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Question: Where does iPhoto store imported photos?

I have OSX Lion. How can I access the photos in finder, independent of iPhoto? When I want to import to the web, I can not find the folder where the photos are stored. There is an iphoto icon, which is translucent, but not an option for selection.

Posted on Aug 18, 2011 8:08 PM

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Mar 11, 2012 12:25 PM in response to chipperton In response to chipperton

I've been on the web for an hour trying to search for a workaround on how to easily access my photo files out of the massive iPhoto library. It's comical reading some of the great "defenders" of iPhoto up here. I love my Mac, but it is nothing short of mind numbing how Apple chose to disallow easy access to files.


This is purely an issue of Apple's philosophy, which is well-documented. Apple wants to control precisely how you perform a certain function, in this case, accessing your photos. They want you to do everything through iPhoto. Some may like it this way, I personally find it ridiculous. Neither opinion is invalid.


Anyway as soon as I figure out this workaround, which no doubt will include a different import methodology from my iPhone & iPad, I will likely be using Picasa.

Mar 11, 2012 12:25 PM

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Mar 11, 2012 1:04 PM in response to cmhall8 In response to cmhall8

I'm always amused by the assertions that "Apple wants to control..." this and that because they are always based on a misunderstanding.


iPhoto offer your 15 or so ways to access your photos. iPhoto has more ways of accessing your Photos that any other app I know of, including Aperture. It has far more than Picasa, for instance - being that your Photos in iPhoto are available in every Open... dialogue in the entire Operating System.


Your "issue" is based on a simple misunderstanding: You're confusing your Photos with the Files that contain them. You want access to the files. You don't need access to the files. You need access to the Photos.


The illustration I use is as follows: In my iTunes Library I have a file called 'Let_it_Be_The_Beatles.mp3'. So what is that, exactly? It's not the song. The Beatles never wrote an mp3. They wrote a tune and lyrics. They recorded it and a copy of that recording is stored in the mp3 file. So the file is just a container for the recording. That container is designed in a specific way attuned to the characteristics and requirements of the data. Hence, mp3.


Similarly, that Jpeg is not your photo, it's a container designed to hold that kind of data. iPhoto is all about the data and not about the container. So, regardless of where you choose to store the file, iPhoto will manage the photo, edit the photo, add metadata to the Photo but never touch the file. If you choose to export - unless you specifically choose to export the original - iPhoto will export the Photo into a new container - a new file containing the photo.


So why do you need to access the specific files?


And if you really have a jones for file management, why not run a Referenced Library?


You don't need a "workaround". All you need is to do is


1. Understand iPhoto - which means understanding the difference between the data and the file that contans them. The data is far more available, and in far more ways, with iPhoto than with any other app you can find.


Or, if you really want to see the the jpeg files in the Finder:


2. run a Referenced library. There are good reasons not to, and it offers zero additional functionality and possible pitfalls further down the road, but you'll be able to visit with your files if you want to


Or


3. Use another app. It's really simple. If the app won't import from your Phone or iPad then use Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) to get the files from the device and then do what you will. (But if you're using Picasa read the licence carefully and be sure your happy with hundreds (and hundreds) of hidden files scattered all over your Hard Disk.


iPhoto is a Photo Manager and not a file manager. It's not about "control" or anything like it. It's about using a database to manage data not containers.


Regards



TD

Mar 11, 2012 1:04 PM

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Mar 11, 2012 3:11 PM in response to Yer_Man In response to Yer_Man

Hi Terance,


Thank you for your reply. You make some interesting points, but you are incorrect on one key area: I DO need access to my "files".


Or at least I believe I do. When I try to use Snapfish or one of the other online photo sites, where I want to select specific photos for print purchases, or sharing an uploaded album, when I try to point the site to the upload directory, the only thing it sees through that dialogue box is "iPhoto Album". I cannot drill down and and point to a specific directory. This, to me, is asinine. And if these discussion forums, Macworld articles, etc are any indication, there are thousands more who feel the same as I do.


iPhoto may very well offer a way to do this, but if it does it is not transparent. And frankly, I don't want to have to become an expert in iPhoto, or go "all in" with their methodology, simply to be able to move some files around.


Apple does many things well, but this to me is not one of them.

Mar 11, 2012 3:11 PM

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Mar 11, 2012 7:06 PM in response to Yer_Man In response to Yer_Man

Terrance, thank you do much for the detailed response, it is very helpful. It is clear that you have an excellent understanding of iPhoto and the Mac OS in general.


I'm afraid that you may have missed my fundamental point though, which is that is should not require such instructions, (or searching a user forum, etc) to learn how to perform such a basic function as locating photo files.


I never claimed that iPhoto does not allow this or that, but only that Apple makes a deliberate attempt to "encourage" all users to manage their photos through iPhoto. Which obviously requires one to learn iPhoto.


Again I love Apple and the Mac OS in general. But my experience with this one issue related to iPhoto has been very frustrating, and again my point is simply that it shouldn't require such lengths to learn how to perform such a basic function.


This said, I do sincerely appreciate your expertise and insight on this subject, it was very helpful.

Mar 11, 2012 7:06 PM

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Aug 18, 2011 8:32 PM in response to Keith Barkley In response to Keith Barkley

Note - displaying package contents is not recommended - if you make a simple error you may damage your iPhoto library - the only safe way to access your photos is via the media browser - in the upload window in the lower left hand corner under media ==> photos ==> iPhoto



LN

Aug 18, 2011 8:32 PM

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Aug 19, 2011 12:55 AM in response to chipperton In response to chipperton

In a nutshell: you can't access the files via the Finder. When you chose to use iPhoto you chose to make it your Photo Manager. Anything you need to do can be don either with or via iPhoto. It's your "Go-To" app for your photos.


