In the age of digital photography, managing and storing photos can be a challenge. The convenience of being able to snap endless photos means huge photo libraries that strain limited storage on phones, tablets and laptops. An external hard drive is one solution for expanding storage and creating backups of irreplaceable photos.
What are the benefits of using an external hard drive for photos?
Here are some of the top benefits of using an external hard drive for storing photos:
1. More storage space
External hard drives offer far more storage space than internal laptop or desktop hard drives. For example, a 2TB external drive can hold roughly 1.5 million photos. This provides ample room for even the most ardent photographers to store their entire libraries.
2. Backup and security
Having photos stored in only one place is risky. Hardware failure, theft, fire or other disaster could mean losing your photo library forever. Storing photos on an external drive that is stored safely provides an automatic backup. This offers peace of mind that photos are safe.
3. Portability
A compact external drive is easy to tuck into a camera bag or pocket for accessing and sharing photos anywhere. The drives do not require external power sources and conveniently plug into laptops and desktops via USB.
4. File History and Archive
External drives make it easy to archive older photos that are not needed on primary devices day-to-day but that should still be stored. This keeps storage requirements lower on internal drives. With archived photos on an external drive, it is still easy to search and retrieve them whenever necessary.
5. Easy sharing
The plug-and-play connectivity makes sharing stored photos on an external drive fast and simple. You do not need to upload or email files, just plug the drive in to another computer or device and access immediately.
What features should I look for in an external hard drive?
Key considerations when selecting an external drive for photo storage include:
Storage capacity
Choose the largest storage capacity within your budget. 1-2TB provides adequate room for most consumers, while 3-4TB gives professional photographers more than enough space.
Build quality
Since the drive will be transported frequently, a rugged and durable build is crucial. Look for solid construction that can withstand bumps.
Drive speed
Faster drive speeds allow for quicker transfer of large photo files. Look for drives offering USB 3.0/3.1, Firewire 800, eSATA or Thunderbolt ports for the fastest speeds.
Portability
If you’ll be using the drive with a laptop, smaller portable drives are ideal. Standard external hard drives are bulkier but offer larger storage capacities.
Backup software
Backup software, whether included or via separate download, ensures automatic and scheduled backups of new photos added to your library.
Security
Encrypted drives and password protection help secure your photos if the external drive is lost or stolen.
Compatibility
Make sure the drive will work with your current computer/device operating system and connectors.
Warranties
Look for at least 1-2 year manufacturer warranties covering any potential drive failures.
Price
Storage costs have dropped dramatically in recent years. Determine how much space you need, then compare quality drives at varying prices and warranty lengths.
Should I consider a wireless SSD instead?
Wireless Solid State Drives (SSDs) are quick, convenient external drive options that do not require any wires. However, currently available drives offer limited storage (typically 1TB max) compared to standard external hard disk drives.
The benefits of wireless SSDs include:
- No cables/wires for clutter-free portability
- Stream photos and videos directly to smart TVs and mobile devices
- Password protection and encryption keep photos secure if lost
- Small size is great for travel
Downsides include:
- Higher costs per GB compared to HDDs
- Lower total storage capacities
- Potential battery life limitations
Wireless SSDs are best suited for professional photographers and videographers needing portable storage and sharing capabilities, rather than expansive photo archives.
What steps should I take to set up and use my external hard drive?
Setting up and using an external hard drive for photos only takes a few simple steps:
1. Select your drive
Choose an external drive with adequate storage room, fast transfer speeds, durability, portability and reliability.
2. Connect the drive
Use the included USB cable to plug the hard drive into your desktop or laptop. Most external drives are plug-and-play ready and do not require any special installation.
3. Format the drive (optional)
For faster photo transfer speeds, format the new drive from the default settings to a format optimized for media. FAT32 or exFAT are good options.
4. Create folders
Organize your drive by creating folders for different photo shoots, events, or years. This makes finding photos quick and easy.
5. Transfer photos
Copy your photos from internal hard drives and primary devices to the external drive. Move older, archived photos first to free up primary storage space.
6. Back up automatically
Use backup software built into operating systems or external software to schedule automatic, regular backups of new photos to the external drive.
7. Access photos
When needed, simply plug your external drive in to view, edit, share and print photos!
What are the risks of using an external hard drive?
While offering convenience and expanded storage, there are some potential downsides to relying solely on external drives:
Drive failures
No hard drive lasts forever. Drive failures can happen unexpectedly, resulting in data loss if photos are not backed up elsewhere.
Theft or loss
External drives are small and portable, making it easy to misplace or lose them. A lost or stolen drive means losing your photos if no other backups exist.
Malware and viruses
External drives connected to other devices can be vulnerable to spreading viruses and malware. Always scan drives with security software before and after use.
Damage
Portable drives risk damage from drops, dust, water, extreme heat or cold and other hazards that can corrupt data. Careful handling reduces these risks.
How much storage space will I need?
Storage space needed depends on resolution, file types and number of photos. Here are some averages:
| Photo Type | File Size (avg) | 1TB Stores |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone JPEG | 2-4MB | 250,000-500,000 photos |
| DSLR RAW | 25-35MB | 30,000-40,000 photos |
| DSLR JPEG | 8-12MB | 80,000-120,000 photos |
For maximum storage flexibility, choose at least a 2TB drive. This provides room for:
- 350,000-750,000 smartphone photos
- 60,000-80,000 DSLR RAW files
- 160,000-240,000 DSLR JPEGs
Shooting in RAW, 4K video or other large file formats will fill up storage faster. Plan for adequate extra room to accommodate your specific shooting habits.
How can I manage and organize my photo files?
With massive photo libraries, organization is a must. Useful strategies include:
Date-based folders
Create folders for each year, month and day to make chronological viewing and searching easy.
Event folders
Organize photos into folders for specific weddings, vacations, birthdays, etc. for quick retrieval.
Keyword tags
Use tags and metadata like location, keywords, and people’s names to enable searching and automatic organization.
Cloud syncing
Sync cloud services such as Google Photos or iCloud to access your library across devices and enable online sharing.
Culling
Remove blurry, duplicate or unwanted photos regularly to save space and simplify organization.
Cataloging software
Manage huge libraries with Lightroom, Luminar or other programs providing smart organization tools.
What’s the best backup strategy with an external drive?
Relying solely on an external drive for photos is risky. The best strategy is a multi-tier backup approach including:
Local backup
Store photos on the external drive and internal computer/device drive as the first backup.
Cloud backup
Sync photos to a cloud service for offsite backup in case of device failure, theft or disaster.
Duplicate external drive
Use a second external drive stored in a different location as an additional physical backup.
Printing
Print favorite photos and archive the physical prints as a backup.
DVD archival
Burn important photos periodically to DVDs for deep archiving.
This multi-layered approach provides protection from most risks.
Conclusion
Using an external hard drive provides near-limitless storage space for photos at affordable prices. The portability, backup capabilities, and ease of sharing makes them well suited for the expansive libraries of today. For maximum security and peace-of-mind, utilize additional cloud, device, and physical backups. With smart file management and organization, external drives can ensure your treasured photo collection is always available.