strategy: three copies, in two formats and with one “off-site” in another location, such as the Cloud. And remember: the Cloud alone is not a backup solution.

Tip 5: Future-proof your photo collection

If you have photos and videos on old devices, convert them to a modern format (and scan and digitise physical photos) and upload them to your master library. Frequently evaluate new storage media options and upgrade if necessary.

Psst…! Tekkie Help is running a series of hands-on workshops focused on the above tips, plus editing photos, and creating books, calendars and cards. See tekkiehelp.com/it-training for details and dates. For further help or to book an appointment, call 8113 8682 – and quote “Expat Living” for a 10 percent discount on hourly rates.
tekkiehelp.com

For more helpful tips, head to our Living in Singapore section.

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This article first appeared in the November 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!