File format when saving?

[tonyw3026]

How do other people handle the problem of not knowing what might be the future use of a photo and what format to save in? I would always keep the RAW version and a final JPEG. However I always like to keep another high resolution, no-loss version just before I create the JPEG, in case I decide to make a print later. If I just keep the RAW then I lose all the hard work I did in PS and the JPEG isn't good enough for printing. This implies three versions for every file - needs lots of storage. How many versions and what formats do other people keep?

Thanks

[BrandonSi]

Raw -> Tiff -> Process in PS -> .PDF (ZIP)

[tim]

I always keep the RAW file, if I do any significant work I keep the PSD file too. I usually keep a JPG of the final pics around too, they're what I generate my web galleries from.

[lancea]

I'm sure this has been said before, but it's likely that the format isn't going to be the problem. If you save them in a documented format then it should always be possible to get the image out again. If it's an undocumented format then there will come a time when you can't. JPEG is at least well documented, as is TIFF. Adobe's Digital Negative might be a contender too but it is so new that I wouldn't place any bets on it yet. There are also open formats used in the scientific community (including a RAW format that likely has no relation to Canon RAW).

My thoughts at the moment are that I should capture RAW (only) in the camera and batch process those files to high quality JPEGs, and save both formats on single-layer DVD.

The storage media is critical and to ensure you can get at the files you should save a minimum of 2 copies and copy them to any new format once it is well established and before your current media becomes obscure. And of course a print made on one of the newer "archival paper and ink" printers would be a good idea for any real keepers. You can't beat prints to bring back memories!