How do I backup my Lightroom library ?

Hi ,
I am very new to Lightroom I am wondering how I would go about backing up my library when I used Apple Aperture It would have a file called " Aperture Library " and I would just copy that over to my external hard drive every month. How would I do this in Lightroom ?
Thanks !

This question has been asked many times, and is a serious one that people unfortunately, often haven't thought of and can cause big issues. If you are serious about your amateur photography, or regard your images as important in any way, I always advocate a serious approach to backup and archiving.  As such, here's what I do...
I employ a 3-tier backup system, with a 4th tier for important images.
Stage 1: System Backup: I use a Mac, and use the built in Time Machine incremental backup function which provides me with a regular automated backup of my system.  This includes all documents and all of the images currently on my Mac.  If you're on a Win machine, then I suggest using a similar backup application.  Time Machine backs up automatically to a wireless external drive 1.
Stage 2: Image Backup: I use Adobe Lightroom4 for my image processing and management.  I only keep a maximum of 3 months worth of images on my Mac, and each month I move the previous 4th months images to external drive 2. This ensures all my images are backed up on a separate external drive.
Stage 3: Online storage: I then upload all hi-res jpg versions of the images I want to keep to my Zenfolio account.  I sometimes decide to display these, and other times not.  However, my Zenfolio package includes  an unlimited upload limit, so I take advantage of this superb service.  I cannot recommend Zenfolio enough - it is a fantastic service for photographers and is way more than just a gallery host.
Stage 4: Important images: For vital images (weddings, model shoots, and other shoots I consider important to me) On import of my images to Lightroom,  I use the Lightroom function  to also make a backup copy of these images to a 3rd external drive.
Hope that helps you, and gives some insight into how I structure my backups etc.

Similar Messages

  • How do I backup my iPhoto Library to an external hard drive and keep my photos grouped by their events?

    How can I backup my iPhoto Library to an external hard drive and keep my photos grouped by their events?

    I have attempted to make sure my iPhoto library has been backed up on the external hard drive and that it is safe to delete some events from my internal hard drive
    You need to think this through.
    Time Machine is a back up application. It keeps a rolling back up of the data. It's called rolling because it means you can revert to the data you had on a specific date and time. But that's not eternal, and as time goes by, and your drive fills up, older backups are deleted. So if you delete Events on your Mac they will - eventually - also be deleted from the Time Machine back up.
    If you wan tot archive data hendon't use Time Machine for that job. Here's how you might archive an iPhoto Library:
    Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    1. Quit iPhoto
    2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
    Now you have two full versions of the Library.
    3. On the Internal library, trash the Events you don't want there
    Now you have a full copy of the Library on the External and a smaller subset on the Internal
    Some Notes:
    As a general rule: when deleting photos do them in batches of about 100 at a time. iPhoto can baulk at trashing large numbers at one go.
    You can choose which Library to open: Hold down the option (or alt) key key and launch iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library'
    You can keep the Library on the external updated with new imports using iPhoto Library Manager

  • HT1373 How do I backup my itunes library to an external drive

    My iTunes library is unstable.  I have two questions:
    1) How do I backup my iTunes library to an external drive?
    2) Why am I constatntly prompted to add my computer to iCloud when I have done so multiple times?
    When opening iTunes, I receive he error message: "Please Sign In Again,  iTunes Match has encountered an error.  Please choose Sign Out and he Sign In from the iTunes Store menu and try again."
    I tried downloading and installing/repairing the latest iTunes.  That did not correct the problem.
    Also, I have sync'd to iCloud.  Every time I select iMatch from iTunes, I am prompted to Add This Computer to iCloud.  I have already done this multiple times.

    Hello cijackson,
    You posted your question in the iTunes for Mac Forum. You may get better results on the iTunes for Windows forum. Best of luck > https://discussions.apple.com/community/itunes/itunes_for_windows?view=overview

  • How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive?

    How do I backup my Itune Library and Playlists to my Backup drive?   Where are they stored on my computer?

