Vantage Data Recovery

Digital photography is everywhere.  From professional studio portraits to casual vacation snapshots, digital media is getting a workout.  But digital photos, like all other data, are subject to loss.  There is nothing as gut-wrenching as that “format card Y/N” message when you are attempting to off load your photos.  While no system is completely foolproof, there are some steps you can take to keep your photos safe.

1.  Off load photos regularly.  Don’t store them on your camera, transfer them to your hard drive, or a CD.  Better yet, both!  Consider getting a card reader.  They are generally small, so can be carried with your laptop if you travel with one, and save on your camera’s battery life.

2.  Avoid extreme temperatures (don’t store photo cards in the car) and, as far as possible, high humidity. 

3. Don’t squeeze, sit on, or otherwise abuse them.  It is generally a good habit to handle cards gently by their edges.  Don’t put your fingers on the terminal end.  Avoid static discharge.  If it’s particularly dry, touch something else metal first.

4.  Protect cards while not in use.  Don’t just stick it in your pocket or camera bag, use a card case.

5.  Shut off the camera before inserting or removing a card.  When off loading to your computer, be sure to use the “safely remove hardware” feature in Windows or drag the device icon to the trash on a Mac to “stop” the card before removing it or unplugging the camera or card reader.

6.  Never force a card into a slot.  They only go in one way.  If a card won’t go in, take it out and try again, making sure you have it oriented correctly, and keeping it level.

7.  Reformat.  Everyone has an opinion on this.  Some people swear by reformatting each time they use a card, others only occasionally, but I think it makes sense to reformat from time to time to verify the integrity of the card and essentially wipe the slate clean.