Where does iPhoto store imported photos?

Have you watched the tutorials? There is a learning curve for new software. The tutorials will save a lot of frustration

LN

IPhoto help files and tutorials

LN

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

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.

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

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.

Have you actually read the thread before commenting?

In summary:

1. It's designed for the home user. That's not a bad thing. That's what it's designed for. Why would a professional even consider using it? Why would serious pro use a Phone camera to shoot a wedding?

2. There are more ways and faster ways to access your files using iPhoto than simply using files-in-folders. There are more ways to organise, categorise and search for photos in iPhoto than files in folders. They are available in every Open... or Attach dialogue in the OS. Every one in every app.

3. It's not about control. You don't have to use iPhoto. You can use any app you want - made by Apple or made by third parties.

4. Yes, it's important to protect the original file. iPhoto does that. Backing up the iPhoto Library does that. You can also export the master and store it as a back up. You can upload the master offsite as well.

5. There is never a need to access the Master in the Finder. Never. If you think you do then you don't know how to use iPhoto.

6. I would think, being a web designer, that if you learned how to use the app you'd find it quite useful.

7. This has nothing to do with Macs v Windows. It has nothing to do with control. It has to do with learning the difference between a file browser and a database.

3. It's perfectly possible to run iPhoto in Referenced mode. That way you can store the files wherever you want. I don't recommend it, but you can do it. It adds not a whit of capability but it is possible.

Yes I did read the thread twice and all I could see was several users wanting to know where the files were being stored, yet it seems everyone wished to dance around the answer.

Take for example all of your answers in return were the typical Apple responses. Not to get to far off topic I will provide a real world example of Apple response. My $2000.00 dollar Wacom display would not work with the Apple DVI display port adapter I purchsed after a PreSales call. Now after contacting Apple tech support on what I consider a simple matter ended up leading to the rep stating there was nothing wrong with the MacBook. She claimed my Wacom display was faulty. Now this same display is working perfectly on my PC. Yet she was still convinced Apple stuff was working correctly. Seeing the call was going nowhere I thanked her and pursued to figure out for my self on why.

So now take your comments and look at them, It’s like your reading way to deep into the questions or comments. The end user was very gracious in complementing your knowledge of iPhoto, however you never did answer the question, you showed many fine examples on how to use iPhoto which was great.

Now this leads to what some feel is Apple control. So I ask you to look at the following questions based on your responses to the original question:

• Did you not want the originating user to know where the files were stored, because you felt iPhoto was the preferred way to go or some other underlying factor?
• Did you not know the answer, but offered your knowledge of iPhoto to better help the end user.
  
  

I am sure I could come up with other scenarios but your response was a-typical Apple. No offense to you because I understand where your coming from. When you are on the outside looking in you see the “Control” take shape from die-hard Apple users. Maybe control is the wrong word because I see it as a defense mechanism to defend something, and it just comes across as control.

So back on tasks here let takes your responses in order.

1. I assume you are agreeing with my statement that Apple is for a home user, however you are way out there in left field to carry on about using a iPhone to shoot a wedding. That was just a way to dig at something.
2. You are correct in your statement, however depending on the user this may not be the ideal method.
3. I didn’t state I was being controlled because I know I have the option of using whatever software I like. I was stating Apples culture; they build their products around the Apple way of doing things. The sad thing is in introduces a lot of threads like this were users have to defend the product regardless if it is flawed or not. (Note I am not referring to iPhoto, this is a general statement of all Apple products regardless if its hardware or software issues).
4. Again its all about workflow on what the user likes to do.
5. Again I feel that’s a narrow statement, because you will need to access your files at some point. For example if I use Adobe Bridge with iPhoto, I will need to access the Master folder at some point. Granted this is not a everyone scenario but you could accidently offload your camera with iPhoto and need to move everything to a different folder. It’s all about what the user needs or wants to do.
6. I have used it for some time, and it works great for personal photos and social networks, again home use.
7. You are correct that everyone should know the difference between the two, however most programs like iPhoto are using a database to manage them. Some users understand this and others don’t, remember no one stated what type of user they were so its best to answer the question. Instead you go on defending the product by stating, “Learn to use your Mac” because you feel the end user in miss using the software. So in a way it does revolve around how Apple does it vs PC. They may be long time PC users and feel that was a better workflow.
8. I regards to your final statement I would be interested in knowing where this setting is, because I have gone through the program menus several times and have yet to find where to change the path on where the photos are stored. Maybe its right in front of my face and I am just missing it, yet I was one in the past trying to figure out where my files were stored too.

