Reading Time - 5 minutes
Tools I use, tips and 3 easy rules to follow to backup your photos and footage while abroad.
I'm craaaaaazy about managing data on the road. When I plan trips, I have a vision of specific shots and video I want to get of specific sites and activities. Not to mention the best footage, which is the unexpected. Getting all that media is key and keeping it is..well, just as key! Managing media and keeping my footage backed up and safe is paramount. Failure is not an option!!
Tools I use, tips and 3 easy rules to follow to backup your photos and footage while abroad.
I'm craaaaaazy about managing data on the road. When I plan trips, I have a vision of specific shots and video I want to get of specific sites and activities. Not to mention the best footage, which is the unexpected. Getting all that media is key and keeping it is..well, just as key! Managing media and keeping my footage backed up and safe is paramount. Failure is not an option!!
'Ends Of The Earth' GoPro'd Great White Shark Footage in South Africa
Here are some key rules and tips to how to keep your photos backed up and footage safe.
First we have to start with what your tools are. Everyone is different with what they carry to capture. I've used every combination from big SLR's to small digi cameras, to phones to Gopros.
Here is my list that gets me the best of all worlds and serves me best to document my experiences. If you use different tools, cool! My tips and rules will still apply to you.
iphone
(Still Camera / Video / Social Media Posting / Communication / GPS / Useful Travel Apps / Easy to use and no setup required)
Check out my instagram link to see my photos. All done with my iphone 5S. Pretty good right?!
GoPro
(Still Camera / Video Camera / Action-Waterproof / Durable)
Macbook Pro
(Video Editing / Working)
First we have to start with what your tools are. Everyone is different with what they carry to capture. I've used every combination from big SLR's to small digi cameras, to phones to Gopros.
Here is my list that gets me the best of all worlds and serves me best to document my experiences. If you use different tools, cool! My tips and rules will still apply to you.
iphone
(Still Camera / Video / Social Media Posting / Communication / GPS / Useful Travel Apps / Easy to use and no setup required)
Check out my instagram link to see my photos. All done with my iphone 5S. Pretty good right?!
GoPro
(Still Camera / Video Camera / Action-Waterproof / Durable)
Macbook Pro
(Video Editing / Working)
 iphone 5S with ma case |  GoPro 3+ Silver |  |
 Western Breach, Kilimanjaro |  GoPro dual battery charger getting charged with my portable battery |
Now the storage devices I use to backup my material:
Portable Hard Drive - $125
1 TB Portable Hardrive. I like Western Digital, I hate Lacie)
USB Sticks (thumb drive) - $30 / Each
I usually bring 2, 64gb USB Sticks.
SD Cards - $30 / Each
I use 64gb cards in my Go Pro and I usually take 2 of them.
Method for backing up footage:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.
Now that you have the tools, here are the rules:
Rules:
1. Backup Footage Every Night
Part of your routine, no matter how tired you are or where you are, you have to backup your footage every day! The worst is having a build up, running out of space, or worse, losing what's on your device. To review, backing up footage is:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.
2. Diversify your 'On Person'
NEVER have all of your footage and backup devices, drives etc in the same place at the same time. For example, if I'm leaving my hostel, I have my macbook in the safe, I have my portable hard drive hidden somewhere on the site and I have my USB sticks in my pocket or backpack. That's 3 different places where my stuff is stored. That has to be one thorough thief...
The only exception to this rule is when you need to travel with everything you have (leaving usually). Depending on the legendariness of your footage, you can always leave a copy with a friend or accommodation manager. You can have it shipped to you later should the worst happen.
3. Space on Devices!
Dude, you just backed up all your stuff! Don't make the rookie mistake of not dumping (erasing the content) your phones drive or your GoPro SD card before you leave for the day to get more epic footage. Good media management includes erasing it off your devices to get more legend footage to backup. Sure, you can do this on the spot, but in the moment, it can be hard and sometimes impossible. Imagine being on the platform of a bungee jump and hearing that horrific triple beep of your GoPro turning off cause it has no recording space?? Damn..
PS GPRO Tip - If you download the phone app, you can pick and choose footage to erase should you need to make room.
What does not work: Online Cloud Storage
You cannot rely on internet connections abroad to backup your material. It would be rare to be able to backup gigs of footage at any hostel, hotel or resort in the time you might have. The internet speeds are just not there. You do not want this to be your plan.
I have edited footage abroad and then uploaded videos and pics etc to youtube or social media, but as far as backing up RAW media, it's almost impossible.
_________
Getting great footage and pictures is a great gift of travel. If you really value the memories you've captured, you can spend a little extra time by keeping them safe! Perhaps you don't need to follow allllll these steps, but a simple hard drive backup every night can help protect your priceless captures.
Get way, way out there, see epic things, do cool shit and capture some sweet moments.
Cheers,
Matt
Portable Hard Drive - $125
1 TB Portable Hardrive. I like Western Digital, I hate Lacie)
USB Sticks (thumb drive) - $30 / Each
I usually bring 2, 64gb USB Sticks.
SD Cards - $30 / Each
I use 64gb cards in my Go Pro and I usually take 2 of them.
Method for backing up footage:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.
Now that you have the tools, here are the rules:
Rules:
1. Backup Footage Every Night
Part of your routine, no matter how tired you are or where you are, you have to backup your footage every day! The worst is having a build up, running out of space, or worse, losing what's on your device. To review, backing up footage is:
1. I dump all of my footage from my iphone and GoPro to my portable hard drive.
2. I dump it all onto my macbook pro too.
3. I pick my fav; can't live without footage (skydive/great white shark etc) and copy it onto a USB stick.
2. Diversify your 'On Person'
NEVER have all of your footage and backup devices, drives etc in the same place at the same time. For example, if I'm leaving my hostel, I have my macbook in the safe, I have my portable hard drive hidden somewhere on the site and I have my USB sticks in my pocket or backpack. That's 3 different places where my stuff is stored. That has to be one thorough thief...
The only exception to this rule is when you need to travel with everything you have (leaving usually). Depending on the legendariness of your footage, you can always leave a copy with a friend or accommodation manager. You can have it shipped to you later should the worst happen.
3. Space on Devices!
Dude, you just backed up all your stuff! Don't make the rookie mistake of not dumping (erasing the content) your phones drive or your GoPro SD card before you leave for the day to get more epic footage. Good media management includes erasing it off your devices to get more legend footage to backup. Sure, you can do this on the spot, but in the moment, it can be hard and sometimes impossible. Imagine being on the platform of a bungee jump and hearing that horrific triple beep of your GoPro turning off cause it has no recording space?? Damn..
PS GPRO Tip - If you download the phone app, you can pick and choose footage to erase should you need to make room.
What does not work: Online Cloud Storage
You cannot rely on internet connections abroad to backup your material. It would be rare to be able to backup gigs of footage at any hostel, hotel or resort in the time you might have. The internet speeds are just not there. You do not want this to be your plan.
I have edited footage abroad and then uploaded videos and pics etc to youtube or social media, but as far as backing up RAW media, it's almost impossible.
_________
Getting great footage and pictures is a great gift of travel. If you really value the memories you've captured, you can spend a little extra time by keeping them safe! Perhaps you don't need to follow allllll these steps, but a simple hard drive backup every night can help protect your priceless captures.
Get way, way out there, see epic things, do cool shit and capture some sweet moments.
Cheers,
Matt
Cape Town, South Africa
RSS Feed
