When It’s Okay to Erase Your Memory Card

If you only have one memory card, it won’t be long before you have to erase that memory card so you can get back to shooting. I have a pretty simple rule I use to know when it’s actually okay to erase a memory card, and that is I erase it when I know I have two backup copies of the images that are on it. In other words, I have one set that I copied onto my computer, and then I copied that folder of images over to an external hard drive, so I have two copies. Then, and only then, I feel comfortable erasing that card and shooting again. Remember, when you have just one copy, you’re working on the negatives. If your computer’s hard drive crashes, those images are gone. Forever. That’s why you gotta make a second backup copy, because I’ve seen people lose their work again and again, year after year, because they didn’t make that second backup copy, but don’t let that happen to you—back up twice, then erase that card!