HDR-Files which files to keep

Hey folks,
short question. I'm currently in the process of starting a DAM System in my Homenetwork.

I came across my HDR-Pictures.

I have a Folder named Source files: includes the RAW-Files plus all converted and the HDR-File, created with Photomatix.

the processed pictures are in another folderpath.

Do you delete the raw files after saving the *.hdr-file. or do you keep them all?


thanks winam

I don't delete my Raw files!!

tonylong wrote in post #16206713
I don't delete my Raw files!!

Absolutely, I never throw out my originals.

Storage space is cheap, very cheap compared to other costs in this hobby.

Looking at your specific question, you have completed the HDR work in Photomatix, which is getting on a bit now and not necessarily the best tool any more. What if next year you get, say, Nik HDR efex and find that you can get better results from that. You know you could improve your current HDRs but, oh no!, you no longer have the raw files so you can't do it.

Software continually improves, who knows what wonderful HDR software may come out next year, or in a couple of years. You may want to revisit some favourite shots and redo them with the better software.

Skills improve and tastes change too, I have found myself redoing many shots that I originally processed some years back. My PS technique (not to mention PS itself) has improved over the years and I can now do better versions of them. I would be kicking myself if I had thrown away all my raw "negatives" and couldn't go back and have another go.

Ok, thanks for your replaies. So I guess I could delete the *.HDR-Files as well as the interim files while processing an Panoramic Image.

I would keep the originals and the psd-file for the panoramic images.

For an HDR keep ALL files.
A very simple reason why the RAW data is useful is that technology evolves - and one switches editors, thus one might get a better result in the future. I have re-edited old images (HDRs as well I think).