Where does iPhoto store imported photos?

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!!!

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

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?

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

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

Well you really would be much happier using another app. All that you are doing is making extra work for yourself.

Why on earth would you bother doing that? Why not use some other app that works they way you want to work.

Honestly, that workflow makes as much sense as driving from New York to Chicago via Miami, simply because you happen to have a map of Miami.

Again, if you cannot manage to distinguish between a file and the data it contains, then don't use a database.

The whole problem is storing large amounts of binary data in a database is not efficient. It started as a great idea but it’s still better to store a pointer to the actual file. Thus using a database for its actual intent of how you should store data.

A file system is for storing files that contain data, a data base is for storing data not a file. Die hard Apple users what to blur the lines on data vers files by calling it containers.

"Here comes all the defensive replies on that comment."

Yes they are correct in the aspect of describing the difference, but it’s a matter how to efficiently store your collection. If you do any Database administration or development you will understand that it’s not the ideal way to deal with that kind of data if you have a large volume of photos..

Peter I understand why you are doing the style workflow, but it is a lot of work for sure. I would use another package.

I was merely offering an alternative method to address the original question in a lateral way by controlling manually where imported photos are stored, which does not take any more time or effort despite the lengthy description. I daresay if you described how you you use iphoto in standard configuration it would take the same number of lines of text, but my method does retain complete control in MY hands not iphoto. My work is in my Mac in my folder structure.

The reason I use iphoto is that unlike windows there is no other native viewing method which does not involve contortions for non mac users (the wife), and please don't say using Preview or hitting the space bar in Finder is an alternative because they all have serious flaws in the way they navigate through a collection of 10,000 pictures. IPhoto does a good job of presentation, so I will continue using it, thanks.

iPhoto is not a "native" (whatever that is) viewing method. It's a Databse driven photo manager.

You have Photoshop? Never heard of Bridge? There are hundreds of Image Viewers for the Mac. Hundreds. Check them out sometime. Save yourself a lot of time.

Regards

TD

There are indeed a few in App Store, about 20, and those which have any reviews seem to indicate they are Finder based which proves my point that Finder/preview is poor compared to Explorer.

I have Photoshop and Premiere Elements, (I'm not made of money!) so Bridge is not available. Elements Organiser has an even more fragile catalog.

A database is just a storage mechanism coupled to a catalog or index. Good systems allow you to select your preferred physical storage location. I use iphoto's index but with the standard filesystem of the Mac.