How do you save your photos?

[JenLJ]

Hello everyone-

I would just like to know how everyone saves their digital photos AND would like to know which online photo developing service is the best. I'm aware of photo saving on a CD-R, but can't help but wonder, if 10-20 years down the road, that CD no longer works with the way technology is "Constantly" changing. One more question. What is the difference between saving on CD, rather than a floppy disk? Sorry for all the questions.

THANKS ;-)
-Jenn

[G2Jim]

Hi Jenn,
I save my digital photo originals on my PC hard drive into folders by date. The ones I play with in Photoshop to adjust contrast, crop, etc. I usually save to separate folders according to subject matter (as .jpg files). Every so often I back up all my photos to another slave hard drive I have in my same PC, and also to CD-R.

Floppy disks are generally too small to save much on, and newer computers don't even have floppy drives any more. CD-Rs are the best bet for now (in my opinion), and can be copied to whatever new technology comes along.

Just don't wait too long before you back up your pictures from computer to CD (or wherever), or you'll end up like me and lose a bunch if your hard drive crashes.

I have no knowledge of online developing, so can't help you there.

[JohnMN]

Hi JenLJ,

The previous contributor is correct about the floppy disks. They can only hold 1.44MB and most digital pictures run to much more than that, so you couldn't even save one onto a floppy. CD-R and CD-RW are the best bets for now. You can add more images to a CD-RW in the future if you have filled it up first time around. You are probably saving files in .jpeg format which is great for keeping files sizes down and they can be resaved in .tiff format for printing out on either a photo printer or from a photo lab.

JohnMN

[beach512]

By on-line photo developing I assume you mean a place that will print out your digital camera files in good Kodak or Fuji paper ?

I have used www.photoaccess.com for up to 8x10's and they have turned out great. Got pictures back in about 5 days. I had tried Adorama and they were not quite as good. Not much else to compare to.

[JenLJ]

Thanks! ;-)

[mebow]

Iomega has several disk options that may be used as backup. I use their 120GB HDD connected via firewire. This comes with incremental backup software and a free copy of Nortons Ghost. FYI

[ruby]

I burn my photos onto CD. I also upload them with either Shutterfly.com or Ofoto.com. They are both pretty good. Ofoto lets you see who looked at your photos. Shutterfly does nice Calenders of your photos and does not require people to sign up to view photos.

[PacAce]

JenLJ wrote:
I would just like to know how everyone saves their digital photos ...

Jenn,

Here's a site you might be interested in:
http://www.pcphotoreview.com/pscOnline,Imaging,Services/Photo,Sharing,&,Printing/PLS_3092crx.aspx
(The link doesn't work too well if you just click on it. You'll have to copy and paste the whole URL.)

It lists several online printing services with ratings from people who've used the service.

I'm going through the listing myself to see if I can find one or two to use myself.

[Ken Fong]

JenLJ wrote:
Hello everyone-

which online photo developing service is the best.

If you are printing things like family vacation photos and snapshots (4x6s), Ofoto and Shutterfly seem to be the best in terms of quality. Not necessarily the cheapest, but maybe the best values in terms of quality. I used to use dotPhoto (one of the cheapest and fastest) but switched to Shuttterfly.

These service print other sizes of course.

I use a home inkjet printer for custom sizes or 'fine art' photography and leave the 'snapshot' photography for the online services. Printers are cheap, but the ink refills are not.

[martcol]

Hi Jenn

For online printing of mostly 6*4s I've used www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk and www.klick.co.uk. The quality is good plus you get loads of web space and others can go and look/buy too. Klick was recently reviewed in a magazine and if you like, I'll dig out the particular one. Anyway, it recommended Klick for price/quality and although a bit slower to deliver, I was pleased. 15p a print's not bad! If your not in the UK, that's probably not much help!

Martin

[JamieAU]

I keep mine in month & year folders. Inside those I will often keep a folder for any modified (cropped, digitally enhanced) shots and then do a contact sheet in the main folder. Any special shoots I make a folder of their own. Keeping a couple of copies on cd helps just in case.

I can't really comment on online photo development sites. There are only a handful of professional labs that cater to digital photographers in Perth and the rest are just massmarket lab people like Kodak & Fujifilm that do it as an odd on service to their film business.

I've had fairly good success with the Camera House form processing for anyone in Oz.

Jamie