Where does iPhoto store imported photos?

When using an external editor with iPhoto you always "save". Never save as. IPhoto always keeps your original safe for you. No action needed on your part

LN

Ok, so have tried this and it appears (in Iphoto) alongside the "original", but not in Finder under pictures, images.

So I think I am getting back to my original problem. If I use Insert, Picture from file, in a document, where do I go to find that jpeg file? Is there a way, or do I continue to drag file from Iphoto? I can drag directly into document, is that the best way?

Directly accessing the contents of the iPhoto library is not supported and doing it is dangerous

You only access your photos using the supported methods. In the "insert" window look at the media browser in the lower left hand corner under media ==> photos ==> iPhoto.

LN

Simple and wrong and dangerous

There are supported ways to access your photos that are very simple (much simpler than attempting to directly access them) and that work (which directly accessing the contents of thevSQL database does not do) and have no risk of destroying the database and causing data loss (which directly accessing the SQL database does risk)

LN

Fantastic, never found Media browser (or even new it existed before), but now I have it.

A weight is lifted !! Said I was new to this.............

Thanks very much

Really the key thing is if you want direct access to your photos don't use iphoto because of the way it catalogs you images. I would look into other packages or just save your photos in the picture folder.

Cheers Guys

Really the key thing is if you want direct access to your photos don't use iphoto because of the way it catalogs you images.

Quite incorrect, really. If you want direct access to your Photo then iPhoto is ideal. What you're referring to is direct access to the files not 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.

It's all about the Photo.

Regards

TD

I understand what your saying and you are correct on some points. Apple users like to call file types containers, and loosely I can agree with that statment. So in a nutshell you can say iphoto is a container because your jpg file has been placed into a SQL container. The average new user is looking for their photos ie files in this case. A user will use photo and file verbiage meaning the same thing to them. So when someone asks where is my photos they want to know where the actual file is stored at. The average enduser doesn't care that there is a difference between the two. It concerns me that must of the answers I read in the forums are very detailed on how the program works leading to all the warnings you may break something if you don't do it the Apple designed way. Yet leave the actual answer out most of the time. To me that's like buying a car and knowing that it needs gas to operate, yet when I ask if the gas cap is on the left or right of the vehicle. I end up with an answer warning me the gas is explosive and be careful.

Sorry but I believe that virtually time the question where are my photos is ask the user is warned not to use unsupported access methods and is given details in the supported methods to access their photos.

Giving then unsupported and dangerous ways that do not even work is not better. It is worse.

LN

The warnings are essential, however. I read the warnings about not changing ANYTHING in the iPhoto library. However, I was in a different file and found a bunch of stuff that had no meaning to me. I dumped photos in the trash and named other photos.

Now I think it was actually the Library using another name. (something like "all media") (now I can't find it)

After reading the warning, I immediately dumped the trash back into iPhoto but now these photos are in an event of their own. What a hassle!

Anyway, keep giving the warnings even though some of us are too dense to follow them.

Patricia

I am not saying the warnings are not needed.. However if an end users is looking to manage their files (Photos) in a means outside of iPhoto. Then iPhoto should not be used as a photo manager, thus use a different software package like Adobe Bridge or something else.

The key I am pointing out is most of the answers I read are instructions on how to use the supported ways, yet the answer seems to always be neglected. I for one like to know what goes on behind the scenes with my data like a lot of other users out there..

Unfortunately all media is an insidious back door into the iPhoto library and it is unfortunately common that users inadvertently damage their iPhoto libraries because of this. Suggest to Apple that they eliminate this dangerous access. IPhoto menu ==> provide iPhoto feedback

Also this underscores the criticality of always having a backup. Bad things do happen and a good backup is often the only solution to resolving them

LN

I agree that its damaged way to easily, I can’t even count how many posts I have read where the library was trashed..

I'm hoping and dreaming that the word "trashed" does not apply in my case.

I haven't backed up since we moved in October 2011.

OMG

Patricia