External hard drives have become an indispensable tool for many professional photographers. As camera resolutions continue to increase, so does the size of image files. This means photographers need ample storage space to hold their growing photo libraries. External hard drives provide a versatile, high-capacity storage solution to meet the needs of digital photographers.
In this article, we’ll explore why photographers use external hard drives, the advantages they offer, and things to consider when choosing one. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned pro, read on to learn more about how external hard drives fit into a photographer’s workflow.
Why Do Photographers Use External Hard Drives?
There are several key reasons why photographers use external hard drives:
Large Capacity
The main appeal of external hard drives for photographers is their massive storage potential. External HDDs today offer capacities up to 16TB or more. This allows photographers to store thousands of high-resolution image and video files in one place. A few terabytes can hold a lifetime’s worth of memories.
Portability
External hard drives are portable by design. Photographers can easily transport large amounts of data from one location to another. For example, they can backup files from a laptop in the field to the external drive. Then they can transfer the files to an editing workstation back home or in a studio. The drives conveniently connect via USB, so photographers can access the files from almost any computer.
Backup & Security
Photographers’ images represent irreplaceable moments in time. External HDDs provide a way to backup those files to prevent against data loss. Options like RAID mirroring can automatically duplicate data across two hard drives. Encryption also helps keep sensitive client files secure in case a drive gets lost or stolen. Having an external drive as a backup is crucial for protecting a photography business.
Workflow Efficiency
The speed and flexibility of external hard drives can improve a photographer’s post-processing workflow. For example, photographers can edit images stored on the external drive directly rather than wasting time copying files back and forth from a computer. Having all the photo files consolidated in one external location makes the editing process more streamlined.
Archiving & Storage
As photographers amass more and more digital files, having extra drive space becomes essential. Once the files on computer or internal drives start to pile up, older images can get archived onto multiple external hard drives. This clears out space to make room for new sessions. The archived library remains accessible for future access when needed.
Advantages of External Hard Drives for Photographers
Here are some of the biggest advantages external hard drives offer photographers:
Large Capacities
External hard drives offer far more capacity than USB flash drives and are more affordable than solid state drives of the same size. Photographers can get 8TB+ for under $200 in many cases. This amount of space can hold hundreds of thousands of RAW images or over a million JPEGs.
Rapid Transfer Speeds
New external HDDs take advantage of USB 3.0+ technology for blazing fast file transfers. Photographers can copy 1GB of images in just 5-10 seconds with a USB 3.0 drive. This enables quick backup in the field and smooth post-processing workflows. Some drives use Thunderbolt 3 for even faster speeds.
Durability & Reliability
External hard drives feature robust construction to withstand being transported. Shock-absorbing materials help protect the drive from bumps and drops. They can tolerate more vibration and movement than internal PC drives. The best models boast an average failure rate of under 1%.
Single Cable Connectivity
USB 3.0 allows photographers to power the drive and transfer data with just one cable. No extra power adapter is required with most models. Photographers can start using the drive right out of the box, which saves time and reduces cable clutter.
Plug-and-Play Functionality
External hard drives are extremely easy to use. Once connected, they appear just like another drive on the computer. Photographers can drag-and-drop files or use backup software for more automation. There’s no formatting or installation required on most major operating systems.
Key Considerations When Choosing an External HDD
Not all external hard drives are ideal for a photographer’s needs. Here are some factors to keep in mind while shopping:
Storage Capacity
Consider how much storage you need both now and for future growth. Aim for drives with at least 2TB-4TB. Raw images and video eat up storage fast. Go bigger if you can, as you’ll likely need more space down the road.
File Transfer Speed
Faster drives allow you to move files quicker. Look for USB 3.0+ compatible drives with speeds of at least 100 MB/s. Thunderbolt 3 options offer the fastest speeds but come at a premium price.
Durability
Photographers are often on the go, so the drive should be able to withstand bumps and drops. Rubberized exterior housing provides extra protection. Some drives boast military-grade toughness.
Portability
If you travel frequently, choose a slim and lightweight drive that can fit easily into a camera bag. If it stays in the studio, a larger desktop hard drive may suffice.
Power Source
Most external HDDs are USB powered so they don’t require a separate power connection. Always confirm a drive is bus-powered if portability is essential.
