Any batch-resizing tool to help keeping a backup copy of photo collection in small size
November 6, 2008 10:37 PM Subscribe
How to keep a copy of my photo collection in small-size in an automated way? That would be like, there are two folders, Photo and Small Photo, keeping the same content in different resolution (all in JPG format).
I'm an absolute amateur in photograph, but still have over 10GB photos in my hard drive (all in JPG format). I have set a backup plan for them, including a periodical backup via DVD, a synchronized copy in the external drive, and finally, an offsite archive in Mozy.
To save space (Mozy provides 2G for free) and bandwidth, I choose to upload low resolution JPG files to the offsite server. All I need is the ability to restore my memories from the remote server in case some real disasters come. Small-sized (e.g. max 1200 px) photos are good enough for that.
The question is how to keep a copy of my photo collection in small-size in an automated way. That would be like, there are two folders, Photo and Small Photo, keeping the same content in different resolution. Every time I import some new photos to the 'Photo' folder and I run a certain application or a script, and then the new photos will appear in the 'Small Photo' folder automatically, with the size I want them to be. After that all I need to do is to check the 'small-size photo' folder as 'to be backed up to Mozy'.
Key points:
1.The destination folder structure should be same as the original. My photo files are stored in a flat structure, with only two layers of folders. The first layer is the 'Photo' folder and the second layer folders are named by date and event, like '2008.10.01 Brithday'
2.The resizing tool should automatically identify newly added photos and only do resizing and backup works for them.
3. The workflow should be like a set-it-and-forget-it thing.
I know there are bunches of resizing tools and I'm currently using Picasa to do the work. The problem is that Picasa cannot match the above rule 2 and 3.
BTW, I'm using Win XP. And...I'm not familiar with programming though I'm kinda interested in it. If you have any suggestion related to scripting things, just kindly give me more hints. Thanks.
I'm an absolute amateur in photograph, but still have over 10GB photos in my hard drive (all in JPG format). I have set a backup plan for them, including a periodical backup via DVD, a synchronized copy in the external drive, and finally, an offsite archive in Mozy.
To save space (Mozy provides 2G for free) and bandwidth, I choose to upload low resolution JPG files to the offsite server. All I need is the ability to restore my memories from the remote server in case some real disasters come. Small-sized (e.g. max 1200 px) photos are good enough for that.
The question is how to keep a copy of my photo collection in small-size in an automated way. That would be like, there are two folders, Photo and Small Photo, keeping the same content in different resolution. Every time I import some new photos to the 'Photo' folder and I run a certain application or a script, and then the new photos will appear in the 'Small Photo' folder automatically, with the size I want them to be. After that all I need to do is to check the 'small-size photo' folder as 'to be backed up to Mozy'.
Key points:
1.The destination folder structure should be same as the original. My photo files are stored in a flat structure, with only two layers of folders. The first layer is the 'Photo' folder and the second layer folders are named by date and event, like '2008.10.01 Brithday'
2.The resizing tool should automatically identify newly added photos and only do resizing and backup works for them.
3. The workflow should be like a set-it-and-forget-it thing.
I know there are bunches of resizing tools and I'm currently using Picasa to do the work. The problem is that Picasa cannot match the above rule 2 and 3.
BTW, I'm using Win XP. And...I'm not familiar with programming though I'm kinda interested in it. If you have any suggestion related to scripting things, just kindly give me more hints. Thanks.
Best answer: The standard answer to automated image manipulation questions is ImageMagick - I believe it's even in the AskMe FAQ. It's free, and can do what you want, but you will have to script it with some language. I do this with a perl script on my system.
posted by ghost of a past number at 12:01 AM on November 7, 2008
posted by ghost of a past number at 12:01 AM on November 7, 2008
Response by poster: Thanks lia. Flickr is definitely a good choice, but I would prefer an online storage server which allow me to grab all files back in one time.
Thank you, ghost of a past number. I would like to investigate ImageMagick and try to find a solution.
posted by yezimary at 5:23 AM on November 8, 2008
Thank you, ghost of a past number. I would like to investigate ImageMagick and try to find a solution.
posted by yezimary at 5:23 AM on November 8, 2008
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this doesn't answer your question exactly, but: flickr pro isn't free, but it is reasonably cheap and offers both unlimited storage and bandwidth, as well as the ability to hide all your photos from anyone or everyone should you desire it. you can just drag and drop all your photos into an uploader or work out a way to do it automagically with new photos and be done with the whole deal.
posted by lia at 11:30 PM on November 6, 2008