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Transferring photos to SD card

Does anyone know how to transfer pics from iphoto onto an SD card. I used to be able to do it on my PC but can't figure out how on my Mac.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7)

Posted on Apr 17, 2011 7:22 AM

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16 replies

Apr 17, 2011 7:25 AM in response to suefromflat rock

Sure! If you have a newer mac laptop, there is already an SD card slot on the side of your computer. If not, you will need an SD card reader. Whichever you have, plug in the SD card. It should mount on the desktop just like any other flashdrive or external hard drive. Then you can drag the photos from iPhoto directly onto the card on the desktop.

Apr 17, 2011 7:49 AM in response to suefromflat rock

Yes I am sorry, I didn't realize you were then going to view them from your camera. I just thought you wanted to transfer them to say another computer.


What you will then need to do is go into your SD card in the Finder window. You should a folder for your camera (if you use the same SD card for multiple cameras there will be a folder for each one), and your newly added pictures. Drag your pictures to the folder for your camera. (Hint if you hold the shift key then click on the first and last photo it will select everything in between.)

Apr 17, 2011 7:50 AM in response to suefromflat rock

It may be that your camera is not compatible with the photo's so it cant display them on the camera. Or maybe your SD card needs to be formatted.


First, if you can, put the SD card into another computer to see if the pictures on are it.


If not, then try to format the SD card (warning, this will delete all data on the SD card)

save all of your contents of the SD card on the computer


With the SD card inserted in your computer open "Applications" folder then "Utilities" then "Disk Utility"

a new window should pop up and you will see your SD card in a small window. Click your SD card, then go to the "Erase" tab and select Erase.


After it has completed then go back to your iPhoto and drag the pictures on top of the SD card icon on your desktop.


See if that works 🙂

Apr 17, 2011 10:26 AM in response to suefromflat rock

I am sorry you are having these difficulties. There must be a formatting issue. maybe try Phil's suggestion. Formatting issue doesn't mean that there is something wrong with your SD card. What it means is that your camera and iPhoto are using dif file types (a JPEG is not always just a JPEG). As a professional photographer I reformat my cards almost daily.


If reformatting in disk utility doesn't work you may need to reformat using your camera. you may need to consult your manual for that, as it dif on all cameras.


I am not sure if there is a way to change the file type within iPhoto. Maybe phil does.

Apr 17, 2011 8:34 AM in response to Phil234

Okay, I just took three pics and downloaded them. I found the folder they were in and then dragged my photo to the folder. It looks like it worked but when I display the pics on the camera than one now shows "incompatible jpeg" I'm sure this gets into another whole ordeal, right? hahahaha Can you tell I'm very challenged over here? Thanks for hanging in there with me.

Apr 17, 2011 8:40 AM in response to suefromflat rock

No worries I understand how frustrating things can be when they don't work as planned. The incompatible jpeg is the formatting issue we have been talking about. I am glad however that your other photos are now showing up. unless there is a way to change the file type to a readable jpeg within iPhoto you will lose all information on your card when you reformat.

Apr 17, 2011 8:55 AM in response to tfortune

So to reformatt my SD card...what do I do? I already tried what you told me earlier. The SD card showed up on my desktop but couldn't find the "erase" tab. I am also going to look in my manual to see if I can do it with the camera but I would rather do it on the computer. Can you be just a little more specific if you have the time. I really appreciate your help. Should I just buy the right SD card?

Apr 17, 2011 9:03 AM in response to suefromflat rock

I'm sure your SD card if fine 🙂 no need to replace.


open up the Finder, on the slider bar on the right of the screen that just opened you should see "Applications" Click on that


Then go to the bottom of the applications window and you should see a folder called "Utilities" click on that


In the Utilities window you should see a "disk Utility" icon, click on that


The new window that shown up, you should see your SD Card in the little window on the right side. Click on your SD card.


You should see 4 tabs on the top: First Aid / Erase / RAID / Restore


Click on the "Erase" Tab


You will see a list of directions in this window giving you specific directions on how to erase your SD card


Let me know if you have any problems from there.

Apr 17, 2011 9:05 AM in response to suefromflat rock

You shouldn't need to buy the "right" SD card they are all the same. It is nothing wrong with the card it is a problem with your photos not being in a format that your camera can read. Phil gave you the correct steps above on how to reformat your card to the correct format for your photos. The erase tab is within the program Disk Utility found in your Utilities folder found in your applications folder.

Transferring photos to SD card

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