smitty195

Q: Where is the iPhoto library folder?

Hello,

 

I know this sounds kinda dumb, but I can no longer find the iPhoto folder that has my pictures in it. What I mean is, if I go to a Finder window and I click on "Pictures", it accurately lists all of my pictures that are on my MacBook Pro. However, there is no longer a folder there that I can open for my iPhoto pictures---instead, it's an icon of ALL of my iPhoto pictures. Does this make sense what I'm asking?

 

In other words, let's say I wanted to choose a single photo as my avatar for a certain webpage. Okay, so when the directory window opens up to allow me to navigate to the specific photo I want to use, in the past I have always clicked on "Pictures", and then I could see a FOLDER that I could click on to open it up. Once inside that folder, I saw the long list of picture categories (such as Events, Photos, Last Import, Faces, all of my custom folders, etc, etc, etc). But now, the only choice I have is to click on "iPhoto Library"---all 75 GB's of it! I don't want thousands of photos---I just want ONE. What happened to the folder that used to be there?

 

I am using iPhoto 11 (the latest updates are in it), Mountain Lion 10.8.1, and a MacBook Pro.

 

Thank you!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion

Posted on Sep 11, 2012 4:56 AM

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Q: Where is the iPhoto library folder?

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  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Sep 11, 2012 5:10 AM in response to smitty195
    Level 10 (139,475 points)
    iLife
    Sep 11, 2012 5:10 AM in response to smitty195

    Directly accessing the iPhoto Library from the Finder is not supported, nor has it been on any version of iPhoto.

     

    The First of these is what you want:

     

     

    There are many, many ways to access your files in iPhoto:   You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.

     

    Open dialogue

     

    (Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)

     

    You can access the Library from the New Message Window in Mail:

     

    New Message Window

     

    There's a similar option in Outlook and many, many other apps.  If you use Apple's Mail, Entourage, AOL or Eudora you can email from within iPhoto.

     

    If you use a Cocoa-based Browser such as Safari, you can drag the pics from the iPhoto Window to the Attach window in the browser.

     

    If you want to access the files with iPhoto not running:

     

    For users of 10.6 and later:  You can download a free Services component from MacOSXAutomation  which will give you access to the iPhoto Library from your Services Menu.

     

    Using the Services Preference Pane you can even create a keyboard shortcut for it.

    For Users of 10.4 and 10.5 Create a Media Browser using Automator (takes about 10 seconds) or use this free utility Karelia iMedia Browser

     

    Other options include:

     

    Drag and Drop: Drag a photo from the iPhoto Window to the desktop, there iPhoto will make a full-sized copy of the pic.

     

    File -> Export: Select the files in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Export. The dialogue will give you various options, including altering the format, naming the files and changing the size. Again, producing a copy.

     

    Show File:  a. On iPhoto 09 and earlier:  Right- (or Control-) Click on a pic and in the resulting dialogue choose 'Show File'. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.    3.b.

     

    b: On iPhoto 11 and later: Select one of the affected photos in the iPhoto Window and go File -> Reveal in Finder -> Original. A Finder window will pop open with the file already selected.

  • by MLadd,

    MLadd MLadd Jan 9, 2013 6:41 AM in response to smitty195
    Level 3 (700 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 9, 2013 6:41 AM in response to smitty195

    "Directly accessing the iPhoto Library from the Finder is not supported, nor has it been on any version of iPhoto."

     

    Sure it is. Users->Pictures->iPhoto Library (or wherever you keep your iPhoto Library) then right click on the iPhoto LIbrary and select Show Package Contents.

     

    But to grab a handful of pictures, the method that Terence mentioned, using the Photo Browser is easier.

     

    If you need more than that, exporting them directly from iPhoto would be a better way, depending on how your photos are organized.

  • by Terence Devlin,

    Terence Devlin Terence Devlin Jan 9, 2013 6:52 AM in response to MLadd
    Level 10 (139,475 points)
    iLife
    Jan 9, 2013 6:52 AM in response to MLadd

    What part of "not supported" is unclear?

