Deleting images in camera or on the computer

I don’t delete images from the camera while I am shooting a subject. For me the LCD doesn’t tell me much about the image. Once the photos are copied to my PC I will then decide which can be used. Something else I do is let the images “rest” for several days before doing any serious editing. I have found that there are more images I do like and will keep by waiting. Does this process work for anyone else or do you just jump in and start editing your images?

David

As long as one has enough memory, not deleting images has no significant penalty other than getting in the way of reviewing and delaying some work till later. I carry around about 4gb of sdRam with my 7mp Coolpix so guarantee that on any week long trip. But there are situations when one absolutely knows a shot ought to be deleted and if one also has the time, it serves the purpose of efficiency deleting it right then. For instance I might handhold a shot and notice I was shaking the camera due to depressing the shutter. Or I'm shooting a wildflower waiting for a breeze to calm in order to stop swaying stem motion. Just when I depress the shutter a waft of air starts it swaying so I miss that condition. Deleting an image right then is the wise thing. If you took four such shots and only the third was when it was most still, you already know the third shot is likely the best to keep while if you wait a week to review all four, you might spend needless time trying to assess the focus on all four. Another situation is one is shooting some nearby object and after taking a couple shots, suddenly notices an obviously better way to frame it. Why not just delete the two previous images as long as the camera button pushes to do so just takes a few moments?

I agree you should delete the obvious no keepers as soon as you can in camera. Using your histogram helps for this...you will find images that are too dark or too overexposed and can go ahead and delete and re shoot while you have the chance. I usually jump right in an start processing images once they're on my computer, but rarely delete any of them for awhile. I too find that after giving it some time and going back through them, I find I like more of the images.

I usually delete the obvious bad images in camera if I have the time. Otherwise I do it all on the PC.

I don't delete in-camera unless completely blurred or I am running out of memory. Its amazing what can be saved or used later and all it takes is a little disk space. Over exposed images can be used in composites, slightly blurred images in photo-art, blurred images as backgrounds, etc. All it takes is a little imagination.

When I know that the image turned out poor for some reason (blurred, overexposed, critter jumped out of the frame), I delete it right away - it takes much less time than reviewing everything on the computer.

Basil

Reply to "a poorly composed shot doesn't even make it to my 'lets try it in photo art'"

If you will note I did not say poorly composed image should be saved... I said overexposed and slightly blurred. Every picture needs a good composition, without question.

Doesn't anyone have problems seeing their LCD screen when outside? I would rather make the correct choices for deleting when I can see the image clearly on the screen.

Patricia what many of are doing is deleting images that we know ought to be deleted without even looking at our LCDs. And there are some others that we delete in camera where the tiny hard to view LCD screen really doesn't matter like obviously blurred motion, incorrect framing, or gross mis-exposures. So yeah the ones you are thinking about many of us likely defer till we get back just like you. However don't let that logic get in the way of when it makes better efficient sense to do so in camera as long as one has the time. ...David