Doug

I wonder why some Apple users always sound so defensive?

I couldn't agree more with the theme of Larry's posts. Apple does some things very well, and though TD likely disagrees, Windows does some things very well, too.

I have both running on my iMac. As an accounting professional I use Excel heavily. Apple's gestures are a nightmare when using Excel, to the point I no longer use the Mac mouse.

Conversely, OS X blows away Windows 7, IMHO, in stability, organization, and overall in several usability areas. But as I've stated before, it is asinine in my opinion to have to come to a user forum to ask how to find photo files. This is how Apple has chosen to do things, and that's fine, but it is much less intuitive than the Windows way.

In general, Apple tries to "idiot-proof" everything by have users follow a prescribed method for managing their files and computer. Windows is perhaps less intuitive at first, but allows more flexibility for a more experienced user.

Of course the fact that Apple even allows a dual boot of OS X & Windows is the ultimate in "flexibility", and is one of the many reasons I'm such a big fan of Apple.

@ cmhall8 You hit it right on the nose they try to idot proof it, not all end users are idots..

@LarryNH

Too funny, a prime example of what I am talking about why so defensive...

Before I go any further I am not instulting anyones help at all, becuase there is alot of good posts in the fourms. It's how alot of people go about the answers thats is just so wrong.

I completely understood the thread and yes everyone danced around the direct question on where the files were stored. Granted all the information was useful to anyone reading the article however the key was “where are the files.”

Instead everyone wanted to go into the OMG mode why would want to do that, here do it this way or do it that way.

That’s fine and dandy but at least answer the question with the other suggestions included.

Regarding my comment of accidently offloading your camera could be a matter of the end user just learning the mac and not understanding the Apple method and then finding out you don’t want your pictures stored in that manner. So yes some would consider it an accident, because that was my first experience with iPhoto. Thus I took the time to find out where my pictures were really located, and I shared that information here.

Then I noticed instead users are bombarded by what I would consider demeaning when they are just trying to understand.

Comments like “Learn to use your Mac”, “Why use the least useful option? Twice on this thread - twice - the re full instructions for more - and better - ways to access your Photos.”, “I'm always amused by the assertions that "Apple wants to control..." this and that because they are always based on a misunderstanding.”, “And again you demonstrate your total like of comprehension”..

Seriously how do comments like that help a user, with a simple question? It does nothing but put a foul taste in the end-users mouth.

So I can respect your answer regarding TD’s reference to the “Reference Library”. You told me where the settings are and then offered some useful information on why you should not do it that way. I don’t necessarily agree when some of your reasoning regarding hardware failure restoration. Your suggestions do provided future users some pointers for future users. So I thank you for the information, it will be something iI will know in the future if needed.

Die hard Apple users dont need to get so defensive because they think the end-user doesn’t understand, this seems to be the misconception of die-hard Apple users. There is some truth in the statement, but they could very well understand completely. It may be matters of them not caring for the Apple way of doing things that’s all. Thats why there is different software packages and different brands of computers out there to choose from.

I for one prefer to use Bridge over iPhoto becasue I can use it between my Mac and PC, whereas iPhoto doesnt provide that fit. Its all about the workflow that works for the enduser, and if anything I would feel a Die hard Mac user would understand the importance of personal workflow.

@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.

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