ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD: A Compact Powerhouse for Photographers!

The post ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD: A Compact Powerhouse for Photographers! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

The team over at ProGrade sent us their ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD to try out!

ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD

The ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD is a compact, high-speed external drive designed to fit seamlessly into ProGrade’s existing workflow system. It features USB 4.0 and suggests up to 4,000 MB/s read speeds and 3,500 MB/s write speeds, which, if you know much about file transfer speeds, is pretty darn quick! So even the largest files from the most modern digital cameras are no match… Super quick! I ran a quick test with the Black Magic disk speed test software and it did very well!

Real world? It’s much faster when connected to my little Mac Mini M4 than any other disk I currently own, including my other 2tb SSD. The USB 4.0 really does the trick.

What are the main features?

• Blazing Speeds: Well obviously speed is a big factor here, SSD via USB 4.0, if your computer can handle it, is going to be the driving force behind most people purchasing this little guy.
• Sustained Performance: An import via my ProGrade card readers directly into the ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD: certainly moved the regular bottle-neck of file import away from the saving to disk part of the process! 400 90mb RAW files from my Sony a7R imported smoothly and quickly. – USB 4.0 interface provides transfer rates of up to 40Gb/s (5GB/s)
• Compact Design: Big in performance, small in footprint? ProGrade PG10.5 is well about 3″ or 70mm square, oh, and it’s magnetic, so you can attach it to things (Like the Prograde Pro Hub) as well as the included stick-on metal plate that you adhere to (for example) your laptop lid so it can be fixed there while you’re working on the go.
• Durability: A sturdy little beastie, the Pro Mini SSD is X-Ray and Shock proof (I still won’t loan it to my 15yo…!) and also comes with a very sturd feeling, certified high-speed USB4 cable.

So who is it for?

• Beginner to Intermediate Photographers: If you’re transitioning from basic storage solutions and require faster, more reliable storage for larger files, the PG10.5 is a worthy investment.
• On-the-Go Professionals: Its compact size and rugged design make it perfect for photographers who frequently travel or work on location. If I was still a music photographer, this thing would LIVE in my bag – perfoect form factor, speed and damage resistant.
• Workflow Integration: Like me, if you already use the ProGrade readers (I use the SD and MicroSD for my drone) the PG10.5 is a no brainer to keep everything all in the one place.

Pros & Cons?

• Price Point: While offering top-tier performance, the PG10.5 comes at a premium price, which might be a consideration for those on a tight budget – After weeks of solid use, the SSD hasn’t skipped a beat and continually surprises me with its speed – you get what you pay for I guess!
• Platform Compatibility: Compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2, and 3.1 Type-C ports

My final thoughts

The ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD is a high end solution for those wanting to “do it well, do it once” it isn’t cheap by comparison to some external storage solutions, but it does offer excellent speed, form factor and also has a 3 year warranty.

The post ProGrade PG10.5 Pro Mini SSD: A Compact Powerhouse for Photographers! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

What Photographers Can Do with the Synology 8TB BeeStation Plus

The post What Photographers Can Do with the Synology 8TB BeeStation Plus appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

We have posted many times on the benefits of backing up, external storage vs NAS etc, and we have also spoken many times on the benefit if the Synology NAS, and while it’s true, backing up and storage IS for everybody, not everybody wants or needs to get super complicated with it! A simple solution is something like a directly attached disk, but if you want to go one step better, allowing you much more freedom to backup multiple devices without having to get super-nerdy, maybe this Synology BEE Station Plus is a great option for you to consider?

Synology shipped us an 8TB BeeStation Plus to configure and use for the purpose of this review.

If you’re an amateur photographer shooting more than just the occasional weekend snap, your digital photo collection has probably already started ballooning! Whether you’re capturing RAW files with a mirrorless camera, shooting time-lapses, or backing up phone pics for your growing portfolio, managing your files becomes critical—and that’s where the Synology BeeStation Plus 8TB steps in.

Unlike general-purpose external hard drives, the BeeStation Plus is your own, private personal cloud storage device, giving photographers a reliable and private place to store, access, and share their images—without the monthly fees of cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive. But how exactly can photographers take advantage of it? Here’s how you can make the most of the BeeStation…

1. Easily Back Up Your Photos

The BeeStation Plus connects directly to your home network and runs 24/7. That means your photos can be automatically backed up from multiple devices—including your desktop, laptop, and even your phone.

For example:
You’re editing in Lightroom on your main computer, but you’re also snapping mobile shots with your phone. The BeeStation Plus can back up both sets of images automatically using Synology’s apps (like BeePhotos and BeeFiles). It’s especially handy if you’re on location a lot and want peace of mind knowing your files are being saved as soon as you connect to Wi-Fi.

