There used to be stacks of negatives, now there are gigabytes of originals. Both need to be stored somewhere. Somewhere neat, convenient and safe. And computer is not an option: the more often you shoot, the faster RAW photos will completely fill up the memory. There are only two alternatives: an external hard disk or the cloud. That’s what we’re going to look at today. And at the same time we’ll find out which is better.
Cloud
Nowadays, almost every axis, major system or provider offers cloud services. You can store all your files on external servers, communicate with them via the Internet, and access them anywhere and everywhere. Of course, if you have the proverbial internet.
Pros of cloud services
Access from anywhere on Earth
The cloud got its name for a reason. From the looks of it, it may seem like your documents and photos come from nowhere. You don’t have to store them on your computer, clogging up your memory. But you can open them anywhere. If you’re working from a laptop with 500GB of internal memory, for example, you can keep all your photos in the cloud. If you need to edit an old photo or select shots for your portfolio, you can do it even while relaxing on the beach. All you need is an internet connection.
Storage space
The cloud is not limited by physical media limits. There is plenty of storage space, so any user is free to choose how much space they need. If the space runs out, the services always offer expansion options.
Also, it is not fundamental how many and what kind of files you plan to store, the cloud provides such an option. So, if you deal with big data and prefer to work remotely, cloud services are very convenient.
Cons of cloud services
Data Security
When you agree to store your data on a third-party service, you automatically accept the terms and conditions, both positive and negative. For example, in the event of a server malfunction, you won’t be able to access your own information. And if there is a hack or leak, all data will be out of your control. This has already happened several times and, despite the fact that the main victims of attacks were known users, no one is protected from leaks.
Dependence on the Internet
Nowadays, you can access the internet from almost anywhere, but there are still places where the connection is not good enough. Data from the cloud is available only when you are connected to the network. So if you’re on vacation in a deep forest or on a wild beach, you won’t be able to get to your files. And network failures are not that uncommon. So when choosing cloud services to store your photos, keep in mind that force majeure can always affect deadlines or opportunities.
Cloud services work on a subscription basis. That is, as long as you need to store files, you’ll have to pay for the service regularly. And if you miss a payment, there are chances of losing not only time but also data.
Even using the cloud, you should always leave backups of your data. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that you will be able to access your photos when the time comes.
Cloud services
There are a few common services that you can use to store your photos. Google drive, Yandex disk, iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive, and others. Most of them are most convenient to use with the ecosystem. Google is most convenient for Android + Windows users, OneDrive and Yandex are also suitable. And iCloud is ideal for Apple users.
External hard drive
An external hard disk drive, is a portable storage device. Depending on the type, HDD or SSD, it is either slightly faster and smaller (SSD) or larger and slower (HDD). Capacity ranges from 1TB and up.
Pros
Data security
The main advantage of your own disk is full control over the files that are stored on it. Their arrangement, the quality of uploaded pictures and other parameters can be customized, according to your own requirements. A hard disk functions on the same principle as a flash drive, you just plug it into the device you are working on and you can make changes directly in the document.
If you are particularly concerned about the security of your photos, you can set a password directly on the folders. Then only those who know the password can access them from any device.
Independent access to files
You don’t need anything extra to work with your hard drive. It is not necessary to have a stable Internet connection, you can edit pictures from anywhere. The main thing is to have the disk itself at hand. Otherwise, you do not depend on anything.
Ability to store any kind of data
Some cloud services limit the type of files you can store. A hard drive is more free in this regard: it can hold graphics, text files, disk images, and just about any kind of data. So you can use it for more than just photos. And reasonable organization of space will allow you to easily navigate through the data.
Free to use
A hard drive requires only a one-time fee when you buy it. The rest of the time, you can use it for free and not worry about your data going missing or someone else getting access to it.
Cons
Limited space
The main disadvantage of a hard drive is its capacity. No matter how big a disk you buy, sooner or later, it will run out of space and you will have to decide what to delete and what to keep. It is impossible to expand the memory capacity on the disk, so you will have to operate solely with what you already have. This is not always convenient, especially for photographers. Often it turns out that one person has several disks with archives of photos and many of them will never be useful.
Physical form
A disk can only be used when the user has it with them. If you forget, lose or break a hard disk, the files stored on it will also be lost. In some cases, with no possibility of recovery. So not only do you have to remember to take the disk at all times, but you also have to make sure you follow the rules for storing and using it.
No access from all devices
Photos uploaded to the cloud can be dropped in from your computer and viewed on your phone. But you can’t do that with a hard drive. They simply can not be connected to a smartphone or tablet, so this type of device seems outdated for modern mobile technology.
So what to choose: an external hard disk or the cloud? Always consider which of the parameters is more important to you. If the main thing is access from anywhere, it is better to choose a hard disk. In terms of convenience, it is still more favorable.
But if you are ready to pay for a cloud service on a regular basis and are not worried about the security of your files, it is much easier to use it.