How do I import both the unmodified original and current edits versions of photos to a new Photos Library?

I want to create a second Photos Library, and then import some of the photos from my first library to the new one. I'm running El Cap 10.11.6, which is the most updated OS for my early '09 iMac. I know how to export from one library, and then import into a new library. Here's the part I need help with:


My options for export under the Photo app File menu are: 1. export as unmodified originals 2. export in a specific format (jpg, tiff, png) instead of as unmodified originals.


Is there really no way for me to export the unmodified originals, but also retain any editing I did to them? In other words, I want to move the photos to a new Photos library folder, but I want them to be just as they were in the original library folder -- with their current edits in place, but also retaining the ability to revert to their unmodified original state.

Posted on Sep 27, 2019 8:22 AM

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3 replies

Sep 27, 2019 10:54 AM in response to zanzen

You will have to export the unmodified originals, and also the edited versions. Use both export options.

You can search for all photos that have edits applied with a smart album with the rule "Photo is edited".

Then import both the edited version and the originals to the new library. You will then see two files for each edited image in your library. These duplicates cannot be prevented.


If you want to move many images to a new library, it would be more economic to duplicate the library and to delete all photos you do not want to move to the new library. this way the originals and the edited versions will remain paired. It is the best, lossless method.


For RAW images is a nearly lossless way to transfer the edited versions and the RAW files as a RAW&JPEG pair, so you will not see duplicates after importing them. If your original image files are RAW files, and you export the edited versions as JPEGS and the originals as RAW files, and use the original filename when exporting, Photos will combine the edited version and the original RAW file as a RAW&JPEG pair, when you import the two files together to Photos. Photos will use the JPEG of the edited pair as the original file, but when you want to revert to the original, you can simply use the command "Use RAW as original" while in EDIT mode, and can start editing from the original RAW file.

For example- I exported a raw file (a DNG) and the edited version as a JPEG. After reimporting them to another Library, the pair has been stacked and is showing the "J" badge.


The exported files:


The imported image:

Sep 27, 2019 11:42 AM in response to léonie

Thanks! Duplicating the whole library and then deleting some of it will make the most sense for me. Good to know about the Raw/jpg pairing ability. I wonder why they didn't build the option to simply export modified versions that can also revert to their unmodified original state? Or for that matter, why not the ability to create a new library by directly duplicating a chosen group of originals (and their modifications, if desired) as a new library, to avoid the whole export-import business?

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How do I import both the unmodified original and current edits versions of photos to a new Photos Library?

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