Are photos in two places after importing?

If you are using the recommended/default managed library, yes, all your photos are in the iPhoto Library file.

Check the advanced preferences to make sure you are set to the managed and not referenced library. If so, then you are free to delete the extra copies.

By default (and extremely strongly recommended) iPhoto copies imported item to the iPhoto library (no secret place in any way - fully and easily accessible at any time) so if you have not unchecked the "copy imported items to the iPhoto library" preference then you can delete the source photos after they are imported

LN

Because it does not handle referenced libraries well. A referenced library makesimporting and deleting photos more difficult and makes replacing defective hardware or upgrading hardware extremely difficult

LN

The long answer:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3062728?tstart=0

Terence

I read the long reply, but my brain won't process it. e.g., I can't find the library to get access to it. I know I have a file named "pictures" as I have used it often when exporting, but darned if I can find it now.

I am somewhat desperate as I just returned from Cuba and transferred my photos from my trusty old Sony. Because I saw them on the iPhoto screen, I confidently systematically deleted them from the camera. (usually the iPhoto asks me before hand if I want to delete them, curiously this time it did not.) Also, mobile me asked for my password which it often does these days, and then rejected it before I downloaded. I just clicked the 'cancel' button and carried on.

Now, I sure hope those photos are in the Library and that there is some way to retrieve them.

Can you help? I'll never get back to Cuba.

What's the question?

Terence

I want to access the photo library or Pictures to learn if I still have those photos somewhere or if I have lost them forever.

Would you or someone be kind enough to walk me through the access process?

Patricia

Download media recover. The free download will tell you what can be recovered from your memory card. You have to purchase to actually recover the photos

LN

Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.

Look there for a Folder called Masters (or Originals if using earlier versions)

Are your photos in there?

Don't change anything in the iPhoto Library Folder via the Finder or any other application. iPhoto depends on the structure as well as the contents of this folder. Moving things, renaming things, deleting them or otherwise making changes will prevent iPhoto from working and could even cause you to damage or lose your photos.

Terence

Thanks for your patient help.

I have a folder called iPhoto Library Recovered Photos, but looks like they are things that I thought I had deleted.

Another folder called pictures that says "include here any photos that you want to display"

Another folder called Pictures that has several photos I have used for various exports, and has two more folders inside - "iPhoto Library" and "iPhoto Library Recovered". Nothing there.

I looked at "All Images" (in the sidebar) - it said 20 000 images. There were many "faces" which I had not isolated from the photos! iPhoto has been busy. but nothing that resembles Cuba.

I guess the Alzheimers really got me this time!!

I will try LarryHN' suggestion.

Appreciation from Patricia

Hi Terence,

I copied my iphoto library package from my MacBook Pro to an external hard drive, but I now can't find my original photos, and the iphoto library just displays thumbnails.

I tried:

Go to your Pictures Folder and find the iPhoto Library there. Right (or Control-) Click on the icon and select 'Show Package Contents'. A finder window will open with the Library exposed.

Look there for a Folder called Masters (or Originals if using earlier versions)

But the photos are not in there.

Where do I need to look for my master photos?

Thanks!