DON’T LOSE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS: HERE’S HOW TO BACK THEM UP

Almost all of us — at least the people I know — dread hearing the words “don’t forget to back it up.”  It seems like too much trouble or we don’t know how or it takes too much time.  But Heritage Traveler, you’ve just completed an awfully lot of work. So since you’ve spent your valuable time scanning and correcting your images, don’t let accident, theft, or a hard drive crash wipe out what you’ve just achieved. BACK UP YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS!

Experts recommend that you store your photos three ways: 1) on your computer’s hard drive; 2) on an external hard drive; and 3) off premises. You might also want  to burn DVDs. In sum, you will want to make your backups automatic and redundant.

Most of you know that you can set up the Windows or Vista operating systems to do your backup for you. You can also choose a 3rd party software program. National Geographic Traveler suggests Genie Backup Manager Home or Backup Now 5.

Please note that I am not suggesting that you purchase one of these options. I personally use Mozy. They offer two gigs of storage for free. In conjunction with my 120 gig external hard drive, that’s enough for me right now.

The important thing is for you to select the product that you feel comfortable with, choose the folders that you want to backup, and automate everything. Then you can walk away knowing that you’re protected.

New options pop up constantly, so you will want to migrate your files periodically to take advantage of the latest technology. I’ve been told that you definitely need to do this every five years.

While some say that digital files will last for hundreds of years if they’re migrated appropriately, no one really knows. But we do know that paper will last for centuries. So you’re going to want to print out the photographs that mean the most to you.

If you’re going to do this yourself using your own printer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. Consult their website and use the paper and  inks they recommend.

Taking my photos to a color lab for printing is one of the few things I do the old fashioned way.  Since I live in Manhattan, I actually get on the subway and walk them in. So, once again, I’m tossing out alternatives, not making recommendations. I do know that many photographers prefer Epson printers with Durabright Inks.

The major online processing labs use long lasting archival papers and inks. Snapfish, for example, says that its prints will last over a hundred years. Other online labs include Shutterfly and Kodak Gallery.

As an alternative to prints and a photo album, you might want to think about publishing a book. You can use one of the resources we just discussed, or you can use Blurb or Lulu.

Just think about it. Wouldn’t a gorgeous coffee table book featuring your own photographs make all the work you just did worth it?

Posted by Lisa Reynolds Wolfe.

Photograph by Lisa Reynolds Wolfe.