2. Organise Your Library Like a Pro

The BeeStation Plus isn’t just about dumping files—it lets you organise your entire photo library. Tag images, sort them into albums, and search by date, keyword, or device.

Why it matters:
Over time, finding that one shot from a trip three years ago gets harder. BeePhotos’ AI-powered organisation makes image retrieval faster, so you spend less time searching and more time editing.

3. Share Albums with Clients or Family

You can share galleries or folders directly from your BeeStation Plus with a secure link, letting you control who sees what—and whether they can download, comment, or upload their own files.

Ideal for:
• Client proofs
• Family photo sessions
• Sharing event galleries (weddings, sports, travel)

It’s more professional than uploading to Facebook, and you’re not handing over any rights or quality to social media compression.

4. Edit from Anywhere

Because it’s cloud-connected, the BeeStation Plus lets you access your RAW or JPEG files from anywhere. Using apps like Lightroom or Affinity Photo, you can download files straight from your BeeStation Plus while you’re travelling or at a café.

Example Scenario:
You’re away on a weekend shoot and need to prep a few selects for social media or a blog post. You can grab them directly from your BeeStation Plus using Synology’s mobile app.

5. Free Up Space on Your Devices

Between massive RAW files and 4K video clips, storage fills up fast. Offloading older or completed projects to your BeeStation Plus means you can keep working efficiently without clogging your internal drive.

Extra Tip:
Use folders labelled by year, client, or project type to streamline your workflow.

Final Thoughts

For photographers looking to level up their file management, the Synology 8TB BeeStation Plus is more than just a digital shoebox. It’s a private cloud, gallery hub, backup tool, and workflow enhancer all in one. Best of all, it requires no advanced tech knowledge to get started. Synology designed the BeeStation to be beginner-friendly—making it perfect for photography enthusiasts who want to spend more time behind the camera, and less time worrying about file chaos.

Oh and By The Way!
Don’t forget to back up your BeeStation Plus itself! Use an external drive or cloud redundancy for critical files—no single solution is foolproof!

The post What Photographers Can Do with the Synology 8TB BeeStation Plus appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

How the iPhone Saved Photography (Not Killed It)

The post How the iPhone Saved Photography (Not Killed It) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.

Maybe this is a controversial take, but here goes… I’d be keen to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment.

Remember when people were saying the iPhone would be the death of the photography industry?

When the first few generations of smartphones started adding cameras, there was a genuine wave of panic among professionals. The logic was simple: if everyone had a camera in their pocket, who would pay for a photographer?

Fast-forward to today, and we can see that while the industry has changed, photography is far from dead. In fact, I’d argue the iPhone has actually helped photography thrive in ways we couldn’t have imagined a decade ago.

Everyone’s a Photographer Now (And That’s Not a Bad Thing)

The barrier to entry used to be high. You needed a proper camera, some technical know-how, and access to darkrooms or editing software. Now? Just unlock your phone. Granted, a top of the line phone is no cheap ask, but it IS a phone first, not a camera, or is it? More on that in another article maybe…

Millions of people who might never have picked up a Mirrorless / DSLR are now thinking about light, composition, storytelling. They’re documenting everyday life, playing with perspective, and sharing it all with the world.

The result? A global explosion of visual creativity.

The Rise of the Visual Language

Thanks to smartphone cameras, visual communication is now as common as texting. We send photos to say “look at this,” “I was here,” or even “I love you.” In doing so, we’ve all become more visually literate. That helps the whole industry, because the more people care about photos, the more they appreciate what makes a good one.

More Demand for Quality

Ironically, the proliferation of photos has increased demand for high-quality work. Brands, publications, and creators need images that cut through the noise. So while smartphones flooded the world with snapshots, they also raised the profile of skilled professionals who know how to craft an image with impact.

The iPhone as a Gateway Drug

Ask any photographer today how they got started, and chances are good they’ll say it began with their phone. The iPhone has become a gateway into more serious photography. Once someone realises they enjoy shooting with their phone, it’s a short step to learning about lenses, aperture, manual controls—and suddenly, they’re hooked.

Professional Tools in Your Pocket

Let’s not forget that the iPhone itself has evolved into a serious tool. Computational photography, RAW shooting, multi-lens systems—all built into a device that fits in your back pocket. It’s no longer just a casual snapper; it’s a Swiss Army knife for image-making.

My Final Thoughts

The iPhone didn’t destroy photography. It brought it to the masses. It made the medium more accessible, more social, and arguably, more valued than ever. The industry looks different now, yes—but it’s alive and kicking. Maybe even stronger.

What are your thoughts? Share them here in the comments or over on our Facebook or Insta

The post How the iPhone Saved Photography (Not Killed It) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Sime.