Deleting photos as you go?

I've always left obvious dud photos on the memory card until they're imported into LR and then deleted them from inside LR out of a perhaps silly idea that deleting files then overwriting them in the field might increase the probability of corruption.

However, deleting half of my photos in LR (especially after waiting for them the be pointlessly imported and converted to DNG!) is a huge chore.

It would be much easier for me to delete when I'm chimping in the field and I would use fewer cards too. Is there really extra risk in doing this?

Why not just cull them in the Lr import module? Normally I do a first round cull in the import module before downloading them into the computer.

To be honest I'm usually too eager to get the good ones on a start editing to do the culling at this point. It would certainly be better than what I'm doing now though if I can just gain the self-discipline!

Engineered_Reflex wrote in post #18138582
I've always left obvious dud photos on the memory card until they're imported into LR and then deleted them from inside LR out of a perhaps silly idea that deleting files then overwriting them in the field might increase the probability of corruption.

However, deleting half of my photos in LR (especially after waiting for them the be pointlessly imported and converted to DNG!) is a huge chore.

It would be much easier for me to delete when I'm chimping in the field and I would use fewer cards too. Is there really extra risk in doing this?

It shouldn't be an extra risk deleting in the field and this is what the delete button is there for after all. However, carefully cared for cards which are formatted in the camera every time they're installed (mine are) have still corrupted. It's not been proved to me tho that this was caused by deleting images or simple card breakdown.

Thanks for that. I also have a feeling that formatting the card in the camera before use is probably the most important thing for their health.

Engineered_Reflex wrote in post #18138592
Thanks for that. I also have a feeling that formatting the card in the camera before use is probably the most important thing for their health.

Agreed.

The only risk of deleting files as you go, at least from my own personal experience, is pre-judging the quality and subtle details that can be easily missed or overlooked through the tiny screen on the back of the camera.

If you regularly format your cards, in-camera, and don't keep your cards jam packed full of images, there should be no increased risk of corruption.

I delete when I can while shooting.

I rename my files after I transfer them to my computer using a personal renumbering scheme. Any missing pictures disrupts my scheme.

And I agree, that except for obvious pictures of the inside of the lens cap and my feet, sometimes doubtful photos in the field contain hidden surprises.

Also, reviewing/deleting in-camera will use up your battery faster, and depending on what you're shooting, you could be missing action while staring into the screen and zooming in/around etc. So, if you're short on batteries, probably not a good idea, but if you're running short on storage, maybe it makes sense.

I have deleted images for years, sometime in camera, sometimes via PC and without any issues. But a card always starts fresh being formatted by the camera.

One method I often use is to lock the best images in camera. Then only import the locked files, saves importing excess into LR. Once you've processed and you're happy with the results, then delete/format the card. So still effectively sorting in camera, but with no risk of deleting the wrong one.

I never delete images via the camera. When I have my camera in hand...it's there for one reason, to take photos...not to post process. Have plenty of time at home to adequately judge which photos need purging.

Hogloff wrote in post #18140208
I never delete images via the camera. When I have my camera in hand...it's there for one reason, to take photos...not to post process. Have plenty of time at home to adequately judge which photos need purging.

quoted for truth...

Engineered_Reflex wrote in post #18138582
I've always left obvious dud photos on the memory card until they're imported into LR and then deleted them from inside LR out of a perhaps silly idea that deleting files then overwriting them in the field might increase the probability of corruption.

However, deleting half of my photos in LR (especially after waiting for them the be pointlessly imported and converted to DNG!) is a huge chore.

It would be much easier for me to delete when I'm chimping in the field and I would use fewer cards too. Is there really extra risk in doing this?

I chimp to ensure everything is working as expected: I've generally got the right exposure; I'm catching focus correctly. Recently I was photographing a model in Grand Central Terminal (NYC), and it was sufficiently dark with some interesting backlighting that caused me to not get AF lock the way I expected. A bit of slowing down corrected that.

I never delete photos while on a shoot. I'm there to take photos, not edit them. Even when I'm in a studio situation, I won't delete photos when viewing photos on a computer. I'm looking for the best, not the worst. For me, those are two different mindsets.

Memory cards are cheap. Disk space is cheap. While I don't "spray and pray", I take more photos than needed. I take the good and work with them. I'll sometimes delete the dreck. The good I don't use I keep. Occasionally there's a nugget of photographic gold in there. Memory cards are cheap. Disk space is cheap.