Was wondering if anyone uses Amazon Photos for backup of your photos (both RAW and JPEG)? If so, thoughts? Any advantages or disadvantages? I know it only applies to photos but it has unlimited storage included in a Prime Membership.
I've been using Amazon Drive for the past couple of years and I've enjoyed the service. I haven't had to really dip into the files, thankfully, but nice to know that they're there.
I've been paying for it (even though I'm a Prime member) because the software I use encrypts the data and it's no longer seen as a photo. I should probably just acquire some different backup software and save myself the $180 a year or whatever, because I'm not sure why I would ever need to encrypt my pics.
beavens wrote:
I've been using Amazon Drive for the past couple of years and I've enjoyed the service. I haven't had to really dip into the files, thankfully, but nice to know that they're there.
I've been paying for it (even though I'm a Prime member) because the software I use encrypts the data and it's no longer seen as a photo. I should probably just acquire some different backup software and save myself the $180 a year or whatever, because I'm not sure why I would ever need to encrypt my pics.
Jeff
Curious what software you use to encrypt your files?
I use Amazon Photos to backup my current actively used photos. I have an SSD with the current active photos (about 1TB of files). I do automated daily backup of the current files using Amazon Photos. It works great and is free with my Prime membership. I have never had to do a restore. Be aware that XML and video files are not included in the unlimited allocation. If you have a lot of video files you may be better off paying for BackBlaze.
It took a while to get all the current files uploaded. About a week or two as I recall. Be careful about limits your ISP allows per month. Mine charges more, a lot more, if I exceed 1TB/mo. It would take over a year to upload all my photos. That is why I limit cloud storage to current photos. I use USB drives for older files and keep one copy off site.
I back up all my imagery on Amazon Photos using a CloudSync app on my Synology NAS bax. It took a bit of time the first time, but after that it was seamless and fast.
As I'm a Prime member for other reasons, this is a complete no brainer.
Before I got the Synology, I tried to use the Amazon sync utility and it didn't like my mapped drives on the NAS. Never could figure out how to make it use my mapped drives on my ReadyNAS.
RobDMB wrote:
Was wondering if anyone uses Amazon Photos for backup of your photos (both RAW and JPEG)? If so, thoughts? Any advantages or disadvantages? I know it only applies to photos but it has unlimited storage included in a Prime Membership.
Thanks!
No for several reasons, not least of which is that I have a variety of file types and it makes no sense to backup only a few types of image files to the Amazon Photos, and then have to back up everything else to another service.
I also use it as a secondary (3rd or 4th location) backup. Primarily RAW in my case. Since we have Prime already as a family, it doesn't cost anything extra and serves as more piece of mind.
I use the Amazon Photos app on my laptop. I have it watching my pictures folder and it uploads new files when they are added to the machine. (My workflow is to add to the computer, process, and then move to external drives for storage.)
I don't ever really access or use the photos on Amazon. Just nice to have as another backup location. And the unlimited photo storage is great.
OK, I'm going to upset Amazon now, I use prime for backup but I was sure it doesn't support Raw files? Maybe when I started it didn't and I missed it, but I'm heading downstairs now to queue up several hundred gigs of Raw right now 😁
According to the Amazon, some files are supported. It's not clear which and there is no mention of .psd or .psb files. I suppose you can store RAW files but no PS files?
cdubea wrote:
I back up all my imagery on Amazon Photos using a CloudSync app on my Synology NAS bax. It took a bit of time the first time, but after that it was seamless and fast.
As I'm a Prime member for other reasons, this is a complete no brainer.
Before I got the Synology, I tried to use the Amazon sync utility and it didn't like my mapped drives on the NAS. Never could figure out how to make it use my mapped drives on my ReadyNAS.
I'm also running a Synology NAS - CloudSync is working nicely for you?
I do, but only because it’s free and I might as well. I don’t rely on it as a primary or secondary backup. That’s partly because I doubt Amazon offers this out of the goodness of its heart. I think they offer it because they need a ton of imagery to run and test image recognition software and because at some point they’re going to charge for RAW or just a ton of storage and they’re hooking you now.
We’re writing to let you know about an upcoming change that may affect how you access your content on Amazon Drive, and to help you take steps to keep your content safe.
We understand that you have used Synology Cloud Sync or Hyper Backup on Synology NAS to store information on Amazon Drive.
Amazon will discontinue access to Amazon Drive by Synology Cloud Sync and Hyper Backup starting on November 1st, 2020. Neither application will have access to Amazon Drive after November 1st, 2020, and the only way you will be able to access your stored content will be via Amazon Drive or Amazon Photos web, desktop, and mobile apps.
To ensure a smooth transition, we urge all Synology Cloud Sync and Hyper Backup users to follow these steps:
For Photo and Video content:
1. If you haven’t already, download the Amazon Photos mobile or desktop app. (The mobile app is for photos and videos stored on your phone. The desktop app saves content stored on a hard drive or computer.) Or, you can use the web version by visiting: https://www.amazon.com/photos.
Check to see if your content includes encrypted files or special file formats. If your files are encrypted, you’ll need to save the content in a different format. More information on how to access backup and encrypted data has been provided by Synology and can be found by visiting: https://sy.to/rogvp
2. Upload your unencrypted content to Amazon Photos, using the apps or website.
For other files:
1. If you haven’t already, download the Amazon Cloud Drive app. Or, you can use the web version by visiting: https://www.amazon.com/clouddrive.
Check to see if your content includes encrypted files or special file formats. If your files are encrypted, you’ll need to save the content in a different format. More information on how to access backup and encrypted data has been provided by Synology and can be found by visiting: https://sy.to/rogvp
2. Upload your unencrypted content to Amazon Drive, using the app or website.
After completing these steps, you’ll be able to access your content even after access to Drive by Synology Cloud Sync and Hyper Backup are discontinued.
We understand this may be a difficult adjustment, and apologize for any inconvenience.
Thank you,
Amazon Photos and Drive team
The Amazon Photos app is next to useless as it won't let you synchronize a mapped drive. I'm definitely going to have to think about whether I want to renew my Amazon Prime subscription.
You cannot choose anything other than a local drive to synchronize. All my photos reside on a Synology NAS that I map as a drive for access in Windows.
Makes it absolutely useless for me.
I've expressed my displeasure with them today and sent e-mail as well.
I'm not expecting them to change anything.
Will definitely be re-evaluating whether or not I renew my Amazon Prime membership when it comes due.
EB-1 wrote:
So you cannot use any mapped drive letter, or just Synology?
It's 2020. Who stores mass data inside of a computer?
EBH
Exactly. Methinks that the storage requirement got out of hand and this is Amazon's way of making using it more difficult.
If the old Amazon Cloud Drive Application was still around, I could probably figure out a way around the limitations, but they deprecated that a long time ago. Now all there is is the Photos' Application, which to be kind, is "sub-optimal".
