As a travel blogger, the amount of photo and video data I collect keeps growing. In my case, I carry a smartphone, DSLR camera, GoPro, DJI action camera, and even a drone. As a result, it’s not uncommon to accumulate more than 200GB of data from a single trip. For instance, 4K aerial footage from a drone alone can generate about 4GB of data per flight. This situation is likely a familiar concern not only for travel enthusiasts but also for anyone who regularly takes photos and videos.
In this article, I’ll explain in detail how to store ever-increasing digital data, drawing from my own experiences.
Storage on SD Cards and External Hard Drives
The most accessible entry point for data storage is SD cards and external hard drives. The initial cost is under $100 for a 1TB hard drive, with essentially no ongoing maintenance fees. Operation is simple – just remove the SD card from your camera and insert it into your computer to transfer data.
However, storage capacity quickly becomes insufficient when handling large amounts of data. In my case, data accumulated with each trip, and before I knew it, I needed four external HDDs. Additionally, finding physical storage space becomes challenging, and there’s a significant risk of data loss due to device deterioration over time or physical drops, especially with standard SD cards not designed for long-term storage. Another major issue was the inability to check data while traveling, making it impossible to organize and edit footage during trips.
Utilizing Cloud Storage
Cloud storage services like iCloud and Google Drive offer convenient tools accessible from anywhere. There are no initial costs, and being able to immediately check data from smartphones or tablets is a significant advantage. Additionally, since the service provider manages the data, there’s no need to worry about creating backups yourself or losing data due to hard drive failures.
However, uploading large files like 4K videos takes too much time. This is especially impractical in foreign countries where internet connections may be unstable. Even if you try uploading overnight at a hotel abroad, it’s not uncommon for the process to remain incomplete by morning. Also, monthly fees increase as data volume grows.
For example, contracting 2TB of storage can cost more than $200 annually, and storing several terabytes of data can result in substantial maintenance expenses. Furthermore, migrating data when changing services requires enormous bandwidth and time.
Professional Data Management with NAS
NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a storage system that can be accessed from anywhere via a network. The decisive difference from standard hard drives is the ability to access them remotely via the internet. Additionally, RAID functionality writes data to multiple disks simultaneously, ensuring your important data remains safe even if one hard drive fails.
However, typical NAS systems require specialized knowledge and are expensive. The NAS unit and hard drives are often sold separately, and securing around 4TB of capacity can require an initial investment exceeding $1,000. Setup also demands some technical expertise, and if network or RAID settings are misconfigured, you risk losing access to your stored data. Therefore, personal implementation presents significant challenges, positioning these systems primarily as solutions for professionals and offices.
LinkStation: A User-Friendly NAS Option
A noteworthy option here is Buffalo’s LinkStation. This system takes the best aspects of the three options previously introduced. It retains the advantages of a NAS with external access capabilities while being remarkably user-friendly. The price is also quite reasonable compared to typical NAS systems, with 4TB models available for around $200. Even without specialized knowledge, you can easily set it up by following the instructions, and configurations for data duplication and remote access can be completed without difficulty.
Currently, I temporarily save data immediately after shooting to both SD cards and the cloud, then transfer it to my LinkStation after returning home. I use the cloud for storing and sharing smaller working files, while managing large original data on the LinkStation. This combination allows me to easily check data from my smartphone while traveling and safely store large-capacity data upon returning home.
What I particularly appreciate is being able to easily retrieve photos and videos saved on my home LinkStation from places like cafés while I’m out. I can now check delivery data for clients or reference past shooting data from anywhere.
Summary
For those who take many photos and videos, data storage issues are unavoidable. Considerations span required capacity, accessibility, cost, and data safety. Beyond simply having large capacity, it’s important to select features suited to your needs, such as data duplication and remote access.
In my case, a hybrid operation centered around LinkStation proved optimal, but the best method will vary depending on the quantity and type of data you capture and how frequently you use it. What’s important is choosing a manageable operating method that matches your shooting style and budget. Since data management is an ongoing task, I recommend making choices with a long-term perspective.
