iPhoto is adding a string of unwanted numbers to my photos, why? And how can I get rid of them?

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Level 1

6 points

iPhoto is adding a string of unwanted numbers to my photos, why? And how can I get rid of them?

I am trying to send photos to a site called Trekearth but Trekearth keeps putting up a notice saying no more than 15 characters allowed.Upon inspecting the photos I find that my MacBook Air has added a huge string of characters to the photos and I can not find out how to remove them.The added characters appear pale grey.The Windows system does not do this but I have to use my Windows machine to overcome this.

I bought the MacBook as I thought it looked to be excellent for photographers.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Apr 30, 2021 2:44 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

léonie

Level 10

197,231 points

Apr 30, 2021 7:17 AM in response to Democritas

Are you trying to save photos by copying and pasting them from the Photos window to a folder?

Photos is internally storing the photos and the previews of the photos by creating new, long, unique filenames as strings of hexadecimal characters, for example copying and pasting an edited image with the original filename "IMG_1300.HEIC" just resulted in a saved file named "F12B6FAF-3143-407C-9E03-D261A8CE9E4B_1_105_c.jpeg". Also files transferred by shared albums may have such strange filenames.

To save a file from Photos with its original filename do not just drag and drop or copy and paste it, but use the Export command. Select the image, then use "File > Export > Export 1 image" and select a folder to save it.

To ensure, that the original filename will be used, check the "File Naming" preset in the Export panel - it should be set to "Use Filename", unless you want to rename the files on export.

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Answer 2

Apr 30, 2021 9:24 AM in response to Democritas

How do you go to photos on the mac - where are you looking?

In the image browser window, you need to go to photos in the media section as shown in the screenshot. Do NOT go into the pictures folder or the photos library file.

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Answer 3

Democritas Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 30, 2021 8:15 AM in response to léonie

Hello Leonie,

Thank you for your help.I think it best to tell you what you what I am trying to do.There is a website for people interested in photography called Trekearth. Using my old Windows XP I can easily post a photo but using my recently purchased Mac book after selecting and sending a photo I get a message saying that no more than 15 characters can be used.Upon going back to the photo on the MacBook I find the machine has added a stack of numbers all of which are in pale grey.

I will try your suggestion to overcome this.

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Answer 4

Democritas Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 30, 2021 9:07 AM in response to TonyCollinet

Hello Tony

I recently bought a MacBook Air and I am confused as to how it works.

I open up a thing called Trekearth where one can send photos .

It says go to the photo,select,load .

So I go to Photos on the MacBook then select the photo I want to send but when I look on Trekearth I find a small picture of the photo and above a message saying that no more than 15 characters can be used. On going back to Photos I find that a huge string of numbers have been attached to it and it is these that seem to prevent it being accepted. These appear in pale grey and there does not seem to any way to remove them.

Using my Windows computer which is now very old all photos go with no problem.

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Answer 5

Democritas Author

Level 1

6 points

May 2, 2021 9:46 AM in response to léonie

Hello Leonie,

My wife tried your technique to export photos without the hexadecimal string and it worked.

Apple should put up a warning that this will be done to Photos and give the user the chance to opt out.This does not happen with Windows .

I hope my English comes across O.K.

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Answer 6

léonie

Level 10

197,231 points

May 2, 2021 10:19 AM in response to Democritas

"File > Export" is the only method that will give you full control over the quality of the exported photos. Drag and Drop, or copy and paste are just quick ways to save a preview - if just a small preview of your photo suffices.

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