Simply don't! Unless you are a wedding photographer and get paid well to do it. Or just a guest bringing a camera.
I consider a good tripod an essential piece of photographic gear, and the way I take pictures I wouldn't be able to work for long without one.
This is how I use Adobe Lightroom. There's a gazillion ways of doing it, but I have settled on my personal way.
I supported a Kickstarter project where two guys are building an affordable large format camera, and soon I will own a 4x5 camera. That has raised quite a few questions.
My Sigma 20mm is not sharp - I shoot very little these days
So you want pictures that are low quality and trashy in a cool and trendy way? Time to get a hold of some odd gear to put in front of your SLR.
A foggy day in the neighborhood. D700 and Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Mail from Ukraine - No rest for Vivian Maier - The 20mm f/1.8 lives
Pictures from my neighborhood
Well, let me be honest: I'm not a real man. I back up my photos and files to an OCD like extent. And you should do the same.