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ArticleWhere to store photos? In the cloud or on disk?
There are many ways to accumulate photos, and external media and online drives allow you to save computer memory. They also make it possible to access files from other devices, such as a smartphone. Physical storage media and virtual clouds, however, have their drawbacks. So which solution is better, optimal?
How to store photos? On a flash drive
Hugely popular among photography enthusiasts are flash drives for storing photos, which are plug-and-play portable devices that are powered by a USB connector. The advantages of these media include small size and no need for a docking station, power supply, etc. Commercially available flash drives offer a variety of memory versions, from 4 GB to 1 TB.
Due to their miniature form, flash drives are resistant to mechanical damage, such as falls from great heights. Manufacturers also offer waterproof and fireproof models, which is certainly important for those working with their equipment in the field. Wanting to optimize the security of stored data, it is worth opting for the purchase of a flash drive, the reading of which requires entering a password or applying a finger.
What disadvantages do plug-and-play media have? In the case of basic versions, there is a risk of data being copied by unwanted people. The small form factor of flash drives makes them resistant to mechanical damage, while making them more susceptible to being lost by users. Moreover, USB flash drives can intercept viruses and malware, which, by making copies of themselves, get into other files stored on the computer.
And what kind of photo storage drive should you choose?
An alternative to flash drives are external photo storage drives – HDD or SSD. HDDs have a magnetic platter and a needle for storing data. They allow the storage of many files, but the devices themselves are prone to damage and contamination. Therefore, working with them requires great care, as, for example, fine dust in excessive amounts can lead to damage to the data or the entire media. HDDs are not advisable for those who rely on fast file transfer. Read and write speeds are typically 150 MB/s.
Solid-state media, or SSDs, on the other hand, have chips and controllers responsible for managing data. They are not as fragile as HDDs, and generate less noise with great power consumption efficiency. Write and read speeds, meanwhile, reach 7,000 MB/s. They are also slightly more expensive, of course.
Which drive to choose? It all depends on individual needs and file format. For storing RAW photos, an HDD will be the best, with a capacity of several TB or more. Photographers with a small budget will certainly be happy with a platter media. However, greater energy efficiency and faster file transfer are offered by SSDs equipped with SATA, PCI Express or M2 interfaces. A PCI Express SSD guarantees very fast data transfer. However, it should be noted that this is not a solution for laptop users.
How to store photos in the cloud?
Storing photos in the cloud is the most convenient solution because of the accessibility to the files from both a computer and a mobile device. Using a virtual server significantly relieves the burden on the hardware, making photo editing easier and faster. Clouds are dedicated to users of Microsoft, macOS, Google, etc. The available storage on the server can be seamlessly expanded after payment.
Clouds are also valued for their functionality. Saved files can be freely organized, labels can be added to them, etc. There is also an option to modify the interface itself, making work more pleasant. A browser or mobile app is required to handle the photos. Do popular clouds have their drawbacks? Files can be destroyed by hacking attacks, and access to the account depends on the Internet.
How to store paper photos?
Although film cameras have already been forgotten by most people, developing photos is still quite popular. This is because many people want to have souvenirs preserved in a tangible form, in beautiful albums full of memories, which are much more convenient and nostalgic to reach for than photographs stored on disk. However, proper storage of paper photos is important to prevent damage and deterioration, and to keep them in good quality for many years. So what should you do and what should you not do? Here are some tips:
- avoid storing photos in damp places, such as basements or bathrooms,
- store photos in places where they will not be exposed to direct sunlight,
- place photos in albums with acid-resistant or acid-free pockets,
- store photos in places with moderate temperature and humidity.
There are many ways to store photos, and choosing the best solution depends mainly on a person’s needs and preferences. Many photographers, to optimize the security of their photos, make several backups using a variety of media.
