Where does iPhoto store imported photos?

@TD,

Your points are valid you clearly understand the program in depth just as I with Bridge. It really comes down to workflow of the individual.

What bothered me was how everyone approach to the answer, it was overbearing rude to say the least. In the end no one told the user where the files were, just hints.

In your regards to the last point regarding Databases, I do know it was becoming standard practice to store the binary file information in Databases. However the trend now is to just store the pointer of where the file is being stored letting the file system do its job. Granted either method has its pros in con in the case of iPhoto I could see where that would work, but I am sure there is a limitation where end user experience would be affected.

I was very happy when SharePoint provided to use either method because in a large corporate environment storing the file in the database is not always the best method.

What you possibility need is a DAM (digital asset management) application like Media Pro 1 which lets you manage your photos via folders but will also let you move photos between folders from within the application, assign ITPC metadat to the files, etc.. It's a muti platform DAM app for professional photographers like Aperture, and others.

Visit The DAM Forum and read about the various apps and their pros and cons. I use Media Pro as my primary DAM and iPhoto for special projects like books, calendars, etc.

OT

Without going into to much reading on the product, does it offer shared database support between PC's attached to the same library>

Yes. MP creates catalogs which contain thumbnails of the photos (you can set the thumbnail size) and the catalog can be read from both platforms with the Media Pro for that platform.

There's also a Media Pro reader for both platforms that will let someone view the catalog and full sized photos but not make any changes.

Wow,

I've just read through this post with interest, and to be honest I am dumbstruck by some of the answers to a relatively simple question, the op didn't ask for a user manual on how to use iphoto, they just asked how they could get access to their photos!

How is ridiculing their knowledge of the app, and keep on telling people they don't know how to use their mac of any use? being a pompous *** and completely anal helps no one...

For myself I have an imac and a pc, and I want to back photos up to my drop box, it would be far easier for me to just grab the files and copy/paste them across the network, or onto my external drive, and for most files on my mac thats relatively straightforward, with photos its a pain in the ***!.

My two penneth would be to read what the person is asking for in their post, and look at the simplest way of doing it, and the only real answer to that simple question came from Doug, as he told the op where the pics were stored.

It is frustrating at times not being able to "find" your photos, but I can attest to corrupting my library and losing images by moving photos around on my previous iMac.

Adobe Bridge can't find them in Lion, but the photo browser in Pixelmator can find them lightning quick. I can see the wisdom of Apple "hiding" the photos from first hand experience! YMMV

Hi - How do I access my photos via command line, so that I can scp them elsewhere? They must exist somewhere on my mac.

Never mind - found them! Under Masters.

Thanks photosearcher,

long threat, but that was the answer I was looking for!

Just select them, and drag and drop them into a folder.... I cant find them on the hard drive any other way

Not sure if you have already found a way, but thought I would pass this on. This give you access to your original files... http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/30/where-iphoto-pictures-are-located/

to sum it up, not knowing what version of iphoto you have, in the same place you have your iphoto library (photos/iPhoto Library), you can do a couple of things. 1. right click on the library and select "show packaged contents", which will open and additional finder window with everything you are looking for in there, or 2. below your library, you will find an additional folder called either "iPhoto Masters" or iPhoto Originals", where either of those will have all your native files. The only thing that looks to be missing from any of these approaches are books, calendars, etc that you have created through iPhoto.

Hope this helps!

K

Really, you should read the thread.

The only thing that looks to be missing from any of these approaches are books, calendars, etc that you have created through iPhoto.

All the edits and additional metadata you have added.

And finally: File -> Export does the same thing, and is supported too.

Thank you "K", why couldn't someone just say that !

I have another query, as a brand new mac user.

I used your link (http://osxdaily.com/2011/08/30/where-iphoto-pictures-are-located/) which allowed me to find photos. I noticed when importing into Libre Office via "Insert" command, that the file inserted was the original file that I imported into iphoto, not the file I had edited, even though I thought I had deleted the original. (I am using Photoshop Elements to edit).

The only way I found to get around this was to drag the photos I wished to use in the document onto the Desktop and import/insert from there. It works, but a bit long winded. Now I'm sure that this is because I don't yet fully understand what I am doing on my brand new shiny mac, but I am trying ! This may now be altering this thread (not intentional) as until I read your link didn't even know where the photos were!!!

Directly accessing the contents of the iPhoto library is not supported and doing it is dangerous. And change of any sort that you make to the content or structure of the iPhoto library can corrupt the library and cause data loss. And with iPhoto it is impossible to delete the original photo. IPhoto always keeps the original. If you are editing using any external editor then you must set it as the external editor. You must not ever directly access the library. That is making changes and does not work

In short there is never a reason to go directly into the iPhoto library

LN

Hi LN,

Thanks for that, I have set Photoshop Elements as the default editor (as it is a programme I am used to using), so when I ask to edit Photoshop opens and I edit as normal. I then "Save", and up to now have saved as the original file name (just haven't needed to "Save as" yet as I didn't need to keep originals).

So I have just tried a "Save As" into Pictures, and the file is there as expected. How do I open in iphoto? If I double click it opens in Preview.............ahh wait, ..... in Finder I can "Open with" and that imports into Iphoto.

So I think things are becoming clearer....watch this space!

Thanks