How to Back Up Your Photos: My Podcast Interview with Andrew Hellmich

I was honored to recently be interviewed by Andrew Hellmich, who has an absolutely fantastic podcast called the PhotoBizX Podcast that focuses on the business side of photography. We covered many backup-related topics on the show.

I really enjoyed chatting with Andrew, and we’ve already received some great feedback about the interview. Here’s what one listener had to say: “Fantastic interview – right up my alley! Loads of great information that I found easy to follow…Also had no idea you could download your social media content! WOW – super good tip and great for ideas for blog posts!” -Katrina J.

The vast majority of my interview is available for all to listen, but one section has been reserved only for Premium Members of PhotoBizX (well worth the small investment in my opinion).

The two main topics that I covered that are not in the interview linked above are on the topics of online backups and social media backups.

If you’d like information on those topics, I wrote an article on online backups which you can find HERE. And re: social media content, all the major social media channels have ways for you to export all of the information you’ve uploaded to them. Just search for “Download <social media name> archive”.

I hope you find the podcast helpful if you take a listen!

A link to the audio podcast and show notes can be found HERE.

Also, THIS PAGE has information about becoming a member (I’m an affiliate for his program so if you decide to subscribe you will be supporting my publishing efforts). In the past I’ve been a paying member, and I got a lot of value from it. For the last few years, I have not been doing much portrait work, so I stopped subscribing. But I still enjoy the content that’s available to everyone.

And I encourage you to Keep Backing Up Your Data (you are backing up, I hope!)

The Newest Platypod, Platypod eXtreme, just launched via Kickstarter 4/6/2022

Before I get started, if you’d like a “Quick Link” to the Kickstarter project for the Platypod eXtreme that I mention below, You Can Find It Here. Or just click on the image below:

Platypod eXtreme compact tripod and case. Photo courtesy Platypod Pro LLC

Now for the longer story…

I have great respect for inventors who create products or services that solve their own problems, and then follow-up by creating products and/or services to help others who have similar wants or needs.

The Platypod and Platyball product lines are perfect examples of that. I’ve been following the story of the company’s founder Larry Tiefenbrunn since the first Platypod hit the market in 2015. I then backed the Platypod Ultra in 2017, the Platyball Ergo in 2019 and today, April 6, 2022, I backed the Platypod eXtreme on Kickstarter.

The Platypod is described by the company as an “all terrain camera support,” and the best way to see what it (as well as their Platyball tripod heads) can do is to watch some videos of the products in use, like the ones on the company’s website at Platypod.com.

Another great resource is the video replay of a livestream from earlier today on THE GRID with Scott Kelby. On the show, the product was described by Larry Tiefenbrunn, Scott Kelby and photographer Lizzy Gadd. Some of Lizzy Gadd’s incredible environmental self-portraiture was featured throughout the show, as well as some “behind-the-scenes” photographs showing how she used the Platypod eXtreme on location. To say that I was blown away by Lizzy’s work is an understatement!

A replay of the livestream can be found below:

And to see more of Lizzie Gadd’s work, visit: https://www.elizabethgadd.com.

And here’s some more technical information about Platypod eXtreme from the company’s press materials:

Like all Platypods, the new eXtreme utilizes four independently adjustable legs for precise adjustment on uneven terrain, and greater stability than conventional three-legged tabletop and travel tripods. What makes the new model unique is that the threaded legs not only adjust up and down, but also rotate for instant deployment (Editor’s note: Those new rotating legs are a big deal! That’s because of the speed at which they can be deployed compared with the previous models.)

When not in use, the legs fold flat for storage and needn’t be removed. The Platypod eXtreme also features an integrated handle and multiple attachment points for compact lights, extension posts, and other important mobile accessories.

Barely 5mm thick, measuring only 7.75×5.25 inches (19.7 cm x 13.3 cm), and weighing just 9.6 oz. (about .27 kg), the Platypod eXtreme features a plate constructed of premium aircraft-grade aluminum, with a standard 3/8” titanium main bolt. The precision eXtreme utilizes stainless steel rubber-tipped legs, screws, and springs, and is designed to securely support camera/lens combinations up to 22 lbs.

As I mentioned above, the Kickstarter project for the Platypod eXtreme can be found HERE. There is also a special offer for people who back the project during the first 72 hours of the campaign. I always note to my readers that Kickstarter is not a store, and you may want to look over the Kickstarter basics HERE. That being said, the company behind the Platypod eXtreme has always delivered to their customers and their communication to backers, especially during the recent pandemic when some delays occurred, was excellent.

Full disclosure: I received no compensation or products for review from Platypod Pro.

Get Access to My 30 Days of Photo-Related Tips: Instructions Here!

Highland Park Fireworks, Highland Park, NJ, July 3, 2019 © Andrew Darlow

Since the beginning of July, 2021 I’ve been sharing photo-related tips, tech reviews, useful apps, and inspiring video content that I’ve found with my main email list. Here are some of the subject lines from the collection (some have been edited a bit for clarity).

1: Some of my Favorite Fireworks Photography Tips (the photo above is from that one)
2: iOS and Android Photo Tips that Blew My Mind
3: A Fantastic Series That Has Inspired My Photography
4: This Video Speed Controller for Chrome Can Save Hours
5: A Simple List App I Never Knew I Needed
6: Another Outstanding List App
7: Fantastic 20 to 25 Dollar Wireless Items Perfect for Photography
8: Another Useful App That I Use Constantly
9: A Highly Recommended Photo-Related Podcast and Short Video
10: A Collection of Fantastic Historic Street Videos
11: How to Quickly Remove Power Lines in Three Apps
12: An Amazing Power Line and Object Removal App for iOS and Android

I did something very similar back in 2019 and the response was very favorable, so I decided to give it another go. The best part about it is that it helps me to dive into topics that I otherwise may not have spent the time to research to the same degree. If you have a list or social media account, you might want to do the same.

If you’d like to begin getting the tips (there are 18 more to go as of today!), just visit THIS PAGE and enter your name and email (you can unsubscribe at any time, and be sure to check your sp*m or Promotions tab in Gmail in case they go there).

Also, if you’d like to be able to read the previous email newsletters in the series, just reply to the email you receive from me and ask! I will then give you access. Here is that page again to sign up to receive the next 18 tips, plus future news, reviews, tips, and more.

Hope you enjoy the tips!

All the best,
Andrew

Andrew Darlow
Editor, The Imaging Buffet