Online file synchronization solutions for photographers

How to synchronize your photos among several computers, even mobile devices for the best price?

What I need

I need to share my photography among my desktop, laptop and mobile devices. Like many photographers, the notebook is used while on the move, the desktop at home and the mobile devices to take quick snapshots.

The dream

The dream solution would be to have a disk that I can access from anywhere and that contains all the data, plus history management with unlimited bandwidth and space.

The reality

In the previous “dream”, I didn’t mention free, because I don’t mind paying for a service, as it requires human work, electricity consumption and God knows what. So, it is fair to me to give some money for good services.
Now, currently several solutions exist that are very close to the dream itself.

Unlimited space and bandwidth

Actually, you won’t find plans where the space is unlimited and that’s a good thing, because we don’t need unlimited space.
Almost all the current available solutions download the content of your online disk to your local disk. My notebook hasn’t enough free space to handle my 200GB+ of images. And I don’t need all my images all the time. Mostly the last year or month.

Synchronization and history

From experience, history is mandatory once you have synchronization. Unless you’re using Aperture, or shoot in RAW. Because the moment your files are synchronized between your online disk and local, there’s no way to go back. If you delete a file, it is gone.

Existing solutions

There are many existing solutions online, I’ll go through the two I’ve tested extensively.

DropBox

DropBox offers:
Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically.

* 2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.
* Sync files of any size or type.
* Sync Windows, Mac, and Linux computers.
* Automatically syncs when new files or changes are detected.

And share files.

* Shared folders allow several people to collaborate on the same files.
* See other people’s changes instantly.
* Use your “Public” folder to link directly to files.
* Control who has access to your shared folders. Kick people out and remove the shared files from their computers in the process.
* Automatically create shareable online photo galleries out of regular folders.

DropBox also has a 30 days history (more with the paid version) and the possibility to access your data from mobile devices and web alike. You can sync as many computers as you like. I’m writing this because many online storage solutions are limiting the number of users and computers. There’s no bandwidth limitation with DropBox that I could find.

DropBox mounts a drive or folder (window) where all your files are stored.

Experience with DropBox

I have been very happy with dropBox, I’m using it on Mac, Windows, Ipad, Iphone and Android. Everything works great, no crash, no flaws. Reasonable upload time. I’m also sharing data with friends and it works like a charm, the updates are immediate!

Why I don’t use the paid version of dropBox

The price. It is 9.99$/month for 50GB plus 39.9$/year for unlimited history.
I don’t need 50gb of data and 2gb aren’t enough.

SugarSync

SugarSync is older that DropBox and offers the same service, plus:

• Versioning is included, there’s no extra fee.
• The pictures are managed in albums that makes easier for you to browse. The same happens with music.

Unlike DropBox where one folder/disk was dedicated, you can choose which files and folders you want to synchronize. Thus you won’t have replications locally, like in DropBox.

Why I went for SugarSync

The price and functionality. SugarSync offers a 25GB plan for 49.9$/year, which happens to be just exactly the right plan for me. And everything is included, no need for extra fee. Also, unlike DropBox, there’s a 30 days trial, where you can test the solution.

Conclusion

Be clear about what you need. Consider also that having a big online space available isn’t necessary a good thing for photographers or people on the move, for the following reasons:

1. your notebook might not have enough free space
2. if you haven’t synchronized your computers for a while, it will take a while to complete
3. Even 3GB to upload take days, imagine 60GB!
4. do you really need all your pictures?

Once you’re clear about your needs, give a try to SugarSync.