Apart from top-notch cameras and lenses, if there’s an unmissably essential factor that you need to consider, it’s storage. And we’re sure, both budding and seasoned photographers would unanimously agree upon this fact. Right from capturing photographs to ultimately editing and saving them, you need only one thing to work without hindrances – a proper storage system. Your top-notch camera is of no use if it doesn’t have enough in-built or additional storage mechanism to support it, especially through long shooting hours.
Why do Photographers Need In-built and Additional Storage?
The answer is to keep their shooting going without any hassles! That’s the prime reason why photographers equip themselves with quality storage equipment, such as memory cards, portable and external hard drives, USB thumb drives or a laptop computer. Memory cards are popular and preferred amongst photographers, thanks to their super-compact structure and immense storage capacity they offer. As a photographer, your kit is probably already loaded with a whole lot of equipment and cutting down on its overall weight is essential. Choosing those teeny-tiny yet extremely powerful memory cards are just the perfect solution. Not only are they a must for your camera, but you can keep them safe in a small case.
Or if you’re one who keeps losing tiny stuff, hard drives are the best option for you. Not only do they offer tremendous storage capacity, but they are also comparatively larger. They are sleek and portable, making them the second-best choice after memory cards. Hard drives from Gnarbox and WD are the most sought-after amongst photographers, courtesy of the exceptional features they offer.
Storage plays an important role before, during and even after editing your imagery. Suppose you use an impressive piece of software such as Capture One to edit your images. You would need to look for a reliable option to keep those priceless images in a proper storage system. Not only does this give you easy access to your pictures, but also keeps them safe from being accidentally misplaced. In this case, Capture One works wonderfully – to help you file as well as catalogue your images in a systematic manner. This organised method of storage gives you easy access to the thousands of photos you capture, edit and store.
To ensure seamless editing even on the move, you can also opt for a power bank to keep going, especially when you run out of charge. Having Goal Zero power equipment in your kit provides you with uninterrupted editing access, even when you are on the move.
Let’s begin discussing the best storage solutions – starting with the memory card.
The Best Memory Cards For On The Go
You cannot get enough of the benefits of memory cards. They are perfect for almost all cameras, are lightweight and consume low power. Memory cards are super silent and offer immediate access to data when required. Let’s run you through the best memory cards, which are perfect for photography.
SDXC
Since the inception of the SDXC cards in 2009, they have greatly improved. The storage density SDXC cards offer now is way higher. Initially, smartphones used these memory cards. However, they are now compatible with a whole range of devices, including cameras.
The SDXC cards offer up to 2 terabytes (2000 GB) storage space, which is a lot more as compared to its predecessors. A great example of this Lexar 512GB Professional 633x UHS-I SDXC. Currently, SDXC cards are the most preferred amongst photographers who are looking for budget-friendly storage options.
CFast
CFast cards stand true to their name and offer a data transfer speed of about 600 MB/s. However, CFast is not a format that many cameras, other than high-end models, use. In terms of performance, CFast format cards are much better than SD cards.
SD cards tend to zone out at half the speed CFast cards offer. CFast format cards, such as the Lexar 256GB Professional 3500x CFast 2.0 Memory Card, are quite useful, particularly for 4K video applications. If along with photography you are also interested in videography, then CFast cards are a perfect option.
CFexpress
CFexpress format cards offer vastly superior speeds over XQD and SD cards. Currently, CFexpress has multiple formats for use in different types of equipment while having an immense scope for improvement. This new camera memory card format has taken the world of photography by storm, as it manages all the bottlenecks caused by other formats.
CFexpress cards come in three variants – Type A, B and C. Each of these variants has different features, and you are free to pick one to suit your storage requirements. An excellent example of this is the Lexar 256GB – CFexpress Type B with 1750MB/s read / 1000MB/s write speeds.
XQD
The two main benefits of XQD format memory cards are its blazing-fast read/write speeds and high capacity storage limit. Introduced with a read/write speed of 125 MB/s, the XQD cards in future will be able to deliver a speed as high as 500 MB/s. If you’re looking for cards that can keep up with the shooting speed of the camera, XQD is an excellent choice. They clear buffers faster, allowing you to capture more decisive moments in multiple bursts of continuous shooting.
The storage capacity of XQD cards can hold large amounts of RAW files, allowing you to seamlessly continue shooting photos and videos without the need to switch cards. For example, the Sony 120GB G Series XQD Memory Card has a maximum read speed of 440 MB/s and a write speed of 400 MB/s.
They have a faster transfer rate from card to computer, allowing you to instantly begin with the editing process. It is important to remember that XQD, Like CFexpress, is only compatible with specific camera models.
Compact Flash
Compact Flash is a memory mass storage device used mainly in portable devices. They are larger, making them a lot easier to handle. The probability of you losing a compact flash card is a lot less, as compared to SD cards. Lexar makes Compact Flash cards such as the Lexar 64GB Professional 1066x CompactFlash Memory Card.
As Compact Flash memory cards have been around since the very first digital camera, they have excellent compatibility with a whole range of devices developed since then. However, the use of these cards in current-generation cameras is fast dwindling as smaller and faster products supersede them.
Micro SD
These tiny cards are a powerhouse of storage and thrive on minimum power consumption. They’re cost-effective, making them one of the most preferred choices amongst photographers out there. A perfect solution to your storage woes, a Micro SD card is a great pick to add up to the existing storage of your devices.