    For iPhoto, see > iPhoto: How to move the Library folder to a new location
    For iTunes, see > iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder

  • How do I backup my Itune library in Version 11 ,

    How do I backup my Itune library in Version 11 ,
    The link under File/Devices/ Backup / Restore backup are greyed out!
    I want to buck up all of my music and misic videos TO DVD

    I presume your songs were on the computer before you updated to the recent version. If so see Empty/corrupt iTunes library after upgrade/crash or
    Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device. For backup advice see the user tip Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy.
    I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "print" your library, but I have a script called ExportCSV that can be used to export selected data which can then be read with a spreadsheet such as Excel.
    tt2

  • How do I backup my iPhoto library to the iCloud?

    How do I backup my iPhoto library to the iCloud?

    You can only backup the iPhoto libraries on iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPad) to iCloud, not the iPhoto Libraries on a Mac. Use Time Machine to backup your iPhoto Library or create clones of the drives with iPhoto Libraries.
    This will change next year, when the new Photos.app will be released for Mac on the new MacOS X 10.10. Then you will be able to store the photo library in the cloud and access it from all your devices.

  • How do I place the Lightroom Library on an External Drive?

    Q: How do I change the location of the Lightroom Library on an external disk drive whilst also ensuring that lightroom maintains the connection with the new location?
    A: The easiest way is to copy the folder containing the Lightroom Catalog and the Previews to the new disk drive, navigate to the new folder location, then double click on the Catalog file to relaunch.
    Note: the Lightroom catalog and preview package use the
    lrcat and
    lrdata extension respectively.

    1. Drag the library to the external drive, launch iTunes with the Option key held down, click on Choose Library, and point it there.
    2. Get a second. Having the backups on the same drive as the original data won't help when that drive fails.
    (66929)

  • How do I backup my itunes library to cd?

    Hi.
    Can anyone please post the link to support or is able to give me instructions on how to backup my itunes library to a cd?
    Many thanks.

    iTunes won't do it any more. You can use whatever 3rd party CD/DVD burning tools came with your machine, but I'd recommend you use an external hard drive and backup the library with this User Tip.
    tt2

  • How do I backup entire iTunes library to iCloud with Windows XP

    Have just downloaded iTunes version 10.5.1 and am wanting to backup my entire library to icloud which in the description of the update it says it can now do. How do I do it?? Can't work it out..
    Im running Windows XP. (unless this is another thing that XP can't do with iCloud...)
    Thanks in advance..

    I'm sure I read in the description of the update info of version 10.5.1 that it was a new option. Maybe I misread it?? Im intrigued about iTunes match now. I'll google it & find out about it...
    Thanks!

  • How can i backup itunes my library?

    I don't use "itunes music" folder,my musics are stored in several folders of two disks,i add the folders separatedly, i want to use itunes to manage all the music i've added,and create many playlists in itunes,add many information related to the songs,for example,the picture of album,the id3,and also use itunes to rate the songs,so i want use itunes do all the things of managing songs.
    but before do that all above,one thing need to be solved,how can i backup all the things i do.if my system break down,how can i recover the itunes library,recover all the rate i've done,all the information i've collected,all the playlists i've made?
    now i use wmp,if that unfortunate things happend,after i reinstall my system,i use the disktool to let the disk id same as before,and copy the database of wmp in my new system,and i would get all what i've down,no different with before, what to do with itunes?
    wait and thanks anybody that reply to me ^_^

