Backing up RAW files?

I know it's rather stupid, but I haven't backed up a single image since I started photography over 2 years ago and I think it's about time I at least copied them to an external HD.

I tried to give this a go in Lightroom, but there are a few things I don't understand.

When it says "backup catalogue" will it actually make copies of my RAW files, or will it just copy the data containing the processing info?

How do you guys back up your images? (keep it simple, I'm no IT expert! )

I use an external HDD.

Once a week (or more often if I taken some "real keepers"), I simply copy/paste from the C drive to the external. Which reminds me, today is Saturday and it's backup time.

totalbeginner wrote in post #3464566
I know it's rather stupid, but I haven't backed up a single image since I started photography over 2 years ago and I think it's about time I at least copied them to an external HD.

Backup.. QUICK!

Don't worry LR is poor on image backup

The Latter, you still need to backup your native files separateyl.

How do you guys back up your images? (keep it simple, I'm no IT expert! )

Every day I backup to a separate internal HDD, every week I backup to a External HDD. I routinely backup to DVDs and all my images (full size jpgs) get uploaded onto my smugmug site....

I use a program called syncback (freeware) for the HDD backups and a program called, spookily, Photo Backup for the DVDs.

I should have noted that my COPY/PASTE backup consists of copying the original CR2 files AND the .xmp sidecar files. If my primary storage (the C drive) crashes, I can simply copy the files from the External back to a new C drive with no loss of all the image modifications I've done.

This procedure is safe, effective, and very simple; which fits my KIS philosophy.

totalbeginner wrote in post #3464566
I know it's rather stupid, but I haven't backed up a single image since I started photography over 2 years ago and I think it's about time I at least copied them to an external HD.

I tried to give this a go in Lightroom, but there are a few things I don't understand.

When it says "backup catalogue" will it actually make copies of my RAW files, or will it just copy the data containing the processing info?

How do you guys back up your images? (keep it simple, I'm no IT expert! )

DO IT NOW!! - just go out and get an external drive and copy all your original image files to it at the very least.

You will also want to make regular copies of your LR database. (amongst other things on your PC)


I use downloader pro to download the images to my hard drive, this is also setup to automatically create a copy in my 'Pictures' folder and a 'Original CR2' folder.
I backup all my 'Original CR2' folder files to a back-up/file server (on-site) and DVD's (kept off site).

In Lightroom I convert the CR2 files in my 'Pictures' folder to DNG and these are backed up (along with the LR database)
I tend to back-up to the server after downloading them from the camera and before deleting them from the CF card.
I make DVD's every now and then (monthly on average) or after a large batch of images have been taken.

Hoipe this makes sense...

Did I say BACK-UP NOW!

What happens if your house burns down? Keep the backup offsite, a friends house is fine.

tim wrote in post #3466486
What happens if your house burns down? Keep the backup offsite, a friends house is fine.

What if I don't have any friends?

Anke wrote in post #3466578
What if I don't have any friends?

Buy some instead of a new lens.

tim wrote in post #3466486
What happens if your house burns down? Keep the backup offsite, a friends house is fine.

That's one of the most important thing to consider IMO, I keep DVD's in my works desk for that very reason (I plan on getting an external HD for this though)

It's amazing how many people back-up to DVD/Hard drive etc. and store it next to the computer! - As you say Tim, one fire, bad flood or burglary etc. and you may as well have not bothered!