Do I need to backup my pics and email etc with iCloud backup or would it delete my data?

Question

I have an ipad (3rd gen)  and an iPod (5th gen) I use the ipad for school as in my school instead of books and copies. I use my ipad for leisure and taking photos and videos and Facebook etc etc. both of the devices are using the same account. I only have the free 5GB backup package. I need the storage for my ipad school things as if I lose them..that's all my schoolwork..gone. I have recently taken a lot of photos with my iPod and downloaded a lot of games. Today a notification popped up saying that I'd almost run out of iCloud backup and that I could delete some of the backup on apps etc. so that's what I did and it barely made a dent in the backup figures. I then decided to delete most of my photos just so I'd have some more space for Facebook but it turns out that if you delete your photos, it doesn't actually result in a solution to the backup problem. So what I'm wondering is.. Do I really need to backup my pictures or email etc a and just leave the backup for my ipad? Also, when I go into Settings=>iCloud=>Storage & Backup=>Manage Storage=>this iPod at the bottom of the page there's a button that says "delete backup". I'm wondering if it would help my situation or something. Thanks in advance :)

Answer 1

You don't need to back up your photos to iCloud if you don't want to.  If you don't, be sure to import them (and your videos) to your computer so they are backed up there, as explained here: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4083.  You can then turn Camera Roll off under Backup Options.  This article explains other options for managing and reducing your iCloud storage: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4847.
If you tap Delete Backup in Manage Storage>your device, it will permanently delete the backup from iCloud.  It won't do anything to the data currently on your device, but it does put you at risk until you create a new backup.