    Well....You can Use iTunes for Backing up your Music, but I do not favor this mehtod.
    It works fine for music files BUT: I prefer more control and completeness over my backup process. It is also very important to note that a large limitation of using iTunes to manage the backup is that the iTunes method does not create or maintain backups of the two meta-data files (iTunes Library.itl & iTunes Music Library.xml) where your Playlists, Ratings, Play Counts, etc. are stored. See: What are the iTunes Library files?
    If you are heavily invested in your Library data (Playlists, Play Counts, Ratings, Last Played, Date Added, etc.), it is crucial that you also make and archive multiple backups of your ‘iTunes Library.itl’ file.
    If your music is located under one common Folder (e.g.-‘iTunes’), then it is easiest to physically copy that folder and all its sub-folders in one simple process. It can be done quickly, and incrementally – several times a day, when necessary. In the case of any data loss, just re-copy your entire (or partial) music library back to wherever it was, placing it in the main Folder that the previous iTunes expected. Along with the ‘iTunes Library.itl’ metadata file, this completes a full ‘restore’ of your music to the time of your last backup.
    Use of a backup software program will greatly help. It will allow you to easily perform incremental backups of only the files that have changed. WinXP has such a facility built-in. I use a free program called FileSync ( http://www.fileware.com ). There are many out there. Some use Zipped files or proprietary formats, others use standard file formats. I like FileSync as it uses normal file formats that can be viewed/managed via any Windows program or utility.
    iTunes Files to Backup
    1) All music files in their current folder structure (usually located in and under the ‘iTunes Music’ folder)
    2) The Library database file: ‘iTunes Library.itl’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
    3) The Library XML file: ‘iTunes Music Library.xml’ located in the ‘iTunes’ folder
    4) Any XML playlist files you created for Playlist retention
    5) The two iTunes.pref files (optional)
    -- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Application Data\Apple Computer\iTunes\iTunes.pref
    -- C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Apple Computer Inc\iTunes.pref
    Here's a list of possible ways to copy your music files from your main iTunes computer to another storage medium for backup purposes.
    1) Use an External Hard Drive to store the complete iTunes meta-data files and underlying Music Folder structure and songs from your main computer. They are quite cheap now, for their storage volume. This is my preferred main medium.
    2) If you have Two Computers:
    2a) Connect them through a router
    2b) Connect them using a Direct (w/Mac) or Crossover (PC/PC) Ethernet cable (See: http://www.ifelix.co.uk/tech/3001.html)
    2c) Connect them via a USB-to-USB Network Bridge. See: here as an example.
    Copy the files and folders from one computer to the other. Use the second PC as your backup repository.
    3) Burn several DVDs (at 4.7+ GBs each) with the music data files and store them safely. Re-writable ones are good for backup purposes (if your DVD drive can manage these).
    4) Burn 6x more on CDs (at 700MB each) than in #3 above and store them safely in more space Re-writable ones are good for backup purposes (if your CD drive can manage these).
    5) Use a larger USB Flash drive (1GB – 4+GBs) to store the files only if you have a small amount ripped music or have multiple and/or jumbo USB drives at your disposal that will fit your music library.
    6) Use the Second Internal Hard Drive (if available) of your PC -- not optimum, as you really want to physically separate the storage of backups from the originals, but good as a tertiary storage device.
    By keeping only one copy of your music (other than on the iPod), you are not truly 'backed-up' and are running a high risk of losing your music. Music files on just the iPod and the computer is not considered having any backup. If you cannot store your complete music files on the computer’s internal HD, then create and maintain at least two external sets (any multiple combinations of ExHDs, DVDs, CDs).
    You need at least two full sets of your music, not including what is on the iPod:
    -- One full set on the PC within iTunes (on internal HD or ExHD)
    -- One full set on an separate external backup medium (CD/DVD/ExHD/other)
    -- One (full or partial) set on the iPod
    It is a good policy to backup all your important data. It is a very smart policy to back it up on more than one medium.
    External hard drives now run less than $100 for 200-250GBs of storage. Very cheap backup insurance, indeed. See This Link

  • How do I backup my iTunes library to an external drive?

    Hi there,
    Is there any way of backing up my itunes library direct to a backup device such as an external hard drive or online back up software? The only option I can see is to back up to disc but that will take 50 discs!

    *Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
    Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time. And if your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes.
    tt2

  • How do I backup the iTunes Library to an external hard drive?

    I have no space on my computer anymore for anything and I need to export and save all my music on an external hard drive (MYbook) is that possible??? Do I really need to just backup everything on OUTDATED CDs or what???!!! That just seems like an insane process and I know it's possible for MAC users...

