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iPhoto 6 and how it should work with edited images

While iPhoto 6 is an improvement over previous versions in the way images are handled it is still a far cry from being perfect. At last, iPhoto does not create a duplicate within its own library but allows — through the advanced option tab — to work through an alias to the original file, thereby preserving my library structure.

Two problems remain:
a) when an image is deleted outside iPhoto the corresponding alias in iPhoto is not deleted upon startup. And getting rid of the ensuing error dialogue is unnerving. Why can iPhoto not browse through the original library and update its aliases when I start the application?

b) when an image is edited in iPhoto a “modified version” is created in iPhoto’s library. Grrr.... back to square one. I don’t want all that clutter on my harddrive and while I can see that some users need to have that safety belt I would wish for an option to tell iPhoto to change the original directly (and not create a copy). I don’t work exclusively with iPhoto only and don’t want to think each and every time where the most recent version of a photo is stored.

So, for the time being I’m back to iView Media... which is not supported through all the media browsers that access iPhoto’s library but still gives me all the control I need (and demand). If anybody knows a solution how to solve the above two problems, please let me know.

Powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Posted on Jan 30, 2006 6:13 AM

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6 replies

Jan 30, 2006 12:38 PM in response to gryphonent

You can do what I do. I use both iView MediaPro and iPhoto on the same set of source files. With iPhoto's "alias" mode, any edit performed by iPhoto stays in iPhoto (does that sound like some TV ad?). However, any edit done via iView will be recognized in iPhoto's edit view but not it's thumbnail. Since I use iPhoto primarily for books, calendars and cards it's not critical and I have the best of both worlds.
User uploaded file

Jan 31, 2006 3:07 AM in response to Old Toad

Yeah, I started doing this when I found out about iPhoto’s new alias feature. But then I needed to retouch a photo — and there’s no such feature in iView whereas iPhoto’s retouching is rather good. Not to speak of the other cool editing features that came with iPhoto 6. On the other hand, and unfortunately if I may say so, iView 3 has no new effects and tools to offer. So, that was yesterday when I posted the message. Granted, I don’t need to edit all my images in iPhoto, but it still ***** big time that I cannot tell the **** program to apply changes to the original. Been using Macs for more than 15 years and while I understand all the safety belts and user convenience Apple’s rigid iLife thinking is in my way to be creative and productive. At least there’s hope for iPhoto 7... after all, Steve Jobs & Co. realized with iPhoto 6 that the majority does not want copies of the originals in iPhoto plus the edited versions.

Jan 31, 2006 10:32 AM in response to gryphonent

after all, Steve Jobs & Co. realized with iPhoto 6 that the majority does not want copies of the originals in iPhoto plus the edited versions.

I have to disagree. I look at the alias option as a tool to get users of other systems that let the user define their folder system use iPhoto without having to scrap their system. The copy to library is the default and probably the system used my the vast majority of iPhoto users. The more sophisticated
a user gets then the more they might be interested in the alias method.

Jan 31, 2006 8:31 PM in response to gryphonent

I fought this for a while then decided to let iPhoto make a duplicate when it imports. Yes it takes more space but do the math. I just bought a 250GB disk for about $100. Each image takes between a 5th and a 10th of a penny to store or 10,000 images for tweny bucks give or take.

Also my own backup rules stay that I need the file to exist in many places if it s to be safe. Letting iPhoto make the dup is the first step in my backup plan.

Once you've talked yourself into "duplicates are a Good Thing." letting iPhoto manage you library is easy.

I use the Canon software to download the images into a directory structure out side of iPhoto. I delete any truely horible images and do lossles rotation and other minor tweeks. Then I copy the newly downloaded image files to CD. Next I import to iPhoto and do the keyword/tagging/comments/album thing

Feb 1, 2006 2:01 AM in response to CJAlbertson

iPhoto is not suitable for backup purposes, because it only keeps a copy of the original imported image. If you make a change to that, followed by other changes... you only can revert to the original and not to the previous versions. Things get even more complicated if you, like myself, work with various editing programs. Ever tried to access an image through Photoshop once it is stored in iPhoto?

iPhoto 6 and how it should work with edited images

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