With the popularity of digital cameras, there are several options for storing your pictures depending on your photo needs. You can always take extra memory cards with you while you are away from a computer but you will have to sort through them eventually. Here are a few options.
Online digital photo storage: There are several places online where you can store and share your digital photos. As you download your photos online, you can see what you have, get rid of what you don’t like, and arrange the keepers into sections or folders for easy reference. Some of these services are free while others require a purchase or commitment. You can find storage from 10 megabytes to unlimited space. If you are looking to share your photos, some services allow you to invite guests to view your photos or publish your albums on the web and even include page designs and layouts. Search online for more information for what fits your needs. Try searching for Free Digital Photo Storage Net links to get started.
Portable Hard Drive: You can find portable hard drives with a built in memory card reader that can hold from 20 to 40 gig of memory. That’s the storage capacity of about 55 CDs! Some of the more expensive hard drives have a verification function so you can check the reliability of the data that is downloaded and see on screen what photos you have. You can connect the hard drive to your computer to print and sort through your photos. This is a good choice that does not slow your computer down and gives you the flexibility to take your photos with you.
CD’s: The versatile CD-writer is probably the easiest on your pocketbook. The advantage of burning CD’s is you can make multiple copies for yourself and to share with family members. It’s a good way to keep backups of your photos, unlike hard drives that can crash and obliterate all your images. You can organize your CD’s by date, event, or other appropriate category, then file them alphabetically so you find what you need quickly.
Storing your CD’s is an important part of organizing your digital photos. Pioneer Photo Albums offers a bonded-leather, photo safe, Digital CD Album that holds 48 CD’s. On each page there is a slot to hold a CD and a 4” x 6”photo slip-on pocket. The pockets can hold index prints of the CD and includes repositionable memo strips with index tabs for notes. The post-binding accepts unlimited refills. With this album, you can easily access your photos so they are ready to go when the scrap bug bites.
To add a touch of creativity to your digital storage, try this project from Generations. The base of this project is a Create-A-Bag Poly Photo File from Generations. Two downloadable templates are used to decorate the inside of the first pocket and the flap cover. After copying your photos onto CD’s, label each CD and organize them by categories using the enclosed index tags.
Sorting through tons of photos can be a big job, but once it’s done your scrapbooking life will be much easier. Now imagine all of the new projects you can begin with those loads of photos you’ve just found. Have fun re-living your memories and happy scrapping!
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