Chapter 1: Importance of Camera Maintenance

Caring for various aspects of our lives can often feel overwhelming, yet one area that frequently gets overlooked is the maintenance of our cameras. Perhaps it’s because they tend to be tucked away in a bag, quietly waiting for their moment to shine—much like the shy student in the classroom who seldom gets called on.

In reality, cameras are quite low-maintenance. A spare battery and a backup memory card are usually all you need. However, one critical component often goes unaddressed: the internal clock.

What’s that, you ask?

The internal clock is responsible for the timestamps on your photos, which may not seem significant until you’re juggling multiple cameras at an event, like your smartphone and a mirrorless camera.

Your smartphone is always connected to the Internet, ensuring that photos are saved with the correct date and time, making it easy to upload them to your computer in the right order. However, the situation can be less straightforward with traditional cameras.

Some models sync with your smartphone, giving you accurate timestamps. But many require manual setup, and let’s be honest, most of us only do this once when we first get the camera.

This issue becomes even more critical when traveling across time zones. Your smartphone adjusts automatically, but your camera doesn’t. Even if you don’t travel frequently, living in areas with Daylight Saving Time offers two opportunities each year to throw your camera out of sync—unless, of course, you ignore the time change, in which case your clock is only wrong half the time.

This chaos can lead to a disorganized photo library, as applications that manage your photos do so based on the timestamps. A messy library can be frustrating for those who prefer order.

So, what’s the solution?

If you own a newer camera, consider checking if it can sync with your smartphone. This feature is usually found in the companion app on your mobile device. I appreciate this option because it adjusts the camera settings automatically when you travel or during Daylight Saving Time.

For older models that lack this sync functionality, set calendar reminders to update the timestamps during the “fall back” and “spring forward” periods. And while you're at it, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors!

Timezone adjustments can be trickier, especially when you're in a rush to catch a flight. However, if your flight gets canceled, you may find yourself with extra time to spare.

Personally, I find it helpful to set a reminder to check my cameras during trip planning. After a few trips, this will become second nature, just like other items on your to-do list: book the hotel, reserve the flight, ask a neighbor to take care of the cat, and remember to update the camera timestamp. Simple, right?

If you still find yourself forgetting—trust me, we all do—there’s a backup plan. You can batch update timestamps in your photo management software once you return home. For instance, on macOS, go to Image > Adjust Date and Time, and voilà—it’s like magic!

Before I get back to organizing my sock drawer, here’s one final tip: If you’re collaborating with others at an event, take a moment to synchronize your cameras beforehand. This is especially crucial if you’re responsible for managing the shared photo library.

While syncing your camera’s time may not be at the forefront of your photography checklist, if you can make your bed every morning and keep your laundry tidy, you can certainly add this to your routine as well.

Section 1.1: DIY Laundry Basket Holder

Creating an organized space can enhance your daily life significantly.

To dive deeper into organization, check out this video on building a laundry basket holder from pallets.

Chapter 2: Final Thoughts on Photo Organization

As we wrap up, remember that maintaining your camera and its timestamp is just as important as keeping your living space organized. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that your photo library remains in order, allowing you to relive your memories seamlessly.