Apple Photos is exporting washed out images

Question

Apple Photos is exporting washed out images

I've been using Photos for many years and this is a new issue. I've restarted and the issue remains.

When I export images, both PNG and JPG, the image is very washed out and doesn't look like the image in Photos. These are images that I made edits too (saturation, color, etc.). When I export an Unmodified original the image is not washed out.

I've shared images. The first one is a screen grab of the edited image in Photos. The second photo is the exported photo. You can see how washed out the second photo is. Does anyone have any tips? Thanks!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Jul 7, 2022 11:59 AM

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Answer 1

Old Toad

Level 10

210,509 points

Jul 7, 2022 12:10 PM in response to calicoradio.com

Try the following;

1 - As a test launch Photos with the Option key held down and create a new, test library. Import some photos and test to see if the same problem persists. Does it? This tells us if the problem is limited to your current library or is more wide spread. Then open your original library and test again.

2 - if the problem persists log into a new, basic, admin user account, Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac, and see if the problem persists. This tells us if the problem is limited to your user account or is system wide.

3 - lastly, if the problem still persists boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

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Answer 2

Jul 7, 2022 12:17 PM in response to calicoradio.com

The issue seems to be only affecting photos that give a "Cannot Start Editing. Photos cannot load adjustments for this image" message when clicking the Edit button. And there is not option Revert to Original button.

And I'm now find a lot of images with this issue. Is there a fix?

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Answer 3

Jul 7, 2022 1:59 PM in response to Old Toad

Yes, and the issue persists. It only affects photos from a few years ago. I've been using iPhoto and then Photos since iPhoto came out like 20 years ago, so now most of my photos that were added up until maybe 4 years ago and longer have this issue. Recent photos do not.

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Answer 4

Jul 10, 2022 11:18 AM in response to calicoradio.com

Nice fish. When I copy the photos you uploaded, they are different resolutions and file sizes. Is that true for the pictures, or is it just true of the uploads to this site? Both are TIFFs. Can you tell if there are other ways the pictures are different, in addition to washed out?

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Answer 5

Jul 11, 2022 10:49 AM in response to Richard.Taylor

Thank you. The first photo is a screen grab of how the photo looks in Mac Photos. The second washed out photo is an exported JPG. I guess they get converted to TIFFs when uploaded.

I spent an hour on a call with Apple support, they were very kind and patient but are unable to help. Fortunately I can revert the photos to their original and then redo the edits. I can revert by doing a right click on the photos thumbnail, without entering edit mode, which I can't for some of the affected photos.

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