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WHAT IS CLOUD STORAGE AND SHOULD

I USE IT TO STORE MY PHOTOS?
Quick Guide
Written by Rhiannon D’Averc
 Storing your photographs is extremely important for photographs? We’ll explore everything you need
any photographer. Over time, you will soon find that to know here, so that you can make an informed
the large files you shoot take up a lot of space on decision about your storage.
your computer; perhaps so much that you run out of
room. You’ll also want to have reassurances that your Here is what we will cover:
work will never be lost, such as by a computer crash ·· How cloud storage works
or a hard drive breaking.
·· Advantages of cloud storage
So, how can you solve this problem? One of the
options available to you is cloud storage. It’s suitable ·· Disadvantages of cloud storage
both as a back-up system and a way to clear up
space on your computer, which is why a lot of ·· Alternatives to cloud storage
people like to use it. But is it right for storing your

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 HOW CLOUD STORAGE WORKS

Let’s start with the basics. What is cloud storage, and how does it work?

It’s quite difficult to get your head around cloud storage unless you
understand how networks and data work, but the image of a cloud
floating up in the sky isn’t a bad one to start with. While it’s an over-
simplified idea, it gets the basics across. Your data is transmitted and
stored on a remote storage system. While this may seem nebulous, as
if there’s no physical imprint of this storage, it does actually require a
physical server to be maintained. You simply access the data using the
internet, or the private network that you might be hooked into.

There are three main types of cloud storage: public storage, where
the storage space is available to anyone who can pay to use it across
the world, which is usually subscription-based; private storage, where
in-house resources are used to create your very own private storage
environment behind a firewall that no one else can access; and hybrid
storage, which is a mix of the two.

Key Lesson: Cloud storage is a type of remote storage which

allows your photographic files to be stored and transmitted from a
server maintained by another company, or by your in-house team if
you have one.

Recommended Reading: If you want to learn how to enhance

your photos and create better images, grab a copy of Photzy’s
premium guide: Ultimate Guide to Fundamental Editing.
Photograph by Mat Reding

Server banks can seem like very complex places – both to look at and to understand!

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 ADVANTAGES OF
CLOUD STORAGE

Now that we know what cloud storage is,

what are the advantages of using it? Let’s
dive in:

·· You’ll have universal access. So long as

you are connected to the internet, you
can access your photographs at any
time and from any place, via a tablet,
computer, smartphone, or laptop (or
potentially, other kinds of smart devices
in the future).

·· The data is stored elsewhere. This

means that, unlike with physical hard
drive backups, you won’t lose all of
your photographs if, for example, you
have a house fire or your equipment is
stolen.

·· It’s cheap. Though you’ll likely see

monthly or annual subscription costs
for your photograph storage, it will
cost far less than it would to purchase
an adequately large external hard drive
and then store it at a remote facility,
but gives the same results.
Photograph by Ashkan Forouzani

Being able to access your photos anywhere, at any time, can be extremely useful

WHAT IS CLOUD STORAGE AND SHOULD I USE IT TO STORE MY PHOTOS? // © PHOTZY.COM 4

 ·· It’s easy. You don’t need to know much about There are a lot of great things that come with cloud
tech to access your files, and you can also easily storage. But this isn’t the whole story, so be sure to
share them with clients just by sending a link. read on for the other side of the coin.

·· It’s scalable. You pay for what you use, and

in some cases, you can even store a certain Key Lesson: Cloud storage gives you an
amount for free. If you one day need less easy and cheap way to store your photographic
storage, or you one day need more, your costs archives, and you can access them whenever
will decrease or increase accordingly. and wherever you want.

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 DISADVANTAGES OF CLOUD STORAGE

Now, we know it can’t all be good. So, what’s the catch? Here are the
disadvantages to using cloud storage:

·· You cede some control over your archives. If the storage facility
goes down or is hacked, you won’t be able to do anything about it.

·· There are some security concerns. These have been highlighted in

particular by celebrities having their personal photographs hacked
from the iCloud and shared with everyone. A lot of work has been
done to prevent this happening again, which isn’t to say that
hackers won’t still be able to find a way around it.

