Files First
Archives fail easily. The standard defence is the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of everything, on two different media types, with one copy offsite.
Metadata makes files searchable across three standards:
| Standard | Written by | Holds |
|---|---|---|
| EXIF | The camera | Technical exposure settings |
| IPTC | The photographer | Captions, credits, and copyright |
| XMP | The software | XML container for both and edit history |
File sizes dictate workflow limits. For a 24-megapixel capture, an uncompressed 14-bit raw is 42 MB. A 64 GB card holds around 1,500 uncompressed raw frames or 8,000 JPEGs.
Editing and Sequencing
In photography, editing means selecting, not retouching. It is the process of deciding which frames survive.
Shooting 1,200 frames and delivering 24 represents a ratio of 50 to one. This is a normal documentary cull.
Once chosen, the order of pictures creates meaning. Juxtaposing two images creates a relation the viewer interprets immediately.
Common pitfall: treating selection as finished once the best individual shots are marked. A sequence is not a ranking. A weaker standalone frame often connects its neighbours, while a brilliant shot may stall the narrative flow.