Question about changes to the Live & Local Archive

[danaltick]

I just finished Chapter 4 and would like to know if changes made to the Live and Local Archive ever get backed up to DVD's, and if not, what is the rational behind that?  Thanks.

[peterkrogh]

For me, there are several kinds of work that would get done to images after they have been archived initially:
1. Addition of Metadata
2. Changes to the image settings in Camera Raw
3. Creation of Derivative files.

First of all, I make periodic backups to the second set of hard drives.  So most of these changes are backed up once, at least.

For item 1, Metadata Additions, all these changes are backed up in my catalogs. The original files do not need to be backed up to save this work.  This is one of the principle advantages of using Catalog software to make the changes.

For item 2, changes to Camera Raw settings, I will make the periodic backup to HD, and will also make other backups as triggered by larger factors.  When Blu-ray or HD-DVD becomes available, all these files will get backed up with their updated changes.  Or as the older files get converted to DNG files, all the Camera Raw changes I have made will get written to DVD.

For my workflow, the number of RAW files that get new Camera Raw settings at a later date is pretty small.  I try to do a good job when I adjust the first time, so there are generally no wholesale changes to the images.  Some images will get converted to Master Files, and these will get further refinement.  Generally, once this has been done, the Derivative Master File that has been created reflects the highest value version of the file, and these custom Camera Raw settings become less important.  This brings up item #3, Derivative files.

I keep Derivative files separate from Original files because they often get created much later than the moment of archive of the original files.  When I change these files I will save them into the newest bucket, and then they will be backed up as part of the normal workflow.  If I have made the file significantly better - to the point that the older version is no longer needed, then I will go ahead and delete the older version, and the new one will become the primary.


Basically, it comes down to a matter of risk and reward.  You could trigger a re-burning of a DVD every time you make a Camera Raw adjustment to any image on that DVD, but I would argue that this is not cost effective.  THe DVD backup is the "worst-case" backup for me, to be used if both Hard Drive versions fail.  I have had to go to it a few times for individual files.

If you were NOT using Catalog software, then you would want to re-burn those DVDs constantly, since high-value metadata would be added constantly.

Does this clear it up?
Peter

[danaltick]

Yes that clears it up very well.  I appreciate your in-depth explanation....makes a lot of sense.
One question though, on those times when you decide to keep the older derivative around, you will now have two copies of that derivative in two different buckets.  Do you change the name of the newer derivative in that case to preserve unique filenames?  Thanks.

[peterkrogh]

Generally not.  I use the Catalog to keep them straight.  If I have changes to B&W, I might (although that would generally be done as a layer to the Master, generating a new Master File.)

Adding notations to name like final, realfinal, and realrealfinal become unproductive quickly.

[danaltick]

Ok I see.  I was thinking that you might rename the file by changing the embedded date part of the filename to make it the current date.  Any reason for not doing that?

[peterkrogh]

NOOOOOOOO.

That date is part of the unique name that should never change.  I go over some file renaming protocol in the book.  THis is covered in later chapters.
Peter

[danaltick]

Ok thanks....need to keep reading.
By the way, awesome book!  Really good stuff!

[peterkrogh]

Thanks.
Peter