    *Fast backup for iTunes library (Windows Only)*
    Grab SyncToy 2.1, a free tool from MS. This can be used to copy your entire iTunes library (& other important data folders) onto another hard drive or network share. You can then use SyncToy periodically to synchronise or echo your library to the backup. A preview will show which files need to be updated giving you a chance to spot unexpected changes and during the run only the new or updated files will be copied saving lots of time. And if your media is all organised below the main iTunes folder then you should also be able to open the backup library on any system running the same version of iTunes.
    tt2

  • How do I backup an iTunes library if it is on an external harddrive

    Hi
    Like so many I have an iTunes library that is rapidly outgrowing my internal harddrive. (ahh Dr Who why did you have to be so good!!??!)
    I have been using timemachine to backup my MacBook's drive.
    I found articles:
    How to move iTunes library to external drive (pretty much simple as!!) I even have the perfect portable drive
    How to Back up iTunes to an external drive (also simple)
    But what I can't find (and maybe I am being stupid?) is how to back up that new iTunes library (in future backups) now that it is on it's own external drive.  Do I need to move it to the MacBook each month and do a manual back up? - pretty sure time machine wont back up the external drive (even though the time machine drive is way big enough)
    Not having used external drives too often I am not sure if maybe I can back up the library by following the procedure for backing up to an external drive but just picking the library from where it sits on a second external drive to start it - guess I could just test this before I delete the internal library?
    Both of my ideas seem time consuming (and a bit "waving the rubber chicken" to quote Merlin Mann) - any recommendations for a more automated process - the whole reason for me using Time machine is it works without me having to be involved. 
    Any help would be appreciated
    My need exceeds my skills
    Thanx
    Cecilia
    (waiting to sort this out before upgrading to Lion )

    I just love this.  I may have found the answer which showed up (from 2008) when I posted this Q (but of course did not show up when I first searched :?
    https://discussions.apple.com/message/7566039#7566039
    I will give this a test run over the weekend.  Cross fingers and wave that rubber chicken
    C

  • How do I backup my iphoto library from an external hard drive to an online storage service?

    I moved my iPhoto library from my iMac to an external hard drive because I was running low on memory on my computer.  I decided I wanted to backup my computer files with an online service since I no longer have the external hard drive as a backup.  I am using ZipCloud and have tagged my iPhoto library to be backed up (it is called "Rebuilt Library").  I can see "Rebuilt Library" on my online backup files but it doesn't contain my pictures, just a few folders and some random data files.  
    I started using ZipCloud before I deleted my iPhoto library from my hard drive so all of my pictures except the ones from the last month or two are backed up online under the files of my main hard drive; indeed they show up under "Rebuilt Library" there in nice folders separated by year and then event.   I would feel better if I could get the newer pictures on there as well.
    Does anyone know how I can get these files backed up to an online service?
    Thank you.

    What version of iPhoto are you using?  Is your library a package when on your Mac?  Does that package remain a package when backed up to ZipCloud or is it just a folder? How big is your library?  What's the library size as determined by the Finder?
    The photos will be stored in subfolders inside the Originals folder or Masters folder inside the library folder/package.  You are running a Managed library, right?
    I'm not familiar with ZipCloud but it might not handle OS X packages properly.
    OT

  • How to copy backup of iTunes library onto another computer?

    My primary laptop with my music library just crashed. I have a older laptop that I plan to use while I get the other repaired. I have a complete backup of my music library on external drive. After installing iTunes on the spare laptop I copied the backup music library to the iTunes music folder. However, when I start itunes, nothing shows up in iTunes. This has probably been discussed but several searches have not found how to recover this. Does anyone know what the process is?
    Thanks

    If you want to backup your iPod onto another computer you can download a program called "iPod to computer transfer" at the following URL:
    http://www.ipod2computer.com/?OVRAW=iPod%20to%20computer%20transfer&OVKEY=ipod%2 0to%20computer%20transfer&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=29342709512&OVKWID=117472586512
    I hope this helps
    GN4GSUS

Maybe you are looking for