Where does iPhoto store imported photos?

You simply do not understand how Time Machine works

1. Time Machine is NOT an archive system. Anything backed up via TM will be deleted from the TM backup so if you do what you are suggesting you will lose your photos

2. You do Not access the TM backup. You restore from it

3. With iPhoto you can not restore single photos from TM You restore the entire iPhoto library

Probably the best solution to your space problem is to purchase another external hard drive and move your iPhoto library to it.

LN

Thanks Larry, I think I figured out a way to accomplish what I am wanting to do. I am exporting all of the images from my iPhoto library as jpegs to my external hard drive. After some further reading, I think this will accomplish what I am needing.

Yes that will work. Using two iPhoto libraries and IPLM to move photos between them has many advantages

LN

I also made the mistake of using iphoto to organize the photos and movies I took during our recent vacations. I sounded like a good idea, compared to the manual management using folders that I used to do.

But now I want to copy them to a USB memory stick - for sharing them with friends and family (they do not use MacOS).

I was hoping that this would just be copying files as I was doing on Linux and Windows, but that is not the case. I read through the 10 pages of comments and none actually says where the original jpeg files are stored.

Looks like the only option is to export everything and so get the original files. Is that the only way ?

Albert

1- Open /Pictures/ and locate the “iPhoto Library” file

2- Right-Click (=Control-Click) and select “Show Package Contents”

3- Navigate to “Originals” (or "Masters") to find your original iPhoto pictures.

Albert,

You must have missed the actual location of the files becasue it has been mentioned a couple of times in this thread.

I kept reading..."go to iphoto library" but as you've (user: noula) educated us...more is needed...FINALLY...someone who knows how to share their knowledge - which is truly needed for these support sites! Thank you kindly!

But now I want to copy them to a USB memory stick - for sharing them with friends and family (they do not use MacOS).

File -> Export. That's how you do it. Ridiculously easy.

Always warn people if what you're showing them may lead ot dataloss for inexperienced users.

Yes. To share via a USB memory stick select the photo(s) and export to a desktop folder. Mount the MS and drag the folder to it. Quick and simple

LN

@noula. Note that what you suggest is not a supported access method and is extremely dangerous and ineffective. Any change made to the structure or content of the iPhoto library can corrupt the library and cause loss of photo and/or data. Recommending dangerous methods with no warning of the danger is a bad disservice to users who may destroy their library due to your advice

LN

@LarryHN Suggesting that control-clicking the iPhoto Library file is "extremely dangerous and ineffective" is absolutely asanine. Displaying the package contents of the iPhoto Library file, extracting the REAL photo files from /iPhoto Library/Originals/ to the location of your choice, and dumping subsequently iPhoto into the TRASH is an operation as safe as any can be on Mac.

Wrong

It destroys your iPhoto library

It loses all edits, projects, metedata changes, etc. it is uncessary, unsupported, and dangerous. Advising people to do that without explaining the negatives is very out of line

LN

Can someone point me to some official Apple documentation on supported methods.

IPhoto help files and tutorials

LN