  • by MLadd,

    MLadd MLadd Jan 9, 2013 6:53 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 3 (700 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 9, 2013 6:53 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    How is "Show Package Contents" unsupported?

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 9, 2013 7:23 AM in response to MLadd
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 9, 2013 7:23 AM in response to MLadd

    SImple - it is not a supported way to access your iPhoto photos

     

    It is possible but is not supported -and additionally is dangerous and often leads to losing photos

     

    LN

  • by MLadd,

    MLadd MLadd Jan 9, 2013 7:31 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 3 (700 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 9, 2013 7:31 AM in response to LarryHN

    Very well. I was just going by the iPhoto '11 Library support article which tells you how to get there. It does give a Warning that "Altering" the contents of this package "Could" cause issues. But that's it.

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Jan 9, 2013 7:34 AM in response to MLadd
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 9, 2013 7:34 AM in response to MLadd

    And going directly into the library makes if difficult to get the correct version of the photo and you do not get metadata - again of course yu can do unsupported things but it is not a good idea and is not recommended

     

    LN

  • by elyseinwonderlandd,

    elyseinwonderlandd elyseinwonderlandd Aug 1, 2013 5:06 PM in response to MLadd
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 1, 2013 5:06 PM in response to MLadd

    if you click on iphoto and click show package contents there will be a folder labeled originals all your photos should be there

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 1, 2013 5:14 PM in response to LarryHN
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 1, 2013 5:14 PM in response to LarryHN

    @elyseinwonderlandd

     

    Did you even read this thread? Yes you can do that

     

    BUT

     

    It is DANGEROUS and is unsupported and there is no reason to do it - and lots of reasons not to

     

    If you are going to suggest extremely dangerous, unsupported actions that can cause users to lose their photos then you must include the warnings along with your recomendation - you do what you want, no one cares - but when you make recommendations to other users you need to suggest supproted methods and give warnings about the potential conquences of unsupporte actions

     

    And to revive a months old thread by giving poor advice is especially bad form

     

    LN

  • by rogersdan,

    rogersdan rogersdan Aug 17, 2013 6:24 AM in response to Terence Devlin
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2013 6:24 AM in response to Terence Devlin

    TD,

     

    Thanks for the detailed post.  I can't get that first window - my side bar doesn't show the "Media" sub category.  I can get to the Iphoto library using Browse photos in the mail option.  Any suggestions on how to get "Media" to show up on the side bar?

     

    Thanks, DR

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 17, 2013 8:34 AM in response to rogersdan
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 17, 2013 8:34 AM in response to rogersdan

    that is not a finder window

     

    it is part of every open/attach/browse window as noted

     

      You can use any Open / Attach / Browse dialogue. On the left there's a Media heading, your pics can be accessed there. Command-Click for selecting multiple pics.

    LN

  • by rogersdan,

    rogersdan rogersdan Aug 17, 2013 9:08 AM in response to LarryHN
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 17, 2013 9:08 AM in response to LarryHN

    Larry,

     

    I don't understand your answer.  I don't see "Media" in the side bar as pictured in the Devlin post.  Can you give specific instructions on how to get to the window pictured in the Devlin post?

     

    Thanks, DR

  • by LarryHN,

    LarryHN LarryHN Aug 17, 2013 9:24 AM in response to rogersdan
    Level 10 (84,185 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 17, 2013 9:24 AM in response to rogersdan

    An any program go to the file menu and use the Open  --  or  -- Attach  --  or  --  browser command in the fi8le menu

     

    What program are you using to try to access your photos? Under the file menu in it you will see one of those

     

    Open dialogue

     

    (Note the above illustration is not a Finder Window. It's the dialogue you get when you go File -> Open)

     

    LN

  • by Old Toad,

    Old Toad Old Toad Aug 17, 2013 9:21 AM in response to rogersdan
    Level 10 (140,908 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Aug 17, 2013 9:21 AM in response to rogersdan

    That sidebar is in Open/Attach/Browse dialogue wildows, not Finder windows.  As an example launch Preview and scroll down the sidebar till the Media icon appears.  It will be at the bottom of the list:

    Preview001.jpg

     

    OT

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