It is incredible to see how much an object the same size as a fingernail will store. For example, the Sandisk Extreme Pro 128GB MicroSDHC UHS-I Card 170MB/s holds a staggering amount of images.
You can easily access the data stored on Micro SD cards on a computer – all you need is a memory card reader. It helps you to transfer images to the computer instantly and get started with the editing. Some of the smaller cameras and action cams use this format of storage due to their size and capacity.
Why Gnarbox Card Reader is The Ultimate Storage Solution
Gnarbox develops rugged and user-friendly devices for managing all your storage needs. The Gnarbox 2.0 SSD is a perfect storage device for content creators of all types, who need a reliable backup of their data while in the field. The compact design and onboard backup features set the Gnarbox apart from other commonly used storage solutions. A Gnarbox will help you effortlessly manage files without a laptop. With up to 1TB internal SSD, an SD slot and two USB-C ports, you now have all the space you require to store all your precious content.
A Gnarbox 2.0 SSD will save you a lot of time. The new model of Gnarbox now offers a direct connection to the latest iPad Pro models via USB-C integration. Thanks to this feature, you can now seamlessly move files to and from editing apps like Lightroom CC and LumaFusion. Considering the reviews of photographers, artists and other content creators from across the world, Gnarbox is coming up with better, evolved models of their already impressive models.
Use a SSD When Travelling Remotely or In The Office
If you’re looking for a more cost-effective storage solution, you can opt for Western Digital’s storage system. Western Digital (or WD, as it is commonly known) has a popular solution – the WD My Passport Wireless SSD. This super-functional drive is the perfect accompaniment for photographers as well as videographers. It can help you travel without needing a laptop to protect your precious photos and videos.
Benefits of Using Cloud Storage in Capture One
Those who have transitioned to using Capture One over other editing software swear by its benefits. One critical feature that Capture One offers is cloud storage. Storing data in the cloud allows you to access it as and when you require it. Thanks to the cloud storage, you can now access all your data from multiple devices. With a significant speed over popular editing software such as Lightroom, Capture One is now one of the most popular choices among photographers.
In case you have storage limitations, you don’t need to keep all your images on your laptop. With Capture One’s Catalog database, you can now browse through the photos without attaching them to any specific storage. Not only are your images easily accessible, but they are also arranged in an organised manner, enhancing the overall utility of the software.
Using cloud storage with Capture One helps you cut down costs as you wouldn’t need to invest in external storage solutions. For a closer look at Capture One in use, check out our guide to Landscape Photography tools right here.
How to Arrange Your Photos in Capture One
In a couple of simple steps, you can arrange your photos systematically with Capture One. Let’s have a look at how you can organise images well in Capture One:
Step 1: Albums and Folder
Album folders are virtual image collections which help you sort images well. There are three primary ways to create a new album. First, you can Go to File and select the New Album option. Second, you can right-click and choose New Album in the Library Tool. Third, you can move to the user tab, click on the ‘plus’ icon and select New Album.
Step 2: Add Images to an Album
It is the most straightforward step – drag and drop the images to an album you wish to add them to. Capture One gives you the flexibility to move pictures from your system to the software and vice versa. Keep in mind that you cannot drag images into a smart album. You can then add them into a simple folder.
Step 3: Selects Folder Option
Whenever you open a new session on Capture One, it automatically creates the Selects Folder option. It helps users to move images, quickly and easily. Select an image and press the ‘move to selects’ button in the toolbar, and your location of the file will change to the assigned folder.
Step 4: Selects Collection Option
You can use this option to transfer images from one folder to another quickly. The Selects Collection option comes handy when you want to move your best shots into a different folder while browsing through multiple image collections.
Create and name a new Catalog. Then, right-click and select Set as Selects Collection to assign a folder. As you are browsing through the image collections, click the Selects Folder icon whenever you find a particular image you want to add to the new folder.
Deal With Power Shortages When You Are Remote
Running out of charge and then facing power shortages when you are shooting in remote locations can be an ugly situation. In such cases, you cannot afford to waste time at all. Instead, be prepared to face all possible odds you could face during outdoor shooting and equip yourselves with additional power supply. A device like a power bank is what you need to deal with such power crises.
Goal Zero Sherpa’s range of power banks are sturdy and just what you need to keep your photography shoots going without worrying about power shortages. These power banks are sleek, making them easy to carry along. The power banks are rechargeable and are the perfect accompaniments for outdoor shooting expeditions.
The Ideal Storage Gadgets to Include In Your Travel Kit
To complete your photography kit, you need to equip it with the perfect storage gadgets. Goal Zero has a plethora of carefully crafted solar-powered batteries, which offer around five hours of charging time. As these batteries are solar powered, you need not worry about them running out. Charge them using the bright sunlight, which is readily available when you shoot outdoors.
Final Thoughts
Equipping yourselves to deal with power shortages is very important in photography. Likewise, storage is a crucial aspect as well, which needs equal attention. You may have the best of cameras and lenses, but without adequate storage and power equipment, your kit is incomplete.
Many reputed brands, such as Goal Zero and Gnarbox, have products dedicated to meeting your storage and power requirements during outdoor photography. It is time to include these in your kit to have a wholesome, hassle-free photography experience!
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