Raw file and/or Lightroom file storage or deletion

[Laurel Austin]

I have heard enough to know I should save my raw files. But during an import of a photo shoot today I had to delete files on my C drive due to lack of space...really thought I had plenty. The raw files and the lightroom folders are really piling up. I'm not very computer savvy, at all, so I need to ask, after importing into lightroom, do I really need to save the raw files? I do backups every time I open lightroom, so there is a file folder made, and sometimes, more than one! I can hardly keep up with it all! What can I delete and still have what I need?
Thanks!
Laurel

I know you can buy external drives, but I have no idea about how to go about doing that.

 

[Replytoken]

Hi Laurel,

Backing up LR only backs up the program files and changes, not the actual photos. it really is best to keep a copy or two (or three) of your RAW photos in case something happens to your primary storage drive. A simple solutionis to buy a small USB-powered hard drive like the Western digital Passpost. A 5''GB drive can now be had for $1''-15', and they are available at places like Costco and Best Buy.. They are very small so they take up almost no room.

A simple solution would be to initially back up the RAW files when they are imported into LR. Are you also converting your files to DNG as part of your workflow? If so, you may want to back up those files as well.

Post any additional questions if you need more assistance on getting set up. I would hate to see anybody lose their digital photos because they did not back up their files.

--Ken

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Laurel, you may also find that converting your raw files to DNG will free up a little space.
As mentioned Lightroom contains no image files at all. LR is a database that stores where your image files are and changes you have made to them.

 

[Brad Snyder]

Sliding off topic a bit: USB based external drives, in almost all situatations, are completely plug-and-play. They're trivial to install. They usually come with a clear 'Getting Started' sheet, usually takes longer getting the box open, than getting it installed. Nothing to fear for even the 'un-savvy'.

 

[dj_paige]

I'm not very computer savvy, at all, so I need to ask, after importing into lightroom, do I really need to save the raw files?

I don't believe anyone has given a clear answer to this question ... so the answer is: YES! You must save your raw files, after you import them into Lightroom! If you delete the raw files, Lightroom will not be able to do anything with any deleted photo other than display the thumbnail.

 

[Laurel Austin]

thank you everyone! I will look into getting the USB based external drive