·· There may be performance issues. If your app isn’t working or you

can’t get online, then you can’t access your files. The same issue
could arise if you get locked out of your account or forget your
password. With a physical backup, this isn’t a problem.

·· As a long-term solution, it may not be the most practical. You will

have to continue paying to store your images until such a time as
you find a replacement service, and if you stop paying, your files
may be deleted.

As with anything, there are upsides and downsides. It’s up to you to

decide whether you can accept the disadvantages in order to get access
to those plus points!

Key Lesson: Cloud storage may not be as secure as you would

Photograph by Colton Sturgeon want it to be, and access may be a problem. In the long-term, it
Having your photos leaked might give you cause for concern if you store sensitive material. can also start to become expensive.

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 ALTERNATIVES TO
CLOUD STORAGE

Now that we’ve taken a look at the pros

and cons of cloud storage, you may be
ready to go ahead and try one of the
many cloud services out there (or set up
your own private network). But what if you
don’t want to go down this route?

Some of the alternatives you could go

for include external hard drives, memory
cards, or optical discs. External hard
drives are generally the most popular
and most reliable option. While memory
cards and discs may become obsolete
due to changing technologies, it is less
likely that the same will happen to a hard
drive, and if the cable no longer works,
you can always swap out the housing for
Photograph by Samsung Memory
something more modern when you need
Physical types of storage are an alternative to cloud storage, such as the memory card and external hard drive.
access.

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 External hard drives can become quite expensive, Key Lesson: If you decide not to go for
but the larger sizes are becoming cheaper all the cloud storage, external hard drives are the next
time. You can opt for something rugged to travel best option; though, there are always potential
with, or something more powerful that you can leave downsides to any solution.
at home. As mentioned previously, you could also
opt to take your full hard drives to a storage facility
Recommended Reading: If you want to
to keep them safe from any damage that might occur
learn how to enhance your photos and create
in your home or workplace, especially if you have a
better images, grab a copy of Photzy’s premium
very large archive.
guide: Ultimate Guide to Fundamental Editing.
There are potential problems here, however. Hard
drives can become corrupted or infected with a virus;
they can be stolen or destroyed; and once full, they
cannot be expanded.

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 Photograph by Rhiannon D’Averc

WHAT IS CLOUD STORAGE AND SHOULD I USE IT TO STORE MY PHOTOS? // © PHOTZY.COM 9

 CONCLUSION

Cloud storage can be extremely effective when done ·· External hard drives are a good option if you
well. Remember these tips: don’t want to use the cloud.

·· The cloud transmits your photographs to a ·· Discs or memory cards are not a great choice for
remote storage. your photographic storage!

·· It’s easy to access and cheap to use, and can ·· All of the options have downsides, so make the
store a lot of files in a flexible space. choice that suits your needs.

·· Security and access may be a concern in some

situations.

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 Self-Check Quiz:

1) When and where can you access cloud storage?

2) What elements will you need in order to get access to your photographs in the cloud?

3) What is one of the vulnerabilities of cloud storage?

4) Is the cloud a physical or incorporeal system?

5) What’s the best alternative to cloud storage?

6) Why should you not store your photographic archive on disc?

Assignment:

Research cloud storage solutions versus external hard drives based on your personal storage needs. If you
wanted to store an archive twice the size of what you currently have, how much would the required hard drive
cost? How much for ten years of cloud storage? Which is cheaper? Could you consider doing both in order to
have both a physical and digital option for accessing your photographs?

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 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Congratulations! You’ve completed
this Photzy guide!

If you liked this photography tutorial, check

out this premium post-processing guide
where you can learn the fundamental editing
steps that will help make your photos pop:
Ultimate Guide to Fundamental Editing.

Rhiannon D’Averc is a fashion and portrait photographer, as

well as a published author. She is the Chief Editor of London
Runway, an indie fashion magazine.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RhiannonDAverc IF YOU’D LIKE TO CONTINUE

LEARNING AND IMPROVING
Studio: http://pcistudio.co.uk/
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Website: https://rhiannondaverc.co.uk/ VISIT PHOTZY.COM
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