Drive Format
Make sure the external HDD is pre-formatted for your operating system, either Windows or Mac. This saves you from having to do it yourself out of the box.
Data Security
Photographers have sensitive client files and irreplaceable images. An external drive should offer data protection through password encryption and other security measures in case it’s lost or stolen.
Warranty
Aim for at least a 2-3 year manufacturer’s warranty if available. This covers any potential hard drive failures. Data recovery services can rescue files if a drive dies.
Price Per GB
Compare the cost per GB of storage to find the best value. Typical good prices are around $0.03 per GB. Expect to pay more for faster Thunderbolt models.
Top External Hard Drive Brands for Photographers
These external hard drive brands stand out for meeting photographers’ needs:
Western Digital (WD)
Western Digital offers popular lines like My Passport and Elements which provide reliable portable storage at reasonable prices. The My Passport SSD is a rugged solid state option.
Samsung
Samsung makes the durable T5 and T7 portable SSDs. These compact drives offer very fast transfer speeds over 500MB/s. The X5 has Thunderbolt 3 for max performance.
Seagate
Seagate’s Backup Plus and Expansion series offer high capacities up to 5TB for an affordable cost per GB. The Backup Plus Hub adds built-in USB ports.
G-Technology
G-Technology focuses on premium drives for creatives. The G-Drive models provide high speed, durability, and sleek aluminum enclosures.
LaCie
LaCie is owned by Seagate but offers unique stylish designs like the orange rubber sleeve Rugged drives. The d2 and 2big RAID options are built for performance.
SanDisk
SanDisk, now owned by Western Digital, offers the Extreme Portable SSD line. These compact drives feature shock and vibration resistance plus rain protection.
How To Use an External Hard Drive for Photography
Using an external hard drive for photographers mainly involves tasks like storage, backup, transfers, editing, and archiving. Here are some tips:
Store Current Image Files
Keep your latest images stored on the external rather than filling up computer space. Import new sessions directly into folders on the external drive.
Backup Image Files
Frequently backup your images from internal computer drives to the external HDD. This provides an extra copy in case of data loss. Use backup software for more convenience and options.
Transfer Files from Camera
Use a memory card reader or USB connection to transfer images directly from your camera memory cards to the external drive. This preserves computer space.
Edit Images from Drive
For efficiency, edit your photos directly off the external drive via USB rather than copying to internal computer drives first. The fast speed allows this.
Archive Old Sessions
When old images start to fill up your working external drive, archive copies of the folders onto a second external HDD. This clears out space while retaining a backup.
Take Drive on Shoots
Bring your external HDD on photo shoots to backup images on location. This gives you an instant copy in case the camera cards get lost or damaged on the way home.
Protect Sensitive Files
Enable password protection and encryption to secure sensitive client files on the external drive and keep your data safe.
Tips for Choosing the Right External HDD
Follow these tips when selecting an external hard drive for your photography needs:
– Get more capacity than you think you’ll need to allow for future growth. Photographers often underestimate how much storage they require.
– Thunderbolt 3 drives offer the fastest speeds but are expensive. USB 3.0 works very well for most photographers at a lower cost.
– Desktop external drives provide more capacity for less money but sacrifice portability compared to laptop-sized mobile drives.
– Look for durable construction like solid metal housing, shock absorption, and dust/water resistance for travel use.
– Make sure the drive is compatible with your computer’s operating system (PC, Mac, or both) out of the box.
– Consider supplemental software for easier automated backups, encryption, file recovery, and remote access.
– Choose a reputable brand known for reliability like Western Digital, Samsung, Seagate, LaCie, or G-Technology.
– Check that the length of the included connecting cable will reach your devices with room to spare.
– Pay close attention to the warranty period, which can give peace of mind for photographers reliant on the drive.
Setting up a New External Hard Drive
When you get a brand new external hard drive, you’ll need to perform some initial setup before using it for your photos. Here are the steps:
1. Connect the Drive
– Connect the drive to your computer via the included USB cable. This may be USB-A, USB-C, or Thunderbolt depending on your ports.
– Attach the separate power cable if your drive requires one. Many are powered solely over USB.
2. Turn on the Drive
– Press the power button on the drive if it has one.
– For drives without a power button, connecting it will automatically turn it on.
3. Check Drive Recognition
– The drive should appear under My Computer or Devices on Windows.