There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto: You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.


User uploaded file



(Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)


You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:


User uploaded file


There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps. If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.


If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.


If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:


For users of 10.6 and later: You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.


Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.

For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser


Other options include:



Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.


File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.


Show File: a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier: Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected. 3.b.


b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

Aug 19, 2011 12:55 AM

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Aug 19, 2011 1:54 PM in response to chipperton In response to chipperton

Thank you all for your help! Can I make a suggestion which will be seen by apple developers? Some people need to access the original files without jumping through hoops to do so. iPhoto should store photos in a way similar to the way itunes stores its media, in a folder accessible by programs such as photoshop fcp, etc... Until then, I think I will be using bridge.

Aug 19, 2011 1:54 PM

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Aug 20, 2011 12:54 AM in response to chipperton In response to chipperton

No you don't. You just need to learn how to use iPhoto.


Photoshop: You can set Photoshop (or any image editor) as an external editor in iPhoto. (Preferences -> General -> Edit Photo: Choose from the Drop Down Menu.) This way, when you double click a pic to edit in iPhoto it will open automatically in Photoshop or your Image Editor, and when you save it it's sent back to iPhoto automatically. This is the only way that edits made in another application will be displayed in iPhoto.


And FCP can use the methods above


Regards



TD

Aug 20, 2011 12:54 AM

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Feb 28, 2012 5:01 PM in response to MrHernaiz In response to MrHernaiz

Best way is to not back you your photos but backup up your entire disk - Time Machine is one good choice - I use it for hourly backups and a daily clone for a daily bootable backkup


If you just want the iPhoto library you can drag it to the extrenal drive our set up an incremental backup fo rit


Or you can select the desired photos and export them from iPhoto to a folder on the external drive


LN

Feb 28, 2012 5:01 PM

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Feb 28, 2012 5:35 PM in response to LarryHN In response to LarryHN

Thanks for your very quick response.


Actually I’m using Time Machine, but I have tons of trash on my hard drive. I just want to backup documents, photos and some other stuff. I want to get rid of everything else. I want to make a factory recovery and start from scratch but I have not yet made a recovery from Time Machine and I don’t know if I would be able to select what I want to recover and what not.


Thanks,


HH

Feb 28, 2012 5:35 PM

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Feb 29, 2012 9:04 PM in response to chipperton In response to chipperton

My best advice is to install Windows on your macbook and handle your media with it, the way YOU want and not the way Apples decided that you have to, without having to deal with absurd programs such as iPhoto and the panoply of other time wasting toyish apps that are imposed to you by Apple.


Don't get me wrong, I love my Macbook for what it does well, but handling multimedia is definitely not the force of a mac (ironic with the reputation they brilliantly manage to have for their computers!) except if you are a amateur or if you have a few files to manage. But if you handle mass media and you understand the meaning of the word 'productivity' then shut down OSx and reboot in WIN7. And i feel entitled to my critics since I spent like 3K$ on Apple devices.

Feb 29, 2012 9:04 PM

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Feb 29, 2012 9:26 PM in response to Simonfromqc In response to Simonfromqc

Sorry - but there is nothing decided for you and certainly iPhoto or any other Apple program is NOT "imposed" on you - Apple provides some great software for free or at low cost - if you do not like it then it is really, really simple - DO NOT USE IT


And IMHO anyone who advises using Windows on a Mac has no idea in the world of how things work or how to do anything -- why would anyone be stupid enough to pay Apple prices for hardware to run grossly inferior Microsoft software which will run just fine, such as it is, on must less expensive PC systems


Sorry that you are not happy but there is no reason to bring your lack of understanding to this forum


On the other hand at least Apple hardware is so much better than PCs that you can run either OS on it - with PCs you have no choice - run MS or nothing


LN

Feb 29, 2012 9:26 PM

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Feb 29, 2012 10:56 PM in response to Simonfromqc In response to Simonfromqc

My best advice is to install Windows on your macbook and handle your media with it, the way YOU want and not the way Apples decided that you have to, without having to deal with absurd programs such as iPhoto and the panoply of other time wasting toyish apps that are imposed to you by Apple.


1. If you don't like iPhoto... don't use it. It's not imposed on you. You can use other apps for managing your media... or none at ll.


2. Before you give advice like this, maybe you should learn how to use your Mac - and the apps that run on it.

Feb 29, 2012 10:56 PM

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Mar 11, 2012 12:25 PM in response to chipperton In response to chipperton

I've been on the web for an hour trying to search for a workaround on how to easily access my photo files out of the massive iPhoto library. It's comical reading some of the great "defenders" of iPhoto up here. I love my Mac, but it is nothing short of mind numbing how Apple chose to disallow easy access to files.


This is purely an issue of Apple's philosophy, which is well-documented. Apple wants to control precisely how you perform a certain function, in this case, accessing your photos. They want you to do everything through iPhoto. Some may like it this way, I personally find it ridiculous. Neither opinion is invalid.


Anyway as soon as I figure out this workaround, which no doubt will include a different import methodology from my iPhone & iPad, I will likely be using Picasa.

Mar 11, 2012 12:25 PM

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User profile for user: chipperton

Question: Where does iPhoto store imported photos?