– On Mac, it will show up as an icon on the desktop or under Devices.
4. Format the Drive (Optional)
– The drive may come pre-formatted for immediate use out of the box.
– If not, you’ll need to format it before you can store files.
– Be sure to pick the proper file system for your OS, like exFAT for cross-platform use.
5. Create Folders (Optional)
– Organize the external drive by creating folders for different categories.
– For example, you might have folders for each year, project, or client.
– This helps keep your growing photo library tidy.
6. Transfer Files & Backup
– You can now use the external drive for your photos by moving files over to it.
– Be sure to have backups on another drive in case this new one fails.
Following those steps will get your new external HDD up and running for your photography needs. Be sure to properly eject it before unplugging.
Troubleshooting External Hard Drive Issues
While external hard drives are generally quite reliable, problems can occasionally arise. Here are some troubleshooting tips for common external HDD issues:
Drive Not Detected by Computer
– Try connecting to another USB port in case the original one is faulty.
– Reboot the computer and drive connection.
– Check for loose connections and reconnect power/data cables.
– Update USB drivers and external drive software.
External Drive Not Showing Full Capacity
– A missing partition can make the full storage unavailable. Create new partition in Disk Management (Windows) or Disk Utility (Mac).
– Check if the disk needs to be converted from GPT to MBR partition style to access full capacity.
Can’t Access Files on External Drive
– If files are missing, try using data recovery software to restore accidentally deleted files.
– Corrupted files may require professional data recovery help.
– Reformatting the drive erases all data but can fix access problems.
External Hard Drive Read/Write Errors
– Try connecting the problem drive to a different computer to determine if the issue is with the drive itself.
– Scan the disk for errors and have the operating system try to repair them.
– A complete drive failure may require disk replacement or professional data recovery.
External Hard Drive Running Slow
– An overloaded drive filled to capacity can slow down file transfers. Free up extra space.
– Fragmented data can also reduce speed. Use the OS defragmentation tool to optimize the drive.
– For fast access, store active files on the internal computer drive rather than external.
FAQs About External Hard Drives for Photographers
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about external hard drives for photographers:
How much storage space do photographers need?
Professional photographers shooting RAW images should aim for at least 2-4TB of external storage. Serious amateurs can get by with 1TB. Dedicated storage space allows room for continuous growth as you gain images over time.
Should I get HDD or SSD?
Hard disk drives offer more capacity for the price. But solid state drives are much faster and more rugged. SSDs are ideal for working storage and HDDs for high-capacity archival storage.
What RPM hard drive is best?
A 7200 RPM HDD provides a good balance of speed and value for photographers. For higher performance, 10,000 RPM options are faster but pricier. SSDs are the fastest type but lower capacity.
Can I edit photos directly from the external drive?
Yes, a USB 3.0+ external HDD has fast enough speeds to edit directly off the drive without slowdowns in most cases. This saves time and internal computer storage space.
How safe is my data on external drives?
Using high-quality drives and frequently backing up to multiple disks reduces risk. But external HDDs can still fail, so also save backups on the cloud or internal drives.
Should I get a desktop or portable external drive?
Portable drives allow you to easily take your files anywhere and replace a computer’s internal storage. Desktop drives require power adapters but offer greater capacities for less cost.
What connections are best for fast transfer speed?
USB 3.0 provides fast speeds up to 5 Gbps and Thunderbolt 3 is even faster at 40 Gbps. But you need compatible ports on your computer to utilize them fully.
How long will external hard drives last?
Typical lifespan is 3-5 years, but high-quality drives can last 8-10 years or longer in optimal conditions with limited full drive writes per day. SSDs last longer than HDDs.
What’s the largest capacity external HDD available?
Consumer models today offer up to 18TB of storage from brands like WD and Seagate. Larger capacities are available in more expensive professional-grade RAID drive systems.
Conclusion
External hard drives have become the go-to storage solution for photographers who need ample space for their ever-growing libraries of high-res images and videos. The massive capacities, fast transfer speeds, reliability, and portability make them ideal for both in-studio and on-location photography workflows.
Choosing the right external HDD involves factoring in key criteria like speed, durability, security, and compatibility. Leading drive manufacturers like Western Digital and Samsung offer quality models catered specifically to creative professionals. Setting up and properly maintaining an external hard drive enables photographers to get the most out of this vital digital storage tool.